Travel Advice
Getting to Lhasa
The only way to get to Lhasa is from China or Nepal.
From China, the two options are flight or train. The most popular is a flight from Chengdu, but there are connecting flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Xi’an Kunming, and Shangri-La. From Nepal, the only option is flying from Kathmandu. At the moment, there are no flights, but you can easily drive to the border, where we will meet you.
We can purchase your flights at competitive rates. The Chengdu to Lhasa flight is two and a half hours on Tibet Airlines, Air China, Sichuan Airlines, or China Eastern Airlines.
Scenic train journeys to Lhasa leave from major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xián, and Xining. Chengdu to Lhasa is 3070 kilometers, and about 36 hrs 18 mins. We can book your train tickets.
Best Time to Visit Tibet
Mid-May, June, and early July. Also, from September until October 10, when there is a major Chinese national holiday, thousands come to Lhasa.
Travel Documents—China Visa and Tibet Travel Permit
You will need a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) to enter the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR: Lhasa, Everest, Kailash). TTP is special permit that is needed for all foreign travelers to Tibet. The TTP is provided by Road To Tibet.
You will also need a valid China visa which you can secure from your local embassy, or better still through a China Visa Agency. In the US, please go to http://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/zj/qz2021/.. Make sure your current passport is valid for 6 months after the end of your trip. The China Visa application requires careful attention to detail, and we are happy to help you and recommend an agent for US citizens.
Travel to Tibet from Kathmandu, Nepal. You must get your China visa in Kathmandu even if you already have a Visa issued in your home country. If this is the case for you, let us know, and we will send you detailed information on what to do in Kathmandu. You will need 2-6 days in Kathmandu to process the paperwork.
How can I avoid altitude sickness?
It's unpredictable who will experience altitude symptoms such as nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and insomnia. Even very fit people can have difficulty. In most cases, it takes about three days to adjust. You can also consult a Tibetan or Western doctor in Lhasa and purchase oxygen bottles. Many use Diamox, a prophylactic prescription drug acquired before leaving.
For the first few days, it's critical to help your body adjust to the lack of oxygen by drinking gallons of water as soon as your flight lands and walking slowly, with little physical exertion, for a few days.