Day 14 & 15. I Am Afraid Of An Old Heart, Not A Long Road. Come Back Home.

May 17th
After a short rest at Lhasa, we pack up luggage and some purchased souvenirs because it is time to go back home. My parents and I will fly back to Beijing together firstly.

May18th
And then I will fly back to Toronto by myself. I will enter the community and begin another journey of my life. 

From Lhasa directs to Beijing

From Beijing directs to Toronto

Reflection: 

Wonderful times always flies, after I boarded the plane I have a myriad of thoughts. Tibet is never lack of beautiful views. People should go to Tibet in the lives, because it is a place to clean your soul; it is a rare piece of pure land in the hustle and bustle world; it is the nearest place to heaven. When someone left with the memory of Tibet, someone much be on the way. Tibet is always in the heart of people who love here. I think I will never forget this dream vacation, because it brought me inspiration and the inspiration will make me a lifetime benefit. 

• This dream vacation makes me humble and I know how great the earth is. 
• It always has different people and different things happened at the other side of the earth.
• I will not confine myself to a small pattern and not cynical any more. 
• I began especially cherish the moments with my parent, because I know time files and parents will grow old soon. 
• After seeing these magnificent scenery, me heart becomes very open-minded. In fact, all the things in the world are not big deal. If you always wear a smile, all the ups and downs shall pass. 
• To be strong and brave. If I have a dream, I will always try my best to pursue. 

I wrote a lot and said a lot. Because the blog is not just an assignment for me, it is a real dream that I want to finish. I hope that people who see this blog could have a trip in Tibet in future, I promise you will not regret it. 

The dream vacation ends. But my story is still happening and I will not give up any dream. Never. 

Yizhen Sun (250657225) 

Source: 

http://file27.mafengwo.net/M00/67/54/wKgB6lQe5b-ANv55ACIVvvcenbw08.groupinfo.w600.jpeg

http://www.science4all.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Path-on-a-Map.png

Day 11-13. Nyingchi - Namjagbarwa - Brahmaputra Grand Canyon

May 14th: Gangnam in Tibet - Nyingchi

Nyingchi is the lowest elevation area in Tibet and the weather always pleasant, so it is called Gangnam in Tibet. In May Nyingchi Blossom bloom just in time and  they bloom unbridled as well as dripping fun. It seems that there is a tendency flush Snow mountains. Oh my God, crazy beauty.

May 15th: Namjagbarwa Peak - Shame Female Peak

People who have been to the Namjagbarwa Mountains often have a deep impression on them. They said that they are very attractive year-round snow capped mountains and were named China's most beautiful mountains by Chinese National Geographic Magazine. The huge triangular peak body is permanent snowy and clouds wind around it. The peak is never easy to show its true colors, so it is also called "Shame Female Peak". Clouds of colorful flags look like ignited smoke by a god and here are gods' home. 

I heard that the sunrise here is also the most beautiful in the world and make people hard to forget. Therefore we will get up early again and look forward to watching this very expected wonderful view. 

May 16th : Brahmaputra Grand Canyon - "The keyhole to open the door of                         Earth's history". 

On the Train to Lhasa I heard ad lot of praise for Brahmaputra Grand Canyon from the people who had been to Tibet. The canyon is the deepest canyon on Earth and it is known as "mankind's last secret realm". It is the nature of the most beautiful models and it deserves to be the world's No.1 Grand Canyon. 

Grand Canyon region is the most mysterious in the Tibetan Plateau, because of its unique tectonic position, it is seemed as a "keyhole to open the door of the Earth's history" by scientists. 

The air is particular fresh here. We wll plan to take the boat on the Brahmaputra. At that time, our moods will be extreme carefree and all the trouble disappear. 

Source:

http://www.chinatouradvisors.com/members/2312/linzhi.jpg

http://zt.tibet.cn/tibetzt/linzhi/index.htm

http://www.accesschinatravel.com/public/richfiles/photos/Tibet/namjagbarwa-mountain/b29f82828e15f8e76c811982.jpg

http://www.chinatouradvisors.com/UpLoad/Namjagbarwa%20Peak/Namjagbarwa%20Peak%202_m.jpg

http://eng.tibet.cn/2012sy/xw/201410/t20141030_2079509.html

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEyem3b00CK-0AOxjdEr3WX61S6esuzrbThMaemmFUsLZKPoYgdEKI53mFi07igCvwkORUpiHr8KKb2-qsku547H0Qfh4cAFW3XXlCarMRkZEeqWRaypJ3L-Vs_Ixj_0YvVlwzqZr5hI8/s1600/Brahmaputra_Grand_Canyon.jpg

http://www.destination360.com/asia/china/images/s/brahmaputra-river-tibet.jpg

http://www.chinatravelreviews.com/brahmaputra-grand-canyon-the-most-magnificent-scenery-in-the-world/

Day 10. YamdrokTso Lake

May 13th
YamdrokTso Lake is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. According to folklore, a fairy went down to the mortal from the sky and turned into the famous lake. The impression which will be given by YamdrokTso Lake is perfect. I have never seen such a blue sky, quiet blue without any Photoshop. It really seems a little unreal. Under the sunlight of different time, the lake will show extremely rich blue, like dreamy. This is the first place that move me to tears, I don't know the reason but just feel particularly romantic. I see many couples. Love above 3000 meters and it blend Tibetan blue sky and thin air. Will the love becomes more pious and holy, or different?

Source:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/40/Yamdrok-tso.jpg

http://static3.crated.com/qTNHeBf3MNF7lBGe0pUJVzRP6BY=/fit-in/960x960/filters:quality(90)/crated/thumbs/art/2014/05/08/2211543f7fc289c2a80d1a6599992974/960.jpg

Day 8 &Day 9. Singatse Prefecture and Everest Base Camp.

May 11th

“My hometown is in Shigatse, where there is a beautiful river.” Follow the wonderful song, we embark on this “best Manor”. Shigatse, Tibetan word means “fertile water and soil Manor.” It is an ancient city and dating back it has more than 600 years of history. Meanwhile, Singatse is also a border of 1,753 km-long border city. We will take coach to the city. We can not only see the beautiful highland scenery, forest legendary temples, but also much different scenery of border countries, like Nepal and Bhutan. 

In the afternoon, we will go to Everest base camp. We need to live in a tent in the mountains for one night to witness the true face of Everest in the next morning. I have never lived in the mountains, not to mention still in tents. So I will be very exciting and can not control the mood for a long time. 

It is a very worthwhile place to go. Here ordinary people can reach the nearest place away from Mount Everest and even the sky. If the weather is good without cloud, Here you can clearly watch the world's third stage - the holy Mount Everest.

May 12th

My parents and I will get up extremely early because neither of us want to miss the time to see the rare true face of Mount Everest. I think that I will not forget this scene in my whole life. It is so beautiful. All this do not live up to our expectations. While I shivering cold, but my heart is extremely warm and I never had such a pure soul. 

Source:

http://www.tibettour.org/uploads/allimg/140624/1_140624105220_1.jpg

http://www.tibetanreview.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Tashi-Lhunpo-Monastery-in-Shigatse-Tibet.jpg

http://www.tibetanreview.net/tibets-shigatse-prefecture-is-now-a-city/

http://himalayantrexplorers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/IMG_3018.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnLP-YcUIZeI4r19WBVi7VOfluj4dEqz8z-gBcow31kBVEwmiLcAm0FpSYeoWzz4CtKSzElh3MarFkEH9fluLzwp6P0NI_g7LjMzTAWpYuTNYBhocEqW2ik1r2QtEj5CfFxqD68iKX3r7/s1600/Mount_Everest_(topgold).jpg

Day 7. Inadvertent Falling Tears Of God - Namtso Lake

There are many travel agencies around the Potala Palace. Because we need bus to go to the Namtso Lake, we joined a group yesterday. 
May 10th
Today we set off at 8:00 am and a few hours later a fairyland comes into view. It is so beautiful that I can't describe in a word.

This lake seems like a blue sky from the sky to the ground, so it is called "Heaven Lake". However, the lakeside herders said that the lake is located in a high altitude as if in the air, so it is called "Heaven Lake". 

When I stand in front of the Namtso Lake, the highest and most beautiful Lake in the world, I feel like being in a blue world and I am shocked. The snow-capped Tanggula Mountains are in the distance, the Namtso Lake is on the foot of the snowy mountains, blue water and long days connect together as well as dotted with islands in the lake are shocked our sight. All the people who have been to the lake seem to be washed by clean lake water. Each beam of light can be turned into a different beauty so that I can not bear to look away. 

At night we will go back to Lhasa and prepare for tomorrow's expected journey. 

Source:

http://www.visitourchina.com/FileUpload/Guide/Picture/200811115010234209.jpg

http://www.remotelands.com/images/itinerary_more/131024018.jpg

                                                                    

http://www.tibettour.org/tibet-attractions/lhasa-and-around/namtso-lake.htm

Day 6. Modern and ethnic alternates noisy and quiet coexists, a pure land of spiritual insights - Lhasa

May 9th
We get up very early and the sky is already bright. When I am looking out the window, all vibrant things catch our eyes. Suddenly my whole body is full of positive energy and I feel that person alive is such a wonderful thing and my life has no regrets after I see these beauty views. We have a simply breakfast at the hotel, then we go to the first station in Lhasa. 

The First Station: The Potala Palace

The Potala Palace was built on the red hills (3700 meters high) by Zao Gambo for the marrying Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. The Palace is consist of 999 houses. Only come to Lhasa, we could really know the majestic of the prestigious architectural wonders of the World. We go to her feet, look up and we find that the magnificent Palaces and mountains seem like without distinction. In Lhasa, as long as these places do not have high-rise block, we could see the Potala Palace. So it is a irreplaceable spirit totem for Lhasa and for the whole of Tibet. 

The Second Station: The Jokhang Temple

The Jokhang Temple in Lhasa--a temple that Tibetan Buddhist Believers extremely admired. It is located at downtown in Lhasa, which was built for commemorate Bhrikuti by Zao Gambo. The Jokhang Temple is Tibet's most brilliant existing building in the Tubo period and the oldest civil structures building. Entire temple is not big, but is very characteristic. In front of the door there are many devout Tibetans conduct "all fours" ceremony. After I see these believers, I suddenly feel the great and sacred of beliefs. 

Source:

http://www.chinahighlights.com/lhasa/attraction/potala-palace.htm

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu3TClFn4KZ9V59hdj7cR3KaBv9aoW8FoLhi_AYiN0Oi2VBHlkRXfjk1Y1KL3_xGgDNBwKbSCIR86kUjJi-YkINeA7brCGEZlJRpgRAB-H577xc5pir7TSdM9YmNxrkIWmKLtbgHRPdRY/s640/Tibet+Potala+Palace+Lhasa.jpg

http://www.tibetanwildyakadventures.com/DSC06405.JPG

http://images109.fotki.com/v793/photos/8/862071/4495340/Barkhorviews9-vi.jpg 

Day 1-5. We Are On The Way!

May 4th
Tibet is a veritable land of the sun and always pays beneficence for the people who visit her. Holy land, it has always attracted me. Finally today, I will overcome all the difficulties and set out. I will meet my parents in Beijing and we will go to that piece of pure land where we have long wanted. In the afternoon I will harbor excitement unparalleled and board the AC031 back to Beijing. 

May 5th

Due to time difference, I will arrive Beijing in the evening on May 5th. After Parents pick me up at the airport, we will return my uncle's home together and sleep for one night. That night I can not sleep for a long time. Like going back to primary school, the day before the Sport Game I always insomnia, happy insomnia. Those beautiful scenery has appeared on TV will be witnessed by us! 

May 6th

Qinghai-Tibet train time will be 9:30 p.m. We will have a whole day to buy some food because you know that the food on the train will be sold very expensive. My parents have already brought all the necessities. Waiting for the train! Haha

At 9:20 finally we will get into this train which will lead us to the dream place. 

Beijing West to Lhasa

Sleeper Train

May 7th

The train requires almost 46 hours to reach Lhasa, so today I will spend all the time on the train. However, I do not bored because the scenery outside is remarkably well done, just like a fairy-tale world. I feel that I indulge them deeply, I have been journeying to looking out the window on the way. 

May 8th 

At night we will arrive the daylight holy city--Lhasa. Because of the plateau climate, conductors remind us to keep clam and have a rest as soon as possible after get off the train. After that, we will go to the Shangri-La Hotel which was booked before. Fortunately, this hotel is not far from train station. The hotel is great and due to travel fatigue we quickly go to sleep. I do not know what the future days look like. I take a great look forward into sleep. :)

Source:

http://www.flightcentre.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Air-Canada_Boeing_777-200LR_Toronto_takeoff.jpg

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/06/0f/08/86/tren-beijing-lhasa.jpg

http://www.seat61.com/images/China-lhasa-sleeper.jpg

http://www.chinatibettrain.com/uploads/allimg/130606/1-130606140510.jpg

http://images.chinahighlights.com/2013/07/337d6978989d432aa283b264-m.jpg

The Budget Plan for My Dream Tibet Vacation

Below are some approximations based on rates that I looked up online, some data recorded inside other's travel notes as well as I received while speaking with a representative from travel companies. 

• Flight Cost Round Trip For Myself (Toronto~Beijing) : $1175
• Flight Cost One Way Trip From Lhasa To Beijing Per Person :$475*3=$1425
• Train Cost One Way Trip From Beijing to Lhasa Per Person: $210*3=$630
• Accommodations: 

Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa.

We will choose a standard room and add a bed because we are three people.

The price of per standard room per day in Shangri-La Hotel : CNY 1530+345=1875, which is equivalent to $312 per day. We would live in Lhasa for 5 nights. 312*5=$1560

• Transportation fees: (includes taxi fees and bus fees) $100
• food: $20 per day per person will be more than enough to cover food and drinks as food is much cheaper in Tibet. 20*3*13=$780. 
• Tourist Attraction prices : much of the things we are going to see do not cost anything and even some are for free. I will dedicate around $200 person which is more than enough to cover this. $100*3=$300
• Miscellaneous and Souvenirs: I think we must would buy many souvenirs and I will dedicate $100 per person for the whole trip. $100*3=$300.
• Tent in Everest Base Camp : $120 for just one night. 
• Accommodation in Nyingchi (just simple inn) : $80*3=$240. 

Total: $6830 the whole trip. 

Reflection: So far, the basic preparations have been all over. Then we will depart for the dream vacation. Pure blue sky, splendid mountains and lakes, honest and sturdy local customs, mysterious and devout religious beliefs and graceful exotic, that is Tibet what I love. Tibet here we come! :)

Source:

http://english.ctrip.com/hotels/lhasa-hotel-detail-792914/shangri-la-hotel-lhasa/?checkin=2015-05-08&checkout=2015-05-16&pp=0&requestTravelMoney=0&optionId=41&optionType=globalhotel_city&lat=0&lon=0&display=Lhasa%20(%E6%8B%89%E8%96%A9)%2C%20Xizang%2C%20China&markland=&ctm_ref=lst_n_1_1#ctm_ref=lst_n_1_1

(Shangri-La Hotel)

"If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could better judge what to do, and how to do it."- Abraham Lincoln

Here is my planning of trip to Tibet.

Where:
My 15 day dream vacation will take me through some of the most well known areas of Tibet. Before I reach my dream destination I will have to arrive Beijing from Toronto and then I will be off to Tibet by plane. First, we will get to the Lhasa (Provincial capital of Tibet) and then we will experience the beautiful view of Lake Namtso Lake (China's Third Largest Saltwater Lake), Shigatse Prefecture (Frozen Snow Mountain), Mount Everest Base Camp (near Nepal), YamdrokTso (Called Swan Lake), Nlingchi (Places Like Wonderland) and end our vacation in Lhasa, and then back to Beijing. 

The following map contains the places that I will patronize in Tibet. It enables me not to miss any spots and plan the road map clearly. 

When:

I plan to make the dream vacation comes true in May next year. I will graduate at the end of April next year and I think it will be a memorable graduation trip. On the other hand, there are not a particularly large number of visitors in May. The Tibet tour is cost-effective because a variety of tickets are cheap and transportation costs are low. Additionally, May is dry season, the bright sun is shining as well as the weather could avoid landslides which prone to happen during the rainy seasons. （2015,5,4~2015,5,18)

With:

I did not travel with my parents for a good long time, so I intend to go to Tibet with my parents. I remembered that when I was a child, they always told me a lot about Tibet and said that it was a particular pure secluded place. You can also said that my parents make me have a unique feelings and unparalleled yearning for Tibet from a early age. I think they will be especially happy to join my fantastic dream trip. 

How:

Unfortunately there are no direct flights into Tibet, this means that before go to Tibet we will fly to Beijing from Toronto first and fly back to Toronto from Beijing at last. However, this short journey is just for me and I will meet my parents in Beijing. The fees of round trip tickets are $1175. 

Compared to take a plane, we prefer to take the train from Beijing to Lhasa. There are many reasons. Firstly, because the elevation along the way rises gradually, it could decrease probability of occurrence of altitude sickness. Secondly,, it has good scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet line, we can experience the unique plateau landscape, mountains, meadows, Tibetan housing as well as flocks and herds. Finally, according to the change of the stops, takeaway food in the train also change, Sichuan hot and sour powder, Lanzhou noodles and Qinghai old yogurt， we could enjoy far apart cuisine as well. Then when I come back from Lhasa to Beijing, I will choose an airplane. The fee of train ticket will be CNY 1262, which is equivalent to $210. ($1=CNY 6). The fee of plane ticket will be $475. 

Plane time (Lhasa-Beijing)

Train time (Beijing-Lhasa)

The fare rate of Lhasa taxi is extremely cheap. It is CNY for the first 2 kilometers, and CNY 1.5 for each additional kilometer. So we decided to visit some places within Lhasa by taxi. 

I heard that there are many local travel agencies around the Potala Palace. So with respect to other scenic spots, we prefer to go along with a travel agency. It would convenient and save money.  

Source:
https://maps.google.ca/maps?output=classic&dg=brw  
                                           
https://www.flightnetwork.com/flights/showflight
(Toronto-Beijing)     

http://www.flightnetwork.com/flights/fares?client_ref=flightnetwork&ac2utest=0&no_of_routes=2&trip_type=0&gateway_departure=Lhasa%2C+China+-+Lhasa%28LXA%29&gateway_dep=&gateway_return=Beijing%2C+China+-+Capital%28PEK%29&gateway_ret=&depart_date=05%2F17%2F2015&adult=1&child=0&infant=0&cls=0

(Lhasa-Beijing)

http://www.dreams-travel.com/train/beijin-lhasa.htm

(Train, Beijing-Lhasa)

http://www.chinatouronline.com/china-travel/lhasa/lhasa-transportation/lhasa-taxi.html 

(Taxi fees in Lhasa)

"A man who does not plan along ahead will find trouble at his door"--Confucius

Due to the special geographical location of Tibet, high altitude and complex and diverse natural climate, it is essential to make adequate preparations before the dream vacation. on the other hand, Tibet is a completely unfamiliar destination for me, so comprehensive plan will make us enjoy more scenery more comfortable and save more time. 

Top 8 things should be considered before go to the Tibet. 

• A good mental preparation : a good psychological quality is the best way to overcome altitude sickness. Large number of examples proved that keeping open-minded optimism could weaken the physical discomfort caused by altitude sickness. 
• A good body requirements : Before go to Tibet people should exercise regularly and maintain a good physical condition. 
• Some medicine : some conventional cold medicines, gastrointestinal drugs and some medicines anti-altitude sickness, etc. 
• Different clothes : Because of the large temperature difference in Tibet, people should bring pieces of clothing. In the morning and evening it will be extreme cold, people should wear as much as possible. However, in the noon it will becomes hot, people could appropriate takes off some. 
• Both sunlight and ultraviolet radiation in Tibet are very strong, so people should be sure to bring sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. 
• Compass & Map : Since the signal in Tibet is relatively unstable, the phone GPS navigation is often unable to work. A donkey friend said that a compass and a map can be most effective in helping us travel in Tibet better. 
• SLR Cameras : Tibet beauty numerous, SLR cameras could maximize record the views meticulously. 
• Useful Tibetan greetings : Tibetans are very honest and hospitable, helpful Tibetan greetings are essential. ;)

Source:

• https://ormondrankin.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/20-quotes-the-importance-of-planning/

Welcome To My Mysterious And Tranquil Tibet Dream

"I see me path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I am going is what inspires me to travel it."--Rosalia de Castro, a famous Galician romanticist writer and poet.

In my childhood, I really liked a book called the Alchemist. In the book, a Spanish shepherd boy called Santiago continuously made a similar dream--a huge amount of treasure were buried near the Egyptian pyramids. Thus he sold his flock of sheep, headed south and experienced untold hardships, across the sea come to Africa, through the "sea of death" Sahara. Along the way, he encountered any difficulties like cheated, abjection, temptation and even love. However, he still followed his dream. Under the guidance of an alchemist, he finally reached the front of the pyramid and then realized where the real treasures were. 

How big is the heart, how big is the world. Travelling in a strange place will be able to develop my independence, teamwork, adaptability, planning capacity; cultivate a better view of the world; make me have a more expansive mind.

 

Tibet's landmark building - The Potala Palace

What kind of place can make people dreaming? what kind of place can make people longing for that seem to look forward to long-lost lovers? I think, only Tibet. Tibet is such a peaceful, holy and away from worldly place.

If someone asks you to have a trip, where are you most want to reach? 
Perhaps most of people will say that Tibet--the nearest place to heaven.
But more people also will say that the dream is just a dream, because of no time, no money, no travelling companion and fear of altitude sickness, etc. 
However, I want and must make the dreams into reality. So are you ready to see my Tibet dreams come true?

Source

• http://blog.autoeurope.com/weekly-list/30-fantastic-quotes-about-travel
• www.greatwallvacation.com