Yes, foreign travelers can now travel to Tibet.
Currently, Tibet is reopen for expats in China after its closure for COVID-19 prevention and management. Foreigners working or living in China can apply for a Tibet Travel Permit to visit Tibet.
You can not go to Tibet with only a Chinese Visa. Tibet Travel Permit is a must for international tourists to visit Tibet. Below are the requirements to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit:
Another negative nucleic acid test result within 48 hours is still required when your Tibet tour started.
Note: The requirements related to epidemic control and prevention may change according to the epidemic situation.
An Alien Travel Permit issued by PSB is required if you want to visit areas other than Lhasa, including Ngari, Shigatse, Shannan, Nyingchi, Western Nagqu Prefectures and Gyantse County.
A Military Permit is necessary for visiting border areas such as Kailash Mountain. In addition, the Foreign Affairs Permit is also needed if your Tibet tour covers some sensitive areas like Tholing.
At present, foreign travelers can not travel independently in Tibet since most activities are required to be accompanied by a guide, especially when visiting monasteries and local families.
All foreign travelers need to book a tour with a trustworthy Tibetan tour operator.
We JoyTravel have years of experience to help our clients organize their Tibet tours. We offer both private and group Tibet tours and are more than happy to help you create a lifetime trip in Tibet.
Tibet is located in the southwest of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with an average elevation of more than 4,000 meters (1,3123 feet).
Altitude of main attractions in Tibet:
Potala Palace: 3750m (12300 ft)
Ranwu Lake: 3800m (12467 ft)
Lake Yamdrok: 4500m (14764 ft)
Tashilunpo Monastery: 4800m (15748 ft)
Rongbuk Monastery: 5100m (16732 ft)
Lake Namsto: 4700m (15420 ft)
Everest Base Camp: 5200m (17060 ft)
For new arrivals in Tibet, it takes 1-2 days to acclimate to the high altitude. To avoid or reduce altitude sickness, you’d better:
The period from March to October is the best time to visit Tibet, during which you can enjoy beautiful natural scenery in a mild weather. Even in July and August, Tibet is not scorching thanks to its high altitude. March to April is a perfect time to admire the peach blossoms in full bloom in Nyingchi.
Tibetans have their own unique food structure and eating habits. Salted Butter Tea, Roasted Barley Flour, Tea and Beef & Lamb are the “four treasures” of the Tibetan diet. In addition, Barley Wine and various dairy products are popular among Tibetans.
4 days are enough for the Lhasa city tour, covering most of the attractions such as Potala Palace, Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple, Tibet Museum and Sera Monastery.
Spend 8-10 days to extend your journey to attractions in Nyingchi, Shannan, Shigatse areas in addition to Lhasa, and travel at a leisure pace.
If you want to hike Mount Everest and Mt. Kailash further, a 15-day trip would be good.
You are allowed to take pictures of most natural scenery in Tibet. However, photographing is banned in many monasteries in Tibet, like Jokhang Temple. No photography are allowed inside the Potala Palace, as well as at checkpoints along the way and Nujiang Bridge.
Don’t take photos of Tibetan mastiffs and yaks at will as it is likely to be charged.
Most areas of Tibet have high altitudes and large temperature differences between day and night. Compared with most areas in China, the temperature in Tibet is relatively low. In places with an altitude of more than 5,000 meters (16,404 feet) in the Ali area, the temperature is only about 10 ºC (50 ºF) during the day even in the midsummer (July & August), and the nighttime temperature will drop below 0 ºC (32 ºF).
Summer in Tibet is relatively cool, with the temperature basically below 25 ºC (77 ºF) during the day and around 12 ºC (53.6 ºF) at night. In winter (December to February), it is about 10 ºC (50 ºF) during the day and -5 ºC (23 ºF) at night. Your tourism activities are concentrated in the daytime, so it’s not too hot in summer and not too cold in winter.
A Tibet tour is undoubtedly considered to be expensive. However, most of your travel costs will be on transportation and accommodation.
Air fares to Lhasa vary from place to place and usually range from CNY 800 to 2,500. The price of a hard sleeper train to Lhasa is about CNY 500 from Xining, CNY 700 from Chengdu, and CNY 800 from Beijing. The price for accommodations depends on the hotel star rate and travel seasons.
In terms of admission, you will spend about CNY 700, covering more than 10 famous scenic spots such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Namtso, Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, Nyingchi and Shigatse.
The cost of transfer between destinations is about CNY 800-1,000.
Therefore, it can be roughly calculated that the total cost of a general 8-day travel to Tibet (including round-trip air and train tickets) is between CNY 3,800 and CNY 7500.
Note: If you visit Tibet in July-August, you will see a 30% increase in the total cost; while if you visit Tibet in December, January or February, the cost will decrease by 20%.
It’s very safe to travel to Tibet, basically the same as anywhere else in China. Tibetans who are honest and hospitable always wave and smile at you on the way. Armed police can be seen on the streets of Lhasa. You can turn to them for help in any difficulty.
Documents: passport, Chinese visa, Tibet Travel Permit, Alien’s Travel Permit.
Medical kit: medicines for altitude sickness and some common medications.
Sunburn and dry climate protection: sunglasses, sunhat, lip balm, moisturizer, sunscreen, etc.
Clothes: light down coats, T-shirts with both short and long sleeves, windbreaks, sport shoes, sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen, skin cream, lip balm.
For Tibet EBC or Mount Kailash hiking, there are some additional items: high calorie foods like dried beef, chocolates, functional beverages, hardtack and nut fruits, a pair of warm gloves, trekking shoes, trash bags.
No, there is no age limit when applying for the Tibet Travel Permit.
Parents can bring little kids to Tibet as long as they can impress their feelings properly.
There are no direct flights from Malaysia to Lhasa, Tibet. You’re are advised to fly to mainland Chinese cities such as Guangzhou, Xiamen, Beijing, and then transfer to Tibet by plane or train. If you plan to travel to Nepal, you can take a direct flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
Note: Nepal is the only country with direct flights to Lhasa from Kathmandu.
Take a direct flight from Manila, Philippines to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. And then transfer to Tibet by plane or train.
Some of Tibet’s best luxury 4 or 5-star hotels are mainly located in Lhasa. The vicinity of Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street, the most popular accommodation area in Lhasa city, is well equipped for tourism, with a lot of specialty restaurants, bars and markets.
In some remote areas like EBC, Ngari and northern area, the hotels guesthouses may not be up to the standard you are used to in other cities.
If you spend the night at Everest Base Camp, tents and guest rooms are prevalent with simple facilities, but indoor toilets and running water are sometimes not available. For hygiene and cold protection, it is recommended that you prepare your own toiletries and sleeping bags.
Tents are necessary when you are hiking Mt. Kailash, as there are no hotels or guest rooms nearby.
If you have any further question, please feel free to contact us!
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The core of our service is excellent travel guides. Over 20 years, we have built up a considerable professional guide team that is knowledgeable, attentive and flexible. The most experienced and reliable guides will be arranged for your unique China tour. Our passionate guide team is full of contagious enthusiasm and keen interest to share culture and history in a pleasant manner. We are always glad at your service to lead you to explore a real China and experience authentic local life in China.
The first mission of our service is to ensure you feel safe and comfortable during your travel. The vehicles we use are air-conditioned, clean and well-maintained. Our drivers are all licensed drivers with many years of driving experience. Moreover, we offer free baby seats for families with little kids.
Food is a very important part of Chinese culture. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to taste the real local Chinese food!
Buffet breakfast will be included in the hotel if you would like accommodation to be arranged by us. Having lunch at local restaurants close and convenient to the attractions you will visit, you would enjoy the local dishes in each city. Chinese style, Vegetarian or Muslim meals are all available. If you have any other diet requirements or allergies, please feel free to let us know, we will try our best to organize it.
For daily dinner, you are suggested to have it on your own when you are exploring each city in your own time, this way would be more flexible for you to choose food as per your interest and preference.