Discover Tibet

All foreign visitors require a Tibet Travel Permit (TTB) in addition to a standard Chinese visa. This must be arranged through a licensed Tibetan travel agency — independent travel is not permitted for foreigners. Permits typically take 5–10 days to process.

Additional permits are required for specific areas: Alien's Travel Permit (Shigatse, Gyantse, Tsedang), Military Area Permit (Everest, Kailash), and Frontier Pass (border regions). Your agency arranges all of these.

By air: Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA) has direct flights from Chengdu (~2hrs), Beijing (~4hrs), Shanghai (~5hrs), Guangzhou, Xi'an, and several other Chinese cities. Chengdu is the most frequent connection.

By train: The Qinghai–Tibet Railway (青藏铁路) is the world's highest railway, running from Xining or Lhasa. The Lhasa–Chengdu service (~40hrs) is a spectacular journey across the plateau. Foreigners require a Tibet Permit to board.

All foreign travel within Tibet must be with a licensed guide and driver in a hired vehicle — self-driving is not permitted. Your agency arranges transport as part of the tour package. Land Cruiser 4WD is standard for rougher routes (Everest, Kailash).

Within Lhasa, taxis and pedicabs are available independently. The Lhasa–Shigatse Expressway and Friendship Highway (to Nepal) are paved and well-maintained. Remote western routes can be rough.

Altitude sickness is the most serious risk for Tibet visitors. Lhasa sits at 3,650m; many destinations exceed 4,500m and Kailash's Dolma La pass reaches 5,636m. Symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

Acclimatize in Lhasa for at least 2–3 days before travelling to higher areas. Rest on arrival, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and ascend gradually. Diamox (acetazolamide) can help — consult a doctor beforehand. Oxygen is widely available in hotels.

Tibet operates on Chinese Yuan (RMB/CNY). WeChat Pay and Alipay are accepted widely in Lhasa and larger towns. ATMs are available in Lhasa and Shigatse but scarce in remote areas — carry sufficient cash for western Tibet trips.

Tibet has a mandatory minimum spend requirement through licensed agencies. Budget tours start around ¥600–800/day (inc. guide, transport, permit fees). Mid-range travel runs ¥1,000–1,500/day. Everest Base Camp and Kailash circuits add significant costs.

Best seasons: April–June and September–October offer clear skies, mild temperatures, and accessible roads. July–August brings the rainy season (mostly afternoon showers) but roads remain open and the plateau turns lush green.

Winter (November–March) is cold (-15 to 5°C in Lhasa), but roads to Everest and Kailash often close due to snow. The plateau sun is extremely intense year-round — high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun protection are essential at all altitudes.

Tibetan Buddhist culture demands respectful conduct. Always walk clockwise around monasteries, stupas, and sacred sites (kora direction). Ask permission before photographing monks, religious ceremonies, or sacred objects. Remove shoes before entering chapels.

Do not touch sacred statues or paintings. Do not step over religious objects. Photography is often restricted or requires a fee inside monasteries. Dress modestly. Receiving or offering items with both hands or the right hand is respectful.

Mobile data (4G/5G) is available in Lhasa, Shigatse, and along major highways. Signal becomes patchy or absent in remote areas (Changtang, remote Kailash approaches). Download offline maps and travel information before leaving Lhasa.

Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western apps are blocked in China. Download a VPN before entering China. WeChat and local Chinese apps work well. Wi-Fi is available in most Lhasa hotels. Satellite phones are used by expedition groups.