Tibetan and Himalayan Library - THL

Description: A guidebook covering almost all of present day cultural Tibet. Like all guides published by Lonely Planet, Lonely Planet Tibet describes all the major destinations of interest, how to get to them, and what to do/where to stay when you've arrived. Along the way, the authors have added explanations and overviews about Tibet's culture, history, social conventions, and way of life, as well a few lessons on the Tibetan language. Includes maps and color photos.

Table of Contents: Highlights 6 -- Preface by HH the Dalai Lama 9 -- Getting started 10 -- Itineraries 14 -- The authors 21 -- Snapshot 23 -- History 24 -- The culture 40 -- Tibetan Buddhism 53 -- Environment 68 -- Food & drink 73 -- Gateway cities 77 -- Lhasa 85 -- Ü 131 -- Tsang 160 -- Western Tibet (Ngari) 197 -- Eastern Tibet (Kham 224 -- Roads to Tibet 249 -- Trekking 262 -- Directory 295 -- Transport 310 -- Health 324 -- World time zones 335 -- Language 336 -- Glossary 344 -- Behind the scenes 350 -- Index 353 -- Legend 360

Review: This is one of the most commonly used guidebooks for Tibet out there. Best to get the newest edition possible, as things change in Tibet and China rapidly. Previous versions from only a few years ago contain information that is largely obsolete and no longer accurate. While not always as detailed as Gyurme Dorje's Footprint Tibet guide (especially on historical and cultural facts) and with fewer maps than Kanamaru's Mapping the Tibetan World, Lonely Plant Tibet nevertheless remains an invaluable resource on the ground that should continue to get better over time. One note: the 2005 and earlier editions have very little information about the Qingai (Amdo) region.