Do you want to go to Tibet, in the heart of the Himalayas, but are overwhelmed by all the research, permits and planning that seems to be involved? If you need information on visas, permits, maps, regional info and more before you go, we have a Tibet travel guide for you. Read below for all the info you need to know.
It’s amazing how few people can find Tibet on a map. Lhasa, the capital city, is the cultural and historical hub of Tibet. What is Tibet and where is it? No, it’s not an embarrassing question. This travel guide page will answer all that.
Tibet is situated in the Tibetan Plateau. Its language has spread across the Himalayas and is spoken in Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan. Most of its cultural regions are now part of the People’s Republic of China, with the Tibet TAR and ten Autonomous Prefectures in Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan. If you’re going to Tibet soon, check out our article on how to visit!
Tibetan Buddhism is deeply ingrained in the daily lives of the locals, binding the people together through a strong Buddhist culture.
As the Tibetan Plateau is home to over 50 ethnic groups, more than 100 languages and over 220 Tibetan dialects, it’s hard to define Tibetan culture in a nutshell.
The name ‘Tibet’ comes from ancient Chinese and Arabic words. It was used to describe an empire ruled by a powerful dynasty of kings whose empire stretched as far east as Pakistan and as far south as Nepal and this bloodline was in power for over 1000 years. Our understanding of Tibet is often based on the imperial period (7th-10th century AD); not the isolated place we imagine but really a melting pot of cultures. The language, writing and religion developed then is still alive today and binds the people together through a strong Buddhist culture.
The Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama, is a symbol of Tibet’s history and culture.
The kings of Yarlung Valley in Lhasa had tremendous success in expanding their control over the Tibetan Plateau – the largest and highest geographical feature on Earth. In the process they traded and shared skills, absorbed other cultures and borrowed from powerful empires. Today ‘Tibet’ is the area conquered by these kings during their Golden Age. Unfortunately religious persecution and internal conflicts led to the demise of this great kingdom around the end of the 10th century. But Buddhism had a major revival and is a big part of ‘Tibetan Culture’ and deeply ingrained in Tibetan Buddhism. Check out our Tibet travel guide for all the info you need.
Under the Chinese Communist Party’s democratic centralism system, China is divided into 22 provinces and 5 autonomous regions. A Chinese province is composed of a prefecture, which is further divided into counties, townships and villages.
The Tibetan areas of PRC are Autonomous Prefectures:
The Tibetan cultural area can be broadly divided into three regions: U-Tsang (Central Tibet), Amdo Tibet and Kham Tibet. Each region has its own unique culture, dress, food and customs.
A map of the world will show you the area called Tibet, which is actually the Tibet TAR, a province of the People’s Republic of China. This is in fact the largest area of traditional Tibetan culture, where the kings once ruled the whole Tibet.
Its mountains, views and sacred lakes are considered sacred. It is also known as U-Tsang or Central Tibet and covers two provinces – U and Tsang – plus part of Zhangzhung (Ngari), a powerful kingdom conquered by the Tibetan King in the 7th century. It has many important monasteries, castles and monuments.
Tibet Autonomous Region Travel Destinations
In the eastern part of TAR, southern Qinghai, western Sichuan and northern Yunnan are Kham Tibetan cultural areas, which are famous for forestry, mountains and unique dress. Check the best tour in Kham for overland tour from Chengdu to Shangri-La for an extraordinary experience.
Kham Tibet Travel Destinations
In southwestern Gansu, Qinghai and northern Sichuan, Amdo Tibet is famous for its plains, scholars and its role in Tibet’s Buddhist revival. Check out the best Amdo tour packages.
Amdo Travel Destinations
Tibet is called the “Roof of the World” and is a place where you can find a mix of natural beauty, rich culture and spiritual significance. Located in the heart of the Himalayas, Tibet has the world’s highest mountains including the mighty Mt. Everest. The region has beautiful landscapes, from sacred lakes and rivers to valleys and peaks. This natural beauty and cultural heritage makes Tibet a must visit for any traveler looking for an adventure.
Tibetan culture is deeply connected with Buddhism and this spiritual heritage is visible in the many monasteries, temples and festivals. You can experience the culture by attending the festivals, visiting ancient monasteries or just interact with the friendly locals. Tibetan food, with momos (dumplings) and thukpa (noodle soup) is a must try. Experiencing Tibetan culture will give you a deeper understanding of the way of life and spiritual practices.
The Himalayas that run across Tibet offer some of the best trekking and hiking in the world. Trekkers can walk on many trails, including the famous Kailash trek which takes you through some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth. The Himalayas also has many iconic peaks including Mt. Everest, making it a paradise for climbers and adventure seekers. Whether you are an experienced mountaineer or a casual hiker, the Himalayas is the perfect place for exploration and adventure.
Visiting Tibet is expensive but worth it. The cost of a travel Tibet varies greatly depending on the length of your stay, type of accommodation and activities you want to do.
Most travelers arrive at Lhasa Gonggar Airport which is 60km away from Lhasa city.
A 7-10 day Tibet tour cost from $1,500 to $3,000 per person. This includes round trip flights from China to Lhasa, accommodation in Lhasa and other places, meals and snacks, transportation and guide services and entrance fees to attractions and monasteries. For a luxury experience, the cost can go up to $5,000 to $10,000 per person for the same duration.
Also note that the cost of visiting Tibet varies depending on the time of year. Peak season is from June to August which is the most expensive time to visit Tibet. During this period, there is high demand for Tibet tours and accommodation and prices go up. Shoulder season is from April to May and September to October which is better value for money with fewer tourists and moderate prices.
When planning your trip, think what kind of experience you want and budget accordingly. Whether you choose a budget adventure or a luxury journey, Tibet will be an experience you will never forget.
This Tibet travel tip will give you several options for transportation depending on where you are coming from. Qinghai is the most accessible region while those in western Sichuan need a long road trip. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway is the main transportation route, famous for its beautiful scenery and unique features, from Xining to Lhasa. You can also travel to Tibet from Kathmandu, Nepal which has direct flights to Lhasa. To avoid altitude sickness which usually occurs above 4500m (14763ft), it’s recommended to choose an overland route as it gives you more time to acclimatize. The Sichuan Tibet Highway is the main overland route, recently opened to foreigners and popular among adventure travelers. Departures and arrivals are mostly from/to cities at lower altitudes.
Travel Tibet from mainland China is a popular option for many tourists. The most common way to get to Tibet from China is by flight or train. There are several flights per day from major cities in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to Lhasa Gonggar Airport which is 60km away from Lhasa city.
Or you can take the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, a 20 hour journey that passes through snow mountains, valleys, alpine lakes and rivers. The train journey is scenic and comfortable and a good option for those who want to see the natural beauty of the Tibetan plateau.
Once you arrive in Lhasa, Tibet, you can take a taxi or bus to your hotel. It’s recommended to book your hotel in advance especially during peak season as Lhasa can get very crowded.
Also note that you need to obtain a Tibet Travel Permit before entering Tibet. This permit can be obtained through a licensed Tibet tour operator and usually included in the cost of your tour package.
You can only reach central Tibet by plane from Nepal or from points of departure within the PRC. Although the train ride is 21 hours, we recommend you to acclimatize as it gives you more time to acclimatize. A new rail line was built in 2006 and has modern facilities, sleeping compartments and dining cars. Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province is the starting point of the train trip on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway which is famous for its beautiful scenery. I would also recommend to do a short stay in Amdo by taking a day trip from Xining.
You can reach Kham Tibet from the capitals of Sichuan Province (Chengdu) or Qinghai Province (Xining). Although there are several domestic airports, it’s better to travel overland by bus or car to acclimatize. There is no train service in this area yet.
It’s perhaps most accessible to Amdo Tibet as the roads in Qinghai and Gansu are well maintained and the terrain is flat. Many people think it’s a great option to plan a tour to Amdo Tibet, the capital of Qinghai Province. Xining is the gateway to most of historic Amdo, the capital of Qinghai Province. But its southern regions are closer to Chengdu. However, information about Amdo Tibet travel guide here is important to know before you contact an Amdo tour operator.
Tibet is not best visited during summer, contrary to what many people think. While summer is beautiful, the same monsoon rains that sweep across the Indian subcontinent during summer (the origin of which is the Himalayan mountain range) pour over most of the plateau in June and July. The good news is that the grasslands flowers are in full bloom. The temperature is much warmer during summer months. Check the best information on best time to visit Tibet to get more insight before you go.
Trekking in Tibet is best done in late summer or early fall (especially from late July to late September) when the flowers are fading but the rain has stopped.
Winter on the plateau lasts from mid-October to early May. It even swallows up Spring in its midst. Winter can be very cold in many places but the sky is very blue and the rivers are turquoise with glacial melt. Winter is the dry season so you will not find many snowy places until late winter or early spring as the sun is very strong during the day.
There are only two ways to enter the Tibets’ TAR. Most importantly, you should know the different Tibet visas from China or from Nepal. Read the following Tibet travel guide to know what visa to process.
You know what? China has announced 15 to 30 days visa free entry for Franch, Spanish, German, Italian, Netherlands and Malaysian nationalities from Dec 1, 2023 to Nov 30, 2024! Read our latest update about all China visa-free countries and list.
To travel to Tibet independently, tourists must book through a local Tibet travel agency in Lhasa and cannot travel solo as per the Chinese government regulations. Joining an organized Tibet tour is mandatory, with a licensed guide and special travel permits to Tibet.
This is the easiest way to take train or flight from any convenient cities from mainland China. To get to China first, you need to process Chinese Visa from the Chinese embassy to your country. Chinese visa can also be processed in any country if it’s not available in your country. Tibet Travel agencies in Lhasa are not responsible for any matters of getting your visa. Once you get Chinese visa, a Tibetan travel agency will process your permit by submitting your documents (copies of your passport and Chinese visa) to Tibet tourism bureau (TTB). This will take two weeks.
You can take direct flight to Lhasa or book a tour route from Kyirung border to Lhasa. However, you need to process Tibet Group Visa (some call it Tibet visa) from Chinese embassy to Kathmandu. Nepal is the only country where you can get Tibet Group visa for Tibet. You don’t need Chinese visa from your country except a visa for Nepal. To get group visa from Kathmandu, you need to book a Tibet tour with a licensed travel agency in Lhasa Tibet who will send you a visa invitation letter. You can’t get group visa with yourself but our partner travel agency in Kathmandu who will handle this process within 3 working days.
The partner travel agency will need your original passports along with the invitation letter to get the visa. At arrival by overland or by flight, Tibet tour guide will be at the border or airport to receive you with your travel permit, and help through all checkpoints.
The average altitude of the Tibetan Plateau is over 4,500 meters. So chances are that no matter how good of health you are in, you may experience altitude sickness. Usual symptoms include headaches, dizziness, trouble sleeping, fatigue, and shortness of breathe, and dehydration. In rare and extreme cases altitude sickness can result in edema. Serious high altitude sickness is almost always the result of ascending too quickly.
A slow ascent and taking rest days to allow for acclimatization are simple steps that can help to make your trip safe and enjoyable. As you ascend in altitude, the air gets thinner and your body begins to overproduce red blood cells to compensate for the decrease in oxygen. Within 72 hours your body will adjust and you can continue to ascend.
High Altitude sickness is not an issue for those foreign travelers traveling below 2500 meters (8000 feet); however, the body reacts differently to different heights, even a minor elevation can cause a major change in one’s physical well-being. Pay attention to your body and don’t be afraid to take it slow if you start to feel unwell.
On top of that, dehydration is common in the high altitude; hence, lots of water should be consumed as protection from the scorching sun. Furthermore, Tibetan Plateau’s conditions act as a shield against many diseases; thus, please ensure your immunizations are up-to-date. Fortunately, no extra shots are needed unless otherwise specified.
As a responsible traveler, you should consider the impact of your visit to local communities in Tibet. Here are ways you can support local communities on your Tibet tour:
By supporting local communities you will help preserve Tibet culture and contribute to the local economy and your visit will have a positive impact.
Tibetan food is a mix of Chinese, Indian and Nepalese cuisine. Here are some of the local Tibetan dishes to try:
These can be found in local restaurants and teahouses in Tibet. Trying these local dishes will give you a taste of the region’s unique flavor and culture and make your Tibet trip more meaningful.
Yes, traveling to Tibet is generally safe for tourists. However, please stay updated with travel advisories and follow local guidelines. Please have the necessary Tibet permits and travel with a registered Tibet tour operator for a smooth trip.
No, tourists cannot visit Tibet independently. The Chinese government requires travelers to book Tibet tours through registered local travel agencies. A licensed guide must accompany you and special travel permits are required for entry.
The best time to visit Tibet is in the spring (April to May) and fall (September to October). During these periods the weather is mild and there are fewer tourists so it’s more enjoyable.
You can travel to Tibet from mainland China by flight or train. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway is a scenic route from Xining to Lhasa. Please have a Chinese visa and Tibet travel permit before you travel.
Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Everest Base Camp, Namtso Lake and Mount Kailash. Each place has its own cultural and natural highlights.
Adventures In Tibet is a highly trusted and reliable travel agency, renowned for offering the best-organized tours across the Tibetan plateau. With expert planning, personalized services, and a commitment to exceptional experiences, we ensure every traveler enjoys a seamless and unforgettable journey to the Roof of the World.
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