Story and photos by Grace Wong
Special to CNN Interactive

For centuries, the mysterious Buddhist kingdom of Tibet piqued the imagination of curious outsiders eager to unravel the secrets behind the closed doors to the Roof of the World. Early explorers, driven by romantic visions of a hidden Shangri-La, ambition, or a sense of mission, overcame countless hardships -- the alpine climate and rarefied air, piercing winds and blinding sands -- to make their way to this isolated plateau. Some perished along the way, without ever reaching their goal.

Naturally isolated by the world's highest mountain barriers (click for map), Tibetans also actively discouraged contact with the outside world for centuries. Then, on the heels of the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1950, and a futile Tibetan uprising in 1959, the country was hurled into the dark era of the Cultural Revolution. Its doors opened to international tourism in the mid-1980s, Tibet was then closed to all except tour groups in 1987. It reopened in 1992 with very strict permit requirements.

Today, whether you wish to delve into Buddhism, trek through the Himalayas, or commune with nature, a trip to Tibet calls for physical endurance, careful preparation and a sense of humor, but promises a rewarding and unforgettable experience.

Grace Wong, of CNN Hong Kong, traveled 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) in a land cruiser across Central and Southwest Tibet, into the alpine valleys of the Himalayas to get a glimpse of the world's highest snow peaks, and a look into the lives of a resilient people living in a beautiful, yet inhospitable, land.

Follow her journey...