I was told that as a travel writer complete until I visited Tibet, known as Shangri-La, the Land of Snows, and the Rooftop of the World. Once completely inaccessible to the world, this Buddhist kingdom is locked away in its mountain fortress in the Himalayas, the world’s highest peak. Draped in magic and mystery, riches and treasures, Tibet does not only enchant, it intoxicates in a way very few other places do. It offers splendid monastery sights, exquisite treks, stunning views of snow- capped mountains, and a rich culture that antedates Christianity. Tibet is a showcase of Buddhism. The Tibetans’ spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, whose tireless efforts on behalf of world peace won him the Nobel Peace Prize, fled the capital Lhasa in March 1959 at the height of the civil uprising against the communist invaders from China. The Tibetan god-king then established a government in exile in northern India. Tibetan exiles around the world fervently hope for the day when their Dalai Lama will return home victoriously.

At the giant statue of Buddha, our ace photographer took pictures as our prayer requests were strewn into the gentle wind. Most people in Tibet adhere to the tenets of Buddhism, which is a ubiquitous force propelling endless rituals that assure good fortune and, ultimately, rebirth. Blessed with the many wonders of nature, this plateau was once a turbulent sea. Two great earth plates lifted the Tibetan plateau from the bottom of the sea, giving rise to the world’s highest mountain ranges.

Today, Buddhist monks lead the procession of chanting pilgrims to the Jokhang Temple, two kilometers to the east of the Potala. The mystical Jokhang Temple embraces a labyrinth of rooms and chapels containing over 250 statues, including a beautiful gold image of Buddha and the finest treasures of Tibetan art. At the local market, crowds jostled in a maze of picturesque cobbled alleyways lined with street performers, teahouses that serve brews made from yak butter, and stalls hawking everything from prayer wheels to jeweled artifacts.