Tibet Travel FAQs
General Information
When is the best time to visit Tibet?
The favorable time to visit Tibet is between April to October while the high peak season is from July to September. March, May and October are the best months to clear view of Mt. Everest. However, March is not recommended as it is often closed for foreign tourists in recent years. Though November to March is the winter season could be very cold, it is still possible for tourists to visit Tibet in areas of Lhasa, Shigatse and Tsedang that is cost-effective and less crowds if you can bear the cold.
What to bring if I travel to Tibet?
The temperatures in Tibet are quite different during day time and night time, it is necessary to add or strip clothes to avoid becoming ill. The personal items listed below are general main stuffs recommended to keep with you when you are travelling to Tibet:
- ‘Layered’ clothing for flexibility
- A ‘fleece’ jacket and a good/warm waterproof windbreaker
- T-shirts or long and short sleeved shirts/sweaters
- Comfortable/warm walking shoes
- A combination of loose fitting and warm pants
- Sun hat, sunglasses, suntan lotion, lipsticks, umbrella, day pack etc.
- The hotel facility is lower rate in the remote areas, it is suggested you to bring an inner sheet or a light sleeping bag incase any use.
The above list is the regular things to pack, we will provide a list of appropriate travel stuffs depending on your travel types, itineraries and travel areas.
Are credit cards accepted in Tibet?
Credit cards currently are still not popular way of payment that is accepted only at major banks, hotels, restaurants and big business houses. ATM is not widely available. Sufficient cash is suggested to bring with you when you are travelling to Tibet.
Travel Document
What documents do I need if I am planning to travel to Tibet?
You should have a valid passport, a Chinese Visa and a Tibet Permits.
What type of travel permits do I need to apply for if I travel to Tibet?
Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit (TTB) is the basic one for entering Tibet either by flight or train and allows have a few days travelling in Lhasa city or somewhere near Lhasa. If you plan to travel outside of Lhasa to some areas like Mt. Everest, Tsedang, Ngari, you still need ATP permit and/or Military Permit.
What should I be aware of when apply for the China Visa?
You have to obtain your China from the Chinese consulate in your resident the country before applying the Tibet Permit. When you are applying for the China visa, please avoid to mention Tibet as your travel destination or to write anything about Tibet on the application form, otherwise the visa application would be declined by visa officer. It is advisable to refer to other places in China such as Beijing, Shanghai, or Xi’an ect.
Do I need double/multi-entry visa if I come to Tibet from China mainland and return China mainland after the trip?
No, because Tibet is a part of China, if enter Tibet from other cities in mainland China and after the trip in Tibet, get back to mainland China again, only a single entry visa is required.
If I travel via Nepal to Tibet, are there any special requirements on China visa?
When entering Tibet from Nepal, all travellers Do Not need to have a Chinese visa before your departure either way of entering Tibet by flight or by land, both Chinese visa and Tibet travel permits will be applied by your selected tour operator, and will be obtained with your original passport once you arrive in Katmandu.
When do I need to apply for the Tibet travel Permit?
You need to apply for the travel permit at least 15~20 days prior to your entry date, which means you should prepare all the information and documents in hand before this period of time.
How can you send the Permit to me, or how can I receive it?
If you have stop in cities in mainland China before entering Tibet, we will post the Tibet Travel Permit via mail express to your local hotel; if you live in China, the Tibet Permit will mail your home or company address. You should let us know your detailed hotel/home/company address, telephone number, consignee’s name and postal code. If you only have a flight connection in one certain city, we will send some one come to the airport to hand over the permit to you.
During Travelling
Is independent tour allowed in Tibet?
Independent tour is banned in Tibet TAR. You should have to take part in a private tour or a group tour arranged with a local guide, driver and licensed vehicle ect.
How much tour freedom do I have if I must need a tour guide?
Your local guide is a person who accompany with you to visit scenic spots, introduce the local culture and knowledge, help for logistic arrangements on better services. The guide will not all time be with you if you prefer to have some of your own free time. But you must follow the rules not visiting scenic spots by your own that may bring risk and trouble on you, on your guide or your travel. Please travel responsibly while you want to have a free time in Tibet.
Can I stay in Tibet without a guide, or can my driver be my guide at the same time?
No, it is impossible a driver to be your tour guide even he speaks fluent English. According to the rule of Tibet tourism, a licensed local guide must be with a foreign travel group throughout in Tibet.
Lodging and Dining
What are the hotels, guesthouses like in Tibet?
Main Cities like Lhasa and Shigatse have the reputed or new opened hotels ranging from budget to luxury, some boutique hotels or family hostel give you an experience in-depth to Tibetan cultures or lifestyle. In other larger cities of Tsedang, Nyingchi, Gyantse have selection of relatively good hotels with 3 or 4 star categories. In smaller towns, the hotels are more basic. Further in remote towns, the accommodation is rudimentary or the guest house with dorm bed and outhouse toilet.
Does the hotel room have access or WIFI to internet?
The internet access or wifi service is just available in some hotel rooms, not all. It would be wider proved in the hotels in Lhasa but lessor conditions for the hotels outside Lhasa. But some hotels equipped business center where you can use internet service.
Is there 24-hour hot water running?
Due to basic condition in Tibet, sometimes with the poor pressure, the water flow may small and water sometime is not hot but just warm. In remote area, the condition can be even worse.
What can I eat in Tibet?
In Lhasa, you can choose Chinese food, western food, Nepali food and Tibetan food as well. But in remote towns and areas, choice is limited, Chinese food or Sichuan cuisine is the best choice.
Transportation
Is it easy to purchase a train ticket to Tibet now?
The popularity of train travel to Tibet has resulted in the huge demand for Tibet train tickets among visitors, especially during the high peak season from July to September. It's very difficult for individual travelers to get a ticket on their own. We will try to get train tickets for you but please be aware of a fact that the reliable travel agencies can NOT say 100% guarantee successful booking.
What vehicle do you use in Tibet?
The wide variety of vehicles can be best available for tourists according to the group size, itinerary and road conditions. 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser is commonly used in Tibet for tourism, as it is capable for the areas involve tough road driving and off road excursions. As the road improved these years, the road has been paved to the flat tar road for the main part of Tibet that make the business van, smaller and medium sized vans to widely used for the group. Large buses are available for larger groups.