TIBET 001 Inside Lhasa, 1985 — Rare Footage from Tibet’s First Opening

In 1985, while traveling in China, I heard that Tibet had just opened to individual foreign travelers. I rushed to get a permit in Chengdu and boarded a plane to Lhasa—arriving at a moment when almost no Westerners were present. This video begins in the air, flying into Tibet, as I reflect on Tibetan history, geography, and religion. After landing in Lhasa, I meet two fellow travelers from Germany, Günter and Mateus, and together we explore the area around our hotel. At the time, there were very few non-Tibetans in the city, and the feeling of mutual curiosity was unmistakable—we found each other fascinating. Walking through the streets of Lhasa, we joke with local people, exchange smiles, and share brief moments of connection. At the hotel, I interview five Tibetan women, asking their names and ages, capturing everyday voices rarely recorded at the time. Later, I film three monks seated together, chanting at remarkable speed—a powerful glimpse into Tibetan Buddhist practice. This footage was filmed during Tibet’s earliest period of opening to individual foreign travelers and offers an unfiltered look at daily life in Lhasa before mass tourism, smartphones, or social media. If you’re interested in authentic travel, cultural diversity, language, and exploring Vietnam beyond the usual routes, this region is well worth visiting. 🌍 Polyglot Dreams YouTube Channel I also have a popular channel focused on language learning. / @polyglotdreams 📖 A Life in 30 Languages In my memoir, I share adventures from over 50 years of learning and using languages to deeply experience cultures and worldviews around the world. I also offer insights and practical tips from a lifetime dedicated to language learning. 🌍 The book is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese (Traditional & Simplified), Dutch, Russian, and more. 🎧 DUAL-LANGUAGE editions and learning sets with audio are also available — ideal for improving listening and reading skills in your target language. 🌟 About Tim Keeley Tim Keeley is a seasoned professor and language enthusiast with four decades of experience living in Japan, and a lifetime spent learning and using multiple Asian and European languages. 🚀 Website: https://polyglotdreams.com/ 📧 Email: [email protected] 👉 Academia: https://kyusan-u.academia.edu/TimDean... 👉 BBC feature: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20... 👉 Facebook: / tim.keeley