Though never a true Shangri-la, Tibet has nonetheless held the imagination of Western spiritual seekers, adventurers and curious travellers for hundreds of years. Double the size of France, home to a mere 2.8 million people, the ‘rooftop of the world’ endures as one of the world’s most fascinating destinations because it simply is so.
The fertile Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) valley is the heartland of Tibet. Here you’ll find some of the oldest and most venerated monasteries, including the very first, Samye. In Lhasa, the spiritual and political centre of Tibet, your first sighting of the towering Potala Palace, former seat of the Dalai Lamas, will be a high point in every way.
Modern Tibet, though still very poor, has one of the fastest economic growth rates in China: the downside of this is obvious to all visitors: too much ugly construction, too many cars, too much garbage and an excess of immigrants and tourists. If you have any illusions about finding your own private Shangri-la, consider the quieter spring, autumn or even winter months for a visit.