Many people love to travel and are fascinated by Tibet, though not everyone has had the chance to truly experience the region's unique culture and mystery. You may have seen videos or photos online of Tibetans on pilgrimage. Today, let’s explore why they make these long, difficult journeys—and where they’re going. I hope you’ll read to the end.
I recently returned from Lhasa, and though the trip was cut short, it left a lasting impression. Once I entered the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, the words faith and devotion took on a new meaning. In Tibet, both the architecture and local culture reflect a deep spiritual tradition. Along the Sichuan–Tibet Highway, I saw countless Tibetans—elders, youth, even children—undertaking pilgrimages. Each step forward was a reflection of their unwavering belief.
Along roads leading to sacred destinations, you’ll often see pilgrims who have traveled from faraway homelands. Wearing simple protective gear on their hands and knees, their faces covered in dust, they make their way forward slowly—prostrating every few steps. This practice, known as “full-body prostration,” is done out of deep faith, with the pilgrims enduring all kinds of hardship for the sake of their spiritual vows.
Most Tibetan pilgrims spend years preparing for such a journey. Families may travel together, following routes passed down through generations. Their maps are often basic, and they walk just 6 to 10 kilometers per day. Some spend half a year to a full year on the road. The wealthier may hire a tractor to carry their belongings; those with less may push carts; and the poorest simply carry everything on their backs and rely on the kindness of strangers for food and shelter.
To them, hardship is a test from the Buddha. Death, if it comes on the road, is seen as the Buddha’s final call.
Did you know that a single pilgrimage may involve up to 100,000 full-body prostrations? That’s about 1,000 per day for six months. Many Tibetans from outside Lhasa make a vow before Buddha and then set off—sometimes taking years, even decades. Some die along the way, especially when crossing treacherous regions like the Tanggula Mountains or the Hoh Xil no-man’s land. Some pilgrims never return home after reaching Lhasa. Instead, they settle there, start small businesses, or work odd jobs—slowly becoming part of the city’s unique cultural fabric.
This pilgrimage ritual, also called kowa longtö (prostration with full body), is among the most sincere forms of Tibetan Buddhist devotion. The practitioner places hands together in prayer, extends forward, and fully prostrates—marking each spot on the ground before moving ahead to repeat the gesture again. It is believed that every devoted Tibetan should perform at least 100,000 such prostrations in a lifetime. Walking barefoot while doing so is considered a sign of utmost sincerity.
In today’s world, many of us may feel disconnected from spiritual belief. But witnessing the deep faith of the Tibetan people can be incredibly moving. If you ever have the chance to visit Lhasa, I truly encourage you to experience this aspect of Tibetan life firsthand—it’s something that will stay with you forever.
If you're interested, I highly recommend watching the documentary film Paths of the Soul (冈仁波齐). It chronicles a real-life pilgrimage by a group of Tibetans—it’s powerful, sincere, and deeply touching.
Wishing everyone health and peace.
Tashi Delek!
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