How to Plan a Trip to Tibet?

Tibet, a pearl on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, has attracted a lot of followers from all over the world. It has a unique landscape, snow-towering mountains, holy lakes, mysterious Tibetan Buddhism, magnificent monasteries, colorful prayer flags, and many other fantastic things for you to explore.

However, it’s not as easy as other places in China for foreigners to travel due to its special geographic and political situations. Hence, here we list the step-by-step tips for foreigners traveling to Tibet based on our experience. Now, let’s get started…

1. Is It Safe to Travel to Tibet?

Safety in Tibet is a common question and a precursor to making a decision before traveling here. As a local travel agency in Tibet, regarding the security in Tibet, we can say that traveling in Tibet is very safe for you. China is rated as one of the safest and most suitable countries for female tourists in the world. The security in Tibet is even better than that of many major cities in mainland China. In Lhasa city, it's common to see armed policemen everywhere, as well as many security posts, which provide security services 24 hours a day. So there's no hint of instability or violence.

Besides, most Tibetans in Tibet are devout Buddhists. They are humble and kind, and their belief abstains them from stealing and killing. You can feel the truth and goodness of human nature when you communicate with them. If you visit them, their hospitality makes you feel at home.

2. What’s the Best Time to Visit Tibet?

Tibet is a place you can visit all year round, except for mid-February to March when Tibet will close for foreigners due to the Chinese and Tibetan New Year. You can choose the rest of the year to make your Tibet trip.

The best time to visit Tibet is from April to October, during which the weather is the best, neither too hot nor too cold. You can get a clear view of the most tourist attractions in Tibet. Besides, the oxygen content of the air is higher than at other times, which is helpful indeed in reducing the risk of getting altitude sickness. July, August and September are the peak tourist season, so the price is relatively higher. It’s advised to avoid the Chinese National Holiday (Oct 1^st to 7^th) when millions of Chinese people head to Tibet and you have to enjoy the scenic spots with a lot of people.

3. Where to Go?

As a big highlight of Tibet tours, Everest Base Camp attracts 60% of the travelers during their Tibet trip. The best time to visit Mt. Everest is from late April to May and late September to October. Another 20% of travelers would visit Mt.Kailash. The best time to have an Mt. Kailash pilgrim trekking tour is between July and September when the weather is moderate and the scenery is the best of the year. Only 20% of the travelers would only pay a visit to Lhasa and surrounding areas.

4. How Long to Stay in Tibet?

For first-timers, it is recommended to stay for 8~15 days in Tibet. By visiting the main attractions, you are able to see the unique cultural landscape and natural scenery of Tibet: the magnificent Potala Palace, the turquoise Yamdrok Lake, the spectacular Everest peak even sacred Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in remote Ngari Prefecture. You can take your 8 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Mt. Everest Group Tour or 15 Days Mt.Everest & Mt.Kailash Kora Pilgrimage Group Tour with us to truly appreciate Tibet.

Knowing what you expect to see or do in Tibet will help determine how long you should stay. The more you want to experience, the more time you will need to take.

5. How Much Would a Trip to Tibet Cost?

It’s also a frequently asked question. Have a quick look at the costs below:

• International Airfare

You can only reach Tibet from mainland China or Kathmandu, Nepal. If you are from Europe, you can fly to Kathmandu first. If you are from the US, you are suggested to fly to mainland China for a shorter flight duration and cheaper cost. The cost is similar, about USD800 to USD1200 for a round trip. By the way, summer is always the most expensive travel time.

• Traveling from Kathmandu/mainland China to Tibet

You can take an overland tour or fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa. The overland tour costs USD1200 p.p. if you join a group tour, however, it includes the tour fee along the way, so it’s a cost-effective one. For round-trip flights between Kathmandu and Lhasa, the cost is about USD600 to USD800. Right now, there are flights only available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Flying from major entry cities to Tibet, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc. The round-trip flight fare would be USD700 or USD800. Meanwhile, you can take a train as one way to save the cost. The train journey cost is about USD300.

• Tour Cost

Please note that Tibet is not a budget-friendly destination. In addition, the tour cost also depends on the factors below,

1. The number of travelers
2. The duration to stay and the month you come
3. The specific regions planned to be visited
4. The type of accommodation
5. Whether you consider private tours or group tours

Here is a list of join-in group tours vs. private tours in ordinary seasons, from which you can tell the rough cost of a Tibet tour. In peak tourist seasons (July, August, and September), the price would rise up 10~20%. In low tourist seasons (November to next March), the price would lower accordingly.

• Tibet Group Tours
• Tibet Private Tours

6. Book Your Tibet Tour in Advance

Sometimes people may buy an immediate air ticket to some tourist attractions on a whim. But for Tibet, it never happens. Unlike other tourist destinations in the world, foreigners must book the Tibet tour 20 days prior.

According to the regulations, foreigners are not allowed to travel to Tibet alone but must be accompanied by a travel-licensed guide & vehicle with the prearranged time & route. That means you should join an organized tour with a Tibet travel agency. After you have finally engaged with a Tibet travel agency, your agency will help you obtain your Tibet Travel Permit.

7. What Documents Needed?

Well, a Tibet Travel Permit is an essential paper document issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. You will be checked with your Tibet travel permit when you board a train/plane to Tibet. If you are going to certain areas such as Ngari, you will be required to have multiple travel permits, such as Aline’s Travel Permit and Military Permit. As mentioned above, your travel agency will help you handle all your Tibet Travel Permits after you confirm the booking.

To get your Tibet Travel Permit, scans of your China Visa and Passport are required. If you choose Kathmandu as your entry to Tibet, you need to apply for your China Group Visa, which takes 3 working days. In this way, you don’t have to apply for a China Visa. At present, a China group visa in Kathmandu requires 4 participants so if there are fewer than 4 people, you still can't achieve a China Group Visa.

• Tibet Travel Permit
• Chinese Visa
• China Group Visa

8. Flights and Trains to Tibet

If you have a tight schedule and like to travel comfortably, you can get to Tibet by plane. However, if you have enough time and want to see the scenery along the way, you may consider going to Tibet by train.

Flights to Tibet

There are numerous daily non-stop flights to the gateway cities in China, like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou from all over the world. You can fly to one of those gateway cities first, then take a train/flight to Tibet. In addition, there are some connecting flights between Nepal and Tibet. Expedia.com is a good choice for international flight booking. We provide a domestic air/train ticket booking service.

Trains to Tibet

When traveling in/out of Tibet, the train is a very popular method to get to view stunning scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet railway and adapt yourself gradually to the higher altitude in a comfortable way. The train ticket is issued to sell on the Internet only 15 days before departure but it's very hard to purchase the tickets. Therefore, ask your Chinese friends or our trip consultant to reserve the tickets for you in advance.

• Flights to Tibet
• Tibet Train

9. Know Money and Currency in Tibet

The official currency of Tibet is the Ren Min Bi, often called RMB or CNY (Chinese Yuan), and is used throughout mainland China. It is commonly referred to as kuai (pronounced kwai) by locals.

Use a Credit/Debit Card

Hotels, standard restaurants, and large shopping malls in Lhasa and Shigatse accept credit/debit cards. But please be aware that small shops or stalls only accept Chinese Yuan in cash.

Prepare Chinese Cash

You will need cash for small purchases in Tibet: souvenirs, meals, personal use, etc. You can exchange money in Lhasa. For a small amount, you can exchange it with your tour guide. For the big one, the guide will lead you to an ATM or Bank of China, which is the only bank in Tibet providing the exchange service of foreign currency. The reception desk of some five-star hotels also offers money exchange, but only for the hotel guests.

Alipay/WeChat

Alipay/WeChat is acceptable in Lhasa, which is a very practical and convenient App. This is a good option if you get an account.

• Money and Currency in Tibet

10. Accommodation in Tibet

As a remote area, Tibet's accommodation conditions are not very superior. But with the repaid development of tourism, accommodation conditions have been greatly improved.

In general, the overall level of accommodation in Tibet is lower than in other cities in China. In Tibet’s big cities such as Lhasa, Shigatse, Lhoka and Nyingchi, you can find star-rated hotels; but in small cities and remote areas, only basic accommodation is available. Specifically, in Lhasa, Shigatse and Nyingchi, accommodation options range from cheap hotels to luxurious five-star hotels. Whereas, in Lhoka, the highest standard is four stars. In other small or remote areas, the highest standard is three or two stars. In remote places, unless you bring a tent, a guesthouse might be your only choice.

Usually, the accommodation is included in the tour package. The hotels we arrange for our clients have good locations and services. If you want to book your own hotel, Trip.com and Booking.com are not bad. One thing to remind you, some remote areas like Everest Base Camp or Mt. Kailash are not likely for you to book the hotel or guesthouse online. So, our professional service can save you lots of time.

Tips: From our customers' feedback, the most frequently mentioned problem is about hotels, especially in some remote areas such as Ngari and EBC. What we can do for you is to provide the most comfortable and clean hotels in that area.

• Recommended Tibet Hotels
• Tibet Hotel List

11. Buy Yourself Travel Insurance

Travel insurance will make you a worry-free trip, not only for medical emergencies, but also for providing assistance with lost baggage, trip delays, trip cancellations, or interruptions due to snowstorms, heavy rains, and unexpected accidents.

12. Start Packing

We suggest you do not take too much stuff, just take some simple and essential items, such as comfortable shoes, T-shirts, long pants, a jacket, a down/outdoor jacket, a scarf, sunglasses, skin creams, sunscreen, a hat, etc.

• What to Pack
• How to Avoid Altitude Sickness

13. During Your Trip to Tibet

Stay Connected

Please be aware of the difference in electrical sockets between China and your country. Your phone or laptop can access the internet but you might need an adapter, a converter or both to charge batteries. By the way, the network speed is a little bit slow in Tibet.

Is Tibetan food safe and tasty?

Yes, you may have a try in some reputable restaurants. Fried dumplings filled with potato and yark meat and Roast Mutton Chops are recommended. Please avoid street stalls or eateries for hygienic issues. Here are three typical Tibetan foods.

Tsampa: Stir-fry the barley or peas and grind them into flour, mix it with butter tea when eating, and knead it into a dough with your hands. You can also mix it with salted tea, yogurt or chhaang. Although highland barley and tsampa are the staple food of Tibetans, they are still a special Tibetan delicacy for tourists.

Tibetan yogurt: Tibetan yogurt tastes a little bit sour, but it feels very thick, sticky, and has a strong milk flavor. If you see it while wandering at Barkhor Street, you may taste this special drink.

Butter tea: Butter tea tastes salty, sweet, mellow and delicious. It can not only be used as a usual drink but also can allay hunger. Drinking butter tea has a certain effect on alleviating altitude sickness. If you drink it for the first time, you may not get used to it. If you have it with Tampa, you will feel much better.

• Tibetan Food and Cuisine
• Recommended Restaurants in Lhasa

Can I drink running water?

No. Tap water needs boiling before drinking. Also, we will provide mineral water for free.

Get a Deeper Cultural Experience

Learn Tibetan Buddhism

Paint Tibetan Tangka

Visit a Tibetan Family

Plan your tour during Tibetan Festivals like Saga Dawa and Shoton Festival.

14. Taboos of Tibet Travel

Due to Tibet's special geographical location and strong religious culture, there are some taboos to pay attention to when traveling in Tibet such as natural climate, customs, etc. Here are things to know before your Tibet travel, which can help you reduce a lot of unnecessary troubles.

• The first one is common sense - do not go to Tibet after catching a cold, it is very prone to altitude sickness.
• It's not recommended to take a bath in the first three days of arriving in Tibetan areas to avoid catching a cold. And taking a bath is likely to cause altitude sickness.
• Do not touch the hair and hats of Tibetans, because they think it's a sacred gesture. The top of a person's head, especially a child's head, can only be touched by his parents and the living Buddha who is responsible for blessing activities in the temples.
• If a local Tibetan sticks out his tongue at you, please don't be angry. It's not to ridicule you, instead, it is to welcome and respect you.
• Do not walk counterclockwise at the prayer wheels and temples.
• Remember to take off your hat and sunglasses before entering the temples in Tibet. It is okay to look at the items in the temple, but you should not touch Buddha statues, scriptures, thangkas, and murals with your hands. Photography and smoking are also prohibited. Do not wear short sleeves, short pants, short skirts, or slippers, otherwise, one will be blocked from entry.

15. Tipping

Gratuities for guide and driver are not mandatory, but it’s expected. You can tip them on the last day of the tour as your gratitude for their caring during the tour. You are suggested to tip each of them 5~10 USD/day in total.

16. Our Picks of the Best Experience Tours

All of the itineraries on our website can be hand-picked by us from various options and can be tailored further to fit your needs. Please do not hesitate to tell us a few things about what your perfect Tibet trip looks like and our team are here to make it happen.

Here are our most popular tour packages,

• 4-day Lhasa City Essential Group Tour
• 8-day Lhasa Gyantse Mt. Everest Group Tour
• 15-day Mt. Everest & Mt. Kailash Kora Pilgrimage Group Tour