Tibet is not your average travel destination. Perched on the Roof of the World, it’s a land where prayer flags flutter against the sky, mountains pierce the clouds, and centuries-old traditions are alive and well. For foreign travellers, Tibet offers a rare blend of spiritual awe, cultural richness, and raw natural beauty. But with its vastness and altitude, planning the perfect trip can feel overwhelming.
To make it easier, here are 10 unmissable experiences that truly capture the spirit of Tibet—each one essential for a journey you’ll never forget.
1. Walk the Barkhor Circuit Around Jokhang Temple
Start your Tibetan adventure at Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Lhasa. Encircling it is the Barkhor Circuit, a bustling path walked daily by countless pilgrims. Join them—quietly and respectfully—as they spin prayer wheels and murmur mantras in a hypnotic rhythm. This ancient tradition isn’t just for show; it’s lived spirituality in motion.
Jokhang Temple
Barkhor Street
For many travellers, walking the Barkhor is their first real sense that Tibet isn’t a museum of the past—it’s a living, breathing culture of devotion.
2. Climb the Steps of the Potala Palace
The Potala Palace dominates Lhasa’s skyline and looms large in Tibetan history. Once the winter home of the Dalai Lamas, it’s a monument to both religious significance and architectural brilliance. Inside, you’ll find dazzling gold stupas, endless chapels, and relics dating back centuries.
Potala Palace
The climb is no small feat—especially at over 3,600 metres—but reaching the top and looking out over the city feels like standing at the threshold of legend.
3. Watch Monks Debate at Sera Monastery
Tibetan Buddhism isn’t all silent meditation. At Sera Monastery, you can witness lively monastic debates—a traditional and animated way of exploring Buddhist philosophy. Monks clap their hands, challenge each other with questions, and argue passionately under the shade of courtyard trees.
Monastic Debates in Sera Monastery
It’s intellectually rigorous and theatrically captivating, offering a surprising glimpse into the academic life of Tibetan monks.
4. See the Sun Rise Over Mount Everest (North Face)
If you’ve ever dreamt of seeing Mount Everest, the Tibetan side offers one of the clearest and most dramatic views. A road trip to Everest Base Camp takes you through mountain passes, nomadic settlements, and the stark majesty of the plateau before ending at Rongbuk Monastery, the highest in the world.
Sunrise over Mount Everest
Wake early. Bundle up. Watch the summit of Everest catch the first golden light of dawn. It’s a humbling and unforgettable sight.
5. Visit the Sacred Lakes of Yamdrok and Namtso
Tibet’s high-altitude lakes are deeply spiritual and visually stunning.
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Yamdrok Lake is an electric turquoise serpent coiling between snowy peaks.
Yamdrok Lake
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Namtso Lake, vaster and more remote, sits beneath snowbound mountains in a landscape that feels untouched by time.
Namtso Lake
Walk the shores, sit in silence, and let the stillness do its work. These lakes aren’t just pretty—they’re places of quiet, sacred power.
6. Do a Pilgrimage Circuit (Kora)
To truly feel Tibet, take part in a kora—a sacred walk around a holy site. Some are short and easy, like the Barkhor Circuit in Lhasa. Others, like the multi-day trek around Mount Kailash, are physically and spiritually intense.
Mount Kailash
Kora isn’t about sightseeing—it’s about presence. Each step is a form of devotion, and even if you’re not religious, the ritual has a grounding, meditative power.
7. Explore Tibet’s Great Monasteries
Monasteries are the soul of Tibetan culture. Don’t stop at the big names—Ganden, Drepung, and Tashilhunpo each offer unique insights:
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Ganden Monastery, high on a cliff, has views that feel like the end of the world.
Ganden Monastery
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Drepung Monastery once housed thousands of monks and still hums with history.
Drepung Monastery
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Tashilhunpo Monastery, in Shigatse, is richly decorated and houses an enormous golden statue of the Future Buddha.
Tashilhunpo Monastery
These aren’t relics—they’re living centres of learning and worship.
8. Shop, Eat, and Wander Around Barkhor Street
Barkhor Street isn’t just for pilgrims—it’s also a maze of colourful shops, markets, and street vendors. Hunt for prayer beads, carved skulls, yak wool shawls, or thangka paintings. Try local delicacies like momo dumplings, tsampa, and salty yak butter tea.
Momo Dumplings
Tsampa
Yak Butter Tea
It’s a perfect place to soak up the human side of Lhasa—one part spiritual, one part earthy, all parts memorable.
9. Take an Epic Overland Journey
Tibet’s scale begs to be seen by road. The classic Lhasa-to-Kathmandu route winds through towering passes and across barren valleys, with Everest Base Camp as a dramatic waypoint. Or venture west to Mount Kailash, the holiest peak in multiple religions.
Lhasa-to-Kathmandu route
Kathmandu
These overland journeys aren’t easy—but they are transformative. You don’t just see the land, you feel every mile of it.
10. Respect the Culture to Earn the Experience
Tibet isn’t a theme park. It’s sacred to those who live there, and respect is non-negotiable.
Tibetan People
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Dress modestly, especially in temples.
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Don’t photograph people or sacred objects without permission.
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Learn a few words of Tibetan or Mandarin—it goes a long way.
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Avoid sensitive political topics.
Show respect, and you’ll be welcomed into a world that most tourists only glimpse. Tibet opens itself slowly, but when it does, it leaves you changed.
Travelling in Tibet isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing the right things with the right heart. These 10 experiences are your compass. They’ll take you from the busy streets of Lhasa to the silent shores of sacred lakes, from mountain heights to monastery courtyards.
Just don’t rush it. Tibet rewards those who slow down, breathe deep, and pay attention.
