College Student's Budget Travel Diary

10 Survival Rules for Traveling in Tibet (Summarized in Tears by Locals) Deadly Pitfalls to Avoid: No photography is allowed inside the Potala Palace! You will be warned as soon as you raise your phone/camera. Three violations will get you blacklisted. Mani wheels must be turned clockwise! Reversing the direction may cause conflict (except for the Bon monasteries in Nyingchi). Beware of border pass application traps: Apply for it for free in your place of residence in advance. Crowd escape guide: Enter Lhasa with caution during the Shoton Festival (end of June in the Tibetan calendar). Choose the 14:00 or later session for visiting the Potala Palace (peak hours for tour groups are in the morning). Sera Monastery's debate starts at 15:00, so arrive 40 minutes early to get a seat. sOs Plateau Survival Kit (Tested and Effective) Folding toilet (for the dry toilet challenge in the Ngari region) Photocopy of border pass (for emergencies when the original is lost) Glucose oral solution (works faster than Rhodiola) Fingertip pulse oximeter (real-time monitoring and early warning) Windproof lighter (ordinary lighters don't work on the plateau) Recommended Route (Unlock Three Holy Lakes in 7 Days) D1: Lhasa - Potala Palace - Tibetan Planet Experience Hall - Dryland Scenery - Lhasa D2: Lhasa - Lalin Expressway - Mila Mountain Tunnel - [Gala Peach Blossom Village during the Peach Blossom Festival] - Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon - Sosong Village D3: Sosong Village - Mount Namjagbarwa - Gongdelin Grassland - Dagu Gorge - Monkey Viewing Platform - Shannan D4: Shannan - Yamdrok Lake - Kangma - Chongba Yumco - Kangma D5: Kangma - Gyatso La Pass - Mount Everest Base Camp - Mount Everest D6: Mount Everest - Gawu La Pass - Nimu Grassland - Damxung D7: Damxung - Holy Elephant Sky Gate - Namtso Lake - Nagqu La Pass - Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains - Lhasa Red Light District for Tibetan Food: x Be careful when trying raw yak meat (risk of parasites) x Prepare change for sweet tea shops (coin-operated, CNY 1/cup) x Avoid expensive "Tibetan Family Feast" group meals (CNY 300+/person, a tourist trap) Blacklist for Reckless Photography: Military Management Zone (some sections of National Highway 318) 1 Sky Burial Platform (absolutely no photography allowed!) Taking close-up photos of pilgrims without permission (you can observe from a distance, but don't take disrespectful photos)