Visiting Tibet is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences. However, even seasoned travelers can feel a little daunted by poor communication or unfamiliarity with local rules and customs. Here are some things to know in advance and practical tips for traveling to Tibet to make your visit an amazing experience.
All foreign travelers need a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) to enter Tibet by flight or train. Depending on your itinerary, additional permits—such as the Alien's Travel Permit, Military Permit, or Foreign Affairs Permit—may also be required. Your Tibet travel agency will handle all necessary permits once your itinerary is confirmed. If needed, you may entrust Great Tibet Tour to assist with the permit arrangements.
You'll need to submit a color copy of your passport, your China visa, and your confirmed Tibet itinerary. Please also include your accurate date of entry into Tibet, your entry city, and your profession (required for all visa types).
If you change your entry city later, the permit must be reissued, which may require extra time and additional fees.
If you hold a visa type other than an L visa, a certificate letter from your company or school is also required.
Note: Travelers from countries eligible for China’s visa-free entry can apply for the Tibet Travel Permit using their passport directly, without needing a separate China visa.
The Tibet Travel Permit usually takes about 12 days to process. If your itinerary covers only Lhasa, approval can be as fast as 7 days. The application undergoes review by multiple departments, including the Tibet Tourism Bureau, Public Security Bureau, Foreign Affairs Office, and Frontier Defense Office.
For trips to western Tibet (such as Mt. Kailash or the Guge Kingdom), a Military Permit is required, and the application must be submitted at least one month before arrival. The Tibet Travel Permit is issued only after all materials pass these checks.
According to regulations of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), passengers must present the original Tibet Travel Permit when boarding flights to Lhasa from mainland China.
Provide your hotel information in mainland China (hotel name, address, and phone number) to your travel agency in advance. They will arrange delivery of the original permit to your hotel. Upon check-in, ask the front desk to confirm receipt. If anything is missing, contact your travel advisor immediately.
For train travel, a printed copy of the Tibet Travel Permit is sufficient for boarding. After approval, your travel agency will email you a scanned copy. It is recommended to print at least two copies and carry them with you.
Once your itinerary is confirmed, you only need to provide a color scan of your passport. According to current China–Nepal border regulations, all travelers entering Tibet from Nepal must apply for a China Group Visa, even if they already have an individual China visa. Your travel agency will help arrange the required invitation letter and apply for the Tibet Travel Permit on your behalf.
For flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa, a scanned copy of the Tibet Travel Permit is sufficient at boarding. Upon arrival at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, your Tibetan guide will meet you with the original permit for the final check.
If entering Tibet by land, your guide will wait for you at the border customs checkpoint with your original Tibet Travel Permit and will assist you with completing the entry formalities.
Yes. A single-entry China visa is sufficient as long as you enter Tibet from mainland China. However, if you enter Tibet from Nepal, your existing visa becomes invalid and you must apply for a China Group Visa in Kathmandu.
Airports in mainland China will check the Tibet Travel Permit before boarding flights to Tibet. Even if your flight is paid for and confirmed, you cannot board without the permit. Make sure your travel agency applies for your permit in advance to avoid delays.
Although winter is the slack season for Tibetan tourism, a lot of travelers still travel to Tibet during this season. The holy snow mountains, warm sunlight, and sacred spots attract them. Lhasa is the ideal place for Tibet tours in winter. The temperature in Lhasa varies from -10°C to 10°C. It is not cold before sunset, but it is freezing at night. Therefore, you should bring some warm clothes before traveling to Lhasa. However, the average temperature in remote areas outside of Lhasa, such as Ngari and Nagchu, is very low, about -20°C.
Based on years of tour operating experience, April to Oct is the best time to travel to Tibet, but choosing the best season to travel to Tibet mainly depends on the tour you are interested in, eg. if you are interested in the Mt.Everest tour, the best time would be May, June, Sept and early Oct, as EBC is relatively less windy and clear during these months. From the blue sky, you could view the peak of Mt. Everest from the Everest Base Camp. If you are interested in the western part of Tibet, like Mt. Kailash, May to early October is the best time to visit there due to the warmer climate and less rain. You would also have the opportunity to meet local pilgrims while trekking around Mt. Kailash. August is the best time to witness the local popular festival celebrations in Tibet. In a word, you will have different experiences in different months.
Generally speaking, Tibet is cold and dry year-round. Most Tibetan areas experience frost for at least six months of the year. Some high lakes get frozen from October to March. Because Tibet is vast, the topography and altitude vary significantly from the eastern part to the western region. Thus, temperatures vary widely across different areas, even within a single day at the same place. The weather change is enormous in mountain areas. In downtown, the difference is not so big. In winter, from November to next March, of course, you need to bring down jackets, warm sweaters, gloves, warm pants, woolen hats, etc. It is freezing in the morning and evening. In summer/spring/ autumn, wearing a long-sleeve T-shirt and coat in the daytime, but a jacket is necessary for the morning and evening.
Both flights and trains are popular ways to enter Tibet. Flying is the faster and more convenient option, with frequent departures from major Chinese cities and a travel time of just a few hours.
Taking the train takes much longer and requires early booking due to high demand, but some travelers appreciate the scenic views along the Qinghai–Tibet Railway and the gradual ascent to the plateau.
Your choice depends on your schedule and travel style—fly if time is limited, take the train if you prefer slow travel.
Not necessarily. The train does ascend gradually from Xining, and diffused oxygen is supplied after Golmud, which helps some travelers feel more comfortable.
However, altitude reactions vary greatly from person to person, and taking the train does not guarantee better acclimatization than flying. It’s better to choose based on your schedule and preference rather than relying on the train to prevent altitude sickness.
Flying saves significant travel time. While trains to Lhasa take 21–40 hours from major gateway cities, flights from more than a dozen Chinese cities offer quick and convenient access. Key hubs such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xi’an operate multiple flights a day.
For travelers from Nepal, there are also around four direct flights per week from Tribhuvan International Airport to Lhasa Gonggar Airport.
Yes. With Tibet's rising popularity, flights—especially during the July to October peak season—sell out quickly and often become expensive. It is best to book your flight tickets as early as possible to secure better availability and prices.
It's difficult. Train tickets in China go on sale about 15 days in advance, and Tibet-bound tickets are always in extremely high demand. They often sell out immediately, even for local agencies, which sometimes must rely on scalpers to secure seats.
Once we secure your train ticket, we will issue an e-ticket. With your e-ticket, passport, and a copy of your Tibet Travel Permit, you can pass through the security and manual check channels at the railway station. There is no need for a physical ticket to be mailed.
This depends on the area, most of our recommended 3-star hotels, and all 4/5-star hotels in major cities have access to the internet in a hotel room. But you could only find internet access in the lobbies of most guesthouses & 3-star hotels in remote places, some even don't have it.
You will be able to enjoy a 24-hour hot shower at 3-5 star hotels that we choose for you but not guaranteed for the guesthouse accommodation.
In recent years, as Tibet's tourism industry has developed rapidly, the range of accommodation has become much broader—from budget guesthouses to luxurious five-star hotels—so there are plenty of options to choose from. The hotels we arrange are generally well located and have a good reputation. If you require accommodation with oxygen supplies, we can arrange it in many areas. However, we would like to be honest that the overall service quality in Tibet is not the same as in major cities such as New York, London, Beijing, or Shanghai. We appreciate your understanding.
Getting enough rest and taking oxygen can help ease the symptoms of altitude sickness. The most effective treatment for any form of mountain sickness is to descend at least 300 meters to a lower altitude as soon as possible. If there is no noticeable improvement after 3 to 4 hours, it is best to seek medical attention at a nearby hospital.
Be aware of an attack from animals. Wild yaks and dogs often attack the Tibetan people. When you are traveling in Tibet, do not approach it or play with it.
Nowadays, most roads are paved well and broad. And we only use experienced drivers and safe cars to make sure of your safety.
Overall, Tibet is a safe place where you will meet friendly, honest, and trustworthy people. Tibet has a low crime rate. But for travelers, you need to take care of your belongings and be on your guard against pickpockets. You should take particular care when traveling after dark, especially if you are alone.
There are three major sacred lakes in Tibet: Lake Manasarovar, Lake Namtso, and Lake Yamdrok. Lake Manasarovar is regarded as the top one. >>See more about the sacred lakes of Tibet
The top four holy mountains are the Meli Snow Mountain, located in Deqin County, Yunnan Province; the Mt. Amnye Machen, situated in Maqin County, Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province; Mountain Kailash, located in Burang County, Ngari, Tibet and Gaduojuewu Snow Mountains, situated in Gaduo County, Yucarhu Prefecture, Qinghai Province. Meli Snow Mountain is a multi-peaked range with an average altitude of over 6,000 meters. The highest peak is called Kagebo, with an altitude of 6,740 meters. Every year in the fall, Tibetan pilgrims trek to the sacred Meli Snow Mountain and make a pilgrimage around it. Amnye Machen Peak is the highest point with an altitude of 6,282 meters. The area around Mt. Amnye Machen is cold, even in summer, because it is full of glaciers, so it's been treated as a dangerous trekking route. Mt. Kailash is a holy mountain both for Tibetan and Indian pilgrims. Every year in the summer, devotees from India will travel thousands of miles to this sacred mountain to make a pilgrimage trek. Gaduojuewu Snow Mountains are the king among the sacred mountains in the Yangtze River Valley, with an average altitude of 4900 meters. Its gorgeous and precipitous main peak (5,470 meters above sea level) leaves countless beautiful legends. >>See more about the sacred mountains of Tibet
The main scenic spots in Nyingchi are Basum Lake, Lulang Forest, Yarlung-Zangbo Grand Canyon (not available for international travelers currently), Namcha Barwa, etc.
The most well-known hot springs in Tibet are Yampachen Hot Spring, Dezhong Hot Spring, and Riduo Hot Spring. Among them, Yampachen is the most famous, but most facilities there are now developed as hot spring hotels, where the water is piped into the pools. Many visitors feel that the experience is not as authentic as expected.
If you prefer a more natural, untouched hot spring environment, we recommend Dezhong Hot Spring, which still preserves the feel of a true wild hot spring and offers a more genuine soaking experience.
A cold can lower your disease resistance, and your trachea and lungs will be inflamed as a result. If you go to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau at that time, the cold may deteriorate into bronchitis, pulmonary edema or pneumonia as the oxygen content is much lower in the high-altitude areas. Besides, it takes a long time for you to recover from the cold in the highlands. So please keep yourself warm.
Most tourists are worried about the effects of high altitude, so they always have to consider physical exercise before their tours. Altitude sickness has no business with being strong or not. Generally speaking, you don’t have to work out deliberately, but if you are still worried about this, you can jog a month early. And remember, stop taking exercise a week before your departure!
There are plenty of grocery stores on Barkhor Street. You can buy many Tibetan items such as Hada, cappa, traditional clothes, snow lotus, Tibetan incense, Beef jerky, Saffron crocus, Tangka, etc.
Lots of travelers will be stunned by the pious pilgrims in front of the Jokhang Temple. Thus, they want to take a photo of those pilgrims as a memory. However, most Tibetan Buddhists are not willing to be recorded by the camera. You should get permission before taking a photo of them.
You are not allowed to take photos when visiting the Potala Palace. Taking pictures is also banned in some monasteries in Tibet, or it is not free. You should avoid smoking, touching Buddhist statues, relics, bells, amulets, religious objects, etc. You also need to keep silent and visit the monastery in a clockwise direction. You cannot sit on the seat of the living Buddha. Do not wear sunglasses, hats, make a big noise, etc., in the monasteries.
Yes, you can withdraw money from the Bank of China or ATMs in Lhasa. But please be aware that there aren’t as many ATMs as you used to meet. Plus, Lhasa city is big, and going to a bank often takes up lots of time, especially when there is a queue.
You can use your credit card at 5-star hotels, fancy restaurants, big malls, etc., but it is not widely accepted. And it charges a service fee of around 5%.
To sum up, it’s neither convenient to withdraw money nor to pay with a credit card in Tibet, so please prepare enough cash before you enter Tibet.
There is no age limit for traveling to Tibet. Still, theoretically, kids who are under three years old are not recommended to go to Tibet because the parents sometimes can’t tell if their children suffer from symptoms of altitude sickness. Meanwhile, traveling to regions with quite high altitudes, such as Mt.Kailash or Everest Base Camp, is too risky for young kids. But in Lhasa and the surrounding areas, it is perfectly fine for kids to grab a rough idea of Tibetan culture and history.
As for the seniors, it's also hard to define the boundary of age. Things are not always absolute, especially considering the age of traveling to high-altitude places. Previously, our oldest client, who came from the US, even made an Everest Base Camp trip at the age of 81 with his 76-year-old wife. So we suggest you consult with your doctor first. Staying physically strong and healthy is a must before deciding to visit Tibet.
There are three major festivals in Tibet, including Losar, Saga Dawa Festival, and Shoton Festival.
The Losar is to celebrate the new year and make good wishes.
Saga Dawa Festival is to commemorate the birthday, enlightenment, and death of Sakyamuni.
The Shoton Festival is also called the “Tibetan Opera Festival”, “Buddha Exhibition Festival", or “Yogurt Festival”, which is a kind of religious activity at the beginning, but now it has become a famous Tibetan festival. During the festival, people will have garden parties, watch Tibetan opera, eat Yogurt and watch yak racing.
Donkey, horse, and dog meat are prohibited in Tibet, and fish is prohibited as well in some areas; when drinking butter tea, you can't take the cup until the master lifts it in front of you; turn the prayer wheels in a clockwise direction; do not touch the heads of Tibetan people, even a kid; do not accept or deliver articles with one hand; do not use the paper with Tibetan characters to wipe anything; when visiting tents of nomads, men should sit on the left and women on the right.
Tibetan Buddhist debate is a form of activity in which monks gather to discuss Buddhist doctrines. They are generally divided into pairs, with one person standing and another sitting. The sitting one puts forward one opinion, then the standing one counters with his argument. They will have countless debates to figure out the truth. Buddhism debating is the daily work of monks to test what they have learned.
In Tibetan Buddhism, whether a lama can marry depends on the school. Gelugpa lamas are celibate and cannot marry, while lamas from Nyingmapa, Kagyupa, and Sakyapa schools may marry. Bon practitioners can also marry, as celibacy is not required in their tradition.
Generally speaking, most travelers have no good impression of butter tea. But it is a good tea for relieving high-altitude sickness. Butter tea is most favored by Tibetans, and tourists cannot miss it.
Tibetan people have unique food and drink due to the high altitude, their religious beliefs, and ethnic customs, their diet mainly consists of beef, milk and other high protein food such as yak meat and mutton to help them fight the cold. Tsampa is also the staple food in Tibet, a dough made with roasted barley flour and yak butter. Tibetan people eat this at every meal and bring it as ready-made food when traveling. >>See more about Tibetan food
The food in some remote areas is fundamental, with fewer choices. You could only find some small restaurants that serve noodles, fried rice, and some simple dishes to order. For breakfast, they can make pancakes and omelets. So you'd better buy some snacks, milk, and coffee, etc., in Lhasa city in advance and bring them along.
Yes, you can find good vegetarian restaurants in cities like Lhasa and Shigatse. In small towns and villages, you can order vegetable noodles or dishes at local restaurants.
Yes, you could easily find Western restaurants in Lhasa, Shigatse, Tsedang, etc. Just tell your interests to your tour guide, s/he will help you find a suitable one. But in the small counties/towns, it is hard to find Western restaurants.
The cost of food is different in each region of Tibet. In general, cities like Lhasa and Shigatse, it usually costs about USD10-USD15/person/day for Chinese, Tibetan, or Nepali food, a little bit higher for western food but not too much.
GREAT TIBET TOUR is a local tour company based in Lhasa, Tibet. It was founded in 2005 and recommended by Lonely Planet as one of the best reputed local Tibet travel agencies.
With the great responsibility, professional know-how and passion for innovation, GREAT TIBET TOUR endeavors to provide you with enjoyable, thoughtful service, and authentic culture discovery.
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| Dava Private House, No. 8, Dang Re Road, Lhasa, Tibet, China |
