Tibet Travel Restrictions You Should Know
- by Catherine
- Last Updated: 2023-03-10
Tibet is a dreamy place to travel to due to its attractive landscapes and mysterious cultures. However, Tibet is a special destination as there're many travel restrictions and regulations. Before visiting Tibet, you should know there're some necessary documents to take such as Tibet Travel Permit. The most convenient thing is to find a travel agency to arrange everything for you beforehand. Here Great Tibet Tour has sorted out the top 10 restrictions and regulations when planning your Tibet trip.
We are excited to share with you the news that Tibet will open to expats in China on April 1st, 2023 and open to inbound tourists on May 1st, 2023. Starting from March 15, Tibet tourism Bureau will process the Tibet travel permit for expats in China and they can enter Tibet from April 1. In addition to applying for a Tibet Travel Permit, expats who're planning a Tibet trip must also meet the following conditions:
#1. Passport scan.
#2. Chinese Visa scan.
#3. Certificate of Employment, if you're holding a working visa.
#4. Study card, if you are holding a student visa.
#5. Other supporting documents are based on your visa type.
1. You Can Only Enter Tibet via Mainland China or Nepal
Besides Kathmandu to Lhasa flights, international travelers also can enter Tibet from mainland China. There are many direct flights to Lhasa from major cities, such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, and Xining. If travelers prefer a train tour to Tibet, they can go to the major starting cities of the Tibet trains, like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing. All of the above-mentioned Tibet trains will pass through Xi'an, Lanzhou, Xining, Golmud, and Lhasa. Therefore, it is very convenient to take the train to Lhasa from mainland China.
2. Traveling to Tibet from Mainland China – China Visa Is Required
International travelers who visit Tibet from mainland China generally need to apply for a China Visa, normally an L visa (tourist China visa). But there's a Visa-free policy for three countries, Singapore, Japan and Brunei, which citizens can stay in China for 15 days and enjoy visa-free.
If you are holding other types of China visas, additional certification documents are required to apply for your Tibet entry permit.
3. Tibet Entry Permit Is Required for Tibet Tours
Only with the entry permit can you purchase air tickets and train tickets by yourselves, and travel to Tibet. By the way, before you board your flight/train to Tibet, you need to take your Tibet Travel Permit expressed by your Tibet travel agency or a copy of the TTB permit by email.
The Tibet Travel Permit is not allowed to bring out of China. Your tour guide will collect it when you arrive in Tibet, and hand back it to the Tourism Bureau after your Tibet tour.
4. Hong Kong, Macau Taiwan Residents Need Different Permit
5. Visiting Tibet from Nepal - Group Tourist Visa Is Required
If you're visiting Tibet from Nepal, you need to get a China Group Visa in Kathmandu. Similarly, a group visa requires assistance from a Tibet travel agency. You will receive a tourist invitation letter issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau with your Tibet itinerary from your Tibet travel agency and the corresponding Nepali partner will go to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu and help you get your China Group Visa finally. You only need to fill out an application form, provide your passport and two passport-sized photos in white background. Alternatively, you can do it on your own to save the service fee of USD20.
6. You are Not Allowed to Travel to Tibet Independently
According to the regulations of the Tibet Tourism Bureau, foreign visitors are not allowed to travel on their own during their stay in Tibet. Regardless of the number of visitors, they must visit Tibet following the scheduled time and prearranged route with the accompanying of the local tour guide. In Lhasa, it is okay to get out alone if you just go to a restaurant, watch movies, or hang out. But you must be escorted by a tour guide to visit the scenic spots.
7. Diplomats and Foreign Journalists Cannot Visit Tibet as Tourists
All tourists who visit Tibet on official visas, such as diplomatic and journalist visas cannot be served by the Tibet travel agency. They need to go to the Tibet Autonomous Region Foreign Affairs Office to complete the formalities and travel accompanied by a foreign affairs officer.
In addition, Norwegian and Bhutanese nationals are not allowed to enter Tibet.
8. Some Areas Require Additional Permits
A climbing permit issued by the Tibet Mountaineering Association is required if you want to visit any place higher than Mount Everest Base Camp, such as hiking to the high-level camp (Advanced Base Camp, 6500 meters above sea level), Rongbuk Glacier, etc., It is also necessary to hire a professional climbing coordinator.
Forbidden areas like Shannan(Chongye Burial Mounds, Lhamo La Tso), Nyingchi(Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, Nanyi Scenic Area), Yadong County, Cona County, Qamdo, etc. are not open to international tourists.
9. Foreigners Can Only Travel To Tibet by Plane or Train
The only means of transportation for international visitors and Taiwanese citizens to enter Tibet is by train or plane. Self-driving cars, bicycles, etc. will not be approved for entry into Tibet.
10. You Can't Enter Tibet During Tibetan New Year
Since 2008, Tibet has been closed to the outside world in March every year, and it has become a common practice to enter Tibet only after April 1. In recent years, during Tibetan Losar New Year and Chinese Lunar New Year, the authority also closed Tibet. In addition, during some special periods, such as the 50th-anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region and the 60th-anniversary celebration of the peaceful liberation of Tibet in 2011, Tibet kept closed to the outside world.
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