(1) Introduction PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION (2) Chapter 1 Background Information Geography, Climate, Natural history, History and politics, Economy and resources, People, Language, Tibetan Buddhism, Mythology and the arts, Saving Tibetan culture (3) Chapter 2 Practical Information When to visit, Highlights, Touring strategy, Trip design/itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, What to take, Money and pricing, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Shopping, Entertainment, Photography, Media and communications, Cultural etiquette, Dealing with officialdom, Travelling positively (4) Chapter 3 Health and Safety Before you go, Common health and safety problems in Tibet, Chinese medical facilities, Medevac crews, Risky situations and evacuation, Safety and security, Women travellers, Disabled travellers, Travelling with children, Gay travellers PART TWO THE GUIDE 115 (5) Chapter 4 Lhasa Secrets of the city, Getting there and away, Getting around, Pre-arranged tour agencies, Permits and paperwork, Where to stay, Where to eat, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see, Outskirts of Lhasa (6) Chapter 5 Exploring Central Tibet North of Lhasa, Yarlung Valley (7) Chapter 6 Lhasa to Kathmandu The greatest road route in High Asia, Gyantse, Shigatse, Shigatse to Tingri, Tingri, Tingri to Kathmandu (8) Chapter 7 Star Treks High-altitude forays to Everest, Kailash and beyond, Trekking in the Everest region, Shishapangma base-camp trek, West Tibet, Ali and the Guge Kingdom, The Kailash region (9) Chapter 8 East Tibet, Kham and Amdo East Tibet, within the TAR, Kham and Amdo: Tibet outside the TAR (10) Chapter 9 The Tibetan World Tibet in exile, Tibetan kingdoms and fiefdoms (11) Appendix 1 Fauna Extraordinary (12) Appendix 2 Language and Useful Gestures (13) Appendix 3 Glossary (14) Appendix 4 Further Information (15) Index