10 Best Places to Visit in Tibet

These best places to visit in Tibet, cover the very best things to do in Tibet, from palaces and temples to natural landscapes and lakes.

The hardest part of making a bucket list of things to do in Tibet is deciding what not to include. Tibet is a vast and ancient land with more than a lifetime of experiences to offer.

To narrow it down, we’ve included the best of cultural attractions, natural wonders, and outdoor adventures. There’s no wrong choice; everything here will be an experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Best Places to Visit in Tibet

1. Explore Potala Palace in Lhasa

Potala Palace has been the icon of Tibet since the 7th century. Today it is the top UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tibet, and most striking example of traditional architecture. The famous red and white structure looks out over the city from its site on Red Hill.

Entrance tickets are limited, so book in advance. The White Palace showcases the private residence and throne room of the Dalai Lamas. 365 steps lead up from Potala Gate to the Red Palace, which was built as a house of prayer.

Wander around the exterior to find the best vantage for photographs. Zongjiao Lukang Park lets you capture the palace’s reflection in the lake. Chakpori Hill is considered the best spot for capturing amazing panoramas.

2. Visit Jokhang Temple: The Spiritual Heart of Tibet

Jokhang Temple dates back to the year 647. It is a place of staggering historical and spiritual importance. The most precious object inside is a life-sized statue of Sakyamuni when he was 12 years old.

Original sandalwood carvings from the 7th century remain well-preserved, and there is over 1 km of mural inside depicting the history of the temple.

The lively markets of Barkhor Street encircle Jokhang Temple. They’re charged with the spiritual energy of pilgrims walking the Barkhor kora. You’ll see them in a clockwise procession, prostrating themselves before the golden roof.

3. Journey to Everest Base Camp

Everest Base Camp is one of the most sought-out destinations in Tibet (as well as those visiting Nepal). It’s the best place in the world for close-up views of the peak without actually climbing to the top. At 5200 meters, you will feel the full imposing grandeur of Mount Everest. Tent hotels in sight of the peak let you stay overnight and witness the breathtaking sunrise over the mountain.

Getting there is easy. Roads lead right up to EBC from Lhasa and Kathmandu. On 7-8 day overland trips, you can experience the sight of the mountain after traveling through the unforgettable terrain of the Himalayas.

The route from Lhasa takes you over high-altitude mountain passes with breathtaking views of the Himalayas and Lake Yamdrok. Stops along the way include Shigatse and the Tashilunpo Monastery, and the ancient city of Gyantse.

4. Discover the Tranquility of Namtso Lake

Namtso Lake is a place of stark natural beauty. Located 250 km north of Lhasa in Damxung County, it’s a dizzying sight of imposing scenery. The sapphire lake sparkles under the strong sun framed by the Nyenchen Thangla Mountain Range.

The sunset views are prized by photographers. You can spend the day trekking around the lake and exploring meditation caves. You’ll see scenes of nomadic life as herders lead their grazing flocks through the grasslands.

As night falls, the glow of the Milky Way shines out from the sky. It’s a completely pristine environment with nothing to block the incredible views.

5. Trek Around Mount Kailash

Sacred Mount Kailash is in the remote, far west of Tibet. It remains a mysterious site. Climbers are forbidden to summit Mount Kailash due to its religious importance.

The mountain is revered by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and followers of the Bon religion. Pilgrims travel there to undertake the Kailash Kora; the 52-kilometer trek around the mountain is believed to erase the sins of a lifetime.

The Kailash Kora takes about three days to complete and passes through high-altitude terrain, including the challenging Dolma La Pass at 5,636 meters.

Visitors usually also take the opportunity to visit Lake Manasarovar 30 km away. There you can meditate on the shore or relax in the nearby hot springs.

6. Experience Tibetan Monastic Life at Sera and Drepung Monasteries

Sera and Drepung Monasteries are two of the great three university monasteries of the Gelug Tradition. Sera Monastery is most famous for the monks’ debates that take place in the monastery courtyard.

Every afternoon from Monday to Saturday, you can watch the monks go head to head in lively discussions on points of Buddhist theology.

Drepung Monastery is also in Lhasa. The sprawling complex was once the largest monastery in the world, with over 7000 resident monks at its peak. It sits in a peaceful natural setting, with a scenic kora route around the site. 

7. Take a Scenic Drive Along the Friendship Highway

The Friendship Highway links Tibet with Nepal with one of the most scenic roads in the world. Stretching 800 kilometers, it traces a path through the Tibetan Plateau that displays its diverse landscapes.

Soar across high-altitude mountain passes over 5000 meters in elevation, then, descend to the peaceful forests of the Gyirong Valley at the border with Nepal.

It’s the main route between key cities like Lhasa and Shigatse. You can take advantage of the modern asphalt road to explore monasteries, fortresses, and traditional Tibetan villages.

Some of the main highlights along the Friendship Highway include Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, and the Gyantse Kumbum, a nine-story stupa filled with thousands of Buddhist statues and murals dating back to 1497.

8. Challenge Yourself with an adventurous cycling journey in Tibet

For the truly adventurous, the vast, open spaces of the Tibetan Plateau are the ideal place for a once-in-a-lifetime cycling experience. The high-altitude terrain is challenging, but the intimate look at the dramatic landscapes is a rewarding journey.

One of the most popular routes is the Lhasa to Everest Base Camp cycling route along the Friendship Highway. The ride covers around 750 km and passes some of Tibet’s most iconic sites, including Everest Base Camp, Yamdrok Lake, and the Tibetan Plateau.

You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment as the great mountain comes into view. 

9. Visit Shigatse: Home to Tashilhunpo Monastery

Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet. It’s a stop on the road from Lhasa to anywhere in southern or western Tibet.

There you can find Tashilunpo Monastery. It was founded by the first Dalai Lama in 1447 and is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, the second most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism.

The vast monastery complex has the world’s largest gilded statue of the Future Buddha. It stands at an impressive 26 meters tall. The monastery halls are filled with ancient scriptures, religious relics, and beautiful murals.

10. Experience Traditional Tibetan Festivals

In a remote land where people can be separated by long distances, festivals are a time for coming together. Plan your Tibet tour around the festival calendar to enjoy the lively atmosphere and see Tibet’s unique traditions.

Saga Dawa festival, celebrated in May or June, commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. It’s the most auspicious time of year. Tibetan Buddhists flock to places like Mount Kailash to walk the kora route around the mountain as a way of acquiring merit. You can join the pilgrims at these sacred sites and experience vibrant spiritual energy.

The Shoton Festival is one of the more unique events in the Tibetan calendar. Known as the “Yogurt Festival”, it’s celebrated with traditional performances and, of course, delicious yogurt. Go to Drepung Monastery during the festivities to see the unveiling of giant Thangka paintings.

You can’t go wrong with any of these top experiences of Tibet. Culture, nature, and history are intertwined in sites all over Tibet. From Potala Palace to Everest Base Camp, the bucket list items for a Tibet tour have something for every kind of traveler. You’ll have a transformative experience as part of a trip you’ll never forget.  

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