Tibet Itinerary

So the midterm is over. It went well. I knew all my characters, but may have had a few problems with grammar. Overall, though, I was quite pleased with myself and how much I have learned in the past two months!

But now it's time for some fun. Madison and I are spending our "Cultural Travelling Week" (aka Spring Break) in Tibet. We're part of a tour (travelling by yourself in Tibet is not allowed) and have an English tour guide, which means we'll understand what we're seeing! I'll briefly list our itinerary below, but won't go into huge detail. Please go Google or Wikipedia anything you're curious about.

May 24. Train from Qingdao to Beijing.

May 25. Fly from Beijing to Lhasa. Spend the day acclimatizing to the high altitude. We're actually not allowed to shower for two days to prevent catching a cold and then being susceptable to altitude sickness. Alcohol is also forbidden.

May 26. Lhasa.
Visit the Potala Palace, which used to be the residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th D.L fled to India. It has two sections: The White Palace (residential) and the Red Palace (religious). Then visit Jokhang Temple, which was built by Songtsen Gonpo's reign when he married a Tang Dynasty princess. Many people pilgrimage to this site and circle the temple. We'll spend the rest of the day at Barkhor street, the circular street around the temple where the pilgrims walk. The street is home to artisans, musicians, restaurants, and shops. We will be sure to walk clockwise.

May 27. Lhasa.
Vist Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery, two of the three important Gelukpa university monasteries. Hopefully, we'll get to watch some lamas debate about Buddhist philosophy, which is conducted by students under the supervision of their teachers.

May 28 Lhasa to Shigatse
Leave Lhasa. Pass Gangbala Mountain. Visit Yamdrotso Lake, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet (with Namtso and Manasarova). Visit Pelchor Monastery and see Gyangtse Kumbum, a 9-story stupa. Kumbum means "tens of thousands" and refers to the multitude of Buddhist images painted and scultped in Gyangtse. There are actually 27,600+ images in the 9 stories. Artistically, it's Tibet's Sistine Chapel. Later, see Zongshan ruins (from a distance) and eventually arrive in Shigatse.

May 29. Shigatse to Rongbuk Monastery.
Take the Friendship way to Tingri. Stop for a bit to organize Everest permits. Continue driving. The way is apparently rough but beautiful--wild grassland, rapid river and high mountains. We will see 4 mountains that are higher than 8000m: Mt. Lhotse(8516m), Mt. Everest(8848m), Mt. Qowowuyag(8201m), Mt Mayalu(8463m). Arrive at Rongbuk Monastery, home to only a few dozen monks. At 5,100 m (16,700 ft) it's one of the highest elevation settlements. We will actually stay overnight at the monastery because it is extremely close to Everest and has a fantastic view. The panorama includes Shishapangma, Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, and Gyachung Kang peaks.

May 30. Everest.
Wake to hopefully see sun rise over a clear Everest. Travel to mountain. Climb to Everest Base Camp at 15,300 m! Take millions of pictures. Descend reluctantly and drive back to Shigatse.

May 31. Shigatse to Lhasa
Visit TashiLumpo Monastery and the tombs of Panchen Lama. Drive back to Lhasa.

June 1. Fly Lhasa to Xian. Fly Xian to Qingdao.

It's going to be exciting! Catch you on the flip side.