Home to herds of wild ass, dramatic grasslands and turquoise salt lakes, Tibet's remotest, emptiest and most beautiful corner is its northwestern wilderness. Unless you are mounting a full-on expedition, the best way is to pass through along the northern route to Mt Kailash, preferably camping at the lovely lakes en route.
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Tibet things to see and do
Tourist offices
China National Tourist Office (CNTO) in the UK
Address: 71 Warwick Road, London, SW5 9HB, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7373 0888.
www.cnto.org.uk
Tibet Tourism Bureau
Address: 3 Norbulingka Road, Lhasa, Tibet, China
Tel: +86 891 683 4315.
China National Tourist Office (CNTO) in the USA
Address: Suite 912, 370 Lexington Avenue, New York City, NY 10017, United States
Tel: +1 212 760 8218.
www.cnto.org
Changtang
Everest Base Camp
Don't tell the Nepalese, but the views of Everest from the northern Tibetan side are much more dramatic than from its southern neighbour. Bed down at Base Camp, visit Tibet's highest monastery or just stare at the North Face of the world's highest peak. Adventurers can trek in from Tingri or Kharta.
Ganden Monastery
The spectacularly situated monastery at Ganden offers perhaps the best day trip from Lhasa. Almost completely destroyed in the 1950s the complex has been largely restored, though political tensions remain. A lovely kora (pilgrim circuit) that offers incredible views only adds to the site's charm.
Guge Kingdom
Amateur archaeologists will feel their pulse quicken at this forgotten centre of Buddhist culture hidden in Tibet's remote far west. Underground staircases and tunnels link halls of spectacular Kashmiri-influenced Buddhist art, while the surrounding hillsides of cave complexes and crumbling ruins offer some genuine exploration.
Gyantse Kumbum
This unique eight-storied stupa is one of Tibet's architectural masterpieces. Paths wind around and up through the stupa, passing dozens of niches filled with impressive Buddhist art and iconography. Views from the roof look towards Gyantse fort, taken by the British army under Francis Younghusband in 1904.
Jokhang Temple, Lhasa
The sacred Jokhang complex is Tibet's spiritual heart. Join the awed Tibetan pilgrims as they spin prayer wheels and shuffle silently around medieval chapels thick with the smell of yak butter and juniper incense.
Mount Kailash
Sacred to over a billion people, iconic Mt Kailash is perhaps Asia's most enigmatic mountain, drawing pilgrims from across the world on a rugged but stunning overland trip to Tibet's far west. Join pilgrims on the three or four-day trek around the mountain before relaxing on the spectacular shores of Lake Manasarovar.
Nam-tso
One of Tibet's most spectacular natural sights, this huge salt lake sits like a chunk of turquoise beneath a line of snow-capped 7000m peaks. Dotted with black yak-hair nomads' tents and pilgrim paths it's a great opportunity to taste the rugged beauty of wild northern Tibet.
Sakya Monastery
An easy detour off the Friendship Highway leads to this towering, brooding 13th-century monastery. Politically important for centuries, the monastery still contains towering Buddhist statues, a deeply atmospheric main prayer hall and plenty of surrounding chapels to explore.
Samye Monastery
Situated between the mountains and the sandy banks of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the uniquely circular walls of Tibet's oldest monastery enjoy one of the loveliest locations in Tibet. The fact that Samye lies at the end point of Tibet's most popular trek (four days from Ganden) just adds to the magic.
Sera and Drepung Monasteries, Lhasa
Tibet's two largest monasteries are almost miniature towns in themselves, complete with colleges, prayer halls, kitchens and debating halls. Don't miss the debating monks of Sera or the pilgrim circuit at Drepung.
Sichuan-Tibet Highway
The remote mountain roads through the Kham region of eastern Tibet are some of the world's wildest and most beautiful. The overland trip takes you through another Tibet; of forested alpine valleys and lush meadows, deep canyons and rich biodiversity. Neither easy nor cheap, this is an adventure of a lifetime.
Take a trip along Friendship Highway
The ancient 870km (541 miles) trade route between Lhasa and Zhangmu ranks as one of the world's great road trips. The rollercoaster ride takes you over prayer-flag-strewn high passes and past huge lakes before dropping into the spicy lushness of the Indian subcontinent. Take a week and savour the many monastery sights en route.
Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse
Shigatse has long been political and religious rival to Lhasa, so it's not surprising that the seat of Tibet's number two religious leader, the Panchen Lama, is a monastic town of huge golden stupas and a colourful annual ceremony that sees the hanging of a colossal thangka (religious painting).
Visit Potala Palace, Lhasa
The breathtaking former abode of the Dalai Lamas towers like a fortress above Lhasa, while the labyrinthine monastery-like interior below houses some of Tibet's great treasures. Crowds can be thick so you need to book in advance a time to visit.
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