Detailed Information for Shanghai Expats to Tibet in 2021

Tibet re-opens to expats in China on May 9th. So, Shanghai expats can start to arrange their Tibet tour from now on. Tibet Tourism here will provide detailed information about Tibet tours for Shanghai expats and help them plan a perfect route in Tibet.

It was a piece of sad news for Shanghai expats when the authority announced that Tibet would be closed to foreign tourists last year due to COVID-19. However, the restrictive measure was necessary to protect Tibet from the outbreak of COVID-19. The result turns to be good and Tibet remains one of the safest cities in China during this tough time. Lucky for Shanghai expats now since Tibet opens its arms to welcome expats in China to visit it again.

Potala Palace

What Documents Shanghai Expats Need for Tibet Tours?

For Shanghai expats to Tibet, they can start to prepare those documents that the Tibet Tourism needs to enter Tibet. First of all, every one of them needs to prepare a Tibet Travel Permit, a document that all foreigners are required to acquire. However, no individuals are allowed to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit according to the related policy. Only qualified Tibet travel agencies can apply it for tourists who have already booked a tour plan with them. It is a measure that ensures that every foreigner knows that they cannot enter Tibet on their own. If you want to travel to Tibet during the upcoming peak season, you need to contact a travel agency for Tibet Tourism right now to get useful information and book a tailor-made tour itinerary as soon as possible. The application of the Tibet Travel Permit needs the copies of your Chinese Visa, passport and some other documents required. Shanghai expats can send those papers to the travel agency and wait for the issue of their Tibet Travel Permits.

If you plan to travel to places other than Lhasa and the surrounding places, you need to apply for other documents according to the places that you want to go to. Your travel agency will make it clear for you about what other documents you need to acquire for places like the Mount Everest region and Mount Kailash. For example, the Mount Everest requires an Aliens’ Travel Permit and Nagri requires a Military Area Entry Permit.

Although the COVID-19 epidemic situation is stable in China, globally it is still optimistic. That is why people in mainland China need to follow the policies and protect themselves carefully. For Shanghai expats to Tibet, they need to prepare a negative  nucleic acid test report within 7 days, the Green Healthy Code and 14-day Dynamic Trip Record on the app of Alipay and WeChat. The scenic spots in Tibet may require to check those documents and records.

Namtso Lake

How to Get To Tibet for Shanghai Expats?

As the busiest transport hub in eastern China, Shanghai can offer tourists the most convenient ways to get around downtown Shanghai with its extensive public transport system. Besides, Shanghai also connects with most cities in mainland China, which can deliver tourists to anywhere they want to travel by trains, flights, etc.

For Shanghai expats who are extremely interested in discovering the magic beauty of Tibet, they will choose to have a Tibet train tour. Shanghai Train Station runs a train to Tibet every day, which makes it easy for Shanghai expats to Tibet. Train Z164 departs at 20:07 from Shanghai Train Station and arrives at Lhasa Train Station at 19:30 after two days later. The whole train journey lasts 47 hours and 23 minutes, covering 4,373km in total. Along the road, the Shanghai Lhasa Train will cross eight provinces in mainland China and make 13 stops except for the departure station and arrival station.

But on the other hand, it is also a truth that the long-distance train tour is not a perfect option for Shanghai expats. If you have traveled to some places in mainland China in the past, then you don’t have to take the train that will take you to enjoy the scenery from Shanghai to cross those middle areas in China. The best route for you is to take a flight to get to Xining and take the train to Lhasa from Xining. There are nearly 10 flights to Xining from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. This way, you will get more chances to choose your train tickets and spend less on the road.

Currently, there are no direct flights from Shanghai to Lhasa. Tourists can only take the flights from Shanghai to Lhasa with a stopover in Chengdu and Xi’an. Flight MU2335 departs from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and makes a stopover in Chengdu before getting to Lhasa. Flight TV9882 takes off at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and makes a stopover in Xi’an.

Tips for Shanghai Expats to Tibet

It is necessary for Shanghai expats to be well-prepared for the tour to Tibet. Except for preparing the Tibet Travel Permit, Green Health Code, train tickets or flight tickets, they also need to know some basic information for their safety and health.

If you are traveling by train, you need to take care of your personal belongings first. It is difficult to retrieve things that you left on the trains. And keep your valuable articles with you all the time to avoid being mistakenly taken by others on the train.

Be positive with your symptoms of high altitude sickness when you are reaching the plateau. Don’t worry too much about it since you will overcome it eventually once your body starts to acclimate to the high altitude. But do remember to seek help from others if you feel really uncomfortable when you are on the train or in Tibet.

Considering the current situation of COVID-19 globally, you’d better wear your mask in public places, especially in Lhasa City. Walk slowly in Lhasa and other places no matter you are wearing a mask or not, which will help you breathe air smoothly.

If you are ready to get a plan for your Tibet tour, feel free to contact us and we will give you useful information and recommend the best options according to your requirements.