Trip Report: why I want to go to Tibet

I didn’t enjoy being in Beijing. The city assaulted me. My skin, nose, lungs and throat burned. I broke out with an itchy rash on my ankles. I was constantly trying to avoid conversations with people on the streets. I wasn't met with smiles or warmth. I itched.


I found refuge in Starbucks. Pathetic: I hate Starbucks. They have bad coffee and predatory corporate practices. Yet it was the only place that I could feel comfortable in Beijing: sitting in a soft chair and drinking a grande caffe latte with four shots of espresso (that’s not so strong here).

The highlight of Beijing was my visit to the Tibetan Temple. It is located in the palace of a prince and became a temple during the eighteenth century. The architecture of the palace is very similar to the Forbidden City but you can actually go in the buildings. The deities and artwork were phenomenal.






monks sleep in a room with a large statue


they quickly shuttered the windows after I took this.

I wish I could've taken more photos. The deities and artwork were wonderful-- blue or red men with wolf or tiger or dog heads. Some were ferocious. Some were peaceful. Some of the deities were overwhelming in size-- one was a good three stories. I had to crane my head back to have a look.

It seems like a very popular thing in America-- to love Tibet. You can buy prayer flags in Harvard Square, for example. And it seems like everyone wants to go. It is maximally far away and mysterious. I find all of this a turn off.

Three reasons why I want to go to Tibet: the people, the landscape, and the interesting temples. A bonus is that it is very far away from Beijing.