TRAVELLING TO THE WORLD'S MOST RESTRICTED REGION || INDIAN IN TIBET | China 2.0

Summary

In this travel vlog, the narrator embarks on a journey from Lajjang to the mystical Shangri-La in Tibet, showcasing the experience of Chinese train travel and local culture. The video offers insights into train station amenities, the convenience of bus stations, and the unique architecture of Lijiang's train station. The narrator also highlights the region's cuisine, the availability of power banks, and the breathtaking landscapes en route. The script captures the excitement of exploring Tibet's monasteries, culture, and the newly accessible Shangri-La by train, emphasizing the beauty and challenges of this remote, snowy region.

Takeaways

• 🚂 The video is about a journey from Lajjang to Shangri-La in Tibet, showcasing the experience of traveling by train.
• 🌄 The narrator stayed in Lajjang the previous night but found it uninteresting and decided to proceed to Shangri-La early in the morning.
• 🕗 The train journey to Shangri-La is expected to take one and a half hours, with the train departing at 8:00 AM.
• 🏰 Unique to Chinese train stations, there is often a bus station just outside, facilitating easy and affordable transportation into the city.
• 🛋 Inside the train station, passengers can enjoy various seating options, including massage chairs and charging points for electronic devices.
• 🔋 A notable feature in China is the availability of power banks for rent, which can be paid for via QR code and used for 24 hours.
• 🍲 The region is known for a specific type of porridge made from corn, which is very famous locally.
• 🏞 The video mentions the restricted nature of the Lhasa region in Tibet, where a permit is required to visit, but the narrator plans to explore areas that do not require permits.
• 🚄 The train to Shangri-La is a recent development, having started operation on November 27th of the current year, offering a more comfortable alternative to the longer bus journey.
• 🌡 The video highlights the significant temperature difference between the inside of the train and the outside, with the exterior being as cold as minus 2 degrees.
• ⏳ The train passes through many tunnels, including the longest tunnel on the route from Lhasa to Shangri-La, indicating the engineering marvel of the railway.

Q & A

What is the main destination the traveler is heading to in the video?

The main destination the traveler is heading to is Shangrila, which is located in Tibet.

Why did the traveler leave Lajjang in the morning?

The traveler left Lajjang in the morning because there was nothing interesting to explore there, as they had arrived late at night and didn't have much time.

How long does it take to reach Shangrila from the starting point according to the video?

It takes one and a half hours to reach Shangrila from the starting point.

What is unique about the train station the traveler describes?

The train station described has a unique style, and it is notable for having a bus station just outside, making city access convenient and affordable.

What type of chairs are commonly found in the waiting hall of Chinese trains as per the video?

Massager chairs are commonly found in the waiting hall of Chinese trains, along with normal chairs.

What is the significance of the permit mentioned for traveling to the Lahasa region in Tibet?

The permit is required because the Lahasa region is a restricted area in Tibet, and not everyone is allowed to visit without proper authorization.

What is the meaning of 'Shangri-La' in Tibetan?

In Tibetan, 'Shangri-La' means 'Sun and moon in one heart.'

How much did the traveler pay for the train ticket to Shangrila?

The traveler paid 49 yuan for the train ticket to Shangrila, which is approximately 450 to 500 Indian Rupees.

What is the weather like when the traveler arrives at the Shangri-La train station?

The weather is very cold when the traveler arrives at the Shangri-La train station, with temperatures around minus 4 degrees Celsius.

What is the language barrier issue the traveler faced in China?

The traveler faced a language barrier issue in China as most people spoke Chinese, and the traveler did not know how to speak the language, making communication difficult.

What type of local food does the traveler try in Shangri-La?

The traveler tries a vegetarian option which includes a dish with peas, noodles, cabbage, and tomatoes, as well as a type of bread and porridge made from wheat.

Outlines

00:00

🚂 Journey to Shangri-La from Lajjang

The video begins with the traveler's departure from Lajjang to Shangri-La in Tibet, highlighting the convenience of the train journey and the unique features of the Lijiang train station. The traveler mentions the availability of bus stations near train stations in China, the cost-effectiveness of taking a bus over a taxi, and the amenities available at the station, such as massage chairs and charging points. The script also touches on the traveler's preference for trains due to motion sickness and introduces the new train route to Shangri-La, which started operating on November 27th, offering a more comfortable alternative to the long bus journey. The traveler also expresses excitement about exploring Tibet's culture and monasteries without needing a permit for the restricted areas of Lhasa.

05:03

🎒 Boarding the Train to Tibet

The traveler describes the bustling atmosphere at the train station and the process of boarding the train to Shangri-La. The script details the train's features, including its sleeper compartments and the experience of being on a double-decker train. The traveler also shares the meaning of 'Shangri-La' in Tibetan, which translates to 'Sun and moon in one heart.' The video captures the excitement of the journey, the train's speed, and the continuous tunnels along the route. The traveler also notes the lack of passengers on the train, suggesting it is a lesser-known route, and provides insights into the local weather and the necessity of staying warm during the trip.

10:26

🏔️ Arrival in Shangri-La and Initial Impressions

Upon arrival in Shangri-La, the traveler is struck by the cold and the beauty of the train station, which is adorned in Tibetan style. The script describes the snow-covered landscapes, the small villages, and the stark contrast between the poverty in the area and the well-constructed roads. The traveler also notes the train station's security measures and the local people's protective nature. The video captures the excitement of reaching Shangri-La and the anticipation of exploring the city and its surroundings.

15:28

🛏️ Finding Accommodation and Local Interactions

The traveler's search for a hostel in Shangri-La is marked by the challenges of the cold and the language barrier. The script includes an interaction with a local who speaks Hindi, providing a sense of comfort and familiarity. The traveler describes the unique architecture of Tibetan houses and the cultural differences in clothing compared to other regions in China. The video also touches on the difficulties faced by the local police and the availability of local food, such as Bhature, and ends with the traveler settling into a hostel, despite the cold and the quietness of the place.

20:31

🍲 Exploring Shangri-La and Local Cuisine

The final paragraph of the script focuses on the traveler's quest for food and the exploration of the city. The traveler finds a shop offering vegetarian options and describes the local dishes, including a popular vegetarian fried rice. The script highlights the importance of warm food in the cold weather and the traveler's plan to visit the largest monastery in Shangri-La and the Tibetan community in upcoming videos. The video concludes with a promise to share more of the journey and a farewell message.

Keywords

💡Lajjang

Lajjang, also known as Lijiang, is a city in China's Yunnan province and serves as the starting point of the video's journey. It is a significant cultural and historical site, known for its old town and Naxi ethnic culture. In the video, the narrator mentions having spent the previous night in Lajjang and expresses a desire to leave early due to a lack of interesting activities there.

💡Shangrila

Shangrila, also known as Shangri-La, is a county-level city in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan, China. It is often associated with the mythical utopia described in James Hilton's novel 'Lost Horizon.' In the script, Shangrila is the destination the narrator is traveling to and is portrayed as a place of cultural and natural beauty, with the narrator expressing excitement about exploring its monasteries and culture.

💡Tibet

Tibet is an autonomous region in China, known for its unique cultural heritage, including Tibetan Buddhism, monasteries, and traditional Tibetan medicine. The video's theme revolves around exploring Tibet, particularly the Shangrila region, which is part of the larger Tibetan cultural sphere. The narrator intends to showcase the beauty and cultural richness of the area without needing a permit to enter the restricted Lahasa region.

💡Train Station

A train station is a location where trains load or unload passengers or goods. In the video, the train station serves as a central point for the journey, with the narrator describing the experience of boarding the train to Shangrila. The script mentions various features of the Lijiang train station, including its size, waiting hall, and amenities like massage chairs and charging points.

💡Chinese Trains

The script provides insights into the experience of traveling on Chinese trains, highlighting the convenience of having a bus station just outside the train station and the availability of amenities like massage chairs and charging points. The narrator also mentions the train's departure times and the process of checking in at the station.

💡Permits

In the context of the video, permits are required to visit certain restricted areas within the Lahasa region of Tibet. The narrator mentions that while they cannot visit the restricted areas without a permit, they will explore parts of Tibet that are accessible without one, providing a glimpse into the region's culture and monasteries.

💡Cultural Experience

The cultural experience is a central theme of the video, as the narrator aims to explore and showcase the unique aspects of Tibetan culture, including its monasteries, people, and way of life. The script mentions the narrator's desire to understand the local culture, meet the people, and learn about their lifestyle.

💡Monasteries

Monasteries are places of religious importance in Tibetan Buddhism and are often architecturally significant. The video script mentions the beauty of Tibet's monasteries and the narrator's intention to visit them as part of the cultural exploration. Monasteries serve as a key element in understanding the region's religious and cultural practices.

💡Tibetan Houses

Tibetan houses are traditional dwellings that reflect the local architectural style and are often built to withstand the region's harsh climate. The script describes the unique design of these houses, which are made of stone and feature distinctive doors and facades. The narrator expresses admiration for the houses' design and construction.

💡Buddhism

Buddhism is a major world religion that originated in India and has a significant following in Tibet. The video's theme includes exploring the Buddhist aspects of Tibetan culture, with the narrator mentioning the prevalence of Buddhist symbols and practices in the region, such as the presence of monasteries and the influence on local lifestyle and dress.

💡Hostel

A hostel is a type of low-cost accommodation aimed at travelers. In the video, the narrator checks into a hostel in Shangrila and describes the experience, including the cost, the facilities, and the overall atmosphere. The hostel serves as a base for the narrator to explore the city and its surroundings.

Highlights

Journey from Lajjang to Shangri-La in Tibet

Explore Tibet's culture and monasteries

Lajjang's lack of interesting sites led to an early departure

Shangri-La can be reached in one and a half hours by train

Unique architectural style of Chinese train stations

Convenience of bus stations located just outside train stations in China

Lijiang train station features a large waiting hall with various seating options

Availability of massager chairs and charging points at the train station

Renting power banks at the train station for 24 hours

Tibet's Lahasa region requires a permit to visit

Introduction to the beauty of Tibet's monasteries and culture

New train service from Lajjan to Shangri-La starting November 27th

Preference for train travel due to motion sickness in buses

Ticket price for the train journey is 49 yuan, approximately 500 Indian Rupees

Excitement of boarding the train to Tibet

Meaning of Shangri-La in Tibetan: 'Sun and moon in one heart'

Experience of the train journey through tunnels and mountainous regions

Arrival at Shangri-La train station and the cold weather

Local transportation options from Shangri-La train station to the city

Cultural and architectural observations in Shangri-La city

Challenges of finding vegetarian food options in Shangri-La

Visit to a local restaurant and trying traditional Tibetan food

Plans to explore the city and visit the largest monastery in Shangri-La

Transcripts

the title of the video.

Today we are going from Lajjang to Shangrila which is in

Tibet.

I am going to take you to explore Tibet.

I was in Lajjang last night.

I am leaving in the morning because there was nothing

interesting in Lajjang.

I came here late at night.

I don't have much time to explore here.

That's why I got a ticket for Shangrila.

We will reach Shangrila in one and a half hour.

This is my train.

We will reach Shangrila from here at 8.30 and 9.30.

You won't get to see all the Chinese train stations in this

style.

They might be in a different design but you will get to see

something in this style.

There is a bus station just outside.

The best thing in China is that you will get a bus station

just outside the train station.

You have to go inside the city in 2 or 3 yuan.

If you take a taxi, it will be very expensive.

The train station looks like this.

As soon as you enter, you will see this board.

You will get your check-in number and timings here.

You will get to know from which gate you will get your

boarding.

This is the train station of Lijiang.

It is a very big train station.

Our train will leave at 8.00.

This is the biggest waiting hall of Chinese trains.

You will get to see different types of chairs here.

You will get to see normal chairs and massager chairs.

You will get to see massager chairs the most here.

You will get to see all the chairs on the back.

You can get a massage there.

You will also get to see the charging point.

This is the toilet.

The best thing in China is this.

If you want a power bank.

One more thing.

If you rent a power bank from this merchant in blue, it

will be returned to you.

You have to pay for it.

You can scan the QR code and pay for 24 hours.

This is the best thing.

You can rent a power bank here.

You can charge it with the same power bank.

This is the porridge.

It is very famous here.

It is made from corn.

Guys, this was my plan from the beginning.

We will go to Tibet once.

Lahasa region is a restricted region.

You need a permit to go there.

We are going to explore the part without a permit.

I am going to show you how Tibet looks like.

We have heard that Tibet's monasteries are very beautiful.

You will get to see a different culture there.

I will try to show you different things.

There are many beautiful monasteries there.

Let's go.

When I started this trip,

I wanted to go to Tibet once.

I will show you.

It is going to be a beautiful journey.

There was no train for Shangri-La before.

But on 27th November, this year, there is a train for

Shangri-La.

It goes from Lajjan to Shangri-La.

If you want to travel from Kunming, there is a train from

Kunming to Shangri-La.

But you will have to take a layover in Lajjan.

But there is a train.

This is very good for me.

I have motion sickness in buses.

I have a lot of problems.

I prefer to travel by train.

I have taken a ticket for 49 yuan.

It is around 450 to 500 Indian Rupees.

It is not very expensive.

It is around 520 Indian Rupees.

I am going to show you the Tibet region.

Let's see how the experience is.

Finally, I have reached the train station.

It is crowded there.

People enquire at the station.

They make announcements.

I could not speak properly.

We have finally checked in at the train station.

The train is standing in front of us.

There are a lot of people going to Shangri-La.

Everyone is happy.

The train started two weeks ago.

Otherwise, you have to go by bus.

The bus takes around 5 to 6 hours.

It takes more.

It takes around 7 hours.

It is a mountainous area.

It will be a little difficult.

Our train looks like this.

You can see the double-decker train.

It is a sleeper train.

I came from Delhi to Lahasa by this train.

It was a good journey.

Finally, we have boarded our train.

The train will go directly to Tibet.

I am very excited.

We will reach Tibet within 1.5 hours.

Let me tell you what Shangri-La means.

Sun and moon in one heart.

That's the meaning of Shangri-La in Tibetan.

It is very beautiful.

I have seen it in pictures.

It is a beautiful place.

We will find out what we can see there.

I want to see the monasteries.

I want to meet the people.

I want to know their culture.

I want to know how they live there.

Look at our train.

This is our train.

The temperature inside is 11 degrees.

The temperature outside is minus 2 degrees.

Look at the train.

It is empty.

Not many people know about this train.

That's why it is empty.

It is very beautiful.

You can see the view outside.

I bought this from home.

It is a bottle.

You can put hot water in it.

It contains 200 ml of water.

I bought it for hot water.

It contains hot water.

It is good.

It warms the body.

It is very important.

If you have coffee, you can put hot water in it.

You can drink it.

It is very good.

You can drink it in winter.

I needed it.

Guys, finally our train has left from here.

Music Guys, this is the biggest cable bridge which was

built here.

The river is flowing below.

It is very beautiful.

It is a very beautiful place.

Construction work is still going on.

Our train has been running in the tunnel for the last half

an hour.

You can see the view outside.

The tunnel has been coming continuously for the last 30

minutes.

It is coming again.

It has been opened for a while.

It is coming again.

If you travel from Lahasa to Shangri-La, you will get to

see the longest tunnel on this route.

I think the train is running at a speed of 128 kmph.

The train is right now.

It is running continuously for 30 minutes in just one

tunnel.

It is amazing.

It took them many years to run this route.

They started it this year.

It has been a great experience.

Let me show you the view outside.

The tunnel is coming continuously.

We will reach Shangri-La in an hour.

There are only two train stations in this route.

Let's start from Lajang.

I don't know the name of this station.

I don't know how to pronounce it.

We will reach Shangri-La after this.

You can see a lot of Tibetan houses here.

I am so excited.

I am so excited to go to that place.

Guys, there was no stoppage time here.

There is a stoppage time of hardly two minutes.

And our train is about to leave from here.

It has made a loud noise.

I liked this thing the most.

You can see people standing outside every train station.

When the train is about to leave, people stand outside and

close the doors.

So that you can't go inside or go outside.

I liked this thing the most.

They are very protective.

And they take care of your security.

This is what the train station looks like.

Can you hear the siren?

Now it will say something.

Everyone go inside. The train is about to leave.

It will say something like this.

See you soon.

Guys, after seeing this place, I realized that you will see

a lot of poverty on this side.

Because there is no connectivity here.

And you can see that the road connection here is not very

good.

But you will be able to see the main road well.

And you can see that it is snowing on this side.

I can say that you are going to see a lot of snow in

Shangri-La

Now look at this, the whole place is empty

I don't get to see such an empty ground in the entire China

area

Look at the small wooden houses and small villages

Guys, look at these plants, there is snow on them

So that's why you see white like this

Snow, snow, snow, snow

There are small villages where you can see Yachts

It's a good place, it's a very beautiful place

Guys, look at the roads, China has made such beautiful roads

Guys, finally we arrived in Shangri-La train station

Guys, it's really very cold here

The temperature here is around minus 4 degrees

And I can feel the cold

It's around minus 6, minus 7

But they have made the train station very beautiful

Let me show you, look at this

They have given color to the Tibetan style temple

And on this side, look at the snowfall in the mountain

It's very beautiful

And look at the train station, they have made a very

beautiful train station

It's good, whatever it is, this place is good

Yes, I can feel the cold, it's very cold here

And let's go, I don't know how far the city is from here

But I checked on Google, the city is around 8 or 9 km

So maybe we should get a local bus from here

Look at this

The smoke is coming out of my mouth

The temperature is around minus

It's a brand new train station, that's why you can see the

new things

Shangri-La They have named the train station Shangri-La,

not Shangri-La

That's how they pronounce it

I can see some small villages on this side

Guys, you must be feeling a little bit of Tibet

Look at this

I feel very good to come here and feel Tibet

Wow, what a beautiful place

The bus station is on this side

It's very cold

Guys, it's very cold, I'm telling you the truth

I feel very cold in my hands

Let me wear a cap

I found out that I got sick

Guys, it's 9.30 in the morning

I can see how cold it is

Just imagine how cold it will be at night

We will feel suffocated at night

Let's go

We have to take bus number 18 from here, according to me

Let's see which bus goes

Finally, the bus dropped me inside the city

So let's leave while walking to the hostel

It's very cold

I'm in a lot of pain

But it feels good to come here

You will get to see a lot of things related to Buddhism here

Because this is a Tibetan area

Do you know Hindi?

He was speaking Hindi while walking

Where are you from?

I'm from Jaipur

I'm from Jaipur

It's good that you were speaking Hindi

Everyone here speaks Chinese

I don't know how to speak

How do you know Hindi?

I used to live in Delhi

For how many years?

20 years

Wow, you still know Hindi well

Are you from here?

Yes, I'm from here

I'm from Siwan

Siwan? No, I'm from Kanze

Kanze Perfection

So you have opened a shop here

Yes, I have opened a shop

See, this is his restaurant

NAMCHA BAWA TIBBIT KITCHEN

I just came here, I have a hostel nearby

I'll meet you at the hostel

I'll keep my bag

See you

It's good that someone here can speak Hindi

I couldn't understand

I was having a hard time

Communicating in China

But it's good that he was able to speak a little

He was speaking Hindi very well

It's very cold

See the city

This is how the city looks

You can see beautiful houses here

And there is a monastery

Tibetan houses are designed very well

They have designed the doors very well

See the houses

If you come to Tibet

The design of the houses is very unique

You can see

Tibetan designs

They have designed the houses very well

They have designed the houses very well

You can see

It takes a lot of hard work

All the houses are designed in a very unique way

People's dressing sense is very different here compared to

other Chinese people

If you go to any other region of China

People's dressing sense is very different

You can see Tibetan dressing sense here

See in front

You can see snowy mountains

It looks like Mount Everest

It's not Mount Everest

But you can see snowy mountains

The police here is very poor

They have given a lot of work to the police

The police here is very poor

You can see Bhature here

What? He is refusing to record

He is refusing to record

He is refusing to record

I have reached the hostel

It's good here

Not too crowded

But it looks like there is nobody here

I am alone

While I was in Lijiang

At that time

Because of cold

People are not traveling a lot

This is the entrance of the gate.

and if you want to rent a cycle, you can rent a cycle and

here are the photos of the travellers who come and there is

something like this here see this brother, this is a hostel

here, it is a very beautiful hostel here, what is the

reason for the cold,

it is very cold here, because of this, they light a fire

here at night, so what is the reason for this, it is a

little hot and look at this cat, brother has kept the cat

on clothes, but it's okay

hostel is looking fine, nothing special, our work should go

on, the rest of the hostel I have to pay 750 rupees, so

it's okay, according to the place, I don't know about the

rest of the food, how expensive the food is, what is the

rest of the food, when

I eat, when I tell you the rate of food, now we will go to

eat food directly from here, we will explore the city a

little and end this video because I don't want to give too

much length in the video So guys, I have never seen such a

terrible hostel in

my life, the guy tells me to do lettering, they don't use

water here, so bring the tissue paper from outside, we

don't have tissue paper, I said why should I buy it, there

is a limit, there are so many people here, the rest of the

place is very beautiful,

now I am hungry because it is time for lunch, so we will

have lunch, I did not have breakfast, look at the rest of

the place, how beautiful it is, here you will get to see

the house in this design, which is very beautiful, this

whole house is made of

stone, my house was also made of this type of stone, I

mean, I made it great and it is inside the stone, they did

not use cement,

this is the surprising thing, it looks like they have only

made the stone and put some cement, the rest is made of

stone, I liked the design of the door and the design of the

front of their house, I found it very beautiful, first we

will look for food,

we will talk about the rest later, I am very hungry,

I just came to a shop here, uncle has a vegetarian option,

I asked him with the help of Google Translator, so he said

that we have a vegetarian option, I will show you what they

have in the vegetarian option, you are seeing all these

non-veg in the menu,

these are all non-veg, but the first three options are

vegetarian, this is vegetarian fried rice, this is also

vegetarian, and there are vegetarian options in them, but I

asked for the upper one,

this is the most popular dish, I will show you what they

have, you will also get to see bread here, and this is

probably corn bread, but it is not made of corn, it is made

of something else, but it is bread, the rest is porridge,

which you can drink in

the morning, I will tell you about porridge, this porridge

is made of wheat, I drank it last time, so it is very good.

and I don't know what is this there are few things but this

is vegetarian and this is vegetarian so I will eat this

later in the evening now I eat normally

so you won't have any problem of vegetarian here you will

get good vegetarian option

video or you have seen the video from Dali there they fry a

pot like this they put noodles and vegetables in it and

they give it hot it is hot it is very necessary in cold

weather they have added peas, noodles, cabbage, tomatoes

they have mixed all the

vegetables let me taste it

taste is very good

if you want to drink soup then you can take this dish

because you will get vegetables and noodles in it and the

taste of soup will be spicy and salty and you will get

little bit sweet taste in it so it is good according to me

otherwise it is very difficult to find vegetarian dish

so it is good in cold weather

it is lunch time now I will explore the city and will show

you the monastery which is the biggest monastery in Greece

you will get to see all these videos in upcoming videos and

there is a community of Tibetans where I will try to go

there is a lot to

explore

then Jai Hind Bye Bye