Tibet Tour: An Unforgettable Dream Trip

Do I really need a travel permit if I want to visit Tibet? How can I get one?

Yes, foreign passport holders including Taiwanese and Non-Chinese ID card holders need to have a travel permit to visit Tibet according to the rules and regulations of the China National Tourism Administration.

For clients who book tours with us, we will handle the travel permit for you. You only need to provide us with the necessary information including your full name, nationality, age, gender, occupation, passport number as well as photocopies of your passport and visa at least 20 days in advance. After the application is checked and approved, the Tourism Bureau will issue the travel permit about two weeks prior to your entry to the region. Then we will deliver the travel permit to your destination before Lhasa so that you can board the flight or train to Lhasa successfully.

From start to finish, we will help you get everything ready for a memorable and best Tibet tour.

When is the best time to visit Tibet?

You can visit Lhasa, Testang, Gyangtse and Shigatse all year round, although May to October is especially favorable for sightseeing. Also, if you want to best explore the Everest Base Camp, we suggest you avoid the period from late October to early April as your journey may be hampered by the severe weather.

What happens if I had an altitude sickness during the tour?

If an acute altitude sickness occurs to you during the tour. You can breathe oxygen for an immediate relief (a 4L oxygen cylinder for each passenger will be provided on the car). If you need to see a doctor, the driver or the guide will accompany you to the clinic/hospital in Lhasa or Shigatse. If you happen to be in a remote area such as Everest Base Camp, you will be taken to the nearest clinic to be treated (the cost of the car and medical expenses need to be paid by the customers themselves).

What is the appropriate behavior when visiting religious sites in Tibet?

Tibetans are Buddhists, so it is very important to respect their beliefs. Below are some tips you should know about.
Visitors need to walk clockwise around the religious sites and facilities, like temples, monasteries, pagodas, Mani stones and prayer wheels.
Visitors are not allowed to touch Buddhist statues and sutras. Also taking pictures and smoking inside temples or monasteries is prohibited.
Avoid wearing shorts at the religious site.
Do not touch anyone on the head.
Do not step on the threshold of any house, temple or monastery.
Though Tibetans have some religious taboos, they are always very friendly towards tourists.

Is it convenient to use credit card and ATM cards when traveling in the region?

Unfortunately, credit cards are not widely accepted in Tibet, and they can only be used at certain hotels. It is advisable to exchange enough RMB in big cities like Beijing, Xian, Shanghai or Chengdu before heading to Lhasa.
ATMs are also not widely available in the region, so you may wish to withdraw money or exchange money at the Bank of China if you run out of Chinese currency. Remember to bring your passport, which must be presented when exchanging currency.

I found all Tibet tour packages cost more than those of other major tourist cities in China. May I know why?

Yes, the relevant travel costs in Tibet are indeed higher than those of other cities. A major reason is that higher transportation fees add to the price. Firstly, there are still only a limited number of cities with direct flights to and from Lhasa, and the airfares are usually higher with fewer discounts. Secondly, there are relatively few licensed tourist vehicles in the area, thus their cost becomes expensive. Thirdly, long drives are involved on trips because the distances from the airport to downtown Lhasa, as well as from one city to another are far, although road conditions have been improved a lot. In this case, the cost of fuel also accounts for a percentage of the total price. Although it is a bit more expensive to travel to the region compared with some other destinations, its landscape, religious traditions, culture and unsolved mysteries are of great value.

Can I do independent travel in Tibet?

Independent travel is not allowed for foreigners in the region. All visitors need to join an organized group or have a private trip with a confirmed travel itinerary, a licensed guide and a driver arranged by a travel agency. To meet clients' different interests, we design a 4-day private Lhasa package and some two weeks long Tibet tours starting from Beijing, Xian,Chengdu, Shanghai or Hong Kong via Guangzhou. Besides, we can also extend the private trip from Lhasa to Nepal and India.

Can the travel agency book the air/train tickets for me??

For customers who participate in our group (whether it is a join-in group or a private group), we provide air/train tickets booking service. The price of the air/train tickets vary according to different seasons or flights, etc. If you need to book a ticket/train ticket, please contact our travel consultant for the latest air/train tickets’ price information.