China Travel Forum

[morgan]

Hi,
I was wondering how difficult it is to take a tour to Tibet. Do I simply need to get a visa to enter China or does it require more than simply a visa? I am thinking of going in November. Any recommendations about visiting Tibet would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[kamal]

Normally it's quite easy, at the moment there are some problems , but it will be probably back to normal in November. What you need is a regular tourist visa, no need to mention Tibet on the application When in China go for places like Chengdu. It's the most easy entry point. In Chengdu about every guesthouse has a travel agency that from day to day can arrange the Tibet permit and one way flight. You can then stay in Tibet as long as your visa is valid (no extension possible in Tibet).
The standard would be spending a couple of days in Lhasa getting used to the altitude and then find people to share a 4wd for a weeks trip including YamDrok Tso, Gyantse, Shigatse, Sakya and Everest. Then either going to the Nepali border or back to Lhasa. There are several posts every week about travelling in Tibet and there are also some very good posts on the FAQ. A simple search will turn up a lot of information.

[marhab]

Regarding the altitude..........drink lots of bottled water and I recommend popping 125mg of diamox in the morning and another in the evening the day before arriving Lhasa. Diamox is effective for about 7-10 days. if you are heading to everest base camp....be sure to stay somewhere at 14,000+ for two days!
Also, before you leave home, have your doctor prescribe dephenoxylate (lomotil) for loose bowels and ciprofloxacin (cipro) - major antibiotics. No one wants to use 'pills' but no need to be uncomfortable.

[Gray]

As others said at the moment the situation in Lhasa is pretty sensitive, if you are going to Lhasa you have to ask the travel agency to give you the permit physically in hand, otherwise you might get in trouble. You can either obtain it in Kathmandu or in Chengdu ( Somebody get it in Xi'an, but it's more expensive ). Usually you can get the best deal in Chengdu where is the popular jump point for travelers, you can get it in any of hostels around Chengdu like the old popular Sam's guesthouse ( No website ) or the newest Mix & backpackers' ( www.donkey-pal.com ). And another unproved news, the flights to Lhasa might have to be cancelled in September... Hope it's helpful for you.
Travel when you are young...