What Do I Need to Know about Going to Tibet?

What Do I Need to Go To Tibet from the Mainland?

Any foreign person trying to enter Tibet or Tibet’s capital Lhasa will face restrictions.  The Chinese government requires foreigners to obtain a special “visa” that allows them to go into Tibet.  Usually foreigners obtain these visas from whichever hostel or hotel they are staying at in the mainland. In most hostels, the front desk can provide information and/or visa for getting into Tibet.

Over the years it has become increasingly hard for Westerners to gain access to Tibet.  Three years ago it wasn’t as hard as last year, and now it is even more difficult.

How Do I Get Into Tibet?

From mainland China, most people fly to Lhasa (the capital city of Tibet) from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan.  There is also the option of taking a 48-hour train-ride from either Chongqing (another huge city near Sichuan) or Chengdu. It is also possible to fly to Lhasa from Kunming, as well as a few other big cities.  Once again, ask your hostel for this information.  They can book your train or flight for you. 

Taking the train to Lhasa is highly recommended.  Why? I will explain later.

Outside of China, it is possible to get into Lhasa from Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. 

What is this Visa? 

It is not very possible for foreigners to stay in Tibet without their “Visa.”  Getting to Tibet is possible, but once you are there, a foreigner cannot book a hotel by himself or herself.  Everything will be arranged by your Tibetan Guide.

Your Visa grants you a Tibetan guide, and this guide will stay with you throughout a lot of your stay in Tibet.  Once you get off the train or airplane, he or she will be there to meet you.  Then, you and your guide will go to a hotel together so he can book you a room.  It is not possible for you to book a room by yourself without your Tibetan guide.

What Kind of Visa Should I Get?

Before you leave for Tibet, you will be given the option of purchasing different sorts of Visas.  Some are for 4 days in Tibet, while others are for 10 days or 2 weeks, and so on.  The prices go up with the more time you spend in Tibet.  But this should be known, it is possible for you to only book the cheapest one, and then sort a deal out with your Tibetan tour-guide once you are in Lhasa.  You can tell your Tibetan guide that you want to stay longer, and he will arrange the visa for you.

What Can’t I Do While In Lhasa or Tibet?

Foreigners can pretty much behave as they would in mainland China.  Be aware that Tibet is:

• more traditional (please, ladies, cover up.  It is not polite to wear sleeveless shirts that show your cleavage.  Be mindful of what people around you are wearing).
• full of the Chinese army.  You are not allowed to take pictures of them.  Do not take pictures of them.  Your guide will tell you this.
• modest but proud.  Please don’t start bashing the Chinese government to your Tibetan tour guide or to any Tibetans around you.  They are pro-Tibetan, but they do not want to talk about it.

In addition, try not to speak 普通话 (mandarin) when you are in Tibet.  Speak English or try to pick some basic Tibetan. Use your Lonely Planet Guide.