Cogao Lake in Nyingchi, a freshwater lake, is 3,700 meters above sea level (JIANG XIAOYING)

- Nyingchi

Nyingchi (throne of the sun) City is considered by many the most beautiful place in Tibet. Its elevation is the lowest on the Tibetan Plateau, making it a green treasure of Tibet. It is more humid and rich in shrubs, birch woods and pinewoods that cover the mountain slopes.

Forestry is a feature of the area, embraced by the Himalayas and Nyainqentanglha Mountains.

Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon in Nyingchi is a wonderland. It lies near Namjagbarwa Mountain where the Yarlung Zangbo River turns and at 496 km is one of the longest valleys in China. Flora and fauna are prolific due to many changes in altitude.

- Ngari

Located in the most mystical and remote corner of the world, there are many places in Ngari where human footsteps have never been.

Travelers can visit sacred Lake Manasarovar as well as the ruins of the ancient Guge kingdom at Tsaparang.

Lhoka, Chanmdo and Nagqu are three other prefectures in Tibet, presenting unique Tibetan folk cultures.

What to buy?

In Lhasa's Barkhor Street, tourists can buy nearly everything.

Popular souvenirs include tangka (scroll paintings with complicated patterns), Tibetan knives, colorful aprons, fur hats, caps, as well as Tibetan medicine like saffron, aweto and snow lotus. Tibetan silverware jewelry, jade, prayer wheels, carpets, and tapestries are also worth buying.

Tip: Bargain before buying!

Where to stay?

There are over 40 star-rated hotels in Lhasa with prices ranging from 6,000 yuan ($877) to 200 yuan ($30) a night. In other prefectures of Tibet, there are fewer star-rated hotels, but you can always stay at a family hotel, as local residents are very kind to travelers. Family hotels will charge less, about 20 yuan ($3) to 100 yuan ($15) per person per night.

During high season, like China's National Day holiday (October 1-7), it is usually difficult to book a hotel in Lhasa, but fine in other prefectures.

What to eat?

Tsamba (barley flour mixed with salt butter tea), mutton, beef, buttered tea and highland barley wine are common Tibetan food and beverages. Spicy Sichuan cuisine is also popular in Tibet in many restaurants.

Travel tips:

The biggest problem in travelling in Tibet is altitude sickness-rapid heartbeat and headache or nausea. Take a good rest after you land on the plateau, walk slowly and drink plenty of water.

Wear more layers of clothing to combat the cold weather.

Take cash if you are going to places other than Lhasa, and if you are not on a tour, and it is wise to hire a jeep or car from Lhasa to venture into the distant mountainous areas of Tibet.