Journey Through Tibet - Travel Documentary

Tibet is one of the world’s most mysterious and fascinating travel destinations. It has evoked the imagination of many travelers throughout the centuries, in part due to its inaccessibility and isolation. For those that make it here, they find a land of beautiful landscapes, overwhelming religious devotion, delicious food, and friendly, welcoming people.

In this video, I explore the spiritual side of Tibet, traveling to four different regions of the Tibetan world, between 2010 and 2019. From the imposing Labrang monastery in China to the residence of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan government in exile in India. And from the communities of Tibetan refugees in Nepal to the highlands of Lhasa and Tibet, today also known as the ‘Tibetan Autonmous Region’.

Tibet has had a tumultuous history, and Tibetans in general never had it easy. Yet, despite the challenges they have managed to retain much of their culture. Much has been written about the Tibetan issue, and it’s a good idea to learn more about its history.

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Copyright of all footage: Hoffer Media

Here’s a brief overview of the content in this video:

Our first encounter with the Tibetan world is in Xiahe, a small village nestled in the mountains of Gansu province in China. Despite the challenges of modernization and Chinese influence, the town remains a deeply spiritual place. The main focus of Xiahe is the massive Labrang monastery, one of the most important outside the Tibetan Autonomous Region. This is where we find monks and pilgrims making traditional kora, turning prayer wheels and whispering mantras.

We continue our journey in Dharamsala, located in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh in India. Here we attend a public teaching lesson of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. Dharamsala is also home to a large community of Tibetan refugees, and it’s easy to spend a few days here learning about Tibetan culture and eating traditional food.

The capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, is also home to a large population of Tibetan refugees. Many of them live around the imposing Boudhanath stupa, which in itself is a highlight for many travelers and pilgrims. Some of the gompas, or monasteries in this area are also open to visitors.

We end our travels in ‘Tibet proper’, where we have a chance to visit Lhasa, the capital and spiritual heartland of Tibet. Although foreign travelers can only visit Lhasa and Tibet on a guided tour, we are able to explore parts of Lhasa and a few more places in Tibet, including Shigatse and Mount Everest Basecamp.

On this final part of the journey, we get a deeper understanding of Tibetan life and culture, as we take a look the Potala Palace, the incredible neighborhood of Barkhor, and three of the most important Buddhistic monasteries and universities. And along the way, we traverse spectacular landscapes of mountains, glaciers, and frozen lakes.

Timestamps / video chapters:

0:00 Introduction
1:47 Xiahe (China)
4:12 Dharamsala (India)
7:55 Kathmandu (Nepal)
10:57 Lhasa (Tibet/China)
16:33 Tibetan Autonomous Region (China)
20:57 End

[lainfonet]

In 2023, Tibet's per capita GDP reached approximately $9, 726 USD and Tibet's GDP reached approximately 33.6 billion USD. The central government of China provides annual transfer payments to Tibet that exceed Tibet's GDP. Additionally, various inland provinces and cities undertake aid projects in Tibet, which represent massive investments every year. For example, Guangdong Province, whose GDP surpasses that of Russia, aids the city of Nyingchi in Tibet, providing free assistance to build schools, hospitals, roads, and other infrastructure. The western regions of the United States consist largely of deserts, but they have a good highway system. However, Tibet, with even harsher natural conditions, already has infrastructure surpassing that of the U.S. West. As a result, Tibet's per capita standard of living is 10 times higher than that of India.
By comparing Tibet with Outer Mongolia, one can clearly see the consequences of splitting from China and establishing independence. In Outer Mongolia, half the population lives in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, and most of Ulaanbaatar's residents live in slums on the outskirts of the city. Furthermore, 30% of Outer Mongolia's grasslands have turned into desert due to overgrazing.

[jakelee]

For decades, the old Tibetan aristocrats who had been driven to India had been thinking about restoration all the time, but who would want to return to slavery? Even if the Americans help the old nobles regain power in Tibet, they will be abandoned by the people.

[greentraveler]

My favorite countries in North America to visit are: California Republic, Texas Republic, Alaska Republic and USA. These four independent countries have a lot of to offer, and most interestingly for me is the Indigenous native Americans culture and their traditions which barely exist unless in remote tribal villages. California Republic especially, a mix of foreign influence from USA and Texas Republic. It's definitely one of my favorite countries in the whole world. The Californians are friendly.

[chietbrink]

Beautiful
Nobody knows what the future brings but these images are anyway saved for next generations .
Great video ( again I would say )!!!

[CATDRL]

Oh great, what a fantastic location for you to explore and create a documentary. I'm looking forward to watching it with great enthusiasm. Thank you, Tony.

[PhilUKNet]

Very nice, Stef! Another outstanding travel documentary filmed and narrated in your unique, inimitable style. I always watch your videos on a large TV to do them justice. Smartphones just aren't the same.

[Syangdan]

I'm Buddhist from east part of Nepal Nice Documentary ❤ lord Buddha bless to world 🙏🙏🙏😇

[ielee]

This is the truth about Tibet & not holywood film, after watching this documentary and then ask yourself this question are the Tibetans life & its culture suppressed? All I can see the Tibetan's cultures are alive & kicking, the youngs are happy. millions of visitor yearly, they are as free or much freer than those in India.

[magdaruhig]

Nagyon szépen köszönjük ezt a csodálatos filmet. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[a.d.y]

Once again a beautiful and informative video Stef. Thank you for that!! should visit there soon!

[willy]

Learn about human skin drums, human skull bowls, and human leg bone ritual instruments. These were common things in Tibet under the Dalai Lama. The people of Tibet have been free since 1959.

[DestinyToParadise]

"My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness."🤲
"The purpose of our lives is to be happy."🤲
"Silence is sometimes the best answer."🤲
"If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito."🤲

[ElizabethMoary]

*I'm glad you made this video, * it reminds me of my transformation from a nobody to good home, $89k biweekly and a good daughter full of love..

[arshad]

thank god tibet has been liberated and freed from slavery since 1959

[sonjajane]

❤ BEAUTIFUL PEACE
❤ BEAUTIFUL TIBET
Noooomoooshkaar from Canada 🇨🇦

[sonamtenzin]

Thanks for capturing a part of my country where I was born and now living in exile.. you have reminded me of my country during my younger days but you couldn't capture the hardships in the minds of these Tibetans under the CCP invasion... I could feel them as I went through the discrimination in my own land during my younger days which is why thousands like me fled..

[itinajnr]

Thanks brother for your videos, i got hooked after the Jerusalem video.

Your video are so calm and educative to use for my free time not to talk of your voice

[alexhu]

Tibet is a Chinese province during Yuan Dynasty in 1280

[tenzinphuntsok]

Thank you for covering about Tibet based on truth and reality. Excellent, thank you....

[moumukherjee]

Don't know why I see Tibet in my dreams. For several years that's one place I want to visit. For now, I watch YT videos when I find a new one. looks peaceful and just the kind of a place I want to be