tibet travel reddit

Tibet is a mysterious place, and many solo travellers may be wondering whether it’s safe to explore alone. The short answer is yes! Visiting Tibet solo is often one of the most rewarding experiences in a traveller’s life.

While many of the rules are similar to those when travelling in China, there are certain things to keep in mind while travelling through Tibet. Here are five top questions that solo travellers ask about visiting Tibet.

An Eating & Drinking Tour of Brooklyn, NYC

Table for One? Yes please.

5 Tips For The Perfect Solo City Break

1 do you need a special visa for tibet.

You don’t need a visa to travel to Tibet, but you do need a permit. Except for February and March, Tibet is generally accessible to foreign tourists. Both a Chinese visa and a special Tibet permit are required to enter. It is a frequent misconception that you need a separate visa for Tibet. In reality, there is no such thing as a Tibet visa.

You will need a Chinese visa to visit China, and this can be organised by yourself at a Chinese embassy or consulate in your native country.

As mentioned above, a Tibet travel permit is required to visit the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) along with your Chinese visa. This is the region where Lhasa and Mount Everest are located. A Tibet travel permit is something that only a registered Tibet travel agency can handle for you. (Be sure to hire an authentic Tibetan-owned agency – don’t be fooled by Chinese agencies pretending to be local and Tibetan-owned).

2 How can I stay safe in Tibet?

Tibet is definitely safer than many other places in the world, but you should still take precautions while visiting.

Driving safety

We had a near-accident in Eastern Tibet some years back and it could have been avoided.

The accident happened at night when our driver had already been driving for several hours. We were afraid the driver was going too fast on a winding, hilly route before the incident. We didn’t say anything since it felt odd to speak up.

We almost missed a sharp turn by a bridge and slid on gravel to the very crumbling edge of an over drop by a river, all within the space of just a few minutes.

15 Essential Safety Tips For The Solo Traveller

Here are our lessons learned:

1) Determine ahead of time with your agency or tour organiser a fair number of hours per day for your driver, including rests.

2) If you are uneasy about the driver’s driving, speak up. You’re a client and a passenger, and you have the right to feel safe.

In the winter, and on any high pass at any time of year, you’ll need either a four-wheel drive or chains for your car.

Make sure your driver has chains since it’s rather expensive to hire a four-wheel-drive these days in TAR.

Animal safety

If you’re travelling to remote regions where there’s a chance you won’t be able to access the Rabies Immune Globulin, a component of the rabies series a person receives after a bite, see your doctor about getting rabies vaccinations before you travel.

In smaller towns and villages throughout Tibet, there are many stray dogs, and visitors in more remote regions are at risk of being bitten, especially by dogs guarding yak herds or nomad homes. (Lhasa or other cities or larger towns don’t tend to be a problem.)

We used an ultrasonic dog repellant gadget that sends a sound to dogs that only they can hear and dislike. Some dogs didn’t appear to care, while others fled the area.

The majority of the dogs in towns and around monasteries are calm, but it is a good idea to watch them, especially in remote areas.

Food safety

As the old travelling slogan goes, cook it, boil it, peel it, or forget it!

Eat food cooked in your presence and still hot when served as street food. On the other hand, the loaves of bread sold every morning at roadside stalls throughout Tibet seemed fine, even if they were not baked just then.

Only use boiled, treated, or bottled water to brush your teeth and drink. Coffee, tea, and hot water are all acceptable when served hot.

In Tibet, you may get diarrhoea or constipation even when following these essential eating and drinking rules.

See a travel doctor for hard-core stomach issues and prescription medications. We also brought over-the-counter antidiarrheal tablets (Immodium).

You should also be aware that constipation can be as dangerous and frustrating as diarrhoea in Tibet. We believe it’s due to chronic dehydration. We consume a lot of water, and we bring fibre packets and Miralax to assist with the flow.

If you become sick easily while driving, you might want to carry some motion-sickness medication with you.

Now that you know that it’s relatively safe and easy to travel Tibet on your own, you may be wondering…

3 Can you travel independently in Tibet?

Sadly, no, you cannot travel to Tibet independently.

To visit the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), you must be part of an organised tour through a properly registered and accredited tour agency in Tibet.

The good news is that your organised tour may be a private one with just you or a group of friends or family.

Please let me know if you want us to suggest a Tibet travel agency for a group or private excursion.

You can travel independently outside the TAR, such as in large sections of Kham and Amdo’s Eastern Tibetan regions.

4 How to avoid altitude sickness in Tibet?

Altitude sickness is a concern for anyone heading to Tibet, with an average elevation of 4,500 metres/ 14,750 feet.

The good news is that there are a few easy things you can do to avoid altitude sickness from ruining your trip.

In a nutshell, we recommend:

If you’re going to Lhasa, Xining, or other high-altitude areas, stay at an intermediate elevation for a few nights on the way.
Taking the train from Xining to Lhasa.
Diamox is the only proven altitude sickness prevention drug, so you should ask your doctor or a travel doctor if you are a good candidate for it.
When you get to Lhasa’s high altitude, allow at least a few days for rest.
Ascend to higher elevations by following established acclimatisation standards.

5 How to save money while travelling Tibet alone?

It’s not feasible for most people to visit Tibet on a small budget. The Chinese government’s various travel rules and limitations make this difficult.

You can save money by:

Travelling in winter: winters are pretty cold but not as cold as you may think. And winter offers lower prices and fascinating local culture in and around Lhasa.
Avoid single supplement expenses by sharing a room with another traveller.
Going with a group: travelling in Tibet can be quite expensive. However, by joining a group tour , you may help to keep your expenditures low.

Three of the most popular group tours are:

Lhasa Highlights
Everest Base Camp
Mount Kailash (if you have at least two and a half weeks to travel).

You can easily join a group to share the fun during any of the tours mentioned above.

Hopefully, this article will help you steer clear of the more challenging aspects of travelling to Tibet on your own.

Yolanda kindly provides all photos.

Share this post:

Hear from Solo Living now and then by signing up to our mailing list

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Yolanda O'Bannon

Can we send you our newsletter, popular on solo living.

Young People and the 50-30-20 Rule; Why It's Unrealistic For Young People

Why The 50-30-20 Rule Is Unrealistic For Young People

Maximising Your Garden’s Yield Through Pest Prevention

Where Do Solos Want To Live And What Do They Want From Their Homes?

Galentine's Day: How to host a special dinner for your female friends

Galentine’s Day: Hosting A Special Dinner For Your Female Friends

Maximising Space: Designing A Home Gym For Small Spaces

Maximising Your Space: Designing A Home Gym For Small Spaces

My Reality Of Travelling Solo For The First Time

Cooking for one and solo dining, start typing and press enter to search.

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

How to Travel Tibet Guide

Tibet Travel

High in the Himalayas inside an ancient temple, it begins. The Trumpets commence surging through mountain valley; the chanting of monks mixed in with the scent of juniper incense billows from the wrathful deity’s altar. Then, slowly, drums begin to pound from the tantric shrine only to be masked by the thick, butter lamp filled air. I lose myself in it all. This is a regular scene for those travelers who make it to Tibet. The land of snow is the kind of journey that travelers for centuries have been dreaming of.

A journey to the roof of the world is one of the most iconic journeys for a traveler to undertake. Here you will face the dangers of high altitude, confusing permits, and constant travel bans, but past all the bureaucracy is an ancient land of mystical deities, stark natural beauty and a culture that is so addictive and fascinating. All these reasons make it well worth the difficulties of getting to and traveling through Tibet.

Why You Should Travel Tibet

There are so many reasons why you should travel Tibe t, but first, let’s look at a reason I have heard why you shouldn’t travel Tibet. The first and most common I have heard is the fact Tibet has lost its independence to China. Because of China’s political indoctrination of Tibet, many believe that travel here is further encouraging this. This couldn’t be more wrong.

In fact, the Dalai Lama himself has encouraged travel to Tibet. Traveling through the land of snow you will show Tibetans that they have not been forgotten. By traveling here, you can talk with and share your ideas and beliefs with the people of Tibet. This is vital to ensure that Tibetans do not lose their precious culture and beliefs.

Tibetans love to see foreigners as well! Often you will be invited in for the ubiquitous Tibetan yak butter tea. The hospitality of Tibetans is quite possibly one of the greatest reasons to visit!

Tibetan culture and history are also very prevalent compared to what many will tell you. Its true that Chinese modernization is creeping further into Tibet, but the resilient Tibetans have maintained their culture amongst these tribulations.

Vast empty valleys, soaring glacier filled mountain peaks, ancient temples that have stood the test of time, Buddhist pilgrimages that even the most jaded hiker will find tough and Tibet’s stunning culture are all reasons that you should consider a trip here. Simply put, Tibet is incredible.

Visa and Permit for Tibet

Tibet travel does require foreign nationals to acquire a Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) Permit , and countless other permits if you plan to travel outside Lhasa. Because of Tibet’s current situation, you are also required to take an organized tour here. This, however, works hand in hand as your tour company will do all the permit work for you. Simply send them your passport copy and they will contact the proper authorities for you.

The biggest downside to these permits is when you arrive in Tibet you cannot change your itinerary. Coming back from Mount Kailash we passed by an amazing temple sitting on a plateau in the mountains. Because we did not have a permit to see this specific temple, stopping was not an option. It was frustrating, to say the least.

How to Get to Tibet

Tibet is huge! Getting here can seem like a daunting experience, and unless you’re a Chinese National you only have two options, train or plane. This is because China has restricted all other forms of transport including the incredible overland bus routes through Yunnan and Sichuan provinces. The main port is Lhasa where all planes and trains end so that you can enter Tibet’s separate immigration from China.

Tibet Train – In my opinion, the train is the best option to get to Tibet from China . The route starts in Beijing and works its way past the deserts of Inner Mongolia, the Lush forests of Sichuan, and then High into the mountains of Qinghai. You can board from the few stops it makes or you can start the journey from Chengdu rather than Beijing.

The scenery is well worth the 40-hour train journey. The journey by train crosses the world’s highest pass and they pump oxygen into your cabin to help any symptoms of Acute Altitude Sickness.

Train to Lhasa Tip – Book early! This is possibly the hardest ticket to book as all the tickets will book up in seconds during high season. If you are lucky a company can get you a scalped ticket at a highly inflated price. I paid 170 USD for a cabin with four beds.

Flights To Tibet – Landing in Tibet on a cloudless day might just be the world’s greatest descent. If the weather permits you can see Mount Everest looming in the distance as you drop into Lhasa’s epic mountain-fringed valley. The upside with flying is there are now plenty of flights every day heading to Lhasa. If flights are booked up you can easily fly into Chengdu and then on to Lhasa either same day or next day.

The downside with flying to Tibet is it’s expensive! If you don’t book early enough, prices vary from 300 – 400 USD one way! Seat sales and booking early enough can get you a two-way ticket for 400 – 600 USD.

You also do not get any time to acclimatize to Lhasa’s 3,656 m altitude making the chance of getting altitude sickness symptoms much higher. If you fly in, make sure you have at least three days to acclimatize to the altitude before heading to higher places!

Costs to Traveling Tibet

There is no way around it, Tibet isn’t a cheap destination to travel. If you are looking for a private customized tour, prices will be extremely high, especially if you want to head to the remote western regions.

Prices for traveling Tibet are high because of the mandatory tour you must take. The average tour will cost upwards of 100 USD per day, plus extra for food and shopping. Joining larger tours will lower the prices, but on many of these tours, you will be crammed in a large bus, sometimes with a group of Chinese tourists.

With Tibet Tours , you really do get what you pay for. I went with Tibetan Highland Tours. They are a budget Tibet Travel Company that is Tibetan owned and run. I did a few customized private tours with them as well and they were very affordable.

Not all tours include food and drinks and the more remote you get in Tibet, the more ridiculously priced the food gets. Keep this in mind for places like Mount Kailash. Shopping is also quite pricey, especially in Lhasa. If you are heading to smaller towns try to pick up souvenirs there as not only are they cheaper, but you’re more likely supporting a Tibetan than a massive Chinese company.

My Favourite Places in Tibet

Jokhang Temple in Lhasa Tibet – Tibet’s oldest and arguably most special Temple situated in Lhasa is oozing with atmosphere. Pilgrims adorning colorful Tibetan outfits make the pilgrimage from every corner of Tibet to come here. Entering the main hall with the pilgrims you will walk by chanting monks and bright gold wrathful deity statues. The air is thick with Juniper and Butter lamps adding to this incredible place.

Mount Kailash – The holiest mountain in the world is said to hold a secret energy that you can tap into by hiking the 50km circuit around this gorgeous mountain. Kailash is tucked away in the far western corner of Tibet and requires quite the journey to get to. Apart from giving yourself a boost of karma on the Mount Kailash circuit , you will also join countless pilgrims on a trek that has been happening for centuries!

Namtso Lake – One of the world’s highest altitude lakes, Namtso also takes top for one of the most beautiful lakes in Tibet. The frigid emerald blue waters are surrounded by soaring clouded Himalayan peaks, and fields of colorfully dressed white yaks. The lake is also considered to be very sacred, coming here you will see many pilgrims, and Brokpa Nomads from the northern plains of Tibet.

Yarlung Valley – Tibet’s oldest valley, and the cultural hub of the nation. Yarlung is home to Stunning temples, caves that require nerves of steel to crawl into, and fortresses that have guarded the entrance to Tibet against invading forces. The natural beauty of Yarlung is also something to be witnessed. The stark rocky mountains give way to cultivated and green farming valleys making Yarlung easily one of the most spectacular places I saw in Tibet.

Best Things To Do in Tibet

Discovering Tibetan Buddhism – Take part in a Tibetan Buddhist Pilgrimage hike. Simply just meander through the halls of one of Tibet’s many Temples. Whichever way you choose to do it, discovering the history of this place and how Buddhism shaped Tibetan culture is an incredible experience. The Tibetan way of life is deeply rooted in a spiritual connection to Buddhism.

Hiking the Tibetan Plateau – Tibet has so many hiking opportunities it’s hard to choose! From multi-day pilgrimages around Kailash, remote Himalayan valleys home to Nomads or traversing the shores of sacred lakes. Hiking in Tibet is one of the few places on earth where you are guaranteed to be above 4000 m almost the entire duration of the hike, making this some of the most challenging, but rewarding hiking opportunities out there!

Sipping Yak Butter Tea – After a long high altitude hike through the plateau, there is nothing better than entering a warm Tibetan tea house and having Tibetan tea. It comes salty or sweet but is always guaranteed to be hot and buttery. These tea houses can be found everywhere in Tibet, and your guide will most likely expect to stop every couple hours for a top up of butter tea. Its also the meeting point for Tibetans to socialize and discuss, making for quite an authentic experience.

Hanging Prayer Flags on Mountain Passes – “Ahhh Sa Sa Saaa!” our driver yells as we cross yet another 5000 m pass. Mountain passes are not just the place to stop for an amazing photo but are considered sacred places where the colorful prayer flags are hung to gain karma and bless your journey. The harder the journey is the more Karma you attain, meaning save those prayer flags for the hardest pass you tackle! I hung my flags at the Drolma La Pass (5630m) on the north end of Mount Kailash .

Staying Healthy in Tibet

Tibet is a safe place to travel, the main issue travelers face here is Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS. Pretty much all travelers will experience some form of AMS symptoms on their journey through Tibet. Symptoms Include:

Swelling of Hands
Loss of Breath

Severe symptoms lead to pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) and cerebral edema (swelling of the brain). Both can lead to death and must be taken VERY seriously.

The best way to prevent AMS is to acclimatize. Starting at a lower altitude, spend a few days doing mild walks and activities, do not drink alcohol or smoke. Be sure to drink plenty of water at all times. After a few days, you can begin to do higher altitude hikes, but it’s better to return to lower altitudes to sleep for the first while.

If at any time your symptoms begin to become sever you must go to a lower altitude, take administered oxygen and consider taking medications like Diamox which can help relieve severe symptoms.

Tibetan Highland Tours

When I traveled to Tibet I went with Tibetan Highland Tours. I chose this company first because of the price and secondly because it is Tibetan owned and operated. All my Tibetan guides were incredibly knowledgeable, and Tibetan Highland Tours knew about every corner of the country. Check them out HERE to see what their next upcoming tours are.

Stephen Gollan

Uncharted Backpacker is a glimpse at the past eleven years of globetrotting I have done. Now at over ninety countries I share my travel knowledge for you so you too can travel the world and see what wonders it has to offer.

Learning to Ski at Sunshine Village, Banff

Travel Iraq Guide

Uncharted Backpacker – A Recollective Journey into the World of Traveling

Traveling to Tibet FAQs and Tips

What should I be aware of when going to the Tibetan Autonomous Region? See answers to our Traveling to Tibet FAQs and Tips.

(updated April, 2024)

How do I get to Tibet?

Do I need a permit?

If I’m already in China, how do I get a Tibet Travel Permit?
How is the weather in the Tibetan Autonomous Region?
Can I access internet in the Tibetan Autonomous Region?
Is Tibet ever closed to foreign visitors?
Is there a risk of high altitude sickness?
Do I need vaccinations for traveling to Tibet?
How are bathrooms in the Tibetan Autonomous Region?
Have more questions?

How do I get to Tibet?

Tibet can only be accessed via mainland China or Nepal. We recommend entering through mainland China, as the Tibet Travel Permit can be applied for in advance if using this route. If you enter through Nepal, you must apply for a new Chinese visa in Kathmandu (if you already have a valid Chinese visa, it will not be accepted, and will be canceled in order to apply for the new one on-site in Kathmandu) before you can apply for Tibet Travel Permit.

When entering Tibet via mainland China, you have two options: flight or train.

There usually direct flight options from Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi’an Kunming and Shangri-La. Flying is the quickest and most-direct option.

The train is an overnight journey from Xining to Lhasa and takes ~22 hours. This is a great option if you have more time, are interested in seeing the scenery along the Tibetan plateau, and seeking a slower acclimatization to the elevation.

You will need a Tibet Travel Permit in order to enter the region. WildChina will arrange this permit for you and send it to you before you fly to the Tibetan Autonomous Region, but please be aware that travel to and within TAR is subject to change with very little notice. In order to do this, you will need to first have a valid Chinese visa. Since the permit takes up to 14 days to process, please ensure you apply for your Chinese visa ahead of time so that it is ready at least 15 days before you intend to enter the Tibetan Autonomous Region.

We advise arranging a phone call with your travel designer before applying for your Chinese visa so we can explain in more detail what to expect and how best to apply.

Once you’ve received your Chinese tourist visa (L visa), we will require a scanned copy of the photo page of your passport and your Chinese visa page, in order to apply for your Tibet Travel Permit.

If traveling outside of Lhasa (still in Tibet) you will also require an Alien’s Travel Permit and Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit (TTB Permit). This will be arranged by WildChina and you will receive the permit once in Lhasa. The cost of these is already included in the land cost.

The Tibet Public Security Bureau requires that a detailed itinerary is submitted when applying for these documents and this itinerary must be followed precisely. As such, it is important to be aware that unplanned deviations from our itinerary are not usually possible.

When handling your Tibet Travel Permit, please take care, as there is a small (not-very-sticky) sticker, which renders the document valid. If this sticker fal ls off, the document is no longer considered valid and will be rejected by authorities.

If I’m already in China, how do I get a Tibet Travel Permit?

If you are working in China and hold a different type of visa than L (tourist), you will

need to provide both a scanned copy of the photo page of your passport and your Chinese visa page, as well as the below additional paperwork:

Business (F) visa – a letter of recommendation from your company (with the official company seal).
Work (Z) visa – a letter of recommendation from your company (with the official company seal) and a scanned copy of your work permit.
Student (X) visa – a letter of recommendation from your school or university, with the school stamp (seal) and a scanned copy of the student ID card.
Other Types – Diplomats, journalists, and government officials have separate requirements.

Please email us directly to inquire about getting a TTP for these visa types.

How is the weather in the Tibetan Autonomous Region?

Temperatures in the Tibetan Autonomous Region can drop dramatically in the evening. Remember to bring plenty of layers of warm clothing or, if you prefer to travel light, we also recommend purchasing warm clothing in Lhasa then donating the items to a local school/orphanage at the end of your trip!

Can I access internet in the Tibetan Autonomous Region?

Wifi is available in all hotels we use in the region, however it is relatively slow in some areas. 4G is not available, and if you use a VPN service, it may be slower than normal.

Is Tibet ever closed to foreign visitors?

Tibet is closed to foreign visitors during certain months of each year. Exact dates differ each year with little to no warning depending on current circumstances, but the Tibetan Autonomous Region continuously does not issue travel permits for the month of March.

Is there a risk of high altitude sickness?

Lhasa sits at an elevation of 3,656 meters (11,990 feet), and at this height, high-altitude sickness is a risk. High altitudes can make activities, and possibly sleep, more difficult and Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can result in headache, nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite.

We recommend visiting your physician to discuss your risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) 4-8 weeks before departure if you’re traveling in high altitude locations, mainly Xinjiang, Tibet and Yunnan. It is likely he/she will suggest taking Diamox (like with any medication, there are possible side effects, so be sure to ask your doctor about specific compatibility), starting 1 day before you reach the high altitude region and continuing while you ascend.

Once there, it’s important to drink plenty of water. WildChina itineraries are planned as such that you have plenty of time to adjust to the altitude and so you can fully enjoy your trip. In the unlikely event of serious altitude sickness, emergency evacuation measures will be taken.

Most luxury hotels in Lhasa provide a free oxygen lounge and a clinic to help with adjusting, and all WildChina guides and vehicles have emergency-use oxygen on-hand at all times.

If you suffer from high altitude sickness, your local guide and our staff will quickly help you to lower altitude and to the nearest hospital if needed. If you need to leave Tibet early due to altitude sickness, please contact your trip designer so they can assist with booking the earliest-possible departure flight.

Do I need vaccinations for traveling to Tibet?

We recommend visiting your personal physician or a travel clinic 4-8 weeks before departure for information regarding vaccinations. For your convenience when speaking to a doctor, we have included the most useful links regarding recommended immunizations prior to traveling in China.

Many immunizations require at least 10-14 days before becoming effective and should be obtained before you travel to China –especially if you plan to visit more remote, rural areas such as Tibet and Yunnan, or spend a lot of time outdoors.

Helpful resources:

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Medical recommendations specific to travel in Tibet

How are bathrooms in the Tibetan Autonomous Region?

Hotel bathrooms are generally high standard with Western toilets. However, bathrooms in local restaurants or places of interest will be quite basic and at times, it may be more pleasant to avoid these toilets and use nature instead. As such, we recommend packing a small toilet kit to bring with you, including tissues, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes. Your guide will also have tissues on-hand for you if needed.

Have more questions?

For more information on travel to and around China, feel free to contact us at [email protected] to speak to one of our travel experts.

Ready to plan an unforgettable journey to Tibet?

Take a more profound look at spiritual life in Tibet. You’ll travel through its heart, touring in a loop from Lhasa, along the shores of Yamdrok Tso Lake, through rolling foothills, to Gyantse, Shigatse, and back. At each stop, an adventure, a new facet of Tibetan life to explore.

Travel to Tibet with WildChina

Related Journeys with WildChina

Soul of Tibet

The Red Dragon and Lhasa

Sho Dun Festival in Tibet

Escape to Lhasa

Beijing Address:

803 Oriental Place, 9 East Dongfang Rd, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100027

Shanghai Address:

A12, 3rd Floor, SIP, No. 1318, North Sichuan Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai

Chengdu Address:

26th Floor, No. 1-2 Hangkong Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan

Yangshuo Address:

No. 26 Furong Road, Yangshuo, Guangxi

+86 10 6465 6602

+1 888 902 8808 (Toll Free)

[email protected]

Destinations

Wild Junket

How to Travel Tibet — My Tibet Travel Guide

Last Updated on June 4, 2024

After leading my first tour to Tibet, I’m sharing a detailed Tibet travel guide with all the information on how to travel Tibet, things to do and where to stay in Tibet.

Tibet is called the ‘Roof of the World’ for good reason: With an average elevation exceeding 4,500 metres (14,800 ft), the Tibetan Plateau is sometimes the world’s highest and largest plateau, with an area of 2,500,000 square kilometres (about five times the size of France). Challenging as it may be, here’s my go at how to travel Tibet and get the maximum from this incredible part of the world.

Geography in Tibet is on a humbling scale — dramatic snow-peaked mountains loom over vast plains, zigzagging highways weave their way through high passes draped with colorful prayer flags, while glittering turquoise lakes stand in the shadow of centuries-old glaciers. Home to several of the world’s highest peaks and the famous Everest Base Camp , Tibet has the power to impress even the most hardened traveler.

For those planning a trip to the ‘Roof of the World’, I’ve compiled a detailed Tibet travel guide with information on how to get there, what type of tours to choose, and where to stay in Tibet.

Table of Contents

Why You Should Travel Tibet

How to travel tibet, when to travel tibet, how to get to tibet, how to get around tibet, where to stay in tibet, what to eat in tibet, cost of travel in tibet, safety in tibet, staying healthy in tibet, best places to travel in tibet, check out our regular tibet tours.

But amidst the stunning natural landscapes in Tibet, it’s the people of Tibet that truly moved me. Despite mass modernisation and dilution of their culture under China’s iron fist, Tibet remains a resilient land underpinned by a rich culture and deep faith. 50 years of oppression and religious control have failed to dull the Tibetans’ devotion to their faith.

Today, amidst the kitsch Chinese neon signs, retail stores and fast food chains in Lhasa , it’s still common to see hardcore pilgrims prostrating in koras circumambulating sacred spots around the country.

Magnificent monasteries rich with the aroma of butter tea, prayer halls of chanting monks, and streets lined with prayer wheels all remind us that nobody can take away what is truly Tibetan. The Chinese may have taken away a lot of things from Tibet, but they’ll never take away their identity and faith.

These days, traveling Tibet can be a controversial subject. Many people in the Western world strongly feel that visiting the oppressed nation means that you’re supporting China’s political indoctrination of Tibet. Some people I know would never visit Tibet until it is fully liberalised from the clutches from China. I absolutely understand their point of view and I strongly oppose China’s hard-headed tactics, but visiting Tibet does not mean I’m supporting the regime.

In fact, I think more people should visit so Tibet gets the attention and support from the outside world it deserves. I see travel as the best form of education — only by going there, talking to locals and seeing things from ground level do you truly learn about what’s going on, and can therefore inform others about the state that Tibet is in.

Tourism is highly restricted in Tibet and independent travel is not allowed. Foreign travelers need to prearrange a tour in order to obtain a Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) permit; only Chinese and Hongkong travelers are free to enter without a visa. Every company that runs Tibet tours will help you obtain a TTB when you book a tour with them.

Without a TTB permit, you won’t even be able to board a flight or train to Tibet. Besides citizens of Singapore, Brunei and Japan, all visitors require a valid Chinese visa in addition to a Tibet permit. Make sure to get your Chinese visa at least a month before your trip, as your tour operator will need it to get the TTB permit. When applying for your Chinese visa, don’t mention Tibet and don’t list your occupation as ‘journalist’.

I’m glad I chose to run my first WildJunket Tour to Tibet. It’s safe to say everyone in the group enjoyed the trip tremendously and appreciated the great job our local guide and driver did. If you are looking to travel Tibet, we offer regular departures for Tibet tours in 2021.

Tibet can be visited all year round — but the best time to visit is in spring and summer (from April to October) when Tibet’s weather is not too harsh and most areas of Tibet are accessible. This also depends largely on your Tibet itinerary as certain parts can only be visited in summer (e.g. Mount Kailash is covered in snow throughout the year except summer.)

Most Tibetan festivals take place in spring and summer too, including the month-long Saga Dawa Festival (mainly to celebrate the birth of Buddha, enlightenment, and Nirvana) which coincided with my trip, the week-long Shoton festival (Tibetan opera performance and Buddha Thangka unfolding ceremony) and Nagqu horse racing festival. Tibet travel is definitely at its best in spring and summer.

Winter is low season for travel in Tibet, as temperatures can get quite extreme at such high altitudes. I wouldn’t recommend visiting Everest Base Camp then as temperatures can drop to way below 0 degrees Celsius.

Flights to Tibet are quite expensive, and a lot of people suffer from altitude sickness when flying straight into Lhasa. You will have to fly via other cities in China or Kathmandu (the only international transit point) to get to Lhasa regardless of where you’re coming from.

Return flights to Lhasa from Singapore are around US$500 and from Beijing for US$600. I managed to score a pretty cheap flight from Lhasa to Singapore (single way) for US$180 with taxes included.

Another way of getting into Tibet is on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway . This is the highest rail travel in the world, with more than 960 km (600 miles) at an elevation of more than 4,000 m (13,123 ft) and almost half of the tracks built on permafrost. The rail journey starts in Beijing, the Chinese capital, taking a total of 40 hours to get to Lhasa.

But the landscapes only begin to impress from Xining onwards, whizzing past high-altitude lakes, vast plains and mountain passes. Train tickets are not cheap, at around US$280 for a soft sleeper and $200 for a hard sleeper (prices can change depending on season) each way.

Search for Flights to Lhasa

Foreign visitors are not allowed to take public transport in Tibet. As mentioned, you need to arrange a tour in order to enter Tibet and move around the region. Tours always include transportation that will bring you around Tibet.

However, travelers are free to explore Lhasa’s markets, squares and old town on their own. There are plenty of things to do in Lhasa , and you can easily spend a week here exploring the temples, palaces and narrow alleys. You only need to be accompanied by a tour guide when visiting tourist attractions (any monastery and temple). Taxis are easily available in Lhasa and a one-way journey anyway in the city costs only 10 yuan (US$1.50).

We traveled around on a comfortable small bus with enough capacity for 14 people. It wasn’t as big and conspicuous as the ugly big blue buses that Chinese tourists traveled on, and it was good enough to cover long distances and on the hundreds of switchbacks on the Friendship Highway.

Accommodation is included in most Tibet tours. On my Tibet tour , we stayed at comfortable 4-star hotels that offered surprisingly luxurious accommodation right in the heart of Lhasa and Shigatse.

Only one night was spent camping at Everest Base Camp , and even then we stayed in a clean, comfortable big tented camp (for 5 to 8 people in each tent). They provided cushy mattresses and clean quilts. It was rather cold at night, so thankfully the local tour operator provided sleeping bags (with a cleaning fee of US$10).

It is allowed to explore Lhasa on your own and you can easily book hotels in Lhasa online. Prices are pretty affordable — $50 can get you a comfortable three-star hotel in the historical centre.

Here are the Lhasa hotels I recommend:

St Regis Resort Lhasa — The best place to stay in Lhasa, with ultra luxurious and spacious rooms for those who want to splurge after roughing out in rural Tibet. It’s a walk away from town so you’ll need to get a taxi everywhere. Book here.

Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel — A comfortable 4-star hotel with high standards of accommodation and an excellent location, just a few minutes’ walk from Barkhor Square. The breakfast spread was impressive. Hotel staff don’t speak English though.

House of Shambala — A boutique hotel brimming with traditional Tibetan flair. We ate at its fantastic restaurant twice and loved it. Rooms are decorated in true authentic Tibetan fashion. Check for rates here.

Tashi Choeta Boutique Hotel — A simple three-star hotel that’s great for the budget traveler. It’s located in the historical quarters, with a charming lounge area in its central courtyard. The hotel’s interior is decorated in traditional Tibetan style, and the service is excellent. Book your hotel here.

Lhasa Gang Gyan Hotel

Inside the tented guesthouse at everest base camp.

Don’t come to Tibet expecting gourmet meals; traditional Tibetan fare is quite simple and basic. Tibetans used to subsist on tsampa (barley flour) and butter tea, but now many Chinese dishes have been introduced to their culinary diet. There’s no shortage of Chinese fare around, but if you won’t find anything beyond that outside of Lhasa.

Most teahouses serve typical dishes like yak momo (steamed dumplings with yak meat), Tibetan noodles in broth, and stir-fried vegetables with rice. Chinese dishes that are usually on the menu include chili chicken, cashew chicken, double fried pork meat, and yak meat with vegetables. They’re pretty good and authentic in my opinion, but can be oily and spicy for some western tastebuds. Only in Lhasa will you find international restaurants that serve pizzas as well as Nepali and Indian thali sets.

Best Restaurants in Tibet

House of Shambala — As I mentioned above, I ate dinner once with the group and we loved it so much that we returned to have our last dinner here. The choice of momos was impressive and the platters of pakhora and other Tibetan-Nepali snacks were excellent. The atmosphere there was great and service was good. Read the Tripadvisor reviews.

Tibetan Family Kitchen — This cosy home-style diner makes you feel like you’re eating in someone’s home. Make your way there through a narrow alleyway, up the stairs through an apartment building and you’ll find yourself in a local home. You not only get to eat home-cooked Tibetan food but you can also try your hand at cooking them. Read the Tripadvisor reviews.

Po Ba Tsang Restaurant — A modern restaurant serving Tibetan and Chinese dishes that are huge in portions and great in flavor. There’s live folklore music for entertainment and also hotpot available for those who want a true culinary experience. Read the Tripadvisor reviews here.

Traveling Tibet isn’t cheap as you need to go on a tour to travel here. It’s especially pricey if you want to spend more than a week here and explore more remote regions. For a week-long tour, expect to pay at least US$900 for all your accommodation, guide and visa.

Because of the stiff competition, tour prices you find online are usually around the same. My WildJunket Tibet Tour was reasonably priced, considering the quality of accommodation, the comfort of our transportation and the great service from our guide and driver. Daily breakfasts were included but not other meals. Our guide usually brought us to affordable places with meals costing around US$5-10 per person.

Tibet has been plagued by civil unrest and anti-government protests since the 1960s when China invaded the nation. More than 140 people are known to have set themselves on fire inside Tibet to call for the Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet, for the Panchen Lama to be freed, and for human rights and freedom in Tibet go be restored. Self-immolation protests peaked in 2012 when more than 80 took place.

Although many monks and nuns have set themselves alight, most self-immolation protesters were normal Tibetans, some were as young as 15 years old. The Chinese government responded to the protests with a surge in activity by security forces, plenty of propaganda campaigns against the protesters and punishments for protester’s families and communities.

During my visit (in May 2017), it was common to find police checkpoints all over Lhasa, with the old town and the Potala Palace in particular heavily guarded by Chinese Police. Security posts were also set up all over Tibet and military presence was everywhere. We had to cross several passport checkpoints across Tibet and plenty of permits and paperwork were involved.

Besides the heavy security, there was no hint of instability or violence.

The capital city Lhasa itself stands at 3,550m above sea level, and Everest Base Camp looms at 5,088m. At such dizzying heights, it can be easy to suffer from AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) if you don’t take the time to acclimatise to the conditions.

Tibetan people on the other hand are genetically adapted to living at higher altitudes. They have more red blood cells than most of us and that helps them to live with the limited oxygen at high altitudes.

Most people flying into Lhasa suffer from AMS; symptoms include light-headedness, nausea, short of breathe and headaches. Just make sure to get some Diamox (Acetazolamide) before your trip and start the medication at least one day before landing in Lhasa. Give yourself plenty of time to rest and acclimatise in Lhasa before you start exploring.

Tommy suffering from altitude sickness and getting his oxygen fix

The highlight of our trip was reaching Everest Base Camp , where the highest peak in the world loomed before us. It felt so close that it almost seemed within reach. Sleeping in a tented camp under the starry skies, I couldn’t believe I was literally at the top of the world.
Our drive to Everest Base Camp on the Friendship Highway was just as spectacular as our destination. The highway climbed up more than 2,000m in altitude via a series of sharp hairpin bends. Scenery along the way featured winding valleys, vast grasslands, meadows and windswept mountain views.
Watching monks at Sera Monastery debate was such an eye-opening experience. The debates were punctuated with vigorous gestures which made the whole ambience really lively and interesting.
It was such an honor visiting the legendary Potala Palace, an iconic landmark of Tibet and the most well-known building in the country. This was the fortresslike home of nine Dalai Lamas, but is sadly used as a museum now.
The scenic route from Shigatse to Lhasa brought us along lime-green barley fields, pristine turquoise lakes, time-warped villages and mountains studded with ochre stupas. It was a full day of driving, but the landscapes were diverse and spectacular. Some of my favourite stops were Gyatse Fort, Yamdrok Lake and Karo-La Glacier.

With this Tibet travel guide, I hope you’ll be able to plan an epic adventure and a trip of a lifetime. If you are interested in joining me on one of my Tibet tours , check out this page for detailed information.

Inspired? Pin it!

Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 150 countries across 7 continents. She is a book author and Lonely Planet guidebook writer. As an adventure travel blogger, she has a special interest in unusual destinations and deep experiences. Follow her travels on her Facebook and Instagram .

The Comments

Astonishing.

Great writing. Thanks for introducing me to Tibet!

Did you have to trek at the Everest Base Camp ? Any tours coming up in 2018?

hi K, you don’t have to trek on the Tibet side. With most tours, you actually get the van all the way to the Everest Base Camp and then do a short hike to the lookout point. I don’t have any Tibet tour coming up in 2018 but you can email me and I’ll put you in touch with my local tour operator.

Your tour sounds interesting. Me and girlfriends are planning to go in October but we are worried of the toilet cleanliness and feeling unwell due to the high altitudes.

Btw do u have any trip planned in Oct?

hey YL, thanks for dropping by! I don’t have any trip to Tibet planned in October but I can help you book a trip if you’re interested. Be sure to bring some Diamox and you should be fine. A few people on my trip didn’t want to take Diamox and suffered quite badly from altitude sickness. It can be rough, you’ll need to be prepared. The toilet cleanliness isn’t something that can be fixed though. Tibet is a spectacular part of the world and there’s nothing quite like it. The devotion of its people, the kindness in their eyes, and the pristine beauty of its nature will make all the challenges of the trip well worth it.

Great blog! Enjoyed reading the info. A pity, there’s no planned trip to tibet in oct, i was also planning for that month. Perhaps u can share the travel operator u work with, would love to work something out.

For the access to tibet, maybe u can advice me on whether flight or train is a better choice from singapore. The train duration seems super long (40+ hrs), the flight seems expensive and difficult to get.

Thank you Mei

Cash'LaTyra Lewisdouglas

Hi, I would like to travel to Tibet with my children ages 2, 10 and 18. Would we be considered a group and how far in advance should I plan leaving from Los Angeles?

Any trip coming up in Aug 2018?

I’m afraid not, but I can book a Tibet trip for you if you like.

Hi, I am interested in going to tibet this august 2018. Can you pass me details of how to organise my trip¿ thanks in advance

Hi Esther, I can connect you with my local partner in Tibet. Just email me! :)

KALYAN GARIMELLA

I am planning for a Honeymoon trip in Tibet this mid of November (2018). I am from India. Let me know if any trips planned and do we require Visa. What’s the budget and how to plan my stay for 5days.

hi Kalyan, I’ll be happy to help you set that up. I will email you. Thanks!

Hi, can you connect me with your partner in tibet? we are going in august.

I would like to go to mount kailash tour

Hi Nellie I am planning to visit Tibet in May 2019. Besides Lhasa, I would like to go Namtso lake and Mt Everest base camp. How many days would this take? Appreciate you can share similar itineraries. Thanks!

We are interested in going to Tibet in 2019. Could you put us in touch with your tour operator? Thank you.

hi Selyn, yes sure, feel free to email me!

I’m interested in a tour to Tibet in late April 2019. Can you please provide me with any information? Thank you.

hi Kenny, please feel free to email me and I’ll connect you with my local tour operator.

Hi Nellie, can you kindly connect me with the local tour operator.

My email address is [email protected]

Bernard Wosk

Hi Nellie, I’m planning a trip to Tibet at the end of May, do you have a trip around that time? If not, can you recommend a tour operator? Thanks, Bernard

I am thinking of taking the train from Xining to Lhasa and then doing a tour from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp. There are any parts of this trip in which the train or car would be riding along the edge of a cliff? I am fine with heights unless I am at the edge so need to prepare myself.

hi Macy, I did almost the same route except that I started the train journey from Beijing. No, the train doesn’t ride along the edge of a cliff. You won’t feel the height. However, the car/bus journey towards Everest Base Camp will bring you on hairpin bends at high altitudes, so be prepared for that. Just try not to sit by the window if it’s gonna scare you. Roads there are surprisingly good (built by the Chinese) so don’t worry about safety.

Hi Nelly I plan to go in may 2019. I’m flying in to lanzhou & plan to take the train to lhasa. will join the ebc tour too if possible. can u advise and gimme contacts of the local tibet tours that can arrange for me? thanks.

hey Sam, yes sure. I’m actually writing an article about visiting the Everest Base Camp as we speak. I’ll email you. :)

Michelle Adams

Hi Thanks for your blog it was very interesting and insightful to read. I do theatre projects in the UK and recently connected with our very small Tibetan community in the UK. I am not really interested in travelling to Tibet with my partner. When is the next time you are travelling there. It would be great to be with someone who knows the country well. Thanks Michelle

hi Michelle, thanks so much for your comment! I’ve received your email as well and will reply you promptly. Cheers!

Hi,i likw to travel to Lhasa,china.Can you please let me know,how to travel from India?

You’ll need to get to Nepal first and from Kathmandu, you can travel overland to Tibet on a tour. Otherwise flying to Lhasa is the fastest way.

Hi, intends to go Lhasa and EBC in April 2019. Appreciate if there’s any tour during that period.

hi SK! I’m setting up an automated booking system for tours to Tibet right now as we speak. It should be up and running this week or the next, so please do check back then! Thank you!

siewchin yong

pian to visit Tibet 2020

I’m about to launch an automated booking system on my site where you can book trips to Tibet throughout 2020.

Riwash Chamlagain

Thanks for your blog I am glad to read this .I like tibet very much it is nice country I do theatre projects in the napel and recently connected with our very small Tibetan community in the nepal. I am not really interested in travelling to Tibet with my partner. When is the next time you are travelling there. It would be great to be with someone who knows the country well. I like tibet very much it is nice country.

9 Things To Know Before Visiting Tibet

Destinations
News and Tips
Travel With Confidence

Monks, monasteries, and mountains. Tibet is one of the most unique places you will ever visit. Known as the “Roof of the World,” the “Third Pole,” or the “Land of Snows,” Tibet is one of the most intriguing and mysterious places in the world. This massive, land is home to Buddhist Monasteries, historical sites, vast snow-capped Himalayan Mountains, hairy yaks, beautiful landscapes, and wonderful people.

Planning a trip to Tibet can be a little daunting, given its remote location and political situation, not to mention the permits you need and the stringent government travel requirements. But with a few tips and hints for planning and traveling in Tibet, you can make the trip to the Roof of the World one of the most amazing journeys of your life.

Road from Tibet to Nepal with Himalayan mountains in the background.

1. Where Is Tibet?

A lot of people seem to confuse Tibet with Nepal, perhaps because both are Himalayan countries, they share a border and share the summit of Mount Everest. On a map, Tibet is in the heart of Asia between mainland China and India. The vast, high-altitude Tibetan plateau borders Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, mainland China and Xinjiang (East Turkestan).

2. Is Tibet Open To Tourists, And Can I Enter With A Chinese Visa?

Tibet is generally open to foreign travelers except in February and March each year. To enter what China calls the Tibet Autonomous Region, you will need both a Chinese visa and a special Tibet permit. Tibet travel permits are issued by the Chinese government, but only through a certified Tibet travel agency.

3. Can I Travel Independently In Tibet?

Like it or not, the short answer is no, you cannot travel in Tibet on your own (unless you are a Chinese or Hong Kong national). You must be part of a pre-arranged tour and you must travel with a certified Tibet travel agency representative. You will have to book a tour with a Tibetan travel agency, that will then arrange all your travel inside Tibet, including permits, accommodation, entry to attractions, in fact pretty much everything, making it much easier to plan your trip. The good news is that your “organized tour” can actually be a private tour — just you, or you and your choice of traveling companions.

4. Is It Safe To Travel In Tibet?

Tibetans are a friendly people, and major crime is not common. Tibet is a safe place, probably safer than many other countries around the world. A few minor incidents do occur, such as pickpockets and minor thefts, and you can find a few scams, which are generally easy to avoid. But bearing in mind that you will always be accompanied by your guide, there’s not much that can go wrong, even solo female travelers can feel safe in Tibet.

5. Will I Get Altitude Sickness?

With an average elevation of 14,750 feet, altitude sickness is a common complaint when traveling to Tibet, though it normally passes in a day or two. The main symptoms of altitude sickness include headaches, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, lack of appetite, and insomnia. The good news is that there are basic steps you can take to prevent altitude sickness from ruining your trip. I’d recommend resting for a couple of days when you arrive in Lhasa, allowing your body to adapt and also asking your doctor if you are a candidate for Diamox, (the most effective medication for altitude sickness).

6. When Is The Best Time To Visit Tibet?

The main season for travel to Tibet is from April to October when the weather is at its best for trekking, sightseeing, and generally traveling around. Given its location on a high plateau, Tibet experiences low temperatures and frost most of the year. Summer is the only time when temperatures get to around 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. As a bonus, oxygen content is higher in the summer, making it easier to acclimatize. Spring and fall are also good times, if you’re looking to beat the summer crowds, but expect chilly nighttime temps. Winter is characterized by freezing temperatures.

It’s important to take into account that entry permits are not given to foreigners from February to March (this is the time of some sensitive anniversaries, particularly the 2008 rebellion that caused all these travel restrictions in the first place). I’d also suggest avoiding Chinese national holidays during the first weeks of May and October when Chinese tourists swarm Tibet.

7. How Can I Get To Tibet?

The most common way to get to Lhasa, Tibet, is by train or airplane. Flights depart daily from several cities in mainland China, as well as from Kathmandu in Nepal. Trains run regularly from several major cities in China. The best way to travel to Tibet, and adjust to the altitude, is to take the train from Xining to Lhasa. It’s a 21-hour-long trip, but it’s a scenic journey on the world’s highest railway.

For those starting in Nepal, you can fly or travel overland with your guide and driver. Traveling overland can put you at a higher risk of getting altitude sickness, so flying tends to be the better option. Bear in mind, if coming from Nepal you will have a different and stricter kind of visa, a “Tibet Group Visa,” that does not allow travel onward into mainland China.

Exterior of the Potala Palace in Lhasa with many tourists walking and observing its large scale.

8. What Are The Best Places To Visit In Tibet?

Tibet has so much to see, from its magnificent natural scenery to its mysterious religious culture. You won’t be able to see everything on your first trip, so let me point you in the direction of some of the unmissable places you should have on your itinerary.

Tibet’s capital city of Lhasa is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. This is a city in a time warp, stuck between the modern world and ancient traditions. The city revolves around Barkhor Square, at the center of which is the Jokhang Monastery, Tibet’s most sacred temple. It is here you will see pilgrims murmuring prayers as they complete their journeys of devotion, prostrating themselves in front of the temple or circling around it in a clockwise direction.

There is nothing quite like seeing the golden-roofed Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama, rising above the city center. This is the largest and most complete ancient palace building complex in Tibet, containing 13 stories and 1,000 rooms. Building commenced in the 7th century, and reconstruction was undertaken by the 5th Dalai Lama in 1645. This is a holy place for Tibetan Buddhists and attracts thousands of visitors and pilgrims annually.

You should also visit the “Three Great Tibetan Monasteries,” Drepung, Sera, and Ganden, which lie on the outskirts of Lhasa. Drepung is a complex of many temples and prayer halls, while Sera is famous for daily (3 p.m.) traditional debates among the monks. Ganden, at an altitude of 12,000 feet on Wangbori Mountain makes for a great hike (though you can drive). You are quite likely to see vultures, the sacred birds of Tibet, on a visit here.

Yamdrok Lake is a freshwater lake about 60 miles south of Lhasa. The lake is regarded as one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. This beautiful lake is over 44 miles long and looks a little like a coiling scorpion. It’s a main stop along the route from Lhasa and Nepal, and you can usually find local Tibetans waiting here with their yaks and mastiffs, offering tourists an opportunity for a particularly scenic selfie.

Tashilhunpo Monastery, on Mt. Nyima near Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city, is definitely worth a visit. Covering an area of 37 acres, the monastery has 57 halls, 3,600 rooms and can hold 2,000 worshipers.

Mt Everest, the highest mountain in the world, straddles the Nepal and Tibet border, and it’s easily accessible from the Tibetan side. Private vehicles are no longer allowed at Everest Base Camp (EBC) on the Tibetan side, instead, there is an eco-bus service. Similarly, camping is no longer permitted at the former base camp, instead, travelers can stay in a tented camp near the Rongbuk Monastery, which at over 17,000 feet above sea level, is the highest monastery in the world. Hikers can choose to trek the route from Tingri to EBC, a distance of 43 miles over four days.

Mount Kailash, in Tibet’s far west, is a sacred mountain, recognized as the “center of the world” by Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, Bon, and Jainism followers. The mountain attracts a continuous stream of pilgrims, both Hindus from nearby India, and Buddhists, who come here to perform a Kora , the ritual circumnavigation of the mountain. Pilgrims believe they can erase the sins from a previous life by doing one Kora, avoid the pain of reincarnation by doing additional Koras, and can turn into a Buddha by doing 100 Koras. Aside from any religious significance, Mt. Kailash is worth a visit. Situated at the southern foot of Mt. Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, a sacred freshwater lake, is another pilgrimage destination, revered both in India and Tibet.

9. What Kind Of Food Do They Eat In Tibet?

Tibetan food and drink, like the country’s culture and religion, has its own unique character. The most common dishes reflect what plants and animals are able to survive at an average altitude of 16,000 feet. The daily diet of most Tibetans includes tsampa , butter tea, yak meat, and mutton.

The traditional staple food of Tibet is tsampa, a flour made of roasted highland barley and Tibetans eat it three times a day. Tibetans consume copious amounts of tea, both salted butter tea, and sweet milk tea, they also eat a lot of yak-related meat and dairy products. Yak meat is quite lean, mild, and beef-like and not as weird as it may sound. It’s a common misconception that Tibetans are vegetarians, but yak, beef, mutton, and goat are all consumed. Fish, though, are not popular or common.

Tibet has so much to see and do, from stunning mountain landscapes to fascinating religion, culture, and customs. You could find yourself in a prayer hall full of chanting monks, experiencing an unforgettable mountain trek, or perhaps making the epic Tibet – Nepal overland journey, along some of the world’s wildest roads. The experiences are limitless.

Tibet is an exotic destination, and there are myriad things to discover:

Visiting Tibet: 9 Fascinating Things To See And Do
Climbing Mount Everest: What To Know About The Ultimate Bucket List Experience
5 Strange Places You Cannot Travel Alone

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.

Countries visited: 115
Currently in : Singapore 🇸🇬
Partner with us
SOLO FEMALE TRAVELERS COMMUNITY

Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here . Never leave without travel insurance .

Travel to Tibet – Everything you need to know and more

This article is written in partnership with GoToTibet , experts in arranging travel to Tibet. As always, all opinions are honest and based on our experience across Tibet.

The Autonomous Region of Tibet is a province of China that has fascinated visitors for decades. However, travel to Tibet is more complex than your average trip to China , or elsewhere. With the help of this guide you can learn all you need to know.

Learning more about Tibet

Tibet is a very unique place and before visiting you must acquaint yourself with the realities on the ground, the region’s history and its current status within China, as well as with its difficult geography and harsh weather.

Unlike other places, a visit to Tibet requires proper planning and preparation, you can’t just book a flight and turn up, you need a permit and a specific itinerary. You also need to book a trip with an official agency like GoToTibet who will escort you throughout the country. Moreover, some parts of Tibet require additional permits and road controls are frequent.

So let’s take a look at all the things you need to know before traveling to Tibet.

Brief history of Tibet

The Kingdom of Tibet was formed during the 7th century when Songtsen Gampo , the 33rd Tibetan King, started to unify various Tibetan tribes into the Tibetan Empire.

The Mongols of Genghis Khan conquered Tibet in the 13th century and annexed it to their growing empire. In the 16th century, the Mongol King Altan Khan used the title of Dalai Lama, meaning Oceans of Wisdom, for the first time, although Yellow Hat ( Gelugpa ) Buddhism, which the Dalai Lama represents, was founded at the end of the 15th century by Je Tsongkhapa.

European explorers first arrived in Tibet in 1624 in the shape of a group of Portuguese missionaries who came to build a church. They stayed for a bit over a century but were expelled in 1757 at the request of the Dalai Lama, who was then the head of the Political and Religious power at the time.

Parts of Tibet were first annexed to China in 1724 when the Qing Dynasty was in power. From then on, China had a Commissioner that supervised the Dalai Lama’s administration.

At that time, the British Empire was strong in India and the British East India Company visited Tibet to assess possibilities for trade.

To protect itself from Russian and British invasions and battles for control in Central Asia in The Great Game , Tibet closed its borders in the 1850s but that didn’t deter the British troops who eventually forced Tibet to sign a trading agreement in 1904.

In 1907 both Britain and Russia agreed to Chinese suzerainty over Tibet, that is, China controls all foreign and military policy of Tibet but the state is left to manage internal affairs independently. In 1937, today’s Dalai Lama, was declared the reincarnation of the 13 previous Dalai Lamas at the age of two.

Mao Zedong founded The Republic of China in 1949 and the Dalai Lama became the Head of State in Tibet in 1951 at the age of 15. The Tibetan Autonomous Region was created in 1965.

Tibet’s hard to reach geographical position had kept it isolated until the opening of the railway link to Lhasa in 2006. The train increased the number of arrivals to 4 million just after its opening. Today, about 8 million people visit Tibet every year, albeit the majority are local Chinese.

The Dalai Lama retired from government in 2011 and Lobsang Sangay was chosen as his replacement, also in exile.

Why travel to Tibet

Tibet is one of the most fascinating places I have ever visited. It has the majestic landscapes of Namibia , the culturally-rich landmarks of Bhutan and the complex history of other unrecognised countries .

Despite the millions of Chinese tourists that visit Tibet, few Westerners make the trip, so you can be one of the few to have seen it with your own eyes. If you like culture or nature, Tibet will keep you enthralled.

Things you need to know

Like in Turkmenistan, travel to Tibet is restricted and controlled.

That means you cannot travel independently and must do so escorted by a guide and driver from an accredited agency such as GoToTibet who will help you obtain a Tibet travel permit.

Your every move will be tracked and you must make sure not to deviate from the itinerary. Road controls are common and your permits will be checked every time.

In Lhasa, you are free to move at your own will but will typically need to have a few hours of sightseeing on a tour with your guide.

Locals prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple

Here are some more things you need to know before traveling to Tibet.

Tibet is relatively developed and has good roads and facilities. Since becoming part of China, infrastructure has become key to the country’s mining efforts and you can drive all the way to Base Camp on a well paved road
Toilets are the worst I have ever seen. A hole in the floor, dirty, without water, soap or paper, and without doors or separation between holes, you are best off using the bush.
Images of the Dalai Lama or the Tibetan flag are forbidden, you will not see them anywhere and bringing them in is not allowed.
Tibet is the highest place on the planet by average elevation, the Roof of the World. That means, altitude sickness , as mentioned further down, is a real and serious issue so be prepared.
The weather is extreme . Incredibly dry, cold and windy at times with some of the strongest sun rays. The dryness can cause issues for many so pack accordingly (see packing section further down).
Permits are your passport into Tibet and are checked at multiple points, several parts of the country, such as Everest Base Camp or Mount Kailash among others, require additional permits. Every overnight stay requires you to register with the local authority. The tour guide will do that for you.
Tourist vehicles are monitored via GPS and have a radio system that sends regular updates about road safety, weather, closures and reminders.
Some parts of Tibet (eg. Chamdo & Yarlung Zangbo Valley) are closed to tourists , however, most of the beautiful sights are accessible and can be included as part of your itinerary.
Almost every landmark will require you to pay for a photography and/or videography with a fee if you wish to take photos. Sometimes, a donation is required instead. Fees at some of the larger monasteries are per hall. This can add up.
Speed limits on the roads can be as low as 35km/h and many roads are winding so it can take hours to cover 100km.
Tibetans are devout Buddhists and praying, offerings, lighting candles and prostrations are common across the country.

Pre-trip planning for travel to Tibet

Tibet travel is not as straightforward as other destinations and independent travel is not allowed hence the only way to visit is on an organised and escorted tour with the proper permits.

Getting a permit to travel to Tibet

Winding road on the way to Everest base camp

As mentioned above, travel to Tibet is controlled and requires a permit. For most nationalities, this means obtaining a Chinese visa first, then a Tibet permit.

Getting a Chinese visa

European Union nationals can obtain a Chinese visa relatively easy. You will need an itinerary, flight and hotel bookings for the duration of your trip, a color copy of your passport, a passport photo and the payment of a fee.

Processing time depends on the embassy in each country and on whether you need to mail your documents or can go there in person.

In Singapore where I live, this is 3 working days and the payment of 110 Singapore dollars. In Spain , my family had to make an appointment at the consulate in Barcelona and then got it within two weeks.

It is wise not to mention you intend to visit Tibet when applying for the Chinese visa in case this raises any eyebrows with the immigration officers, making the overall process more complex.

Not mentioning your intention to visit Tibet means you need to come up with an alternative itinerary in China plus hotel and flight bookings because this is a requirement of the visa.

To get around this, you can book refundable hotels and plane tickets and come up with a fictitious itinerary, sticking to the main cities helps.

Many hotel booking sites like Booking.com, allow you to cancel without penalty so you can then book a hotel this way and cancel the booking once you get the visa. If you are concerned that your visa or permit may be rejected, you should also book refundable plane tickets. Business Class fares usually allow for this.

Alternatively, some airlines, like Thai Airways, allow you to make a flight booking which you can opt to pay in person at one of their offices.

You will get a tentative booking confirmation which is as good as a paid one in the eyes of the visa officer. In 72h the booking will automatically cancel itself out if unpaid.

There is one caveat. If you plan to travel from Nepal into Tibet, you need not apply for the Chinese visa as this will be done by the agency directly as a group visa from Kathmandu and only takes 3 days. Your Tibet agency should be able to help with that.

Make sure you understand this last caveat as it is very important. A group visa means that you can only visit China with the rest of the members of the group and enter and depart together. The group visas are only for a maximum of 15 days. You cannot use a regular Chinese visa to enter from Nepal so bear that in mind when planning your trip.

Tibet travel permit

Once your Chinese visa is approved, your chosen Tibetan travel agency, for example, GoToTibet , will help you obtain the permit for Tibet by applying in Tibet for you, no documentation is required other than your Chinese visa and passport plus the itinerary details.

It is important to bear in mind that permits are not obtained at the Chinese embassy and you do not apply for them yourself, this can only be done by the local Tibetan agencies.

The application for the Tibet travel permit should be submitted ideally a month in advance of your trip as it usually takes 15 days but can take up to a month if you plan to visit some of the more remote parts of the region like Mount Kailash.

Your travel permit is issued by the Tibetan Tourism Bureau and is a piece of paper. It does not leave any marks on your passport and it does not require any stamps. The piece of paper will be kept by your guide and shown at the necessary check-points.

However, you will need to show the physical permit to board the plane or train to Lhasa. For security purposes, the permits are only mailed within China.

In practise, this means that you need to spend a night in China on your way to Lhasa so it can get delivered to your hotel or be given to you in person at the airport when in transit.

Last but not least, there are other travel permits required to visit some parts of the country that are deemed strategic or sensitive. Your local tour company will apply for those for you. These are required for Mount Kailash, Everest Base Camp and other parts closer to the border with India.

While the above may seem complicated, it will all be handled by the local agency without your knowledge or involvement. As soon as your itinerary is closed, all the permits will be applied for on your behalf. I only realised I needed some of the above once we were there and noticed the guide was presenting paperwork at some checkpoints.

Best time to Visit Tibet

Traveling to Tibet is technically possible all year round except for the month of March when the region is closed off to foreigners since 2008 , although there is hope that things may change soon with the first travelers coming in March in 2019.

However, climate and geography differentiate between three main seasons: dry and warm(er) season, rainy and warm season and winter.

In my opinion, the best time to travel to Tibet is during the warmer dry season , from April to the beginning of June and from September to October when temperatures are more comfortable and the weather is dry.

This guarantees you will be able to see Everest, which is shrouded in clouds otherwise. As it is the shoulder season, prices should be more affordable too and the crowds won’t have arrived.

From the second half of June to the end of August, Tibet gets a bit warmer and enters the high season for this reason, but it also experiences rain which makes camping impossible and the usually clear skies cloudy. However, temperatures warm up a bit and rain is usually at night.

From November to the first half of April temperatures dip well below zero Celsius making travel very difficult for visitors. Because of its high altitude and desert-like climate, snow is not very common in Tibet but the wind and the dry weather makes winters particularly harsh.

There are two other considerations for travelers to Tibet. Mt. Kailash and Namtso Lake cannot be visited from November to March because the road there might be blocked by heavy snow.

Additionally, travel in China during the first half of October should be avoided at all costs because of the crowds. This is Golden Week and millions of Chinese take holidays.

How to get to Tibet

Tibet is connected by road, train and air to other cities in China. The only international connection to Tibet is by road and air to the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. That means that to reach Tibet you will need to get to China or Kathmandu first.

Many travelers combine Tibet and Nepal for that reason, exploring two sides of a similar yet distinct culture in an affordable manner. When I visited Tibet my sister went on to Nepal after our trip.

I would recommend taking the train to Lhasa and departing by plane. Read on to find out why.

Arriving in Tibet by train

One of the most scenic and interesting ways to get to Tibet is by railway onboard the high-altitude train to Lhasa which can be boarded in Beijing (40hours), Xi’an (31hours), Chengdu (36hours), Chongqing (36hours), Guangzhou (53hours), Lanzhou (24hours) as well as other smaller cities like Xining.

The train is an engineering feat and can travel at high altitudes and over frozen rail tracks. At its highest point it is well over 4,000m and equipped with oxygen to limit altitude sickness.

I would recommend a maximum of 24 hours onboard as the facilities on the train are limited (and there are no showers), or to plan to make stops along the way. There are several trains a day during the high tourist season.

I took the train to Lhasa from Xining and booked an entire cabin in the highest category which came with four bunk beds for me and my partner so we would have more space and privacy. The journey from Xining takes 24 hours.

Your Tibet agency can help you buy train tickets as these are not easily purchased independently (you need to show the permit) and in any case they are tied to the permit and overall itinerary. You should buy them ahead of time if you plan to travel in the peak season as this is the preferred way for locals to arrive and tickets sell out fast.

If you are considering taking the train to Lhasa, make sure to read my article above on the train journey so that you time your departure time to the landscapes you want to see during the day.

Arriving to Tibet by air

Lhasa is connected to several Chinese cities including Chengdu, Chongqing, Shanghai and Beijing. Depending on where you are coming from you will find some connections better than others.

The most flights originate from Chengdu and that was also the connection that worked best for me flying from Singapore, but my sister traveled via Chongqing from Barcelona and my best friend came via Shanghai from Dubai .

The advantage of arriving by air is that the views from the wing over the Himalayas are incredible. Much like when you fly into Bhutan , Landing in Tibet means seeing the majestic mountains below.

Arriving in Tibet by road

As mentioned, you can also drive to Tibet both from other parts of China as well as from Nepal. This should also be well organised by your local Tibetan agency so that you can ensure you have all the paperwork.

Once you cross over to Tibet, the agency is responsible for you so they need to meet you at the border.

Visiting Tibet: What to see

Before arriving in Tibet you will have to define a list of places you want to see as well as an itinerary which your permit will rely on. Changes to the itinerary are not allowed so you must make sure to think about what you want to see and do in advance.

Best places to visit in Tibet

There are lots of places to visit in Tibet but below is a list of the most famous, interesting and popular ones.

Further down you can also find some proposed itineraries depending on what you like and how long you can spend in Tibet.

Lhasa is the capital of Tibet and all travelers need to arrive via the historic city and, in fact, many visitors to Tibet stay in the capital and don’t venture out.

Lhasa is home to the most famous landmark in Tibet, the 17th century Potala Palace . The palace was the winter residence of the Dalai Lama and was built in an auspicious location, up on a hill 300m above the rest of Lhasa.

A visit to the Potala Palace is a must and you should allow for half a day to explore all its halls and details. Come back at night to see it majestically lit up.

Budget some time to wander pedestrian Old Lhasa, home to the Jokhang Temple, considered the holiest temple in Tibet because of a statue of young Buddha that is 2,500 years old. Tibetans prostrate for hours in front of the temple and go on koras around the streets surrounding it.

Sera Monastery

This stunning monastery is possibly the second most relevant place in Tibet after the Potala Palace. Built in the 15th century, this is also where most of the monks that were exiled from Tibet with the current Dalai Lama hailed from.

Sera is known for two things: sand mandalas and the debate sessions that take place every afternoon between monks and their teachers and which visitors can observe.

Ganden Monastery

Located up on a hill and spread over the side of a mountain, Ganden Monastery has an enviable location and houses the Golden Tomb of Je Tsongkhapa, the founder of the yellow-hat monastic sect that is the most followed in Tibet.

Gyantse, Palkhor Monastery, Kumba Stupa

The city of Gyantse is home to the 14th century Palkhor Monastery and its large stupa, Kumbum, which contains 108 chapels spread of nine floors. The structure is also known as the Ten thousand Buddha pagoda because there are as many images of Buddha.

The city still preserves the fortress of the same time located on the hills above the monastery and city.

Xigatse and Tashilumpo Monastery

Xigatse is the second most important city in Tibet and is home to Tashilumpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama and the largest functioning religious institution in Tibet.

This ornate golden and burgundy monastery has the tallest golden statue of the Future Buddha measuring 26m in height and relics of two Panchen Lamas which were saved from the destruction of the Cultural Revolution.

Xigatse is a great place to buy Buddhist paraphernalia and Tibetan souvenirs as there are many shops along the main street.

Yamdrok Lake

This turquoise holy lake near Lhasa has some stunning views and makes for a nice escape into the wild. Locals go on kora pilgrimages around the lake and you will find many photo ops, including with yaks and their owners and with the famous Tibetan Mastiff dogs.

Everest Base Camp

Star trails above Everest from the Tibetan based camp

Tibet and Nepal share ownership of the world’s tallest mountain which lays at the border between the two. That means that you can climb the mountain from both sides, although Nepal tends to be much more popular, easier and also more developed as a tourist destination.

There are also two Everest Base Camps , one in each country. While the one in Nepal can only be reached by trekking from Lukla Airport or on a helicopter tour , the 5,150m high Tibetan Everest Base Camp can be reached by road.

Mount Kailash

This 6,200m high sacred mountain in Tibet is hard to get to (the journey from Lhasa can take 3 days) but it is a lifelong pilgrimage dream of many Hindus, Jain, Buddhist and Bon who come here to find their final resting place.

The mountain is believed to be the place where Shiva and his consort Parvati live. Bon consider it the seat of the Sky Goddess Sipaimen. Buddhists consider Kailash the home to Demchog, a tantric meditation deity, and his consort Dorje Phagmo.

Typical Tibet itineraries

Local Tibetans on their daily kora in Lhasa

Your length of stay in Tibet will typically determine how far from Lhasa you can go. Below are some ideas for itineraries depending on duration provided by GoToTibet .

If you would like to visit Mount Kailash, you should consider a 15 days trip which starts with the 8 day trip plus six days for the round trip to Kailash including the circular kora along the 52km path.

Accommodation options

The views of Potala Palace from Shangri-la Lhasa Hotel

Accommodation options in Lhasa are vast with a few high-end hotels like the Shangri-la Lhasa and the St. Regis Lhasa topping the list followed by several more local alternatives and a list of affordable options.

I stayed at and reviewed the Shangri-la Lhasa . The hotel was very good and the St. Regis gets even better (if slightly) reviews. There are restaurants, an oxygen room, a spa, indoor pools and lovely views of the Potala Palace.

Outside the capital, accommodation can often times be basic and your choice will be determined by your itinerary. As roads are winding and driving can take long, you will be sleeping where it is convenient based on where you are going.

At the bottom of the list are the basic camping options at Everest Base Camp or at some of the monasteries. Here, coming at the right time of the year is critical because heating can be nonexistent.

If you are picky and prefer to favor comfort over convenience, make sure to discuss this with your agent so that they can help you tailor the itinerary accordingly.

Food in Tibet

As would be expected, food in Tibet is based on what grows at high altitudes and what can be obtained in such a remote place.

This means that your diet can become quickly repetitive and if you are a picky eater or have a sensitive stomach you might want to consider bringing snacks and energy bars.

Vegans might struggle because meat and yak butter are staple ingredients in most meals and fresh fruit and vegetables can be hard to come by. However, vegetarians should be able to get by with Nepalese thali sets, commonly available.

In general, food staples include anything that can be obtained from yaks and barley, the two most commonly available sources of food.

Barley is used to make Tibetan’s typical breakfast item: tsampa, which is made by mixing raw barley flour with yak butter, sugar and spices and it is eaten with butter tea, the official drink in Tibet, made with a generous amount of yak butter in what is almost impossible to stomach for a foreigner, but worth a try.

Yak meat, leaner and lighter than beef, is widely available and it is the most common item on any menu. It is usually eaten grilled, in a curry or stir fried. Barley is also used to make barley wine, a drink similar in taste to cider with a low alcohol percentage and which is made at home by many families.

Chinese-style noodles are pervasive and eaten either in soup or stir fried. As for vegetables, potatoes, bok choy, carrots and peppers are easy to find. Most of the food has generous amounts of chilli and fat, either yak butter or oil, so it can be very greasy.

My favorite Tibetan dish is momos or dumplings which are either pan fried (like Japanese gyoza ), steamed (like Korean mandu ) or served in soup (like the Chinese wonton soup) and are usually stuffed with delicious yak meat or potatoes.

This type of dumpling, usually made with a thicker pasta sheet than traditional Chinese dumplings, are found across Central and North Asia, and are part of the list of foods in Japan , Korea , China, Macau , all the ancient Silk Road countries of Central Asia and even Azerbaijan . If you eat meat, they can be a lifesaver as they are tasty and commonly available.

Maintaining a light diet in Tibet is almost impossible but it would also be foolish as the high altitudes and the cold are likely going to make your body consume more calories than usual. I managed to lose weight despite the heavy meals and hearty breakfasts.

Indian favourites like chicken tikka, tandoori and curries are available country-wide, as is naan bread and rice dishes, steamed or fried.

If you get tired of yak, chicken and lamb are usually an option but beware of the bones and animal parts you may not be used to eating, particularly with chicken which is usually chopped into pieces whole (bones, skin and cartilage) and hard to eat with chopsticks.

Tibetans eat with chopsticks but forks and spoons are usually available, knives are not. Tissues are not provided, so carry wet wipes and tissue paper. Tea is always a good idea because it is made with boiled water which reduces the risk of disease.

Simple water is served hot, boiled for safety and to keep warm. Local Lhasa beer is a light version of the drink.

Preparing for Tibet travel

Oxygen bottles for sale at the Potala Palace

If you have read the article until this point you probably realised that traveling to Tibet is not like traveling elsewhere and that you need to be well prepared for it.

Below are a few additional considerations to prepare for your trip, physically and mentally.

High altitude travel and sickness

Stela at Everest base camp in Tibet - Photo courtesy of GoToTIbet

Tibet is a high altitude destination and even Lhasa is 3,600m above sea level, so you need to be prepared for the worse should you be hit by altitude sickness.

At the very least, you should do your best to facilitate acclimatisation and to make sure you can get used to the altitude in the best way possible. Should all else fail, you can take medication intended to reduce the effect of altitude sickness and most guides will carry oxygen with them.

I wrote all about altitude sickness and as you will read, it can affect anyone, anytime. Even the sherpa working in Everest can suffer from altitude sickness unexpectedly. It is also hard to predict because it does not correlate with physical readiness or health.

In our group of five, the two healthiest and most fit of us were the ones to suffer the most. The most fit was the one hit hardest while my sister, who was arguably the least fit with a largely sedentary life, was the one feeling the best.

Come prepared, altitude sickness kills and at the very least, it will ruin your trip.

Packing list for Tibet

The road that covers the last 150m to Base Camp

Perhaps the most important thing to bear in mind when traveling to Tibet is packing what you will need according to your itinerary and the expected weather conditions.

Not being prepared for the temperatures can break you, quite literally, and ruin the trip so make sure to bring what you need and dress appropriately. Generally speaking, the farther you go from Lhasa and the higher you climb the colder it becomes.

I put together a very detailed packing list for Tibet but below is a summary of the most important things to bring.

A windproof, waterproof really warm jacket. I am huge fan of Arctix and this jacket for men and this 3 in 1 one for women are great options. The male one comes with hand extensions to keep you warm even without gloves on. This is essential if you visit in the rainy summer months
Boots. You don’t really need trekking boots for the journey as you will be sitting in a car or walking on flat surfaces most of the time. Even the trek to Base Camp, if you have the energy despite the altitude , is on a well marked gravel road. But the boots are useful to keep warm. For men, the Solomon Speedcross waterproof are a sure winner that I keep seeing on more and more people. They also make them for women but I would much prefer the higher boots.
A scarf is essential unless your jacket goes all the way up. It will be useful to wrap yourself around and also to protect your throat and nose from the dryness.
Sunglasses that truly protect from the sun, not to make a fashion statement. Altitude and weather make the sun particularly punishing, dryness will only aggravate it. I love Oakley for anything that is heavy duty and outdoorsy.
Sun screen is a must. I am a huge fan of Biore Face Milk because it is silky and dry and you will not know you are wearing it.
Lip balm, again, the weather is uber dry and cold.
Tissues and wet wipes, lots and lots of them. To wash your hands before and after meals, and to use the toilet. Hand sanitiser is essential too.
Bring tubes not aerosols of anything, they could explode with the altitude.
Bring all the prescription drugs and cosmetics you need, outside of Lhasa these may be really hard to find.
Pack nuts or energy bars or buy them in Lhasa. Sometimes you will drive for hours without a place to eat.
Consult your doctor on altitude sickness and consider bringing Diamox, the most commonly used drug to treat and prevent altitude sickness.
If you are going to Base Camp, camping or planning to sleep in basic accommodation, bring a powerful power bank. A great one that can even charge your laptop is the MAXOAK Laptop Power Bank one which comes with two USB ports and a quick charge one but beware that the Chinese airport officials may make you check it in.

The below packing list is particularly relevant if you are visiting Base Camp or traveling to Tibet in winter. Lhasa and surroundings do not get as cold.

Thermal underwear , trust me, you will thank me for this when you go to sleep at the Base Camp tourist tents or Rombuk Monastery without any heating and the thermometer hits -10, plus the wind chill factor. You would wrap yourself around with a blanket outside if you could. Male underwear here .
A thick hat. Laugh all you want but the Russian style hats that they wear in Siberia saved my life at night when the temperatures (mid May) were well below -10 and I was trying to keep warm under 5 thick blankets.
Heavy duty gloves or forget about taking any photos. If you want, the thinner but effective Timberland gloves can be used with your phone, that is if your phone works in the cold, both my Nexus and my iPhone shut down.
Thermal socks because the feet are the hardest part to keep warm.
Heat packs, these small one time use warmers can be a real lifesaver. Shake them and they’ll warm up quickly giving you hours of warmth on hands and feet.

Safety in Tibet

Like China as a whole, Tibet is a very safe place and theft or any violence is almost unheard of. It helps that there is police and checkpoints across the region.

However, you must be aware of the traveling restrictions and abide by them to avoid any issues. Also make sure that you don’t bring any Tibetan flag or picture or book about the Dalai Lama or other contentious text about Tibet and China.

Cost of travel to Tibet

In the itinerary section I listed the costs of the proposed trips based on the duration. These are prices for group tours with accommodation at 3 star hotels.

Prices for these start at USD500 per person sharing for the 3 days in Lhasa tour to the more expensive two weeks trip to Mount Kailash which can up to USD2,100 per person sharing. If you travel alone, you should consider the cost of a single supplement.

Alternatively, you can also organise a private tour for your party like I did. The cost will be higher but the flexibility and comfort should also be much better. Prices will very much depend on how many you are and where you want to stay.

Aside from the tour cost, you should consider additional cash for photography at each monastery and landmark which can vary between $2 and $10, sometimes this needs to be paid per hall within a monastery not for the entire premises. If you plan to film, costs can be significantly higher and run up to $350.

Souvenirs are relatively affordable and alcoholic drinks, mostly beer, is too. Bring cash as credit cards will only be accepted in Lhasa.

This article is brought to you by GoToTibet experts in arranging travel to Tibet. As always, all opinions are honest and based on our experience traveling in Tibet.

This would make a great addition to your Tibet Travel board!

Check if you need a visa, get help processing it at iVisa .
Never ever leave without travel insurance. Get affordable coverage from World Nomads or long term insurance from Safety Wing .
I find all of my flights on KAYAK . Check their Deals section too.
Search for all your transportation between destinations on the trusted travel booking platform Bookaway .
I book all my day trips and tours via GetYourGuide , they are the best and their tours are refundable up to 24h in advance.
Get USD35 off your first booking with Airbnb .
Compare hotels EVERYWHERE at HotelsCombined and book with Booking.com .
Compare car rental prices at Rentalcars.com

A Tibet Travel Blog (Hard Realities & Wonders of Tibet)

This post may contain affiliate links.

I honestly don’t know where to start with Tibet. We’ve just spent 8 incredible days travelling through Tibet from Kathmandu and those 8 days were some of the most mesmerising of our last 6 years of full-time travel. I now need to create a Tibet travel blog to record our memories before they fade and to give you the low-down on this beautiful and inspiring place. Our content on Tibet travel starts here, I need to unpack my mind on these pages and explain what Tibet does to you.

Tibet Travel Blog

I’ll start today with an overview because every place we visited in Tibet, every experience, deserves its own post.

Our journey from Kathmandu, to the Chinese border, and onward to Lhasa was immense.

So few people visit, I want you all to know about Tibet but I need to tread carefully. You can do more research for yourselves.

Maybe, like me, you’ve been fascinated by Tibet for a long time, watched the films and read the books but not been fortunate enough to see this place first-hand.

I want to show you the pictures. All of the places we mention here will have full blog posts in time.

This is just a first taste of Tibet.

Is it Safe to Visit Tibet?

We felt very safe in Tibet from the moment we crossed the border.

In my opinion it is safe to visit Tibet and we took children with us.

The roads in Tibet were all in very good condition and almost free from traffic.

There is heavy police and army presence, both visible and disguised.

You will pass through checkpoints and metal detectors often.

The journey to Tibet, by road starting in Kathmandu, was hair-raising, but once you’re on Chinese roads everything changes.

Tibet Travel Video

We have Tibet travel videos on our posts about Lhasa and the monks debating at Sera Monastery.

There is no video on this page as yet because some people find them annoying, but do try to find those.

See our Tibet tag at the bottom of the page.

Kathmandu to Tibet Journey

Our 8 day journey to Lhasa started in Kathmandu with a 7 hour jeep ride to the Chinese border.

It’s a tough trip on almost non-existent roads. You bounce and shake through villages and mountain passes in low-quality jeeps. 7 tourists and a driver crammed into a too-small vehicle with little comfort or safety.

I always say that the worse it gets the better the stories, but I wasn’t happy with safety on this ride at all, particularly not for my children. We’d been in Nepal almost 3 months and taken plenty of long-distance bus rides so I’m not being precious here.

This jeep wasn’t good, the booking agent lied to us and Nepali roads are challenging. In general, I’d prefer to take a bus in Nepal.

Of course, the scenery was stunning and the experience was a memorable one. This is real travel, it’s not always easy but it’s always worth it.

Crossing The Border into China

Crossing the border into China was fairly straightforward.

A huge modern border control complex marked the entry into another world. Goodbye Nepal, hello China.

From here on in our bus was spacious and comfortable, the highways were good and the landscape changed completely.

We met our Tibetan guide, our faultless escort for the next 8 days filled us in on Tibetan customs while keeping well away from politics.

The first stop was just 45 minutes from the border.

A comfortable modern Tibetan styled hotel. The next morning we set off into Tibet proper, passing the tree line, travelling up onto and into the Tibetan Plateau.

Altitude and High Passes

Here’s the thing, it’s not a plateau at all. It’s not flat.

We crossed multiple high passes over 4 and 5,000 m. The altitude in Tibet is extreme and you need to be ready for that.

Altitude is an issue if you’re thinking of visiting Tibet. I can talk more about that elsewhere , but for us and the other family on this tour of Tibet, it wasn’t too much of a problem.

We had all just completed high altitude treks with the kids, Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit , along with spending extended time in Kathmandu (which is at 1300 m) so we did OK. Others suffered more.

Some days saw us spending up to 9 hours per day driving. It sounds a lot and it is, but it was enjoyable.

The landscape, traditional villages, animals, lakes and people kept me staring out of the window. Likewise the changes brought in by the Chinese development were there to see.

Kids and Tibet Travel

The children, there were 3 with us, between 9 and 14 years old, slept comfortably in reclining seats or read and played games as we drove for long days over high passes.

There was some travel sickness and a couple of major tummy upsets caused by giardia. Toilet stops were off-the-scale bad. You’ve never seen bad public toilets until you’ve seen those in Tibet (China generally also) and my son wasn’t happy to use them. It was a problem.

In some places, the Potala Palace for instance, the public toilets were OK, but mostly, no.

Yes, you can take kids to Tibet and mostly the three kids with us enjoyed it. It was fascinating, there’s so much to see, all of it new. The attention the kids received was overwhelming at times but they didn’t have the same emotional response to what they saw as we adults.

Food and accommodation in Tibet were absolutely fine for kids, be aware of altitude, tummy problems, cold, and bad toilets if you’re travelling to Tibet with kids.

Food on The Tibet Trip

Breakfast was included in the price of our trip. Some hotels were very good, 2 were very bad.

Breakfast was eggs and bread or some variation on that theme. It wasn’t great, but it was OK.

We made lunch stops as a group and in the evening we were free to eat where we pleased, choosing between Nepali, Indian, Chinese and Tibetan dishes on most menus.

We ate well with all 3 kids developing a liking for yak. Yak is much nicer than buff, if you were wondering.

There were several vegetarians on the bus and we found food easily, Indian and Nepali food is usually great for vegetarians.

We now have a full post on food in Tibet .

If you’re vegan and committed to sticking to your principles while travelling like this, you’ll struggle.

There is most certainly a language barrier in Tibet and I really don’t like your chances of explaining a vegan diet in Chinese or Tibetan, maybe you’d need to get something printed in both languages to carry with you.

Likewise, if you have any allergies or intolerances. I react badly to MSG, we did come across this additive several times.

Highlights of The Tibet Trip

Every day we stopped at view points. Most days we visited places of interest.

Yamdrok Lake is the most incredible colour. The water has purple and turquoise hues.

A stunning spot with furry tourist trap touches and popular for wedding photos. See Chef’s two new friends above.

One of the highlights of this part of the journey was the Panchen Lama’s monastery, the Tashi Lhumpo monastey at Shigatse.

Obviously this is a real political hot potato. It’s not something we could discuss publicly in Tibet and not something I’m going to discuss here.

The monastery was breathtaking and this, on day 2, was when we all felt we were really in Tibet.

We finally arrived in Lhasa late on day 5. Our hotel in Old Lhasa was filthy and that day was hard.

My son was sick, I was tired and hungry and couldn’t face going out to eat.

My husband (we call him Chef, because he is) went out to find food and struggled so that night we went without.

That was the low point of the trip, but the next day was a massive high.

Day 6 saw us spending the morning at the Potala Palace. It was incredibly emotional and that’s all I’m going to say right now.

We walked in the park surrounded by Tibetan people in traditional dress from every corner of the region before heading into Old Lhasa for a delicious lunch at Lhasa Kitchen.

Our afternoon stop was the Jokhang Temple, one of the most sacred places in Tibet and a short stroll from the restaurant.

We were lucky enough to be there for a festival.

Again, this experience was so intense that I can’t even start to describe it here. That blog post will come soon.

We enjoyed another delicious dinner with the other travelling family, then off to bed, ready for the next huge day.

Day 7, our last day in Tibet and we were given a choice, did we want to visit the Summer Palace or another monastery? The group unanimously decided to visit the Summer Palace and we were so glad we picked this place.

Debating Monks

Our afternoon took us to the Sera Monastery where monks sharpen their debating skills in a public forum. This is the stuff of dreams. I never thought I’d ever see this with my own eyes.

Debating Tibetan Monks Sera Monastery Tibet

Our tour ended with a final celebratory yak sizzler for the kids and a walk around Old Lhasa- it’s so beautiful at night.

As always local people stared, smiled and welcomed us. All the attention was pretty overwhelming for our little blond girl so if you’re taking small cute kids, be ready for that.

The next morning we had to leave. None of us wanting to go.

Blue skies gave us perfect views of Everest and the whole of the Himalayan range as we flew back to Kathmandu. The plane was good, Lhasa airport was modern, this return flight is easy.

Want to Learn More About Tibet?

Here are a few classic books and movies that you could take a look at if you haven’t already. It feels as if you’re on the set of Seven Years in Tibet and Kundun at times.

I would strongly suggest reading up on Tibet’s history, religion, and culture before you go.

No books of this kind are allowed in Tibet and you will be searched, watched, and listened to at all times.

That’s all for now from our Tibet trip but I have so much more to tell about our experiences during this visit. We hope you stick around to see more of Tibet travel, Everest, and the Himalayas. Sign up to follow. Our Lhasa post and Sera monastery post (debating monks with video) are published. along with Tibetan food . Don’t forget to save to Pinterest! Thanks for reading.

Facebook 325
Pinterest 1007

If you'd like to hire a car during your stay, use this car rental comparison tool to find the best deal! We also suggest you take a look at this company to get a quote for all kinds of the more tricky adventure or extended travel insurance. Try Stayz / VRBO for an alternative way to find rentals on homes/apartments/condos in any country!

Entrance tothe Sera monastery Lhasa Tibet

Alyson Long

How to visit chitwan national park, nepal, altitude in tibet. high passes and diamox, 27 thoughts on “a tibet travel blog (hard realities & wonders of tibet)”.

Wow, what a great blog and beautiful pictures.

I reflect my trip to Tibet two years ago. Great read

I went with a local Tibetan travel agency. They are a small Tibetan company in Lhasa providing us the best services ever. Tibetans are very honest, always smile, compassion and I want to visit there again in the future.

@Say Vera, Hi Say Vera I’m looking for a reliable Tibetan travel agency that can provide an English speaking guide to travel through Tibet for three weeks in September 2023. Who was the travel agent you used? Thanks, Jossi Clyde

thank you for sharing your experiences of traveling in Tibet.

It is a piece of beautiful and useful information for future travelers. Who makes a plan a trip to Tibet. I read everything from beginning to end, and I like your blog very much and hope you will write an article for our company. We are an unfortunate tour company that never chance to arrange your memorable tour in Tibet. Nonetheless, we are so excited to connect with you.

I Hope, You will reply to our comments. Thanks and good luck

Sorry but I cannot disagree more about the “toilets in China are generally really bad” part. Yes in remote areas like Tibet it might be the case, but in all the major cities they offer the same kind of toilets like the other countries. The facilities in those major cities are definitely not worse than the Western countries.

OK, agreed, most modern places they’re good, as they are anywhere. But China is one of very few countries where we’ve had to use communal toilets and open trenches in the ground. The only other place I’ve seen that is Cuba. The modern public toilet blocks even, newly built by China, can still be door-less and have trenches flowing through in Tibet. Have you not seen those in other parts of China ? My husband had to use a public toilet in Beijing that was a trench in the floor with squatting arrangements. That was a very old one. It’s pretty unusual!

love the post on EBC and the scary video of the rope bridge. Had been contemplating this one myself but thinking twice now … that’s a good thing! Cheers for a great, honest, informative, post.

Thank you Emmydee! But I have a huge fear of heights, don’t worry because I worry, most people breeze accross, bounce up and down and take selfies. They are NUTS!

It feels like a remarkable joy after reading this blog, you have shared a very nice experiences form Tibet that is clearly seen through your photos. This is a great experience that you have made and thank you for sharing your daily travel update in Tibet. The culture and the mountain views are so pleasing, its like a heaven on the earth. This means a lot for new travelers and helps them by guiding what should you do or should not do while traveling. Thank you for sharing your beautiful experience of Tibet.

Thanks for sharing about your journey to Tibet. I was in Nepal in 2008 and we planned to travel to Tibet that same way but it closed to tourists due to unrest surrounding the Beijing Olympics. I’ll hopefully try again one day. I’m excited to hear the extended version of your travels.

Hi Diane, I’ll get back to the Tibet content ASAP. Did you see the Sera Monastery post and video? That was incredible. I’m tied up with Scuba Diving content right now, the kids have gone ocean crazy, but Tibet…soon ! I’m also hoping to get back there this year for Mt Kailash.

Tibet sounds like a fabulous place to visit, I love all your pictures giving a sneak peak into the experiences you have had around them. Thanks for all the indepth tips about the roads and weather acclimatization, so helpful! I am intrigued by the debating monks, I have never seen them in such animated expressions, I would’ve loved to hear their discussions and learn more about this lesson / tradition of theirs.

I have so much more to come on Tibet Arti! It was really intense and that trip was followed by a big transition for us, we’re home after almost 6 years, I have a lot of catching up to do.

Hi Alyson, What a beautiful destination! The sky was so clear and the weather seemed very nice. I wish I could be there and take some photo with yak 🙂 I and my partner are preparing trekking equipment, but we are newbie ones. You said you brought your everest trekking gear so could you suggest which one is proper for the beginner from this site? ( link removed) Really appreciate your Tibet trip and thank you in advance for your recommend.

It really doesn’t matter much, a wooden stick will do. You can buy one for $5 in Namche or in Kathmandu. Just find one ( or two) you like, that feels comfortable. I like one that’s well sprung, with a good bit of bounce in it.

I am so happy and interested to read your post. Tibet has long been a place I’ve wanted to visit, and in particular, to see with my family. The last time I looked into it, the chances of doing so seemed very bad. But, we don’t take a lot of what we read at face value. I figured we still had time to research more, but I have wondered in the back of my mind if Tibet would be that one travel dream that I missed. You have no idea how intrigued I became when I saw your post on Facebook. It’s going to be a while until we are in Asia, but you can count on me scouring every word of your posts about Tibet. I know how it feels to be a full-time traveler and a fulltime writer…it can be so tough to keep up! But, today, I read your post as a work break from my own writing. It reminded me how revitalizing it is to do that.

It’s actually very easy to go, in terms of permissions. But go as soon as you can. History is being re-written and there is talk of the Potala Palace being closed to tourists from next year. It costs a lot. About $1000 each for this 8 day trip. But we didn’t need a China visa, just the group Tibet visa available from Nepal. We’re off to Bali then home to Australia, then Christmas and fixing up the house to sell…time is not something I have much of right now but thankfully the website keeps ticking over and making us a living without too much work. I’m looking forward to getting Tibet and Everest Base Camp finished. Plus of course, there is so much more to blogging these days. Every post needs a video, hundreds of photos to edit, one post can take a week of my time. But it’s worth it.You have no idea ( or maybe you do!) how satisfying it is to have such a complete and authoritative travel guide, that helps so many people…that I made all by myself. Just keep on blogging.

Great read and beautiful pictures. Looking forward to reading more about Tibet.

Fabulous post thank you. Gearing up to travel further afield as a family and find reading your adventures inspiring. Looking forward to reading more.

I’m not sure I could tolerate the altitude, but it sounds like you were well acclimatized by the time you had to deal with 4 and 5 thousand meters. I know you’ve seen so much of the world that I’m looking forward to your in depth posts about this trip that wowed even you. We actually have a Tibetan community here in Philadelphia. Seeing just your photos here, I can’t imagine how they deal with the culture shock.

Well….because it had been maybe a month since Everest Base Camp, I’m not sure that we had any residual acclimatisation. But we did OK. We took diamox for the first few days but having to pee all the time in those terrible toilets made us stop. At the first 5000 + m pass I was very dizzy, but because bus…not for long before we dropped down a thousand m or so. It was OK. But then I’m pretty good with altitude. It’s Chef that struggles usually, but he was OK too.

This sounds like it has been amazing! And your photos are just divine. But I have missed you Aysun and I don’t like it when you go to places where I cannot reach you. So stay local and be a good girl. And I LOVE that little video thing you’ve got going on in the sidebar. Very cool! Missed you my friend xxx

Thnk you. It’s Mediavine so I can’t help you with that. But be ready for when you join Mediavine by making short videos for as many posts as you can. And I mean short. 30 seconds to 1 minute. I’m fed up. Not fun to be around today. I have the going home blues.

Hi Alyson! A great read.. some of my wonders have been calmed and we are very much looking forward to our time in Tibet. Welcome back, I hope everyone is feeling better! We’ll be in KTM the 2nd so if you still around, a coffee with you would be high on my list ☺️ Enjoy the decompression

We’ll be in Bali sorry! How was your hike?

So fantastic to read. Looking forward to the rest in more detail than is already here. Not sure I could do it all myself, but totally love reading, and traveling with you via my office chair and your blogs. I will seek out all those movies too. I would like to time travel and skip all the wayward, rickety, dodgy transport trips and icky toilets and just be in the temples and at the festivals etc. However, I also realise that the journey is not just the destination but often the best memories come from the hardships and the mishaps and all the quirky stuff in between and the satisfaction that you coped and survived it all. I’m in awe of you all.

Great to have you along for the ride. Loads more to come on Tibet. Once in China the trip was pretty luxury, but nothing to be done about those public toilets! You don’t need the full horror story about just how sick Boo was…uggg!

How to Visit a Tibetan Monastery? Any Special Things to Pay Attention to…

With up to 1,700 Buddhist monasteries and temples scattered across Tibet, touring Tibet is essentially about monastery visit. So, as an overseas traveler, having some basic ideas of the right etiquettes and taboos of Tibetan monasteries would help you travel at great ease in Tibet. Please follow the expert advice from our local leaders below and get fully prepared for your journey.

What You Should Know Before Entering the Monastery

Before visiting Tibetan monasteries, the first and foremost thing is to make sure you have dressed modestly and properly. It is one of the fundamental ways to show your respect to the Buddha.

Don’ts:

Travelers are not supposed to wear skimpy outfits, exposing large parts of the body. Wearing clothes or shoes like mini skirts, and shorts that are above the knees, slippers/sandals, etc. is deemed disrespectful to the deities.

As you travel in the monastery, under no circumstances should ladies have physical contact with the monks. It’s a serious taboo to the monks practicing Buddhism in Tibet.

When entering the monastery, don’t step or stand on the threshold of the door because the threshold symbolizes the shoulders of the Buddha. If you do so, it is said to bring bad luck.

Besides, smoking is not allowed in Buddhist monasteries and temples. - Check more etiquettes and taboos for Tibet tour .

Do remove your hats, sunglasses and switch your mobile phone to silent mode, as you enter the rooms of Tibetan monasteries and temples.

Also, Tibetan monasteries basically act as an academy of Buddhism for living monks. Visitors should keep the peace and order of it. If you travel with small and rowdy kids, do keep a close eye on them and don’t give them the chance for any vandalism.

If you want to refer to the Buddha, do use your palm instead of the finger-pointing, which is extremely disrespectful to the Buddha.

Make Proper Offerings to the Buddha in Tibetan Monasteries

Of course, no one comes to a monastery and says the prayer and then leaves right away. The biggest highlight comes when you worship the Buddha statue and make your offerings to the Buddha. So, your prayers can be heard and blessings granted. If you manage to do it right, you will receive heaps of approving smiles from the locals.

Although you can’t chant the Tibetan mantra and don’t necessarily need to prostrate yourself before the entrance of the monastery as local pilgrims do, you can make the right offerings like a local.

Bring the Right Offerings to the Buddha

In most Tibetan monasteries, burning Weisang (branches of pine trees) and adding butter oil to the lamps are some of the most orthodox ways to show your respect to Buddha when visiting Tibetan monasteries.

Take visiting Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, for example, you may buy branches of pine trees and cypresses from the local vendors on Barkhor Street. Then, put them into the burners surrounding the Jokhang Temple.

Buring Weisang in front of Jokhang Temple

The aromatic smoke produced is taken as a great offering to the Buddha. Meanwhile, you may also buy a kettle of butter oil and gently add the oil to the wafting oil lamps inside the Jokhang Temple.

The perpetually-lit oil lamps symbolize the wisdom and light, another great offering to the Buddha. Meanwhile, you can also accumulate your merits by doing so. - Check the top tour experiences in the Lhasa tour .

While in other temples, the offering might be a twist. If you visit the Zhaji Temple, the famous temple where the god of fortune is enshrined, what you should bring is the alcohol, incense, and auspicious Hada, some of the favorite offerings of this deity.

So, it’s advisable to consult your guide about what offerings to take before the visit.

Besides, as you make the offerings to the statues or paintings of the Buddha, you are not supposed to touch holy items like Buddhist statues, rolls of Tibetan scriptures, or Thangkas, frescos and food, fruits, etc.

Key Gestures for Buddhist Praying

As you worship the Buddha, stand upright before the statue of Buddha and prostrate yourself first as a sign of respect to the Buddha and then close your eyes and say prayers or “Om Mani Padme Hum” in Tibetan as you put your palms together and gently move them from your forehead to face and chest and bow.

So, a spiritual connection is made before you and the Buddha. And your prayers are heard. If you want to call others’ attention to the Buddha. Do remember not to point your figure to the Buddha. Instead, using your palm when needed.

Bonus Tips: Usually, you can find a donation box or a wishing well in the monastery. You also prepare some change to donate to the monastery for renovation and maintenance. And your good deeds will earn you more blessings.

Be Extremely Careful about Taking Photos in the Monastery

Masterfully-made murals, golden rooftop, and devoted prostrating pilgrims, a labyrinth of mysterious Buddhist chambers, dramatic debating monks, etc. all of the photogenic elements of Tibetan monasteries tickle every nerve of photographers to press the shutter.

However, you gotta be extremely careful about photo-taking in the monastery. In most cases, inside the Buddhist halls or rooms, photography is strictly forbidden. Never aim your camera towards the statue of Buddha enshrined inside the monastery, totally profane and unacceptable.

Whereas you can photograph the public areas of the monastery like the alleys and courtyard, monks passing by, and local pilgrims on the condition of not disturbing them. Thus, the telescope lens like 85mm, 70-200mm are more people-friendly.

If you want to take close-up shots for monks or locals, do ask their permission through the guide first. In most cases, they will be more than happy to accept the invitation from an overseas tourist like you. Look for the top destinations for photography in Tibet .

Bonus Tips: In some scenarios, like the Gyantse Stupa inside Pelkor Monastery, photography is allowed when visitors pay a small amount of money for the maintenance of the monastery. However, flash is forbidden for it ruins the color and texture of the murals.

While you can’t use your DSLR or film camera to shoot debating monks inside Sera Monastery, the in-built cameras on your iPhone or other cell phones are accepted to capture the rarely-seen debating scene.

Don’t Miss out Hidden Treasure During Your Visit

Apart from worshipping the Buddha or marveling at Buddhist treasure, for cultural explorers, don’t miss out on the interesting facts that are worth exploring.

Climbing the long stairs to visit the Potala Palace

For example, as you hike on the long stairs of the Potala Palace, just take a closer look, you will find that parts of its red walls are not entirely made of bricks or marble.

Instead, they are made of straw that can balance the weight between the foundation and upper parts of the Potala Palace, a smart idea to keep warm while having a solid wall.

You can also take a peek at an old pit toilet inside Potala Palace, said to be one of the world’s highest toilets (3,700m) with a sheer drop of 60m from the ground or the hight of a 20-story building. Just be careful, don’t drop your phone.

Besides, Tibetan monasteries like Tashilunpo Monastery are also a great place for locals to have picnics, which locals refer to as “Linka”. It’s very common to see locals sit on the blanket and drink Chang (or home-made Tibetan wine) or eat snacks whiling playing Sho, a Tibetan dice game.

It’s a great chance to break the ice with locals. As you travel past them in the monastery, you are likely to be invited for a cup of home-made wine and lay back on the rugs for a leisurely time.

Once in a while, you may also see huge stone painted or engraved with Buddhist mantra or religious symbols. Don’t forget to ask your local guide for an explanation.

Also, during your visit, you may get a chance to closely enjoy the monks’ chanting in the assembly hall. You can quietly join the mediation while soaking up the holy Buddhist vibes as the nerve-soothing chanting flowing into your ears.

Each monastery also has its distinctive colors and architecture and frescos, such as the unique grey, white and red strips of Sakya monastery, the tremendous Drepung Monastery resembling “a heap of rice” and working craftsmen for the Mani stone or Buddhist statues, stunning frescoes, etc

The unlimited small details are all worth your discovery, with our knowledgeable local leaders.

Insider Tips: As you tour the monastery, try to avoid discussing the private lives of living Buddhas. Some of the monasteries like Drigung Til Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Ganden Monastery were built around “Sky Burial Site”, a place where traditional Tibetan funeral is performed. Tourists are not forbidden to visit up-close.

How to Greet Tibetan Monks in the Monastery

If you happen to meet Tibetan monks face to face in the alley of the monastery, a polite and the most common way of greeting is bow your head slightly and put your palms together before your chest while saying “Tashi Delek”.

Just remember not to shake hands or hug the monk or touch his shoulder and head. These behaviors are quite impolite and far too intimate.

You may communicate with monks through the help of our local guide. However, refrain yourself from discussing the topic like marriage, political unrest, and dining for meat and murdering.

It’s advisable to chat about the unique weather in Tibet and the daily lives of monks. You will learn much more about Tibetan Buddhism than murals and statues.

Walk the Kora in A Clockwise Manner Around Tibetan Monasteries

Interestingly, many Tibetan monasteries are surrounded by a holy kora route, by which devoted Tibetan pilgrims can make a pilgrimage around them. Such as the famous Barkhor Circuit around Jokhang Temple, the hillside routes surrounding Ganden Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Tashilhunp monastery.

Walk the Barkhor Circuit around Jokhang Temple

The key to remind you is that when walking the kora, do it in a clockwise manner. It’s the traditional way of pilgrimage. The rule applies to turning the prayer wheels in the monastery. Only the old Bon religion does it in the opposite way.

In addition, no matter how many times you have circled the Tibetan monastery or holy mountain, it’s much better to be an odd number like 3, 7,9, 21, etc. because, in Tibetan Buddhism, the odd number is believed to be more auspicious than even number.

Time Your Monastery Visit at the Most Ideal Time

Visiting monasteries at the right time can make a huge difference. For example, if you are about to visit Sera Monastery, do visit its printing house first and time your visit to the famous monk debate at around 3:10 pm.

Then, you can avoid the crowds and find the best vantage point and use your iPhone to take photos. And later, you can travel at ease to visit the main assembly hall and enjoy a brief meditation there.

In addition, try to arrange your visit to Potala Palace on the third day of your Lhasa tour. Then you can have one more day for acclimatization, which does make it easier for you to hike the long stairs of Potala Palace (3,700m).

Besides, for other monasteries or temples, like Potala Palace or Jokhang Temple, the early morning would be the most ideal time for the visit. You can join the pious groups of pilgrims for the worship. While in the afternoon, the large tour group will be coming and form long lines.

Of course, to visit the Tibetan monasteries with the least tourists, then booking a winter Tibet tour could be the perfect option with unexpected discounts as to hotels and flights and fast travel permit processing.

Thangka unfolding ceremony during the Shoton Festival in Drepung Monastery

While the summertime is for you to enjoy the thrilling Tibetan festivals unfolding in various Tibetan monasteries.

Some of the most famous including the gigantic Thangka unfolding ceremony during the Shoton Festival in Drepung; Tsongkhapa Butter Lamp Festival at Jokhang Temple, etc.

Please feel free to consult our friendly travel consultants and customize your Tibetan monastery tour .

Having discussed so much about the etiquettes and taboos of the varied monasteries and helpful travel tips, it’s easy to see that only those who have some basic ideas of dos and don’ts of Tibet visit with full preparation can make the most of your visit and earn the respect to both yourself and from the locals. Hopefully, you can benefit from the key points we shared and enjoy your exploration in different monasteries in Tibet to your heart’s content.

About the Author - Master Kungga Dundruk

Kungga Dundruk, often respectfully referred to as “Manager Kunga”, is the most revered and legendary Tibetan guide in our team.

Currently working as a customer service manager in Lhasa, Kunga used to study business overseas and got his Bachelor of Business in Nepal and India before moving back to his homeland. With pure passion for life and unlimited love for Tibet, Kunga started his guide career as early as 1997.

As a legendary Tibetan guide with 22 years of guide experience, Kunga was awarded the Gold Medalist of China’s Best Tour Guide in 2019, marking the pinnacle of his career. Today, Kunga loves sharing his wealth of Tibetan knowledge through travel articles and stands ready to offer prompt support whenever our guests need help in Lhasa.

Email me about your travel idea

https://plus.google.com/+Kunga-TibetVista

Read all my articles about Tibet travel

Have a Question? Ask below or call +86 28 81754631

Question Summary *

Please fill in your contact information, we will send you the answer by email

Country * : United States India Australia Malaysia United Kingdom Singapore Canada Germany China France Indonesia Hong Kong, China Netherlands Spain Italy New Zealand Brazil Mexico Thailand Switzerland Japan South Africa Nepal Philippines Russia Sweden Belgium Argentina Austria Ireland Israel Chile Vietnam Denmark Bangladesh Poland Portugal Sri Lanka South Korea Oman Romania Pakistan Other Colombia Hungary Taiwan, China Finland Greece Turkey Norway Mongolia Bhutan Bulgaria Costa Rica Myanmar Saudi Arabia Slovenia Ukraine Lithuania Egypt Qatar Mauritius Serbia Ecuador Uruguay Iran Niger Venezuela Cyprus Lebanon Nigeria Honduras Latvia Peru Guatemala Belarus Cambodia Estonia Kenya Macau, China Malta Tunisia Albania Bahrain Jordan Luxembourg Andorra Azerbaijan Georgia Guinea Kuwait Panama El Salvador French Guiana Iceland Kazakhstan Macedonia Micronesia Montenegro Morocco Paraguay Tanzania Uzbekistan Zimbabwe Anguilla Armenia Belize Benin Bolivia Botswana Dominica Eritrea Ethiopia Fiji Laos Liberia Libya Malawi Mali Moldova Monaco Namibia Norfolk Island Reunion Island Somalia Swaziland Tajikistan Turkmenistan Tuvalu Yemen Zambia Afghanistan Algeria Angola Antarctica Aruba Bahamas Barbados Bermuda Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Chad Comoros Djibouti East Timor French Polynesia Gabon Gambia Ghana Gibraltar Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guernsey Guyana Haiti Iraq Jamaica Jersey Kiribati Kosovo Lesotho Liechtenstein Madagascar Maldives Martinique Mauritania Mayotte Island Montserrat Mozambique Nauru New Caledonia Nicaragua Niue Palau Pitcairn Island Puerto Rico Rwanda Saint Helena Saint Lucia San Marino Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Suriname Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Islands Uganda Vanuatu Vatican City Western Sahara Western Samoa Costarica Croatia Czech Korea

SUBMIT Cancel

0 Comment ON "How to Visit a Tibetan Monastery? Any Special Things to Pay Attention to…"

Check All Tibet Travel FAQs Here

Tibet Travel Advice
Advice & Tips on Tibet Visa Application (6)
Plan a trip to Everest Base Camp (22)
Best Travel Time to Tibet (30)
Keep Healthy in Tibet (14)
Accommodation in Tibet (16)
Tibetan Food and Restaurants (8)
Money and banking in Tibet (3)
How to Get to Tibet (9)
How to Travel in Tibet (9)
Taking train to Tibet (3)
Tibet Tour Cost (7)
Shopping in Tibet (2)
Photography in Tibet (10)
Etiquette and Taboos in Tibet (3)
Trekking in Tibet (2)
Biking in Tibet (1)
Children and Old people to Tibet (5)
Things to Do in Tibet (6)
Useful Travel Tips (25)
River rafting in Tibet
Tibetan Mountains

Ask a Quick Question

Your Full Name:

Your Email Adress:

More about Your Travel Plan:

IMAGES

Tibet is one of the most attractive and interesting place, located on
Wandering Through Streets of Lhasa, Tibet : r/travel
Somewhere in tibet : r/oddlysatisfying
Discover Tibet's Cities
Tibet Photography Tour
Things you need to know before visiting Tibet

VIDEO

About Tibet Travel Permit , 如何办理入藏涵,旅游,地域奇趣
Indain Exploring The Unseen Tibet
Путешествие в Тибет и на гору Кайлас
Madventures II
western Tibet A-Li (Nagri) & Mount Kailash
Что не может увидеть турист в Тибете? Лекция тибетолога Анны Цендиной

COMMENTS

r/travel on Reddit: My Wife and I Finally Made it to Tibet, Here are
Many people thought that travel to Tibet is very difficult and complicated documents to enter Tibet, in reality it's not difficult as you think. The main thing is to choose a local Tibetan travel agency based in Lhasa, Tibet because Tibet permits are processing in Lhasa. Here is one of the most complete Tibet travel guide before you visit Tibet.
Top 5 Tibet Travel Questions Answered For Solo Travellers
Here are our lessons learned: 1) Determine ahead of time with your agency or tour organiser a fair number of hours per day for your driver, including rests. 2) If you are uneasy about the driver's driving, speak up. You're a client and a passenger, and you have the right to feel safe.
Tibet Travel Guide
If flights are booked up you can easily fly into Chengdu and then on to Lhasa either same day or next day. The downside with flying to Tibet is it's expensive! If you don't book early enough, prices vary from 300 - 400 USD one way! Seat sales and booking early enough can get you a two-way ticket for 400 - 600 USD.
This is How to Travel Tibet
The extra costs aside from the tour cost itself were: Cost of the Nepal visa ($30 for 15 days, $40 for multiple entries if staying for more days before or after your trip) Cost of the Tibet Visa (Various according to Nationality) American and Brazilian: 195 USD per person. Canadian and Romanian: 150 USD per person.
How to Visit Tibet Safely, Easily and Ethically [2024]— YoWangdu Tibet
The short answer is no, you can't travel to Tibet on your own. You must be part of an organized tour to visit the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), which is the official name of the region that Lhasa and Mt. Everest are in. And you must take this tour with a certified Tibet travel agency. But here's the good news….
Top 12 Tibet Travel Tips, Tibet Travel Advice
11. Safety Tips: Don't Worry Too Much. 12. How Much a Tibet Visit Costs. 1. Plan to book at least 10 days before your departure. All Tibet tours must be booked at least 10 days in advance. It normally takes 5 days or so for the Tibet Tourism Bureau to issue a Tibet Entry Permit, and finally (if flying) the original Permit needs to be delivered ...
Tibet Travel Tips: Entry Permit, Etiquette and Taboo
Considering the special ethnic traditions, the cultural relics, the environmental protection and the transportation capacity of Tibet, Chinese Government regulates that non-Chinese citizens, including foreign visitors, Taiwan visitors and overseas Chinese must have a Tibet Travel Permit as well as a valid passport and a visa (Visitors from countries having visa exemption agreement with Hong ...
Traveling to Tibet FAQs and Tips
When entering Tibet via mainland China, you have two options: flight or train. There usually direct flight options from Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi'an Kunming and Shangri-La. Flying is the quickest and most-direct option. The train is an overnight journey from Xining to Lhasa and takes ~22 hours. This is a great option if you ...
How to Travel Tibet
After leading my first tour to Tibet, I'm sharing a detailed Tibet travel guide with all the information on how to travel Tibet, things to do and where to stay in Tibet. Tibet is called the 'Roof of the World' for good reason: With an average elevation exceeding 4,500 metres (14,800 ft), the Tibetan Plateau is sometimes the world's ...
Travel to Tibet Alone: Solutions for Independent Travel to Visit Tibet
Simply put, the answer is "NO". Traveling to Tibet is like no other. You can not pack your bag and travel independently. According to the policy, all foreign travelers to Tibet must book their tours through a registered Tibetan tour operator and be accompanied by a local travel guide and driver. Our client travelled with our Tibetan guide ...
How to Plan a Tibet Tour 2024: Expert Tips
If you are from a visa-free country, just disregard this step. Step 2 Confirm a tour package with a travel agent. No matter whether it is a group tour or a private tour. Step 3 Send us copies of your passport and China visa. If you are from a visa-free country, just send your passport to us.
IS IT WORTH GOING TO TIBET?
Overall, travelling to Tibet is a unique and rewarding experience that offers travellers a glimpse into a culture and way of life that is different from their own. With its stunning scenery, warm hospitality, unique culture, and spiritual significance, Tibet is definitely worth a visit for any traveller seeking a meaningful and transformative ...
9 Things To Know Before Visiting Tibet
Tibet is generally open to foreign travelers except in February and March each year. To enter what China calls the Tibet Autonomous Region, you will need both a Chinese visa and a special Tibet permit. Tibet travel permits are issued by the Chinese government, but only through a certified Tibet travel agency. 3.
Travel to Tibet
Mao Zedong founded The Republic of China in 1949 and the Dalai Lama became the Head of State in Tibet in 1951 at the age of 15. The Tibetan Autonomous Region was created in 1965. Tibet's hard to reach geographical position had kept it isolated until the opening of the railway link to Lhasa in 2006. The train increased the number of arrivals to 4 million just after its opening.
A Tibet Travel Blog (Hard Realities & Wonders of Tibet)
Kids and Tibet Travel. The children, there were 3 with us, between 9 and 14 years old, slept comfortably in reclining seats or read and played games as we drove for long days over high passes. There was some travel sickness and a couple of major tummy upsets caused by giardia. Toilet stops were off-the-scale bad.
How to Visit Tibet: follow the 9 easy steps
1. It is suggested to apply for your Tibet permit at least 20 days before your Tibet tour starts. 2. If you have more than one passport, please make sure you visit Tibet with the same one you used for your Tibet Travel Permit. Or you will be denied entry into Tibet. 3.
How to Visit a Tibetan Monastery? Any Special Things to ...
Ask below or call +86 28 81754631. Home to over 1,700 Tibetan monasteries and temples, Tibet is one of the centers for Buddhist pilgrimage and worship in Asia. So, as an overseas traveler, having some basic ideas of the right etiquettes and taboos of Tibetan monasteries would help you travel at great ease in Tibet.

Top 5 Tibet Travel Questions Answered For Solo Travellers

An Eating & Drinking Tour of Brooklyn, NYC

Table for One? Yes please.

5 Tips For The Perfect Solo City Break

2 How can I stay safe in Tibet?

Driving safety

15 Essential Safety Tips For The Solo Traveller

Animal safety

Food safety

3 Can you travel independently in Tibet?

4 How to avoid altitude sickness in Tibet?

5 How to save money while travelling Tibet alone?

Share this post:

Leave a Comment

Yolanda O'Bannon

Why The 50-30-20 Rule Is Unrealistic For Young People

Maximising Your Garden’s Yield Through Pest Prevention

Where Do Solos Want To Live And What Do They Want From Their Homes?

Galentine’s Day: Hosting A Special Dinner For Your Female Friends

Maximising Your Space: Designing A Home Gym For Small Spaces

My Reality Of Travelling Solo For The First Time

How to Travel Tibet Guide

Why You Should Travel Tibet

Visa and Permit for Tibet

How to Get to Tibet

Costs to Traveling Tibet

My Favourite Places in Tibet

Best Things To Do in Tibet

Staying Healthy in Tibet

Tibetan Highland Tours

Stephen Gollan

Related posts

Learning to Ski at Sunshine Village, Banff

Travel Iraq Guide

Uncharted Backpacker – A Recollective Journey into the World of Traveling

Traveling to Tibet FAQs and Tips

Do I need a permit?

How do I get to Tibet?

If I’m already in China, how do I get a Tibet Travel Permit?

How is the weather in the Tibetan Autonomous Region?

Can I access internet in the Tibetan Autonomous Region?

Is Tibet ever closed to foreign visitors?

Is there a risk of high altitude sickness?

Do I need vaccinations for traveling to Tibet?

How are bathrooms in the Tibetan Autonomous Region?

Have more questions?

Ready to plan an unforgettable journey to Tibet?

Related Journeys with WildChina

Soul of Tibet

The Red Dragon and Lhasa

Sho Dun Festival in Tibet

Escape to Lhasa

Beijing Address:

Shanghai Address:

Chengdu Address:

Yangshuo Address:

Wild Junket

How to Travel Tibet — My Tibet Travel Guide

Why You Should Travel Tibet

Lhasa Gang Gyan Hotel

Tommy suffering from altitude sickness and getting his oxygen fix

Nellie Huang

Leave a Comment Cancel Comment

The Comments

Cash'LaTyra Lewisdouglas

KALYAN GARIMELLA

Bernard Wosk

Michelle Adams

siewchin yong

Riwash Chamlagain

You May Also Like

9 Things To Know Before Visiting Tibet

1. Where Is Tibet?

2. Is Tibet Open To Tourists, And Can I Enter With A Chinese Visa?

3. Can I Travel Independently In Tibet?

4. Is It Safe To Travel In Tibet?

5. Will I Get Altitude Sickness?

6. When Is The Best Time To Visit Tibet?

7. How Can I Get To Tibet?

8. What Are The Best Places To Visit In Tibet?