My Journey to Lhasa: The Classic Story of the Only Western Woman Who Succeeded in Entering the Forbidden City

Travel with an Intrepid Explorer into the Heart of Tibet My Journey to Lhasa is a riveting account of one woman’s determination to achieve her goal in the face of numerous formidable obstacles. Written in 1927 by Alexandra David-Neel, a French-Belgian explorer and spiritualist, the book chronicles her arduous journey to the sequestered city of Lhasa, Tibet’s religious and administrative capital. By 1923 David-Neel had already traveled extensively throughout Asia, and because of her keen interest in Buddhist philosophy and culture, she was determined to reach Lhasa. Disguising herself as a Tibetan pilgrim and traveling for months on foot, she endured freezing temperatures and blizzards, living in caves, monasteries, and nomad camps, always wary of being discovered by the authorities. Her journey was fraught with danger and obstacles, including harsh weather, treacherous terrain, and hostile encounters with bandits and officials who sought to prevent her from reaching her destination. David-Neel arrived in Lhasa in 1924, and there she spent several months living among the Tibetan people and studying Buddhism. She met with high-ranking lamas and gained unique insight into Tibetan culture and religion at a time when the country was largely closed off to the outside world. Her account is vivid and evocative, bringing to life the harsh beauty of the Tibetan landscape and the warmth and hospitality of its people. My Journey to Lhasa is not only a unique and captivating account of an extraordinary woman’s willpower and resourcefulness; it serves today as a valuable historical and cultural document. This book is also available from Echo Point Books as a paperback (ISBN 1648373275).