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 Frequently Asked Questions: Tibet

 1. What documents are essential for foreign travelers to Tibet?
For Tibet tours, foreign travelers must have not only a standard Chinese visa but also a special travel permit which must be issued in either Lhasa,Chengdu, Kunming, Beijing, Xi’an or Xining. That means that a standard Chinese visa is not sufficient for Tibet tour, and individual travel for foreigners is not permitted within Tibet, in some special places, travelers must even have military permit also. Chinese visa are generally obtained from most Chinese embassies and consulates.

 2. How to obtain Tibet Permit?
To obtain such permits, it is necessary to make your travel arrangements through a bona fide agency, providing details of full name, sex, nationality, date of birth, occupation, and passport number. Please note that it’s also impossible to obtain flights to Tibet without the Travel permit. The permits themselves specify every destination and town that you wish to visit and can not be changed once you have arrived in Tibet, therefore be certain to detail all possible destinations in your request as well as the route you wish to follow.

 3. When to go, what is travel peak season in Tibet?
April-June and September-November are generally the best and most popular months. The rainy seasons are generally July and August. The travel peak season is from May to October. Normal cultural tours in Tibet are also available in rainy season.

 4. How to enter Tibet? What are the most important gateway cities?
There are five main gateway cities offering access to Tibet:Chengdu (in Sichuan), Kunming (in Yunnan),  Xining (in Qinhai), Kashgar (in Xinjiang) and Kathmandu (in Nepal). You can reach Tibet by land or air. See below, number 9. There are only two civilian airport in Tibet: Gonggar Airport near Lhasa and Bangda Airport near Chamdo.

 5. Are individual trips to Tibet allowed?
No, all tours of foreign travellers must be organized by travel agency, and it's not allowed to travel in Tibet without tour guide except Lhasa City.

 6. Is it possible to tour Tibet in Winter?
Yes, Tours may be limited, but there are still many stunning things to see and do in winter.

 7. Are all Tibetans Buddhists?
Although Tibetan Buddhism has become the main religious belief of local Tibetans, not all Tibetans believe in Buddhism. The Tibetan Buddhist followers explore and try to connect the relationship between humankind and Buddha, and all issues concerning human life and society, with the eventual attainment of enlightenment. This mode of thinking that guides their behavior and actions bears the inevitable stamp of Tibetan Buddhism. Some scholars believe that the Bon religion also occupies and important position within the religious beliefs of the masses. On the one hand, Tibetan Buddhism has been formed through long-term struggle and blending of Buddhism and Bon; on the other, Bon still has great influence in some remote areas of Tibet.

 8. What are the most popular highlights in Tibet?
Tibet (Xizang) is known world wide as the Roof of the World for its average elevation of 4000 meters above sea level. Tibet is charming, with its beautiful landscape, brilliant culture, and mysterious folklore. Tibet has many attractions for visitors: Tibetan people monasteries, holy cities Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Tsedang, Chamdo, Holy Lakes - Nam Tso, Yamdrok Tso, Manasarovar Lake, Mount Everest and Mount Kailash.The mountainous terrain of the plateau presents the ultimate challenge for climbers, trekkers and adventurers. The power places and monasteries, sanctified by centuries of
consummate meditation, inspire Buddhist pilgrims from all corners of the Earth.

 9. What is their currency? Convert any currency into Chinese Yuan Renminbi
The national currency is the Yuan or Renminbi (RMB), popularly called “Kuai”, 1Yuan=10 Jiao, 1 Jiao=10 Fen. The exchange rate is approximately US$1=8 Yuan. Major currency denominations are easily changed in the larger cities. In Tibet, man can change money only in Lhasa hotel, Tibet hotel and the Bank of China, the Bank of China has branches in Lhasa, Tsedang and in Shigatse, travelers’ cheques and credit card can be used in the Bank of China in Lhasa, sometimes also in Lhasa hotel and Tibet hotel. Remember to carry a sufficient amount of RMB for long overland drives or treks. Tip for guide and driver on your tour can also be given in cash (US dollars, Euro etc.).

 10. Flight information.
Flights to Lhasa
1.Chengdu-Lhasa: at least 2 or 3 flights (two hours) daily;
2. Kunming-Lhasa: no direct flight from beginning of November to April next year, 1 or 2 flights every week from May to October;
3.Xining-Lhasa: no direct flight from beginning of November to April next year, 1 flight between Xining and Lhasa daily from May to October;
4. Kathmandu-Lhasa: (55 minutes) on Tuesday and Saturday;
5.Chongqing-Lhasa: (2 hours flight) on Wednesday and Sunday;
6. Beijing-Lhasa: (four hours) daily from May to October, no flight from November to April next year.
7. Xi’an-Lhasa: (two hours 40 minutes) daily from May to October, no flight from November to April next year. Tickets to Lhasa can be obtained from China Airline offices in Chengdu, in Beijing, in Kathmandu, in Chongqing, in Xi’an, in Xining and in Hongkong, but at first, you must have a special Tibet entry permit which is processed in Tibet, your travel agent will arrange it for you, so it’s easiest to liaise with your travel agent.

 Flights to Chamdo
China Airlines have connections to Bangda Airport near Chamdo from Chengdu on Tuesday and Friday(1 hour 10 minutes), because of the high altitude of the Bangda Airport, the flights are instable and must be canceled sometimes. In addition, it is usually also very difficult to obtain the tickets.

 Accommodations
All gateway cities offer the full range of luxury to budget accommodation (five star-hotels, four-star, three-star, two-star, one star hotels and guesthouse). In Tibet, four-star hotels, such as Lhasa Hotel and Tibet Hotel (the new building) are at the top of the range. Outside of the main towns (Lhasa, Tsedang, Shigatse, Naqu and Gyantse), be prepared to sleep in simple or very simple guesthouses which are highly variable and often unclean. So you’d better take sleeping bags for accommodation in simple guesthouses. Or you can also set up a camp if you will. Camping is often much preferable. For accommodations in those simple guesthouses in small places, bring your own disinfectant and toilet paper.

 Telephone Services
The major hotels in Lhasa, in Tsedang and in Shigatse have international IDD telephone connections, in these cities (in hotels), you can send and receive international telefax messages. In Lhasa, in Tsedang, in Shigatse and in Naqu, travelers can use IP cards which must be purchased in Tibet, it will be much cheaper to call by IP cards than in hotels. In many small towns, DDD calls can also be made and received locally. Travelers can also use their own mobile in Lhasa. Tibet international dialing code is 86.

 Visiting Monasteries
Most monasteries extend a warm welcome to foreign guests and in remote areas will often offer a place to stay for the night. Maintain this good faith by observing the following courtesies: Always circle religious objects clockwise, thus keeping shrines to your right. Don't touch or remove anything on an altar. Don't take prayer flags or main stones. Don't take photos during a prayer meeting. At other times always ask permission to take a  photo, especially one using flash. The larger monasteries charge photography fees, though some monks will allow you to take a quick picture for free. If they won't there's no point getting angry, you don't know what pressures they may be under. Don't wear shorts or short skirts in a monastery. Take your hat off when you go into a chapel. Don't smoke in a monastery. Contact us to book a Tibet Tour.

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