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We have been travelling one week on the Tibetan roads, together with a local guide and driver as travelling individually in Tibet is restricted by the Chinese government.
During our short stay we discovered that China has a very strong control over this autonomous region, not only “physical” (i.e. check points) but also psychological (i.e. ban on talks about Dalai Lama).
Tibetans do not have a passport and therefore cannot leave Tibet. Even for leaving their own province they have to request a special permit. Every 50 Km (or less) we had to go through Chinese military checkpoints: we had to show our passports and visas, and our guide his special permit to leave his province.
Also, Tibetans are not allowed to talk about the Dalai Lama or own any pictures of him. To talk critical about the Chinese government or any occurrences from the past (e.g. Cultural Revolution) is strictly forbidden. If any of the previous mentioned rules are not obeyed, harsh sanctions can follow, from banning your children of school until imprisonment or disappearance…
Beside this sad truth, we really enjoyed the beautiful nature on the rooftop of the world! From the Nepalese boarder we climbed up over 5000 meters into the Himalaya Mountains. Standing in front of mystical Mount Everest is an impressive and unforgettable experience! Further we passed remote landscapes with never ending fields, beautiful lakes, glaciers and mountains until arriving in holy Lhasa.
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Aniko wow, this is incredible... But being in front of Mount Everest must be impressive!!!