Tibet Border Pass

Tibet Border Pass (Frontier Pass) is an official permit for those who want to travel to remote destinations located in border areas between Tibet and other countries, like Mount Everest, Zhangmu, Yadong, Mount Kailash, Manasarovar Lake, etc. Without this pass, travelers from both home and abroad can not be allowed to travel to these destinations. However, this pass can not be applied by travelers individually, so tourists should obtain the Tibet Border Pass from the Tibet Border Control Department in Lhasa with the help of a local Tibet travel agency.

How to Obtain the Tibet Border Pass?

Whether you are a Chinese or a foreign traveler, you should apply for a Tibet Border Pass when you travel to border areas.

Foreign Travelers

1. Foreign travelers can not be allowed to travel alone in Tibet, so you should join a pre-arranged tour by a Tibet travel agency to make an itinerary;
2. Your agency will confirm your plan and be responsible for your activity in Tibet;
3. Send your agency copies of your passport and Chinese Visa, and then they will apply for the Tibet Travel Permit for you;
4. After obtaining the Tibet Travel Permit, your agency will use it to apply for Tibet Border Pass if necessary;

Chinese Travelers

As for mainland Chinese citizens, Hong Kong citizens and Macau citizens, you also need the Tibet Border Pass to travel to the border areas. Mainland Chinese citizens can apply for the Tibet Border Pass in their registered residence city/town. Hong Kong and Macau citizens can apply for a Tibet Border Pass from the Tibet Border Control Department in Lhasa with their original H.K./Macao Home-Return Permit.

If you enter Tibet via Nepal, you also need the Tibet Border Pass and vice versa. If you're taking a flight to Ngari Gunsa Airport departing from some cities like Lhasa, Urumqi, or Kashgar, a border pass is also required.

Which areas require Frontier Pass?

• Shigatse: Sakya Monastery, Mt. Everest Base Camp, Rongbuk Monastery, etc. 
• Ngari Prefecture: Mt. Kailash, Mansarovar Lake, etc.
• Nyingchi Prefecture: Basumtso Lake, Pomi, Rawotso Lake, etc. 
• China-Nepal Border: Gyirong
• Shannan Prefecture: Yadong Border

Tips

1. If you want to enter Tibet from Kathmandu, we will prepare a Tibet Border Pass prior; If you travel to Tibet from Kashgar or Urumqi via Ngari, we send the border pass to your hotel in Urumqi or Kashgar, along with your Tibet travel permit; If you get to Lhasa from other major cities in China, we will keep the pass for you.
2. For foreign travelers, you also need an Alien’s Travel Permit to visit some sensitive border areas, like Shigatse, Nyingchi, Ngari, etc., as well as a Tibet Travel Permit and Tibet Border Pass. Unlike other permits, the Alien’s Travel Permit is applied after you arrive in Tibet. This permit is issued by the Public Security Bureau and can be easily applied in Lhasa, Shigatse, Nyingchi or other prefectures.
3. If you want to ascend to any places higher than the Everest Base Camp, like Advanced Base Camp, Rongbuk Glacier, etc., you will be required to apply for the Mountaineering License which is issued by the Tibet Mountaineering Association. And you also need to hire a professional climbing coordinator for your hike.