All You Need to Know Before Traveling to Tibet from the Mainland China
Curious about how you can get from the mainland in China to the otherworldly beauty spots in Tibet? You are in good company. Thousands of tourists every year are lured by the mystic country, in hopes of beholding snow-capped peaks, sacred shrines, and the incomparable culture of the Plateau in Tibet. Read on for all you need to know in order for you to get there effectively and securely.
Know the Entry Requirements
Before you can imagine oneself among Himalayan peaks, there are a few significant entry restrictions. In addition to a basic Chinese visa, every foreign tourist needs to hold a “special travel permit” (or the Tibet Travel Permit, for short) in order to enter into Tibet. Traveling independently is also illegal — passengers are required to go through an accredited Chinese travel agency. Your traveling agency will prepare you for the application well in advance of when you depart.
You are advised to keep your permit with you for travels as it can be authenticated when you are going for a flight, train, among other times in the course. It is a simple exercise when handled through an accredited agency, however, be cautious when you are making prepayments—handle recognized agencies and be careful when you are making cash payments.
Select Your Path
1. By Train
Trains to Tibet are a thrilling experience, with breathtaking views over the huge Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. There are a few key gateways with trains right through to Lhasa:
1) If you want to take the train to Tibet, you may start in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, or Xining. Others are Lanzhou, Xi’an, and Golmud, though only in limited supply for tickets.
2) Trains for Xining-Lhasa are shortest railway journeys, lasting approximately 19-21 hours, while the others, being the longest Guangzhou-Lhasa, take more than 53 hours.
3) Trains are timetabled daily for departure from cities, though routes such as Chengdu and Chongqing are covered every second day.
4) Book tickets well in advance, particularly for flights during the tourist season (June through August), for seats are sold months in advance.
Bonus: Increase altitude in elevation gradually with each upward move on plateau so body can gradually acclimatize for high altitude.
2. By Plane
In a hurry, you can get the fastest route from mainland China to Lhasa in an air flight. Key details:
1) Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA) is the main air way into Tibet. It sits about 60km from the heart of Lhasa city.
2) You can get to Lhasa by air from big Chinese cities like Beijing, Chengdu, Xi’an, Xining, Kunming, Chongqing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
3) Chengdu sends the most planes, with over 25 each day going to Lhasa. These trips are about 2.5 hours long. From Beijing, it's about 4.5 hours, and from Xi’an, just over 3 hours.
4) Schedules may change seasonally, then check flight times near departure.
Tip: Planes for high altitude flights provide you with reduced time for acclimatization. Once you arrive take it easy and give your body time to adjust.
Health, Height, and Getting Used to It
The average altitude of Tibet is more than 4,000m. Headache, dizziness, insomnia are quite mild manifestations of altitude sickness, which are familiar to normal travelers. It is regular! Take it slow for the first few days in Lhasa to get used to the air: drink lots of water, skip hard work, and stay away from drinks and smokes.
1. If your heart or lungs are not well, talk to a doctor before you book your trip.
2. Bring with you some basic drugs: pills for high place sickness like Diamox, pain stoppers, cold stuff, stuff for itchy skin, and any drugs you must have. A small kit for first aid is a good idea, with stuff for upset guts, small bandages, germ killers, and lip stuff.
3. Sun protection is top priority: pack sunscreen, eye protection, hat, since UV rays are extremely high with altitude.
Other Practical Tips
1. It is only for escorted tours—that is, foreign nationals cannot go in individually. Your tour operator will provide for you, organize permits, guide, transportation.
2. Layer it up: It can go from warm sunshine to cold breezes in a flash, particularly in the high country and in the evening.
