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Introduction
Climate
Itineraries
Transportation

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China Guide > Tibet Guide

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TOP > Introduction

Tibet, the Roof of the World, for centuries the mysterious Buddhist holy place, is locked away in its mountain fastness of Himalaya, and has exercised a unique hold on the imagination of the west. For adventurers and traders it was a land of treasure and riches.

Tibet is in the northwest of China. At the turn of the millennium it is changing faster than at any time in Tibet's history. And yet the quintessence of Tibet remains remarkably intact. The temples are still full of pilgrims murmuring mantras in the golden light of yak butter lamps. Butter tea remains the most popular beverage.

Tibet is without doubt one of the most remarkable places to visit in Asia. It offers fabulous monastery sights, breathtaking high-altitude treks, stunning views of the world's highest mountains and some of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Area: 1.2 million sq km

Province Capital: Lhasa

Language: Tibetan, Chinese

Nearby Countries: This fortress of a region is located on the southwestern frontier of China, bordering with India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Burma to the south, and the Kashmir region to the west.

TOP > Climate

Undoubtedly, the best time of year to visit Tibet is between June and August. The maximum temperatures in Lhasa reach a comfortable mid 20 degrees Celsius, although evenings can still be rather chilly. Watch out though - these are also the three wettest months.

A green army coat (RMB90 in Lhasa!) may be indispensable if you take a land cruiser tour deeper into the region, even during these months. Snow storms whip up apparently from nowhere and many of the mountain passes far exceed an altitude of 5000m and are easily snowed in.

Something to be aware of due to Tibet's high altitude, is getting Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). See Travel Tips on how to try and avoid this illness.

TOP > Itineraries

You will probably be with a tour group when visiting Tibet since no independent travel outside of Lhasa is allowed, but if you are offered a choice of where to visit, or a more personalized itinerary, here we make a suggestion for you. You may wish to submit an itinerary to the PSB for permission to leave Lhasa, but it is generally recommended that you take advantage of various tours offered by Lhasa tourist agencies. This way you will not have to worry about legal issues of getting permission to visit the spots that you wish.

Most tours start in Lhasa, Tibet's capital city, as this is where flights, trains and buses into Tibet usually arrive (see transport overview). This suggested itinerary ranges from 5 days�C27 days depending on how much you want to do, and where you have a permit to visit.

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa. Get accustomed to the high altitude by resting upon arrival. After a rest, visit Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Square. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day 2: Visit Potala Palace and Norbulingka. Stay in Lhasa.

Day 3: Visit Drepung Monastery in the morning and Sera Monastery in the afternoon. Stay in Lhasa

Day 4: Take a local bus (Lhasa-Tsetang) to the ferry terminal. Take ferry to Samye Monastery terminal (3 hours). After crossing the river, take the local truck or walk to the Monastery (8km). Visit the Monastery and follow the same route back to the ferry terminal across the water. Take the same bus (Lhasa-Tsetang) or hitchhike on to Tsetang. Stay overnight in Tsetang.

Day 5: In the morning, hire a local pedicab for a whole day to Yumbulagang, visiting Trandruk Monastery en route, and then head back to Tsetang. Take the local bus back to Lhasa in the afternoon (4 hours). Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Note: Try to hire a car/ jeep for the following tour (Day 6-Day 24).

Day 6: Set out for Gyantse, visiting Yamdrok-Tso the sacred lake, and valley en route. Arrive in Gyantse and look around the town. Stay in Gyantse.

Day 7: Visit Gyantse Kumbum, the Pelkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Fort before noon. Drive to Shigatse in the afternoon. Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Day 8: Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, in the morning. Hire a local taxi or pedicab to visit Shalu Monastery in the afternoon. Stay in Shigatse.

Day 9: Set out for Sakya. Visit Sakya Monastery on arrival. Stay in Sakya.

Day 10: Drive to Tingri via Lhastse. Get a good rest and make preparations for the trip to Everest. Stay in Tingri.

Day 11: Drive to Mount Everest, arrive at Rongphu Monastery. Stay in Rongphu Monastery Guesthouse.

Day 12: Trek to the Base Camp of Everest. Trek back to Rongphu Monastery. Stay in the guesthouse.

Day 13: Drive back to Lhatse via Tingri. Stay overnight in Lhatse.

Day 14: Drive a full day westwards. Stay in Sangsang.

Day 15: Drive a full day westwards. Stay in Saga.

Day 16: Drive a full day westwards to Payang. Stay in Payang.

Day 17: Drive a full day westwards to Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. Stay in one of the guesthouses near the holy mountain.

Day 18: Full day sightseeing in the holy mountain and the holy lake. Stay in guesthouse for the night.

Day 19: Drive a full day westward to Zanda, visiting Tirthapura Hot Springs en route. Stay in Zanda.

Day 20: Visit the Guge Ruins, the Tholing Monastery and the Zanda Earth Tower Forest.

Day 21: Drive a full day northward to Ali (Shiquanhe). Stay in Ali.

Day 22: Drive a full day northward to Rutok, visit Lake Palgon, the Birds Island, Rock Frescoes. Stay in Rutok.

Day 23: Drive a full day northward, crossing the Xinjiang-Tibet border to get to Hongliutan via the highest road in the world. Stay in Hongliutan Army guesthouse.

Day 24: Drive a full day northward to Yecheng in Xinjiang, completing the Tibet Tour, stay in Yecheng.

Note: Yecheng is a return to civilization. The "unbelievably busy" city has easy access to Kashgar and other cities in Xinjiang through which you can continue on a Xinjiang tour. It is possible to take a bus to Kashgar and fly to Urumqi, the provincial capital of Xinjiang. From here you have access to the rest of China.

TOP > Transportation

By plane:
Flying is the most widely used means of transport to and from Tibet. There are flights to Lhasa from Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Xi'an and Kathmandu. Chengdu in Sichuan Province is the main starting point for travelers (especially foreign travelers) going into Tibet. Except for Wednesday and Friday, there are two flights per day from Chengdu to Lhasa. There are also flights departing from Beijing for Lhasa. A third option is to fly from Chongqing, which is possible on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Flights to and from Shanghai via Xi'an operate on Wednesdays and Sundays. The only international destination to and from Tibet is Kathmandu in Nepal, leaving three times a day on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Luckily, leaving Lhasa is a lot easier. All tickets can be purchased at the CAAC office at 88 Niangre Lu. Gonggar Airport is 100 km south of Lhasa. Tourists arriving at the airport can take a bus to the CAAC ticket office in the city center. The journey time is one and a half hours and the cost is RMB25. A taxi costs about RMB120.

Note: It is hard to get plane tickets from Chengdu to Tibet during peak season (Summer). The easiest way to get tickets is to book through a travel agency. In the same way, bookings in July and August should be made 5 to 7 days in advance.

By train:
The new Qinghai-Tibet Railway is the highest in the world. It climbs to 3,641m at Lhasa, but its highest point is 5072m (16,640 feet) above sea level, at Tanggula Pass. Due to the changing altitude during the trip, the train's carriages are pressurised and oxygen is available to passengers that need it.

As of the 1st July 2006, trains to Lhasa run from Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou and Xining. Trains from Shanghai and Guangzhou should also be available soon. See Lhasa transportation overview for a timetable.

By bus:
All foreigners have to be part of a "tour group" departing from Chengdu to visit Tibet. Once in Lhasa, the Public Security Bureau allows you to roam freely in the city. However, no independent travel outside Lhasa is allowed. Itineraries must be submitted to the PSB if you wish to leave Lhasa. If you wish to travel outside of Lhasa, we recommend that you take advantage of various tours offered by Lhasa tourist agencies. While it can be very expensive, you won't have to worry about legal issues of getting permission to visit the spots you wish and you will have adequate transportation throughout your journey.

You can travel from Golmud in Qinghai Province to Lhasa, given that you have the required permits issued by the local PSB. There are two long-distance stations in Golmud. Qinghai Bus Station (in Golmud) is just opposite the railway station and the station for Tibet is a little farther away. The bus ticket prices are about RMB120 or RMB170 for a sleeper. Many travelers complain that this traveling to Lhasa from Golmud is not very comfortable and not safe. Nevertheless, it is one of the less expensive ways to travel into Tibet. Check on the legality of traveling by bus into Tibet and make sure you have all required permits.

Comments

2008-1-5 22:45:16

kelangdorjee

why is it that so much permission is required to even make a slightest move...Why tourist are kept under RADAR constantly..

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