Tibet Travel Documents
To preserve the distinctive natural environment, the cultural relics and the local customs of Tibet, overseas tourists can only travel in groups organized by a travel agency or by the offices of the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB). Certain documents must be obtained before visiting such as visa to Tibet.
Language
In addition to Tibetan, there are many other languages in the region. In fact, in some places, many local people can speak more than one language. Besides Tibetan, they also know Mandarin, English, or Nepali. There is not too much difficulty for tourists to understand them or to be understood.
Communication
Nowadays, communication in Tibet is much more developed than before. It is no longer shut out from the outside world as it was several years ago. The development of communication provides great convenience for travelers.
Money
In Tibet, foreign currency can not be used directly and can be exchanged only in big cities either at the Bank of China or some large hotels. Passports are required when exchanging currency.
What to Buy
A few souvenirs will surely make your trip much more memorable. Here are some recommendations of what to buy.
Photography
Tibet is a photographer's paradise. Attracted by fantastic snow-covered peaks in the morning sunlight, surging rivers in deep valleys, peaceful yaks grazing on the vast pasture, the culture of ancient festivals, the exotic ethnic customs and the unique religious life, photographers from every corner of the world arrive in Tibet, eagerly raising their cameras to record Tibet themselves.
What to Pack
Due to its unique geographic and climatic features, we have to pack many things before we leave for Tibet. However, it is impractical to take too much baggage as it will weaken us on the plateau. What to pack then becomes an important issue.
Mountain Sickness
Located on the plateau area, Tibet has an average elevation of over 4,000 meters (around 13,123 feet). While allured by its mysterious beauty, tourists are frightened off by mountain sickness.
When to Go
Actually, the best time to visit Tibet depends on many factors and it varies with different regions. Generally speaking, the golden season is autumn when the weather is pleasant and several traditional festivals are also celebrated in this season.
Health Concerns
Extremely high elevations such as those encountered on the plateau may present unique problems to people who are not accustomed to these high altitudes.
Food & Drink
The special geographic features of the plateau area nurture the flavorful local cuisine. However, it is also largely influenced by the flavors of Indian cuisine, Nepali cuisine, and other cuisines in China. These flavors mix together, making Tibetan food exquisite. While admiring the fascinating scenery of Tibet, seize the chance to have a taste of the delicious local food.
Hospitals
With the continuous efforts of the local people and the financial and material help of other Chinese people, conditions of health facilities in Tibet have considerably improved in recent years.
Useful Numbers
Here offers the telephone numbers for emergency, weather broadcast and transportation. Also the area codes for major cities are included.
Transportation
Traveling to 'Roof of the World' is no longer just a dream. With their center in Lhasa, the road line networks of Sichuan-Tibet Highway, Qinghai-Tibet Highway, Yunnan-Tibet Highway, Xinjiang-Tibet Highway and Sino-Nepal Highway connect all these neighbors with each other. It has also become possible to reach Tibet by railway or airplane.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers are collected.
- Facts
- City Guide
- Travel Tips
- Religion
- Arts & Culture
- Local Customs
- Maps
- Photos
Travel Tips
Hi,
I'm loooking for a tour that includes Lhasa, Everest base camp AND Mt. Kailash. Any ideas? Thanks.
6/8/2014 9:30:00 PM
|Hi, I once joined a tour to Tibet, but I only went to the Lhasa and Everest Base Camp. As I know, the tours to Mt. Kailash are seldom arranged by local tour agencies.
The tour agency is called TravelChinaGuide.com. Maybe you can look for more information online about this agency. If you want to join their tour, you can send a email to them directly at tours@travelchinaguide.com or fill their form at http://www.travelchinaguide.com/tour/tailormade.htm.
Hope you can have a nice trip there ~
6/10/2014 2:14:00 AM
|Kate ( United Kingdom )
May to October is the best time, especially between June to August.
8/16/2012 7:16:00 PM
|Tina
i'm arranging free & easy group(2paxs)to Tibet.
1. May i know is there any season or month that traveler is not allow to entering Tibet for Malaysian??
2. Can i apply all visa/permit at China embassy in Malaysia?
Thank you.
1/20/2012 7:18:00 AM
|hi Hanji Tan,
1. there is no such a regulation, but i heard that foreign visitors are sometimes not allowed to go to Tibet from June to July in consideration of visitors' safety.
2. you can apply the Chinese visa through the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, but you still need to apply a Tibet Travel Permit, which you can only get through a qualified Chinese travel agency, since foreign visitors are not allowed to visit Tibet individually.
1/20/2012 6:55:00 PM
|Simon
Dear Tan,
Did you manage to go to Tibet? if not, I am planing to go early Sept., any possibility to join togethr
8/7/2012 6:31:00 AM
|Yap ( Malaysia )
Hi all
I am in the infant stages of putting together a trip through Tibet. I would like to make this as memorable as possible since it has been a major ambition of mine for the past few years now.
I would realy appreciate any input. Essentialy, I would like to arrive by train from China into Lhasa and then make a round trip ready to fly out again from Lhasa.
8/30/2011 8:11:00 AM
|hi Jacques,
individual foreign visitors are not allow to visit Tibet, but need to join in a group tour organized by the authorized travel agency.
you can book a small group Tibet tour on this website, and they will arrange all the travel document for you, and i'm sure you will have memorable Tibet Tour.
http://www.tibettrip.com/travel/
8/30/2011 8:21:00 PM
|Kelly
hi, I am holding a Malaysian passport, and wish to take a train to Lhasa in Tibet in Oct. 2011. My question : 1. do I apply for a China Visa or a Tibet Visa ? 2. Must this visa be approved BEFORE I can purchase a train ticket ? I am booking the ticket through a Chinese agency, but they do not explain the procedures clear enough . thank you
Reply7/17/2011 6:14:00 PM
|hi Haris,
you need both the Chinese visa and the Tibet Travel Permit.
the train ticket does not have direct relation with the TTP.
but you need to find a reliable travel agency to apply the TTP for you.
7/17/2011 7:15:00 PM
|Sue
Hi All, Just wondering if any one can suggest what is the best way on contacting family whilst i am treking through tibet, am going in August, have two kids, and would like to contact them throughout my trip, what phone,etc connection, is the best,
Thanks Michelle
4/26/2011 7:09:00 PM
|Try to get a sim card which can make international call in local shop, as soon as you get tibet.Beside ,i guess there also do have internet acess for you to communicate with your family. I am planing travel tibet in couple of months later.Good luck with your trip.
5/1/2011 11:36:00 PM
|lisa ( China )
Hi I want to go to tibet may 2011 I am worried about the altitude Iam healthy in my late 30's do should think I should be that concern? if something happened tibeteans doctors or my guide will help?
Reply4/28/2011 6:39:00 AM
|For my suggest is do some excerises before you go, and once as you arrive at tibet do not do much traveling and excerise in day one or two.Take more rest as you get there and usually it does take 3 to 7 days for u to get used to the altitude. There do have excellent hospital staff to concern the problem for u in case you are really sick.so not much to worry.Enjoby your travel i plan to go in next couple of months.
5/1/2011 11:43:00 PM
|Lisa ( China )
Hi, I am planning to go to Tibet, specifically to Lin Zhi for travel in May 2011.
1. Would it be a good weather and climate to travel in May? Or should we travel to Lin Zhi in June during Summer ?
2. Can we plan our travel individually or do we have to book the tour through a Tibet travel agency?
3. Do you have any special trip organised only on Lin Zhi?
Thanks and looking forward to your reply.
3/9/2011 11:33:00 PM
|generally, the best time to Tibet is in July and August. and the best time to Lin zhi is in Autumn, around Oct. if choose between May and June, i suggest June.
you have to book a group tour though a travel agency, but it does not have to be a Tibet travel agency.
i have booked Tibet tour through this website, and i had really good time. the most impressive part is this website provide tailor-made tour packages. you can see the tibet tour packages here:
http://www.tibettrip.com/travel/
3/13/2011 1:54:00 AM
|Duncan ( Australia )
Dear Sir/Mdm,
I am Bruneian can l apply Tibet Visa in china embasy in my countries. thank you
Jane
3/6/2011 1:10:00 AM
|it is not a Tibet Visa, but a Tibet Entry Permit.
you have to join in group tour to Tibet. and the travel agency will help with your entry permit.
3/6/2011 2:22:00 AM
|Nemo
My wife and I are planning a September 2010 trip to Tibet. Is there an E-mail address I can contact you at to send you information about what we would like to see in Tibet.
Thank you.
7/19/2010 11:34:00 PM
|Dear Michael Bertin,
Thank you for your comments here. If you have any questions, you may either post your comments on this very page, or write your comments to us on the following page http://www.tibettrip.com/contact_us.htm.
7/20/2010 5:05:00 AM
|Forum Moderator ( China )
hi Michael,
how is your trip to Tibet? is it 西藏 in Chinese？i also want to go there. any advise?
11/10/2010 8:42:00 PM
|Tom
