Lonely Planet Tibet (4th ed) (Paperback)

by Bradley Mayhew (Author), John Vincent Bellezza (Author), Tony Wheeler (Author), Chris Taylor (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there, chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach. While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.

This completely revised and updated Lonely Planet guide to Tibet features new maps, detailed trekking information, overland routes from China and Nepal, Tibetan and Mandarin language sections, as well as essential notes on history, culture, and Buddhism. The author imparts expert advice on where to stay and eat, and presents engaging sidebars on topics such as "The World of a Monk," "Everest's Name," "King Gesar," "Important Figures of Tibetan Buddhism," "The Mandala," "Sutra & Tantra," and Tibetan travelers' first-hand experiences. --Kathryn True

Review
"...Lonely Planet, the intrepid traveler's bible..."
-- Los Angeles Times, April 2005

…Lonely Planet, the intrepid traveler's bible...' --Los Angeles Times, April 2005
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 4th edition (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0864426372
• ISBN-13: 978-0864426376
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,735,388 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tibetan Travel Made Easy, October 20, 2000

By	Bibliophile (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Tibet (Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit) (Paperback)

I traveled to Nepal, Tibet and Thailand alone in the summer of 1998, and this book was indispensable. In fact, while staying in Kathmandu, prior to my trip to Tibet, I met someone who was contemplating a trip to Lhasa. She asked to borrow my book, and I spent a couple of worried nights awaiting the return of the book. I don't know how I could've planned my trip to Tibet nor how I could've survived successfully without this book. I bought it before the trip and read it on my way to Nepal, while in Nepal and on my way overland into Lhasa, Tibet. The book is filled with facts and helpful, necessary information. The maps are wonderful. In fact, I usually had a pretty good idea of where my driver was headed and where we actually were based on the detailed maps the book provides. I found the most important parts of the book deal with the acquisition of necessary visas and documents when traveling from Nepal to Tibet, the uncertainty of your passage from one country to the next, security and safety precautions and of course the accomodations and sites of interest. This book is small and easy to carry but it packs tons of invaluable information.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Cursory and limited, but somewhat sufficient for travel, January 25, 2007

By	Danpopa (Cambridge, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Tibet (Paperback)

This book does what most of the Lonely Planet guides do best: provides clear, personalized reviews of places to stay, eat and explore wherever your destination may be. However, LP Tibet focuses mostly on Central Tibet and the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), with very little info and inadequate maps for what was Kham and Amdo (now contained in Sichuan and Qinghai provinces). This is where other Tibet guides, Gyurmed Dorje's Footprint edition in particular, shine. LP Tibet will get you around the TAR comfortably, but lacks the depth of information and regional exploration required for more intensive and insightful travel there.

For the most extensive discussions of religious sites (but DO NOT USE these routes and maps!), try to find the "Tibet Handbook" by Victor Chan (out of print). Also, Keith Dowman's "The Power Places of Central Tibet" provides excellent, traditional descriptions of Tibetan sacred sites.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Travel Book, November 4, 2003

By	Sen Lin (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Lonely Planet Tibet (Paperback)

It's the best LP book ever. I bought the book a few months ago before leaving for Tibet. What a great help this book was! I read every single word one every single page! Went to so many facinating places This is THE book you must have if you plan to go to the snowland. Apparently, every independent traveller in Tibet has one. It has so many useful maps and hiking guide. I was in Tibet for two weeks, still wish I had more time there.
Best places: Lhasa, Namtso, Mt. Everest, Mt. Kalish

Best time to go: anytime
Best book to take: LP Tibet