Tibet Travel FAQ's

Tibet is part of the People’s Republic of China, so most foreign visitors first need a Chinese visa (usually “L” tourist visa) from the Chinese embassy/consulate in your country before travelling to Tibet.

✔ Do not mention Tibet on the visa application — just state “China travel” to avoid issues.

Special option:
If you enter Tibet from Nepal (Kathmandu) instead of from mainland China, you don’t need to apply for a Chinese visa at home. Instead, your travel operator will arrange a Group Chinese Visa in Kathmandu.

China now uses a two-step process:

1) Online Application

Fill in the China visa application at the official site: consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/.

Upload your details and supporting files online (passport photo, itinerary, bookings etc).

Wait for pre-approval online (usually a few days).

2) In-Person Submission

After pre-approval, go in person to a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in your country.

Provide your passport, photo, and biometric information (fingerprints) if aged 14–70.

Pay visa fees (varies by processing speed & visa type).

💡 You should apply about 1–3 months before travel and at least 4 weeks prior to your planned trip.

Yes. The travel insurances are mandatory for Tibet tours. However, we recommend the comprehensive travel insurances for Tibet tours purchased from your home countries because the bureaucratic China insurance companies always have the inactive responses to the emergencies. Keep in mind, your insurance should have coverage for trip cancellation, travel interruptions and delays, emergency medical and health expenses, lost baggage and more.

Traveller need to obtain the travel permits from Tibet Tourism Bureau before entering Tibet. The permits are issued only to the groups operated by tour operators. The tour operators can assist the travellers to obtain the travel permits. The following information is required to apply for Tibet travel permit. Full Name: Nationality: Passport Number: Date of issue: Date of expire: Date of birth: Sex: Occupation: The normal application procedure for Tibet travel permits takes 10 – 14days.

The best season for touring in Tibet is from April to early November. But various routes have their own golden times: Lhasa, Tsedang, and Shigatse: As the weather and tourism facilities in these places are quite good, so you can visit them in anytime for enjoying the breathtaking scenery! Lhasa – the border of Nepal: This area is not available for tourists from December to January because of the snowed land; every August, the rain season, landslide will be occurred! Mt. Everest area: it is too cold to the tourists visiting this area from October to April! But the beauty of the roof of the world will move you in anytime! Mount Kailash: You can enjoy the wonder in this area at the time of every May, June, July, September, October without the trouble of the landslide by the big rain & snow.

The weather in Tibet as follow: Lhasa – Shigatse – Lhatse – Tingri – Nylam: Along the Friendship highway is basically in good conditions year around. But from December to February, the thawed road could make some trouble. Try to avoid August – landslide could happen in the rainy season. Mount Everest Area: Early May and early October are the best time to visit Mt. Everest. Due to the clear weather, you have great chance to see Mt. Everest’s true face. From December to February, you’d better not to go to this area because it is too cold – except you are real Great Adventure People. Mount Kailash: Even without climate restrictions, this area is already inhospitable. Big rain and snow could make the journey worse. However, for those determined tourists, the appropriate time is May, June, July, September and October.

It is cold from October to March and you need warm clothes during this time. From April to September only light clothes will be enough. However, a jacket and a sweater are advised throughout the year as the weather may unexpectedly change at any time. The recommend items are: A domestic first aid kit, water purification tablets, toilet and tissue papers, flashlight, sleeping bag, comfortable walking shoes, dust masks, utility knife, sun hat, sun glasses, suntan lotion and a limited number of cl

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) refers to some symptoms one may have at high altitudes, including headache, dizziness, lethargy, loss of appetite, nausea, breathlessness, irritability and difficulty sleeping which reflect our bodies’ intolerance to the low oxygen environment at high altitudes. They will generally disappear through acclimatization in several hours to several days depending on individual susceptibility. Here are some suggestions for you to prevent it: Avoid catching a cold before entering Tibet; Try to have a good sleep at the night before flying to Tibet; Don’t conduct many activities on the first day of your arrival in Tibet; Walk slowly and drink extra fluids after getting off the airplane; Light and high carbohydrate meals are recommended for more energy; Don’t drink alcohol or smoke; Climb up to higher altitude slowly; Avoid sedatives; Prepare some medicines as per doctor’s suggestion.

👉 Usually NO, Amdo and Kham do not require a Tibet Travel Permit — if they are outside the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

Here’s the clear breakdown:
✅ Amdo & Kham (outside TAR)

Most parts of Amdo and Kham are located in:

Qinghai

Sichuan

Gansu

Yunnan

If you visit these areas:

✔ No Tibet Travel Permit needed

✔ A Chinese tourist visa is enough

✔ You can travel independently (no compulsory guide)

Common places without TTP:

Labrang Monastery (Gansu)

Rebkong / Tongren (Qinghai)

Sertar / Larung Gar (Sichuan)*

Litang, Tagong, Danba (Sichuan)

Shangri-La (Yunnan)

*Note: Some sensitive sites (like Larung Gar or Yachen Gar) may have temporary access restrictions, but this is not the same as a Tibet Travel Permit.