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1. What is the best time to join a Tibet tour?
The best time to join a Tibet tour is generally from April to June and from September to October. During these months, the weather is relatively stable, with clear skies, mild temperatures and less rainfall, making it ideal for enjoying the stunning views of plateau landscapes and splendid cultural heritages. In summer, the weather may be rainy, but the temperature is higher and tourists can witness the celebration of Shoton Festival. In winter, the weather is cold but tourists can enjoy a lower cost of transportation and accommodation and feel less crowded as there are fewer tourists. Also, Losar, the Tibetan New Year, often falls in February or March. If you want to admire the peach blossoms in Nyingchi, you can travel there in March and April when the flowers are in full bloom. Locals will organize the annual Peach Flower Festival. It often begins in the middle of March to late April, during which you can also enjoy the singing and dancing performances and wrestling and archery competitions.
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2. What permits are needed to join a Tibet tour?
A. Permits needed for overseas Chinese
a. Overseas Chinese with Chinese identity cards
Chinese living abroad with Chinese ID cards can travel to Tibet without a permit. Please note that a valid passport is required when taking an international flight to China, but only Chinese ID card by taking train or flight to Tibet.
b. Overseas Chinese with foreign green cards or foreign passports
Tourists living abroad no longer possess Chinese ID cards need certain permits to visit Tibet:
Tibet Travel Permit: This permit is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) and is required for all foreign travelers visiting Tibet.
Aliens' Travel Permit: Travelers traveling to partially restricted areas such as EBC, Basumtso Lake, Samye Monastery, etc. need to obtain Aliens’ Travel Permit via Tibet Travel Agency (like Tibet Horizon).
Military Area Entry Permit: Travelers visiting military-sensitive areas such as Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, Nyingchi, etc, need to apply for a Military Area Entry Permit.
B. Permits needed for residents in Taiwan
Traveler from Taiwan must join an organized Tibet tour of a qualified Tibet travel agency and possess necessary documents and permits.
Taiwan Compatriot Permit: Taiwan residents should hold a valid "Taiwan Compatriot Permit" or "Taiwan Resident Permit for Traveling to Chinese Mainland (台胞证)" (known as "Taiwan Travel Permit" or "Taiwan Compatriot Certificate").
Tibet Travel Permit: You need to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit to board flights or trains to Tibet. Taiwan Compatriot Certificate, passport, and phone number are needed when applying for the permit.
Tibet Border Permit: To visit places like Tingri in Shigatse, Cuona County in Shannan Prefecture, and Nagri Prefecture, you may need a Tibet Border Permit.
Military Area Entry Permit: Travelers from Taiwan traveling to Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, Nyingchi, etc, need to apply for a Military Area Entry Permit.
C. Permits needed for residents in Hong Kong and Macao
Hong Kong and Macao residents can independently travel to Tibet with a Chinese SAR passport and a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (港澳同胞回乡证/港澳居民来往内地通行证).
You’ll also need a Tibet Border Permit to visit certain restricted places in Tibet.
Tibet Travel Permit, Alien’s Travel Permit, Military Area Entry Permit, Tibet Border Permit, and other necessary travel documents cannot be applied by tourists by themselves but can only be applied by a qualified Tibet travel agency. Our Xizang (Tibet) tour packages include Tibet Travel Permit and all the necessary Tibet travel documents. If you book with us, we’ll help apply for the permits needed to ensure a smooth and worry-free Tibet tour.
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3. What about the accommodation during Tibet tours?
Lhasa, Shigatse, Nyingchi and other major cities and counties offer more diverse options from 3-to 5-star hotels to local guesthouses. Travelers joining our Tibet tours can choose according to your standards. In some remote areas like Everest Base Camp and Mount Kailash, there may be no luxury hotels but only cozy guestrooms or tents.
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4. What about the food during Tibet tours?
We have handpicked restaurants with food safety guarantees for our travelers. You can enjoy unique Tibetan, Nepali and Sichuan cuisines along the way. Specialties include yak hotpot, sweet tea, butter tea, roasted pig, tsampa, barley wine, stone pot chicken and spicy diced chicken. Nepali dishes feature chicken masala and various curries. You can also find Indian dishes and Western-style dishes in Tibet. If you have any special dietary requirements, please keep our guides informed and they will help you check food composition when you order dishes.
For tourists joining the Tibet tour with a Kailash kora, it’s recommended to bring some food for replenishing energy when trekking. We can also hire a cook to serve you delicious food during the trek.
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5. How to deal with possible altitude sickness when traveling in Tibet?
Driving on the Tibet Plateau with an average altitude of over 4,000 meters, it’s common for some tourists to experience altitude sickness. The symptoms of altitude sickness can include headache, nausea, and dizziness.
To minimize the effect of altitude sickness, it is important to allow time to acclimate to the high altitude and to take precautions to prevent altitude sickness. Travelers should drink plenty of water, eat light meals, and avoid alcohol or caffeine. It is also recommended to take a slow path in the first two days after entering Tibet. Our tour itineraries mostly start with lower areas, giving you enough time to acclimate to the high altitude.
If you feel uncomfortable, tell your guide. We have prepared oxygen tanks in our vehicles. You can inhale oxygen and take medication when necessary. If symptoms of altitude sickness persist or worsen, we’ll help transfer you to the hotel or hospital to seek medical attention immediately.
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6. What are the activities during Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival?
Peach Blossom Viewing: Stroll through the valleys and villages decorated by peach blossoms and enjoy the vibrant pink flowers against the backdrop of the lush forests and snow-capped mountains.
Photography: Capture the natural beauty of the peach blossoms and the cultural richness of the festival through photography and participate in the photography contest.
Cultural Performances: Attend various cultural performances showcasing traditional Tibetan music, dance, and opera.
Sports Events: Watch horse racing, archery, wrestling competitions.
Picnics: Enjoy a picnic among the peach blossoms, a popular activity during the festival that allows visitors to immerse themselves in nature.
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7. What are the activities during Shoton Festival?
Buddha Exhibition: Unfolding the giant Thangka is a main and important activity during Shoton Festival. In the early morning, even before the break of dawn, thousands of devotees, along with tourists, gather at the Drepung Monastery, waiting to witness the sunlight shining on the massive Thangka of Buddha.
Tibetan Opera Performance: Tibetan Opera will be performed from 11 am to night every day at Longwangtan Park and Norbulingka. This traditional art form blends song, dance, and storytelling, adding unique charm to the festival.
Yogurt Banquet: During the festival, families, friends, and communities often gather to share yogurt. It's an opportunity for communities to strengthen unity and share blessings. Tourists can also taste authentic Tibetan yogurt, which signifies purity and well-being.
Visit Lingkas: In Tibetan, “Lingka” means traditional gardens. During the Shoton Festival, people flow into Lingkas and have picnics there. They sing, dance and share food with friends and families.
Horse Racing: It’s a traditional sport in Tibet, presenting wonderful performances and exciting competitions. It gives tourists a chance to understand the inheritance and development of Tibetan horsemanship.
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