The Top 10 FAQs about traveling to Tibet

1. What documents do I need to travel to Tibet?
2. What do I need to do to obtain the Tibet travel permit?
3. If having a Tibet travel permit, is it ok to go to the sites without a guide?
4. Can I travel to Tibet by myself?
5. When is the best time to visit Tibet?
6. Can I travel Tibet with my child?
7. Can I use my credit card in Tibet?
8. Is it easy to purchase a train ticket to Tibet now?
9. What are the hotels like in Tibet?
10. Does the hotel room have access to internet?
11. What’s the weather like in Tibet?
12. What do you suggest we bring with us if we travel to Tibet?
13. What is high season? What is the definition for high season, shoulder season and low season?
14. What currency do I have to use in Tibet?
15. Is it easy to find an ATM in Tibet?
16. What credit cards are accepted in Tibet?

1. What documents do I need to travel to Tibet?

You need to have: a valid passport, Chinese Visa, and Tibet Travel Permits. A Tibet Travel Permit including: TTB Permit – Tibet Entry Permit. All foreign tourist and Taiwan tourists must apply for a Tibet Entry Permit for entry into Lhasa or any other part of the Tibet Autonomous Region. PSB Permit – Aliens' Travel Permit. By now, much of the Tibetan Autonomous Region outside Lhasa prefecture-level district is officially closed to foreign individual visitors. If you want to visit these "unopened" places, like Mt. Everest, you must further apply for a PSB Permit. If you are planning to travel to some military sensitive areas such as Mt. Kailash and Eastern Tibet, a military permit is required. Please Note: Recently, it is easier to issue Tibet permits if there are more than 6 people with the SAME nationality in a group. If you decide to travel to Tibet in next few months, the time to find your travel mates or create your travel group is now.

2. What do I need to do to obtain the Tibet travel permit?

You need to provide us with high quality scanned copies of your passport and China visa, as well as the following information, in order for us to help you get the Tibet travel permit. Full name Gender Date of birth Passport number Nationality

3. If I have a Tibet travel permit, is it ok to go to the sites without a guide?

By far, visitors can not apply for the travel permit independently and need to apply via a Tibet travel agency. Then, Travel agencies will allocate a tour guide with each group while applying for the permit. Usually, you cannot go to monasteries, tourist sites or outside Lhasa without a tour guide. There are other places where this is not a requirement, such as wandering around the city and bazaars. However, when you are alone outside, the local police may question you and at worse, you will be asked for your permit or get in trouble.

4. Can I travel to Tibet by myself?

According to China's regulation, individual travel to Tibet is not allowed. You have to take part in an organized group tour or customize your Tibet tour with a local travel operator.

5. When is the best time to visit Tibet?

Generally speaking, the best time to visit Tibet is between April and October, and from May to September is the peak season. However, if you can bear the cold weather having a winter tour will save your money and avoid the crowds.

6. Can I travel Tibet with my child?

Tibet may not be an ideal destination for young children. The climate and generally harsher conditions in Tibet may not be ideal for young children. The sights and attractions are not those which children like to visit and facilities will be very primitive. If you do decide to bring your young child to Tibet please ensure that you bring all your child’s daily needs with you.

7. Can I use my credit card in Tibet?

Credit cards are not recommended as a way of payment in Tibet because acceptance is very limited. They are only accepted by the Bank of China, upscale hotels and large shopping departments in Lhasa and Shigatse.

8. Is it easy to purchase a train ticket to Tibet now?

The popularity of taking a train to Tibet has resulted in a huge demand for Tibet train tickets among visitors. It's very difficult for individual travelers to get a ticket on their own. Even reliable travel agencies sometimes can not guarantee successful booking. So, flying into Tibet and returning by train is a good alternate choice.

9. What are the hotels like in Tibet?

Tourism in Tibet is in its infancy and the number of 5 star hotels is quite limited. The newer hotels have been built away from the city center to protect the city’s history and environment. Old hotels located in the city have a good location but will not provide the level of comfort of the newer hotels. The level of service and facilities may be quite basic. Hotels in small cities and the Everest Base Camp are very basic.

10. Does the hotel room have access to internet?

Some hotel rooms, not all, in Lhasa have access to internet, so you should inquiry your travel advisor for accurate information before making decision. Some hotels have a business center where you can use internet service.

11. What’s the weather like in Tibet?

Lhasa - Shigatse - Lhatse - Tingri - Nylam: May through August is the best time to visit this area. Mt.Everest Area: Early May and early October are the best time to visitMt. Everest. Due to the clear weather, you have great chance to seeMt. Everest's true face (if you are lucky). From December to February, you'd better not to go to this area because it is too cold - except you are real Great Adventure People. Ali (Mt.Kailash): Even without climate restrictions, this area is already inhospitable. Big rain and snow could make the journey worse. However, for those determined tourists, the appropriate time is May, June, July, September and October. Eastern Tibet: Don't go to this area in July or August (the rainy season) because the rain could ruin the road, and make terrible landslides. In winter, the road could be frozen. Northern Tibet: With the average altitude of 4,500m, this area offers very limited time for tourists. Summer (July to August) is the prime time to enjoy the great plain in northern Tibet.

12. What do you suggest we bring with us if we travel to Tibet?

For clothing, we suggest casual attire style and layered clothing. During the day time you may need a sweater or light jacket, but at night you may need a coat. A down coat is necessary if you go beyond Lhasa and Shigatse to remote areas, such as the Everest Camp or further to Mt.Kailash. Sun glasses, sun blocking cream and moisture cream are very necessary to be in your packing list.

13. What is high season? What is the definition for high season, shoulder season and low season?

High season marks the most popular times of the year for travel in Tibet, due to the weather, holiday periods or other reasons. Therefore hotels, airlines and travel agencies are heavily booked, and prices are higher than at other times.
The seasons are usually defined as follows:
High season: July 1 to October 15.
Shoulder season: May 1 to June 30.
Low season: October 16 to April 30. Travelers should also be aware that the peak holiday periods: first week in May, first week in October, and Chinese Spring Festival (often takes place in late January or early February) are particularly busy. Prices and bookings will be even higher than usual. Access Tibet Tour reserves the right to vary prices as a result of seasonal charges being imposed.

14. What currency do I have to use in Tibet?

The legal tender in Tibet is Renminbi (RMB). Foreign currencies can not be used directly. Foreign currencies may be converted into RMB at all banks, bank branches or hotels at the exchange rate quoted on the foreign exchange market. The Bank of China in Tibet is the bank which specializes in handing money exchange.

15. Is it easy to find an ATM in Tibet?

You won't have any problems finding an ATM in Lhasa and Shigatse, although you probably won't be able to find one in remote areas or smaller towns. However, this situation is changing, and ATMs are gradually spreading out across the land.

16. What credit cards are accepted in Tibet?

Most of the internationally accepted credit cards are usable in Lhasa. They include: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's club, and the JCB card of Japan. Credit cards are accepted only in large shopping stores. Credit card symbols are displayed in the visible place in shops and hotels indicating which credit cards are accepted.