Who was the first European woman traveller to reach the Forbidden City of Lhasa in Tibet?

Introduction / Context:
For many years, Tibet and its capital Lhasa were largely closed to foreign visitors, especially women. Reaching the “Forbidden City” of Lhasa was a remarkable feat for any traveller, and it became a landmark achievement in the history of exploration. This question asks you to identify the first European woman traveller who managed to enter Lhasa, making her a significant figure in both travel literature and women's history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The place in question is the Forbidden City of Lhasa in Tibet.
• The question is specifically about the first European woman traveller to reach Lhasa.
• The options include Gertrude Bell, Althea Gibson, Alexandra David-Neel, and Ann Bancroft.
• We assume basic knowledge of famous female explorers and travellers.

Concept / Approach:
Alexandra David-Neel was a French explorer, writer, and Buddhist scholar who became famous for her journey into Tibet in the early 20th century. Disguised as a beggar and monk, she entered Lhasa in 1924, at a time when foreigners were largely forbidden. This made her widely recognized as the first European woman to reach the city. Gertrude Bell was a British explorer and political officer in the Middle East, Althea Gibson was a pioneering African-American tennis player, and Ann Bancroft is a polar explorer. None of them match this specific achievement in Tibet.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Alexandra David-Neel is strongly associated with early Western exploration of Tibet and Buddhist studies. Step 2: Remember that she entered Lhasa in 1924, disguised and traveling under extremely difficult conditions. Step 3: Note that historical accounts often refer to her as the first European woman to visit the Forbidden City of Lhasa. Step 4: Compare this with Gertrude Bell, whose major work was in Iraq and the broader Middle East, not in Tibet. Step 5: Recognize that Althea Gibson was a tennis champion and Ann Bancroft a polar explorer, unrelated to early travel in Tibet. Step 6: Conclude that Alexandra David-Neel best fits the description given in the question.

Verification / Alternative check:
Biographical sources and historical accounts of Tibet's opening to the West consistently name Alexandra David-Neel as the first European woman to reach Lhasa. They describe her long journey across the Himalayas, her time spent studying Buddhism, and her arrival in Lhasa disguised as a pilgrim. No credible sources attribute this “first European woman in Lhasa” distinction to Gertrude Bell, Althea Gibson, or Ann Bancroft, confirming that Alexandra David-Neel is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Gertrude Bell was a famous explorer and political adviser in the Middle East, especially in Iraq, but she did not undertake the journey into Lhasa. Althea Gibson was a trailblazer in tennis, becoming the first African-American woman to win Grand Slam titles, and had no connection to Tibetan exploration. Ann Bancroft is an accomplished polar explorer, known for expeditions to the North and South Poles, not for travelling to Lhasa. These alternatives thus do not match the specific achievement described.

Common Pitfalls:
Students unfamiliar with the details of early female explorers may confuse names or associate Gertrude Bell with similar-sounding achievements. Another pitfall is to assume that a famous sportswoman like Althea Gibson might be included for such a feat, even though her field was entirely different. Carefully reading the question and recognizing the keyword “Lhasa in Tibet” should trigger the association with Alexandra David-Neel and her widely documented journey.

Final Answer:
The first European woman traveller to reach the Forbidden City of Lhasa in Tibet was Alexandra David-Neel.