A Stranger in Nepal & Tibet- The Adventures of a Wandering Zen Monk

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Back of the Book On 4 July 1900. a young Japanese monk named Kawaguchi crossed the border from Nepal to Tibet. Already the first of his race to enter that isolated, mysterious country, he went on to become the first Japanese to reach the forbidden city of Lhasa.

Though he had mastered the Tibetan language and was able to travel in disguise, this unlikely and highly idiosyncratic explorer was otherwise woefully ill-equipped, yet somehow he overcame robbery, starvation, freezing conditions, illness and an appalling sense of direction. By the end of his remarkable journey he had gained a reputation as a doctor, studied at the ancient university of Sera and met the Dalai Lama himself, while keeping his identity secret for over a year.

'A most unusual book, and a pleasure to read. Scott Berry has done the world a service in bringing to light this almost unbelievably intrepid adventurer anyone interested in Asia, in exploration, or simply in human nature should read it.'

Preface Since the original publication of this book (under the title A Stranger in Tibet) in 1989, there have been a number of developments which have shed new light on Kawaguchi and his travels. Several new books have come out in both Japanese and English. The Japanese mountaineer Nebuka Makoto has retraced much of Kawaguchi's route, and claims to have discovered Kawaguchi's original crossing point from Nepal to Tibet. Most interesting, a document written in English in Kawaguchi's own hand to the Nepali ruler Chandra Shamshere Jung Bahadur Rana has come to light.

In addition, the situation for present-day travellers in both Nepal and Tibet has changed considerably. There are far more roads now in Nepal than there were in 1989, and the Thak Khola Valley, already invaded by tractors and motor bikes, looks soon to become a major highway, destroying its romance and ambience forever. A road into Lo from the Tibetan side now allows Chinese beer and other goods to be trucked in. Lo and Dolpo are no longer no-go areas to anyone who can afford their entrance fees.

Tibet, still occupied by China, and has become a major tourist destination, with both tourists and pilgrims regularly making trips to Kailash. On the other hand, political freedom has made no advances, Chinese immigration-made easier by the new rail link-continues, and Tibetans are now a minority in Lhasa itself.

**Contents and Sample Pages**