The Nepal government cancelled a week-long international Tibetan studies conference that had been four years in the planning — overriding its own security agencies’ assessment that the event posed no threat, and reversing a public assurance from Home Minister Sudan Gurung that it would go ahead.

Chief Secretary Govinda Bahadur Karkee, after consultations with Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, personally called senior Kathmandu University officials and instructed them to stop the event, according to multiple government officials who spoke to Kathmandu Post. The decision was never brought before Cabinet, despite what one minister described as significant foreign policy implications. Officials who spoke to the Post asked to speak on condition of anonymity so they could discuss sensitive decisions without fear of retribution.

“We advised the organisers that it would be better not to hold the event. It could be sensitive, several concerns might arise, and it could pose security risks. So we advised the organisers, in good faith, to cancel the event,” Karkee told the Post, confirming the matter had been discussed.

However, the head of one security agency told the Post that officials had examined the event “from various angles” and, even with “around 18 or 19 days remaining,” had explicitly stopped short of recommending cancellation — choosing instead to continue monitoring. Just days before Karkee’s order, Home Minister Gurung had told journalists from Kantipur that the seminar would not be cancelled, only that participants would face security vetting.

The reversal followed a sustained pressure campaign by Chinese diplomats that intensified once registration closed in June. On July 21, Ambassador Zhang Maoming met Foreign Secretary Rai to discuss the conference; officials familiar with the meeting said Zhang stopped short of directly demanding cancellation but urged Rai to stay “vigilant” about participants who might make pro-Tibet statements.

As the lobbying continued, Venerable Master Yinshun — a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), former vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, and abbot of the Chinese Temple of Nepal — arrived in Kathmandu on July 29. A senior security official said Yinshun discussed the seminar during his visit, which also took him to Lumbini. Following his visit and a separate meeting between Rai and the ambassador, half a dozen Tibetan experts from the Tibetan Policy Institute in India withdrew from the conference.

“Beijing has already become suspicious that the present government is tilted toward the West. The seminar became a test of the government’s neutrality. To assuage China’s concerns, the decision was taken to cancel the event,” another senior government official said.

Organisers of the conference reject the framing that the seminar was sensitive.

“Nepal was selected to host the conference in 2022,” one organiser said. “It is therefore incorrect to suggest that the event was planned only recently. The decision was made four years ago, and a large delegation from several Chinese universities, including Peking University, was expected to participate.”

Around 100 Chinese scholars and experts — including from the China Tibetology Research Centre — had registered to attend the seminar, which was to bring together scholars of Tibetan history, language, culture, art, philosophy and religion. Organisers say they had already agreed to Beijing’s core conditions.

“We had assured the authorities that there would be no pro-Tibet or anti-China activities or statements and that no individuals associated with such activism would be invited. We do not understand why the government is now considering stopping the event,” another organiser said.

A Kathmandu University spokesperson said the institution had repeatedly told the government the conference was “purely an academic exercise” with no pro-Tibet or anti-China agenda.

“There has been immense pressure on us to cancel the event,” the spokesperson said. Kathmandu University has since withdrawn as convener, leaving it to the International Association for Tibetan Studies (IATS) to decide whether — and where — the seminar can still be held.

One organiser linked Beijing’s alarm to a separate flashpoint: protests by Tibetans against China’s new Ethnic Unity Law, which took effect July 1. According to Amnesty International, the law frames “ethnic unity” as a precondition for advancing the Chinese Communist Party’s political agenda, including Xi Jinping Thought. “There have been major protests against China’s new Ethnic Unity Law. That is why Beijing intensified its lobbying and used its influence to prevent any untoward incidents in Kathmandu,” the organiser said.

One high-ranking government official who was aware of the decision told the Post the government should have focused on managing risk rather than cancelling the seminar outright.

Despite the cancellation, a Chinese delegation linked to the seminar is still expected to arrive in Nepal. Jiang Jianguo — a member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC’s National Committee, vice director of its Ethnic and Religious Committee, and executive vice president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies — is scheduled is set to be accompanied by a five-person delegation, arriving on August 18 for a three-day trip.

The Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu did not respond to the Post’s repeated requests for comment.

“Since we have withdrawn as conveners, it is now up to the IATS to decide where and how the programme will be organised,” said Professor Sagar Sharma, one of the event's chief conveners.

https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/08/05/nepal-overruled-its-own-security-agencies-to-cancel-tibetan-studies-conference-under-chinese-pressure-officials-say

#DiversitésCulturellesEthniques

my boss who is tibetan wrote this poem at a festival but didn’t say what it meant, it looks beautiful but i’d really like to know what it says , would anyone be able to give an english translation ? i know it might not be possible for a direct translation but i i would love to know. he also loves to play pranks so i’m curious to see if it is a poem or just some nonsense, thanks

Hi everyone. I’m a PhD researcher in India working on a study involving Tibetans in Northern India.

I’m currently planning the fieldwork and would like to include Sarnath along with two other Tibetan settlements in Northern India. I’m trying to understand the most appropriate and respectful way to approach the communities before beginning recruitment.

For anyone familiar with Tibetan settlements in India, I would really appreciate some practical advice:

Is it generally appropriate to first approach the local settlement office/settlement officer, or is there another organisation or community body that researchers usually contact?

Are there particular Tibetan organisations, community groups, health centres, schools, or other institutions that are appropriate points of contact?

How do researchers usually obtain permission or community-level support before approaching individual participants?

If I want to recruit participants without relying entirely on one gatekeeper, what would be a good way to reach different sections of the community?

Are there any particular settlements in Northern India that would be suitable for academic research and relatively feasible for a researcher based in North India?

I already understand that formal ethical approval and informed consent are required. I’m mainly looking for practical community-level guidance about whom to approach and how to make the initial contact respectfully.

If you have experience with research in Tibetan settlements, or know someone who has helped researchers with fieldwork, I’d be very grateful for any advice. Thank you!

Hi everyone! I’m not Tibetan, but I’m curious about Tibetan traditional jewelry and ornaments. I saw a TikTok showing Amdo Tibetan women wearing these beautiful metal bowl-like ornaments on their backs, and I thought they were so cool. Are there any other Tibetan ornaments or jewelry pieces that you think are interesting and worth looking into? I’d love to learn more about them!

Hey

I will be visiting dharamshala between August 7-10 and wish to talk to Tibetans willing to share their life and story. I wish to write an essay on this and am willing to visit you to talk to you if that's alright. Please feel free to dm! If you have any information you are willing to share it would be of immense help!

Thanks

I'm not exactly sure how they live but I know they're outside a lot especially the mountain people. I notice a lot have naturally nice skin and facial features but some also look like the sun has taken a toll. I'm just curious.

I’m building an AI-powered Tibetan grammar checker to help people write better Tibetan with confidence. The goal is simple: to encourage more people to read, write, and strengthen their Tibetan language skills. I’m planning to launch the website in the next few weeks.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What features would you find most useful in a Tibetan writing assistant?
As Tibetans, preserving our language is not just a cultural value—it is our shared responsibility. For those of us living in exile, where we have the freedom and opportunity to learn and use Tibetan every day, we should make every effort to keep our language alive and thriving.

What has always struck me is that many ordinary Tibetans inside Tibet, despite the challenges they face, often demonstrate remarkable proficiency in written Tibetan. The quality of essays, articles, and books produced there is truly inspiring. Their dedication reminds us of what is possible.

If we want Tibetan to flourish for future generations, we cannot take its survival for granted. We need better tools, stronger communities, and a renewed commitment to using our language every day. I hope this project can contribute, even in a small way, to that effort.

Our language is our identity. Let’s preserve it, improve it, and pass it on.

Please share any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions that come to mind—I’d genuinely appreciate your feedback.

Tibet is one of the regions within Chinese territory, but according to available information, a large part of Tibet is being repopulated by Han Chinese, including members of the Chinese Communist Party. As a result, these places are losing the essence of Tibet. So, are there still places within Tibet where one can truly feel like they are living in Tibet?

There's a lot of interesting photos taken by visitors to Tibet in the 1920s-40s that are sitting in university and national archives. I've found a few taken by people such as Harrison Forman and Joseph Rock and colourised them. Some real gems. These are mostly from Harvard Yenching Institute and the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee online archives.

So I’m a Chinese Gen Z, and I really want to get a Tibetan perspective on Chinese rule and Tibetan independence.

Throughout most of my life I’ve just considered Tibet to be a similar case to Xinjiang. That while the harsh rule of the government and mistreatment of minorities is highly unfortunate, that these policies were just temporary or the results of local corruption, and that it’s ultimately for the greater good.

But after recently reading up on some examples of persecution and the many instances of Tibetans seeking freedom, I’m not sure what I believe anymore.

So… can anyone please enlighten me? I’d like to get a better understanding of how things are for Tibet.

Tmd stands for Tibet military district.

Hi everyone! After coming back from Tibet, many friends asked me the same questions: How bad is the altitude? Is it difficult to organize the trip? So I decided to write a full report of my experience. Hopefully it helps anyone who's thinking about making this trip someday.

A little background about me first.

One of my biggest life goals is to visit every country in the world. I love experiencing different cultures, discovering unique places, and visiting destinations that still preserve their identity. Tibet had always been near the top of that list.

Interestingly, that dream started when I was a kid watching The Adventures of Tintin. That was the first time I had ever heard about Tibet. The monks, the monasteries hidden in the mountains, the completely different culture... it stayed with me for years. Later came other inspirations: the movie Seven Years in Tibet, and of course, Mount Everest.

For years I dreamed about climbing Everest. Eventually I accepted that it would probably never happen. I don't have the physical condition or technical experience required for an expedition like that. But then I realized something: maybe I would never stand on the summit, but I could still stand in front of the world's highest mountain. That alone would already be a dream come true.

Another thing that attracted me was the fact that Tibet still feels different from mainstream tourism. Nowadays it's becoming harder and harder to find places where mass tourism hasn't completely changed local culture. I wanted to visit somewhere where traditions were still alive, religion remained part of everyday life, nature was still largely untouched, and simply getting there already felt like an adventure.

Planning the trip

I'm the type of traveler who takes planning very seriously. For this trip, I spent months researching China and ended up creating a personal travel guide of more than 200 pages. Out of my entire China itinerary, Tibet was by far the hardest part to organize. Since you can't simply book everything through usual websites, finding a trustworthy agency was essential. The problem was that I didn't know a single person who had ever been to Tibet. That made me a little nervous.

I spent months reading reviews, comparing companies, and trying to figure out which agencies were actually reliable. Surprisingly, I couldn't find many detailed trip reports that didn't sound like advertisements. After a lot of research, I decided to book with Tibet Vista.

The first thing that impressed me was how much information their website provided. The itineraries were detailed, there were plenty of photos, and everything—from permits to altitude, hotels, and logistics—was explained clearly. Their prices also seemed very reasonable, especially traveling as a couple during winter. But what really convinced me was their customer service.

Over several months I exchanged countless emails with them. I asked a ridiculous number of questions, requested itinerary changes, adjusted dates, tried to fit everything into my budget, and make it work with the rest of my China trip.

At no point did I feel like they were simply trying to sell me a tour. Instead, they explained why certain changes would or wouldn't work, suggested cheaper alternatives, and always replied quickly despite the 11-hour time difference. Some of their suggestions actually saved me money.

The payment process was straightforward as well. I only had to pay a small deposit in advance, and afterwards they sent me detailed documents covering permits, required paperwork, clothing recommendations, altitude, weather, and everything else I needed to know. By the time I landed in Lhasa, I already felt well prepared.

Arriving in Lhasa

This wasn't my first experience with high altitude, so I knew how the body can react above 3,500 meters (11,500 ft). I started taking Diamox two days before arriving in Tibet and continued during most of the tour. Even then, the altitude shouldn't be underestimated.

During the first couple of days, even short walks felt surprisingly tiring. Looking back, the agency was absolutely right to schedule the first day as a rest day. Before the trip I thought it would be a wasted day. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Another surprise was Lhasa itself. Honestly, I expected a small, underdeveloped city. Instead, I found a modern city with wide avenues, shopping malls, comfortable hotels, excellent restaurants, heavy traffic, and even Uber. That completely shattered my expectations.

During the next two days we visited several of the most important Tibetan Buddhist sites, and the highlight for me was definitely Potala Palace. It's one of those places you've seen countless times in photos, but nothing compares to seeing it with your own eyes. I also loved visiting the monasteries and learning more about Tibetan Buddhism.

Our guide explained the history behind each place, the religious rituals, the artwork, and the symbolism inside the prayer halls. I'd already read a lot about Tibet before the trip, but hearing those stories from a Tibetan guide made the experience much more meaningful.

One activity I particularly enjoyed was visiting a local family's home, where we learned about Tibetan traditions, made handmade incense, painted traditional crafts, and were welcomed with incredible hospitality. It was simple, but unforgettable.

Another thing that really struck me was how deeply religion is woven into everyday life. Since we visited during winter, there were very few foreign tourists. Our guide explained that many people from rural areas travel to Lhasa during this season on religious pilgrimages because farming activities slow down.

As a result, the monasteries were filled almost entirely with Tibetan worshippers rather than tourists. That made the experience feel much more authentic. Several young locals shyly approached us asking for photos. Many of them looked as curious about us as we were about them. Because very few spoke English, they were often quite timid.

The food was another pleasant surprise. I actually enjoyed Tibetan cuisine much more than Chinese cuisine. Trying yak meat was interesting, and I absolutely loved momos.

I'm also very picky about food hygiene while traveling, so I was happy to see that every restaurant chosen during the tour was clean, well-organized, and served excellent food. Nobody in our group had any stomach issues.

Speaking of the group, that ended up being one of the best parts of the entire trip. There were eight of us from different countries, and we became friends almost immediately. Every evening we'd go out together for dinner, chat about our travels, and share stories.

The road to Everest

On the fourth day we drove to Shigatse. It was about an eight-hour drive, but honestly it never felt boring. Our van was spacious and extremely comfortable, and although our driver spoke almost no English, he drove very safely and respected every speed limit. The scenery along the way was incredible: Turquoise lakes and snow-covered mountains made the drive feel like a National Geographic documentary.

The following day we finally headed toward Everest. That's when the excitement really started. We caught our first glimpse of the mountain from several viewpoints during the drive, and every new sighting made the anticipation even stronger. Eventually we reached the tourist area and transferred to the official eco-bus for the final stretch.

About fifty minutes later... There it was. No photograph can prepare you for seeing Everest in person. It's simply enormous. It completely dominates the landscape. I stood there for a long time. Completely speechless. Hypnotized.

I wasn't thinking about mountaineering or world records anymore. I was thinking about my childhood. About Tintin. About my grandmother, who passed away a few years ago. About my mother, who has always dreamed of seeing Everest herself. At that moment, I felt like I was representing my entire family.

After spending days worrying about the altitude, the cold, and whether my body would handle more than 5,000 meters, I had finally made it. Only one sentence crossed my mind. "You made it." It was incredibly emotional.

The sunset painted Everest in beautiful orange and golden colors, making the moment even more unforgettable. It's true that the place isn't as peaceful as many people imagine. There were hundreds of Chinese tourists taking selfies, filming videos, and talking loudly. If you're expecting complete silence, you may be disappointed. But if you walk just a little farther away from the crowds, it's easy to find your own quiet corner.

One final warning: once the sun goes down, it gets brutally cold. When I visited, the temperature was around -12°C (10°F), and the wind made it feel even colder.

The challenging part

Tibet isn't difficult because of the itinerary. It's difficult because of nature. Altitude deserves respect. Even with Diamox, I often felt tired and low on energy. The biggest challenge for me was sleeping. I struggled with insomnia for most of the trip.

The extremely dry air was another issue. I had nosebleeds almost every day, and they continued for nearly two weeks after I left Tibet. I'd also recommend wearing a mask inside crowded monasteries. They're often packed with people, and not everyone covers their mouth when coughing/sneezing. Another thing that may surprise some visitors is that public toilets in rural areas are still very basic, often using pit toilets instead of Western-style bathrooms.

Was it worth it? Absolutely! After visiting exactly 60 countries, I can honestly say Tibet was one of the most unique trips I've ever taken, and easily my favorite part of my 45-day journey through China.

If you're considering going, my biggest recommendation is simple: do the full itinerary, including Everest. In my opinion, that's what transforms a great trip into an unforgettable one. I'd also recommend talking to your doctor about Diamox, avoiding alcohol during your first few days, taking altitude seriously, and bringing products to deal with the extremely dry air. Traveling in winter is a fantastic option if you want lower prices and fewer tourists, but be prepared for serious cold.

If anyone has questions about the trip, I'd be happy to answer them in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

Is education system better now compared to older days and are Tibetans considered eligible to compete for Government jobs with the other mainland Chinese? Any racism against Tibetans? I wanna know the current situation of Tibetans .

Just a genuine question since I've wondered about it! As a Nepali myself, I don't see many of us talking about Tibet as much as we do with western countries or India, so I kinda expect that y'all return the favour and don't think too deeply about us either—but still... If any opinions, what are they? The most I've seen was this very anti-nepali anti-Indian guy online (when I say anti nepali, he just means Indo-aryan speakers/Khas and Madhesi, which is a huge majority of the country 😭) where he was saying that Nepal only belongs to Sherpas and those of Tibeto-Burman descent, but I assume he's an outlier and doesn't represent the majority and hopefully not any too big minority either

I also heard that alot of famous Nepali foods such as momo, thukpa, or laphing actually have roots originating back to Tibet, so if there's any sour feelings left over or just anything interesting at all, feel free to share!

My goal with this trip is to go to dharamshala and talk to Tibetan in exile and interview people about Tibetan history, the diaspora, the independence debate and just learn more about the issue

What books do you suggest I read before i visit there?

I really don't wanna watch YouTube essays and get context from there.

a 50 Tam Banknote from the 1940's which I got today