Tibet Travel Information

How would I go to Tibet?

Access to Tibet by Air from Kathmandu:

A consistent air connection exists between Kathmandu and Lhasa. No other country in the world offers a direct flight connection to Lhasa. The months with the maximum frequency of flights are April, May, June, July, August, and September. A decrease in visitors will significantly affect the number of flights from October to March. The airlines will suspend operations from December to April due to the lowest volume of visitors.

Access to Tibet by Air from the mainland of China:

Chengdu and Lhasa are connected by numerous flights each day. Therefore, Chengdu, located in mainland China, is the starting point for the journey to Tibet. All major cities in China frequently connect to Chengdu by air. You may fly to other significant cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xining, Chongqing, and Guangzhou, from your country of origin and subsequently connect to Chengdu before continuing to Lhasa on a flight.

Overland tour to Tibet from Kathmandu:

From Kathmandu, you may drive to the Rasuwa Gadhi border between China and Nepal to enter Tibet. Rasuwa Gadhi, located on the Nepal-China frontier, is a 180-kilometer voyage from Kathmandu. The highway ultimately reaches Rasuwa Gadhi by passing through Syaphru village, Trishuli Valley, and Dhunche (the gateway to the Langtang region). Certain road sections are prone to landslides during the monsoon season (June, July, and August). Even though the highway is secure for the remainder of the year, its slender and rugged character in this sector hinders the operation of large vehicles with extended chassis.

Access to Tibet by train via Qinghai to Lhasa route:

One may undertake an extraordinary railway expedition to Tibet from Chengdu and other locations in mainland China. However, you start your train voyage from any major city in mainland China, with Chengdu as the ultimate endpoint. Chengdu is an essential gateway to Tibet from mainland China. The journey will end in Lhasa after traversing the Golmud and Tibet Qinghai routes, beginning from Chengdu. While travelling, one may see several lakes, vast meadows, and scenic mountain passes decorated with a pure blanket of snow. This train excursion is perhaps the most magnificent adventure on Earth.

This train journey is the most elevated on the planet; hence, you will undoubtedly see high mountain passes. When travelling at high elevations, it is typical to have symptoms of high altitude sickness. You may not be an exceptional case. However, the train is equipped with oxygen facilities. To reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness, one can help them by using supplementary oxygen.

The distance from Chengdu to Lhasa via the Tibet-Qinghai Highway is about 3070 kilometres. The journey from Chengdu to Lhasa is around 34 hours and 30 minutes. In contrast, the journey from Lhasa to Chengdu takes 36 hours since it covers the same distance. The train with the identification number Z322 leaves from the Chengdu West Railway Station in Chengdu at 21:11 and reaches its destination in Lhasa on the third day at 07:41 am. The Lhasa Railway Station, located in Lhasa, is the departure point. The train identification number Z324 leaves from Lhasa at 19:00 hours and arrives in Chengdu at 07:03 on the third day.

How do you get a travel permit and the Tibet group visa in Kathmandu?

To get permission and a group visa for Tibet, it is essential to hold a valid ordinary passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of arrival in Tibet. Official or diplomatic passports are ineligible for obtaining a Tibet group visa. If you possess an official or diplomatic passport, your travel permit and visa approval should be obtained via the appropriate channels in Beijing. The Chinese embassy and consulate lack the jurisdiction to address a situation of this kind.

If you have a valid individual Chinese visa, please send us a copy after you have finalized the program and registered for the trip. Nevertheless, the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu will revoke your visa and issue a group visa. Any current visas will be taken away when a group visa is issued. You may reapply for the same visa in Kathmandu or return home after your journey to Tibet. You will be awarded the same visa category without any complications.

Is it possible to travel to Tibet via mainland China?

You can access Tibet through the mainland if you have a valid individual Chinese visa. However, getting a Chinese visa alone is not enough to go to Tibet. You will need a travel permit and your passport, which can be obtained from the Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa. You may apply for this approval via the travel agent planning your vacation. Travellers cannot apply directly for a travel permit. After receiving the travel permit, we can send you a copy to mainland China, where you will board your flight or train.

You can fly from your home country to one of the main cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, or Chengdu. Starting from that location, you can take a connecting flight to Lhasa or choose a railway trip to Lhasa that passes along the Tibet Qinghai Highway.

In addition, you may consider taking a trip to Lhasa by car via the route of National Highway 318. This trip requires at least 4 to 5 days to get to Lhasa. This is considered the best and most breathtaking of all the drives in the world. The trip begins in Chengdu, continues into the Kham area of the Tibetan Plateau, and continues via Nyingchi to Lhasa.

What currency can you use in Tibet?

Yuan, the Chinese currency, is used in Tibet. Only a few stores accept US dollars, and the exchange rate may be poor. Lhasa has only a few ATMs; you can't find them anywhere else. It would be best to exchange your currency for Yuan at the Nepal-Tibet border or Lhasa.

What gear should you pack?

Since temperatures in Tibet may fluctuate significantly, we advise you to pack clothing for all eventualities. It is also essential to have wet weather attire. Sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen are necessary in Tibet due to the intense light and high UV factor. It is important to remember to carry a sufficient amount of sunscreen with you when you go to Tibet since it is not widely accessible there. Additionally, wearing a hat with a brim is advised to provide additional protection.

The following is a checklist of the items which you should pack:

• Walking boots and sandals (or trainers are OK)
• Water/windproof jacket
• Sweatshirts
• T-shirts
• At least one thick sweater
• Shorts/skirts
• Trousers/track pants
• Thermal underwear
• Water bottle
• Warm socks, preferably woollen
• Swiss army knife
• Torch with spare batteries
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Personal medical supplies
• Towels
• Day pack (for valuable items such as camera, money, passport)
• Rucksack for clothes
• Down jackets and sleeping bags (we can provide these on request)
• Warm hat with sun protection
• Gloves