Beijing and Tibet Tours

There are three ways to get to Tibet from Beijing.

The most convenient way-- taking a flight to Lhasa directly. Currently, 4 flights are connecting Beijing and Lhasa every day, taking about 4 hours and 15 minutes. These flights are operated by Shenzhen Airlines, Tibet Airlines and Air China(2 flights), from Beijing Capital International Airport to Lhasa Gongga Airport. For people with a tight time schedule, flying to Tibet is the fastest way. 

The most relaxing way-- taking the Beijing-Lhasa train (Z21/Z22). The whole train journey takes 40hrs and 20mins. Not only will you have enough time to adapt to the high altitude environment to avoid acute altitude sickness, but also you can enjoy endless grasslands, rolling snow mountains, vast Gobi desert, Hoh Xil, Tanggula Mountains, wild yak, Tibetan antelope, wild donkey, and many other national first-class protected animals along the way.

The most ingenious way-- taking a flight to Xining and then taking a train to Tibet. During the peak tourist season(from July to August), the demands of train tickets from Beijing to Lhasa greatly exceed the supplies. You will save 20 hours by flying from Beijing to Xining. After arriving in Xining, you can visit the beautiful Qinghai Lake and the Ta'er Monastery. Then board the Xining-Lhasa train, which is easier to book. Xining is the start point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, so you will enjoy the spectacular window views from the world's highest train.

The climate of Beijing is distinct in four seasons - windy spring, hot summer, cool autumn, and cold winter.

Spring is from March to May with much wind and dust. In April, the weather is changeable with occasional sandstorms. Summer begins from June to August with much frequent rainfall. July and August are the hottest months throughout the year with the highest temperature around 37 ℃. Autumn in Beijing falls in September, lasts to November with cool pleasant weather, and you can do anything in Beijing to enjoy scenic spots. Winter is from December to February with occasional snow. Generally, the temperature in winter is below zero, and January is the coldest month with the lowest temperature around -5℃.

Therefore, the best months to visit Beijing are from May to June and September to October, but you should try to avoid national holidays like Labor Day (May 1st. to 3rd.) and National Day (October 1st. to 7th.). Beijing is very crowded with tourists during these two holidays.

You can spend 2 to 4 days for touring in Beijing including the most popular attractions like Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Hutongs. If you want to experience more cultural activities, explore other attractions and enjoy delicious Beijing food, please contact us and we will help you plan your Beijing trip deliberately.

Please sign your tour contract with a Tibet travel agency first. If you book a tour with GTT, we 100% guarantee the Tibet Travel Permit for you. We encourage our guests to sign the tour contract as earlier as possible. In this way, GTT can participate earlier in the preparation of the invitation letter for your Chinese visa. 

Please send us a copy of your valid passport and Chinese visa and other information after you confirm your booking. We submit the application 30 days before your tour starts because the Tibet Tourism Bureau only accepts the application 30 days prior. The handling process will take 12~15 working days. As soon as we get your Tibet Permit, we will express it to your Beijing address or hotel where you stay, usually within 7 days before departure to Lhasa. The reception desk of the hotel can collect it on behalf of you. In this way, you can get the Tibet Permit after your check-in. By the way, Tibet Permit is not allowed to be expressed to any oversea cities.

Staying Beijing for at least one night is recommended. After a long international flight, a night's rest in Beijing can help you restore fatigue and reduce the possibility of high altitude sickness after entering Lhasa. It's also worthwhile to enjoy the sights and cuisines of Beijing. 

If you take a plane from Beijing to Lhasa, you need to show the original Tibet Permit before boarding the plane. 

If you take a connection flight, only spending several hours' transit in Beijing, we will ask a local guide to deliver the Tibet Permit to you at the airport. Even if the transfer time is only 2 hours, you can successfully get the Tibet Permit and catch up with the Lhasa flight. 

If you take a train from Beijing to Lhasa, you only need to show a copy of your Tibet Permit. Therefore, we will send you a scan of your Tibet Permit by E-mail. After you receive the image, you need to print 2~3 copies.