Author: Elisabeth Booz
Publisher: Odyssey
Year: 1997
Language: English
Pages: 246
ISBN/UPC (if available): 9622174205
Description
For centuries Tibet has exercised a powerful pull over the Western world. Closed to foreigners until quite recently, it has always been a country apart-as rarefied as its air, as individualistic and intangible as only its geographic location and a determined policy of isolation permit.
Landlocked behind the almost impenetrable Himalaya, Karakoram and Kunlun mountain ranges, the Land of the Snows lies mostly above 4,500 metres (15000 feet), its height above sea level comparable only to that of Bolivia.
One of the most sparsely populated places on earth, Tibet is a land of dramatic landscapes, sacred relics, butter-lamp illuminated temples and monasteries, and a deeply religious, resilient, immensely likeable people.
Tibet is the land of sky burials, the indispensable yak and life-sustaining salted butter tea, from which visitors will retain memories to last a lifetime.
Indispensable Facts for the Traveller which include information on Visas, Health, Customs, Climate and Clothing.
80 carefully selected colour photographs.
16 easy-to-use maps and plans.
Literary Excerpts which include the works of Nick Danziger, Jamyang Norbu, F Kingdon Ward and Heinrich Harrer.
Special Topics which include climbers of Mount Everest, The Dalai Lamas, Monasteries and Monks, and The Tsangpo River.
A Tibetan language guide.
Contents
Introduction
Geography and Natural History
Chronology of Tibetan History
Facts for the Traveller
Lhasa
Tsedang and the Yarlong Area
Shigatse
Gyantse
Shigatse to Nepal
Western Tibet
Major Tibetan Festivals
Recommended Reading
Practical Information
Tibetan Language Guide
Index
Maps
Special Topics
EXCERPTS
Lama Anagarika Govinda on the magnetism of mountains
Thubten Jigme Norbu and Heinrich
Harrer on the finding of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama
Nick Danzigar on arrival in Lhasa
Jamyang Norbu on an arranged marriage
F Kingdon Ward on flowers of unique beauty
Andre Guibaut on an attack
Francis Younghusband on a quick victory
Heinrich Harrer on a terrifying escape
Lama Kunga and Brian Cutillo on a story of consequence