western china

it's done. i am going to tibet.


i never thought i would be going to tibet! it's hard to communicate how excited i am - and a little bewildered at my own ambition. but the plane tickets have been purchased, permit is being arranged, i have chosen hostels, and i know what train tickets i will need to buy for the following legs of the trip. in august, i am traveling across western china! i have just over 2 weeks between classes ending here in shanghai, and beginning at BLCU in beijing. here is my rough itinerary:

8/9 fly shanghai to chengdu

8/9-8/14 stay in chengdu at jiatong hostel, visit friends from fudan and their families, explore the city and make a day trip to hike e'mei shan

8/14 fly chengdu to lhasa

8/14-8/18 rest for a day on account of the altitude, then tour lhasa with random tibet backpacker man for three days

8/18-8/20 famous tibet train to xian 

8/20-8/24 stay in xian, visit terra cotta warriors, stay in the muslim quarter

8/24-8/25 xian to beijing by overnight train

8/25 program in beijing begins!

altogether, this 5000+ kilometer journey will be under $1000 for transportation and housing, which earned the stamp of approval from mom and dad. of course, that doesn't really say anything because any money that goes toward tibet instead of tuition will be taken out in loans and paid back by yours truly after graduation...! anyway, i am here, and to me it seems worthwhile. one cost hidden in there -which i am rather bitter about - is the permit, guide, and prearranged dormitory housing that is required for an independent foreigner to visit tibet. however, i was aware that there would be plenty of hoops to jump through from the start, so i cannot really complain. this is my chance, and i want to take it!

besides the sheer expanse and unfamiliarity of western china, the other challenge that i am seriously excited to tackle is traveling on my own :) in shanghai, i have enjoyed my group's company but also really enjoyed going out and seeing parts of the city on my own. i know that 100% independent travel is a far cry from a day out on your own, but i am genuinely looking forward to it. mom and dad, i will buy like 32 MCI cards in shanghai before i go so i can call you all the time. don't worry!

AHHHHHHHHHHH TIBET.