Most travelers who visits to western Tibet are the three holy sites of Mount Kailash, the most sacred mountain in the world to Buddhists and Hindus, Lake Manasarova, also holy to both Buddhists and Hindus, and the Tirthapuri Hot Springs, holy to Buddhists for its associations with a Buddha incarnation. However, one of western Tibet’s less known attractions is also one of its greatest, the Guge Kingdom Ruins near Zanda. These are the ruins of a Buddhist and peaceloving kingdom whose civilization suddenly vanished in the 17th century.

When venturing out of Lhasa to the west of Tibet, foreign travelers should keep in mind that the only legal way (for foreigners) to travel to western Tibet and anywhere outside of Lhasa is to submit an itinerary to the Lhasa Public Security Bureau and acquire permission (and pay permit fees) to travel to the specific sites you request.

Also, as a foreigner, you may be required by regulation to arrange your transport through travel agencies in Lhasa and to use Land Cruiser automobiles for transportation, possibly adding a truck or two for supplies. The total cost of such vehicles comes to a five figure number between RMB15,000-23,000. This is quite an expense, but keep in mind that such a trip might take as long as three to four weeks. Also, the vehicles and prohibition against travelling by bus or hitchhiking is for your own safety. At the end of the day, we recommend safety first!

Shalu Monastery
Guge Ruins
Lake Manasarovar
Gyantse Kumbum
Gyantse Fort
Rongphu Monastery
Tashilhunpo Monastery
Mount Everest and Around
Tirthapura-HotSprings
Mount-Kailash
Lake-Manasarovar