November 2025

From the “Gateway to Tibet” to the spicy heart of Chengdu! Our 13-day journey ends with a boarding pass scare, a surprise birthday celebration on Sichuan Airlines, and a literal “tongue-numbing” hotpot challenge. Here’s how we survived the final 48 hours of our Tibet adventure and my #1 tip for never losing your flight info…

We’re boarding the “Sky Railway!” Our 22-hour journey from Lhasa to Xining on the world’s highest train was surprisingly luxurious in a soft sleeper cabin. From the mirror-like waters of Cuona Lake to the secret “pro-tip” for cooking the perfect onboard cup noodles, here is what it’s really like to cross the Tibetan Plateau by…

Back in Lhasa! After a long drive along the China-Nepal Highway, we hit Barkhor Street for some last-minute souvenir hunting. From creamy Yak milk tea at A Diao to the glowing Potala Palace at night, here is how we spent our final magical evening in Lhasa.

Saying goodbye to Everest is bittersweet, but the “civilization” of Shigatse was a welcome sight! Today we explored the massive Tashilhunpo Monastery and its 28-meter bronze Buddha before ditching our standard tour dinner for some incredible local street food and grilled skewers.

I finally made it! We swapped our itinerary to catch the perfect weather at Everest Base Camp (5,200m). From the brutal 108-bend winding roads to witnessing the magical “Golden Sunset” on the peak of Mt. Everest, here is the honest reality of battling the winds and why you should definitely pay for the buggy!

We’re leaving Lhasa behind and heading for Shigatse, the final stop before Everest! Today was all about sacred lakes and high-altitude glaciers. From the turquoise shores of Yamdrok Tso to trying authentic Tsampa and Yak butter tea, here is the reality of life at 5,000m and why you definitely need motion sickness pills for these…

Is a 12-hour round trip worth it for one lake? Absolutely. Today we headed to Namtso Lake, the highest saltwater lake in the world. From navigating the “oxygen rental” shops in Lhasa to freezing at 5,000m on Nagenla Snow Mountain, here is the reality of visiting this sacred turquoise wonder.

You can’t say you’ve been to Tibet without visiting the Potala Palace! From spinning prayer wheels with pilgrims on Barkhor Street to the breathless climb up the world’s highest palace, here is the reality of a full day in Lhasa (including that classic 50-yuan note photo op!).

Goodbye Nyingchi, hello Lhasa! Today we visited Basong Lake, the “Alps of Tibet,” and it really lived up to the 5A rating. From steaming hot sweet potatoes at the entrance to crossing the 5,230m Mila Mountain pass, here is the reality of the long 5-hour drive to the “Sun-lit City” and our first night at…