Tips for photography in Tibet

Taking photos is an indispensible part for most travels, so is your Tibet travel. Tibet itself, with its unique culture and beautiful scenery as well as its people, gives you a great opportunity to take photos. However, due to the special conditions of Tibet, there are some helpful tips for photography in Tibet for you.

(1) As the altitude of Tibet is pretty high (an average altitude of over 3000m), you should pay attention to protect your camera from extreme temperature and harsh climate. If necessary, take some technical precautions. Dust cover, lens hood, lens tissue, a brush, detergent, repair outfits and other useful things are recommended to be taken with you.

(2) And because the sunshine in Tibet is rather strong, please do remember not to let your camera insolate under the sunshine and you can equip your camera lens with UV lens to protect it and get better sly capture. Be careful using your camera when it is dusty or windy.

(3) Take enough films, a large-content memory card and batteries. Take one time more films than the ordinary amount. You are not supposed to buy films in Tibet unless you are lucky enough to avoid buying any fake films. And the batteries may not work as well as they do in other low-altitude places because of the low-temperature there.

(4) Take a small table-tripod if you can.

(5) When you try to take photos inside the monasteries, ask for permission from the Lama in the monasteries first. But you should know that it is usually forbidden to take pictures inside the chapels or you may need to pay a high price to be allowed to do so.

(6) You are highly suggested to take a lamp with you to get a clear view when taking photos inside the monasteries, because most monasteries are very dim.

(7) When you take photos inside the monasteries, be careful to protect your camera from butter. You should know that there’s butter everywhere in the monasteries. And you’d better not let the pilgrims touch your camera, especially its lens. Do not use the camera when it is unclear or rainy.

(8) Respect the person you invite to take a shot, be polite and not to disturb them. You can give them some tiny presents for thanks. In some remote places, you’d better not to ask women to take pictures with you, which may make their husbands annoyed.

(9) In Lhasa, you may come across some avaricious guys asking you for money when you take photos in public places, and you can refuse to do so.

(10) For your convenience, your photographic apparatus should be as light as possible, because traveling in Tibet, the highest place in the world, is no easy thing.

The most comfortable season to visit Tibet

My name is Tsero and I was born in a small village in Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city. I am a tour guide. Many of my clients asked me: “Tsero, which is the most comfortable season to visit Tibet?”

“You are enjoying the most comfortable season of Tibet now.” I would anwer to most of them like this, as most of them do travel to Tibet in a pleasant season, summer or autumn.  

Each place has its own tourism season, so does Tibet. In summer and autumn, generally from April to October, it is warm and dry. During this time, lots of tourists from mainland Chian and abroad are coming to Tibet to enjoy their holidays and try to relax themselves from their busy work.

Because of this beautiful place, pleasant weather, unique tradition, rich culture, mysterious religion and different kind of things, they quickly forget all the things bothering them before.   

In summer, it is not too hot here due to the high altitude. Sometimes the temperature goes to 28-30 degree celcius on maximum. At daytime, you can feel much hotter than usual, but at night you may feel a little cold. This is because of the big temperature difference between day and night in Tibet. When you stop for rest during your Tibet tour, it is best to stay in shadown as it’s much cooler than you think.

And also if you are travelling outside Lhasa, it’s colder in northern and western part of Tibet. That’s why you have to bring both summer and winter clothes to spend great time in Tibet.

If you come to Tibet in summer, most areas of Tibet are accessible, even those hilly areas with high passes are. Thus you can travel to anywhere as you like without any problem. But there is a short rainly season in summer, from June to August.

Even in summer, you may also be able to see some snows on top of hills and passes. The landscape of Tibet is really beautiful during this time. But if you are going to visit Mt. Everest or other mountains during the rainy season then it’s not a good time to visit. Because during rainy season, it’s cloudy and foggy on mountain areas and you will not be able to see it well. And if you are still visiting it then you need to be prepared in your mind that you might not be able to see it. But if you are visiting other places I can assure you that it’s really a good season.

From September to November is our autumn. It is cool in the city and a bit cold during morning and evening. During this time you can see all the mountains without doubt. If you like to visit mountains only this is the best time. For those who love hiking, it is also the best time to do it.

Thus, both summer and autumn are the most pleasant season to visit Tibet. Welcome to Tibet and look forwards to seeing you soon. 

Have your own Tibetan style wedding

Are you curious about the Tibetan wedding? Have you thought about traveling to Tibet to have your own Tibetan style wedding by following their customs. But a totally Tibetan style wedding may make you quite tired. However, you can still have one by having some small differences to make your own unique Tibetan style wedding.

1.       Wedding dress

Tibetan costumes are recommended to you. You can have your own beautiful Tibetan costume and Tibetan boots made by booking them in advance. The ornaments shall be mainly made of turquoise and corallite. But if you fail to have your own Tibetan costumes or you’d rather prefer your own country’s wedding dress, it’s also OK.

2.       About the wedding ceremony

Every culture has its own wedding ceremony, so does Tibet. The following contents are for your reference for your Tibetan style wedding.

(1)    Hang up prayer flags

Hang up prayer flags at passes, bridges, old trees and other places.

(2) Insert colorful arrow for each other

It was said that when Songtzen Gampo, the ancient Tibetan king, married princess Wencheng, the colorful arrow was being used for the wedding. The colorful arrow symbolizes wellbeing and happiness. What you should know is that the colorful arrow should be inserted in the back of the bride while in the belt of the groom.

(3) Antiphonally singing epithalamium

In traditional Tibetan wedding, there are special staffs singing epithalamium. If you can not sing Tibetan songs, you can just sing other songs to replace.

(4) Exchange your wedding keepsakes

You can have a turquoise or some other things as your wedding keepsake except your wedding ring. Besides this, you and your spouse can plant a tree to better memorize this special moment.

(5) Free captive animals

The Tibetans are very kind-hearted people and freeing captive animals is what they always do. In Tibet, it’s very common to free captive animals. So you are suggested to do so in your Tibetan style wedding ceremony. You can buy a couple of fish or pigeon and then free them.

(6) Campfire party

Fire has always been very important for humans and people admire it. A campfire party is often held in happy events for the Tibetans. They sing and dance surrounding the campfire hands in hands to express their happiness. Often, highland barley wine is served in the campfire party. So, enjoy the campfire party with your lover in the evening on your wedding day.

(7) Recite prayers

Go to a temple and let the Lamas recite prayers for you to get the blessing from Buddha. This is a little bit similar to the western style wedding.

3.       Choice of the site

(1)      You can choose a beautiful Tibetan village and invite the local people to join your wedding. They must be glad to join you.

(2)    You can also choose somewhere open near a scenic spot, for example, near the Namsto Lake. At night, you can enjoy the campfire party and the bright stars in the sky, which will make you feel like being in a fairy tale.

To be environmental friendly and do not forget to take the rubbish away after the wedding.

To have a date with Tibet in 2012

Hey, buddy, do you know what year is it now? Yes, it’s 2012 and that’s the point. It is 2012 and you are supposed to have a date with Tibet in 2012. Why? Forget the film, 2012?

Tibet, a place full of mysteries, located in the southwest of China, is the highest region in the world. No matter viewing from the Tibetan culture (it has its own language, characters, religious belief, art and so on) or its natural scenery ( the Namtso Lake, Mount Qomolangma, Mount Kailash, the glaciers and so on ), it is a good place worth traveling and travelling to Tibet shall never disappoint you.

Of course, 2012 is just a film and we don’t know if what happens in the film, 2012 shall be true or not. But I believe that all of us hope it will not be true. Whatever, it’s 2012 and it’s time to have a date with Tibet.

Sera Bengqin Festival

This February is a busy month for Tibetans, for the Tibetan New Year, Losar, falls on 22, February this year. Before Losar, the Tibetans have many things to do, for example, decorating the streets and their own houses. Besides, as a tradition, they also go to pray during Sera Bengqin Festival which is four days before the Tibetan New Year.

Talking about the Sera Bengqin Festival, there’s something you need to know. First, it is a traditional religious event and it is annually hold four days before Losar in the Sera Monastery in the northern suburb of Lhasa (Lhasa is the capital city of southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region). Second, as a tradition, the worshipers shall be touched on the head by the Vajra Pestle which is the treasure of the Sera Monastery. The Vajra Pestle was originally a weapon from India and it was introduced as a Tibetan Buddist ritual instrument in the late 15^th century.

On that day, if you happen to travel in Tibet, you may find that the Sera Monastery is crowded with devout men and women worshipers of different age and from different places praying and waiting to be touched by the Vajra Pestle to get the blessing from the Buddhas. It is believed that celebrating the festival and being touched by the Vajra Pestle can ward off disaster and hardship and bring happiness and wellbeing in the coming year.

Tibet, the holy place

Do you still remember the film, 2012? In the film, there’s a large disaster which destroys almost everywhere on earth, except one, Tibet, the holy place, which at the end of the film becomes the “Noah’s Ark” for all the human beings who go to Tibet for survival. Why is the Tibet? Well, considering the altitude, Tibet is the highest place and it must be the closest place to heaven. It has an average altitude of more than 3000m. However, let alone the altitude, Tibet is also a holy place for us human beings today.

Tibet lies in the southwest of China. It is a place I admire all the time. It is accompanied by the tallest mountains in the world. It is home to the third longest river, Yangtse River. It has the most beautiful plateau lakes. And it has the most original environment. The Tibetan people love their home, Tibet, and they enjoy their lives there.

Every year there’s a pilgrimage leading to the holy city Lhasa, capital of Tibet, performed by the Tibetan Buddhism-believers from all over the world (most of them are Tibetans). You may say it is nothing strange to have a pilgrimage, however, if you have ever traveled to Tibet you must be impressed by those pilgrims, because they perform prostration to go to Lhasa all the way, which may take them even half a year. And when they arrive there, their foreheads, hands and legs are all scabby. However, they believe that they should do that at least one time in their whole lifetime to get blessing from the Buddha.

Tibet is not only a holy place for those Tibetan Buddhism-believers, so for us. But if you ask me how holy it is or why it is holy, words can not work well on it. It is unique and it is solemn, which will make you just admire it. At the same time, it is also like a loving mother, always waiting for you. That feeling, you can only experience it by being in Tibet yourself, by breathing the air, by viewing what is in your eyes and by touching the ground under you feet. If you feel tired about the city life, travel to Tibet to refresh yourself. You are sure to be impressed by the nature’s fabulous creation and the Tibetan people and their culture.

Tibetan New Year, Losar

Today is special for Tibetans. Why? Today is February 22. So what? It is the Tibetan New Year, Losar, today. The Tibetans have their own calendar and according to their calendar, today is doomed to be a big day for them. Unluckily, due to the policy of Chinese government, Tibet shall not be open to foreigners until April. So, you may not be supposed to travel to Tibet to view this fantastic moment during this time. Here, I’d like to share you some pictures about the spectacular festival. Well, before joining in their big festival, I recommend to say “Happy new year” to our Tibetan friends first.

 Decoration before the Potala Palace

Tibetan furniture

New year food

 Dance to celebrate new year

 Qemar symbolizing bumper harvest in new year

Qemar

Tibet will reopen in April 2012 after a temporary closure from late Feb. to late March

 China plans to temporarily close Tibet to foreign travelers from late February  to late March of 2012, which means that foreign tourists would be banned to travel to Tibet during this period. The exact reason is still not clear, mostly because of the Tibetan New Year falling on Feb. 22 as well as the anniversary of a riot happening in Lhasa on March 14, 2008.

Tibet will reopen to foreigners in April of 2012 when the peak tourist season of Tibet approaches. From early April to late November is widely considered as the most pleasant time to visit all areas of Tibet. Therefore, Tibet's temporary closure to foreigners in 2012 has little impact on most tourists' plan of travelling to Tibet in 2012.
From Tibettravel.org

Polyandry families in Tibet

Nowadays, most Tibetan marriages are monogamous with familiar 'nuclear' families. However, polyandry families in Tibet were common in ancient times. Even today, there are polyandry families in some rural areas of Tibet. Polyandry is a form of polygamy whereby a woman has several husbands. In Tibet those husbands are often brothers, which is why it is most commonly called "Fraternal Polyandry".

The mechanics of fraternal polyandry are simple. Two, three, four, or more brothers jointly take a wife, who leaves her home to come and live with them. Traditionally, marriage was arranged by parents, with children, particularly females, having little or no say. This is changing somewhat nowadays, but it is still unusual for children to marry without their parents' consent. Marriage ceremonies vary by income and region and range from all the brothers sitting together as grooms to only the eldest one formally doing so. The age of the brothers plays an important role in determining this: very young brothers almost never participate in actual marriage ceremonies' although they typically join the marriage when they reach their midteens.
Read more at http://www.tibettravel.org/tibetan-people/polyandry-in-tibet.html

Captivating Tibetan Ornaments

When you stroll down the famous Barkhor street, your eyes will be drawn to the captivating Tibetan ornaments. There are variety of Tibetan ornaments, such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, made of red and yellow Tibetan coral, Tibetan carnelian, yak bones, Tibetan silver, Tibetan copper, turquoise and other natural elements. All the materials are unique to Tibet and bear magic of this holy land, which makes Tibetan ornaments seem naturally imbued with a mystical flavor.

Long-standing and unique Tibetan ornaments are featured by simple, unconstrained motif, diversified styles and patterns as well as brilliant colors and bold, wild designs instill high fashion. With little need for complicated craftsmanship, a wild, trendy bracelet or necklace can come into being simply and harmoniously by joining several natural stones, corals, and a yak-hide string. They are formed from ancient times under the influence of climate in the area, people's production activities and the religious culture.

The most common Tibetan ornaments are broad and delicately designed silver bracelets, peacock-blue yak-boned necklaces inlaid with turquoise, and dangling earrings made of red coral and Tibetan silver, etc. These ornaments, previously of a sort only seen adorning Tibetan women, now prevail in many large and medium-sized cities in China, having gained particular favor among students and working women seeking to express their individuality.
Tibetan ornaments present the special Tibetan crafting techniques, including enchasing, inlaying, and wire drawing. In a broader sense, Tibetan ornaments also include living and religious articles, such as snuff bottles, whose hollowed-out designs demonstrate the craftsmen's skills; prayer wheels, which can be found throughout Tibet; barrels to hold rice for offering before Buddha images; sea-snail-shaped ritual horns; and splendid-colored Thangka paintings. All these have become popular.

Compared with ornaments from other regions, the finer crafts of Tibet feature irregular shapes due to the natural quality of the materials, their splendid colors and rough, but unique handcraftsmanship. The designs mostly derive from religious beliefs and the lifestyle of the Tibetan people, the symbols convey special meaning and the deeply-hued Tibetan silver is a mysterious temptation. Genuine Tibetan silver products are handmade by Tibetan silversmiths and each is unique. The originality satisfies the modern spiritual desire of the wearer and their demand for particularity and individuality. And, largely due to the inexpensive prices, these objects are in chic.
Tibetan ornaments also convey unique Tibetan culture. Many of the Tibetan silver bracelets are carved with the six-syllable mantra ("Om Mani Padme Hum"), which in Tibetan Buddhism is believed to have the ability to eliminate disease, fear of death, prolong life and increase wealth. Some pendants are in the design of Vajra, which in Buddhism is a ritual instrument for subduing demons, believed to dispel all sins and bring people power, courage, and intelligence. Amulets are often silver or bronze small boxes inlaid with pearls or precious stones and are used to contain clay or metal images of Buddha, Tibetan pills, Buddhist paintings or photos of a living Buddha. Another example is Tibetan opals, which fall into 12 categories according to the number of cat's-eyes one contains, each representing a particular meaning. For example, a one-eye opal represents brightness and wisdom, and a two-eye opal represents harmonious marital relationship and happy family life.
Today, Tibetan ornaments are widely popular around China, even the world. They can be found at bustling districts in large cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. However, the best place to buy Tibetan ornaments is still the Barkhor street in Lhasa, where is full of a strong flavor of Tibetan culture.

Prostration in Tibet

For Tibetan people, prostration is an important expression of their devotion to Tibetan Buddhism. Prostrating is practicing one of Buddhism's three Jewels for Tibetan Buddhists. Tibetan pilgrims prostrate themselves by lying face-down on the ground and stretching out their arms and legs so as to earn merit.

Tibetan pilgrims always perform prostrations before monasteries in Tibet and sacred images displayed on altars or when they enter and withdraw from a room. Some pilgrims from distant places in Tibet even prostrate themselves to their pilgrimage destination, like Lhasa and Mountain Kailash. They would spent several years making pilgrimages to Lhasa and other religious centers, covering the entire distance in a series of prostrations. Tibetan Buddhists also prostrate before their teachers. 

Tibetans ideally are expected to prostrate themselves 100,000 times a year, which works out to almost 300 times a day, every day of the year. Not only do they prostrate themselves around temples they also do it on roads, streets and sidewalks. Some pilgrims cover the entire 33-mile route around Mount Kailash or travel from their hometowns to Lhasa, repeatedly prostrating themselves.

How to perform prostration in Tibet

First, stand straight with your feet slightly spread and keep your toes pointing forward. Meanwhile, put the palms together, but leave a small open space in the center of the palms. Situate your hands at heart-level. And then raise your hands just above your head, touching the crown of your head. Then touch your hands to your brow, your throat and back to your heart.

Secondly, bend at the waist to the floor and make your arms parallel to the ground with the centers of your palms facing the earth. Place your hands at a place in front of you that will allow you to bend forward gracefully and allow you to raise up with ease.

Thirdly, allow your knees to touch the floor just after your hands and lie down on the ground. Form a straight line from your waist to your fingertips and keep face down.

Finally, touch the ground. The 5 points, hands, knees and head must touch the ground in that order. Some pilgrims put the palms together and lift them above the head.

As soon as your head touches the ground, raise up. Use your hands to push up from the floor quickly. Come to standing rest with hands returned to position before your breast.