My Journey to Lhasa

By Madame Alexandra David-Neel,

Book cover of My Journey to Lhasa

Book description

Originally published in 1927 by Harper and Brothers, this book is the culmination of more than twenty years of Madame Alexandra David-Neel's intensive study and daring adventure in mysterious territories of the East. In order to penetrate Tibet and reach Lhasa, she used her fluency of Tibetan dialects and culture,…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

2 authors picked My Journey to Lhasa as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I was enthralled by the emotional and physical strength of Alexandra David-Neel as she journeyed across the extreme wilds of the Tibetan Plateau in 1923 to reach the forbidden city of Lhasa. Her brilliance as a scholar of many Eastern languages and dialects influenced me to study the Nepalese language as part of my own volunteer work. After reading this book I longed to see Lhasa and places like Shigatse and Gyantse myself so in 2009 I travelled to Lhasa before heading to Western Tibet to trek the pilgrimage kora (circumambulation) of sacred Mount Kailash. I silently thanked her when…

One of the most remarkable and inspirational of all travellers' tales. Disguised as a beggar, Alexandra David-Neel had to exercise the utmost ingenuity to survive her long walk to Lhasa. Her courage and fortitude were equalled by her spiritual strength. Earlier she’d spent a winter in a cave as a hermit, through Buddhism she controlled her body heat to bear the cold. An extraordinary person, it is fitting that she became the first Western woman to enter the Forbidden City of Lhasa.

Want books like My Journey to Lhasa?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like My Journey to Lhasa.

Browse books like My Journey to Lhasa

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Tibet, Buddhism, and China?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about Tibet, Buddhism, and China.

Tibet Explore 40 books about Tibet
Buddhism Explore 270 books about Buddhism
China Explore 576 books about China