FAQ

What is the Tibet Travel Permit, and do I need one? 50 Save Tibet Permit

The Tibet Travel Permit is the entry document foreign travellers need to travel in Tibet, filed on their behalf by a local travel service in Tibet. Travellers with a foreign passport or Taiwan-related documents usually need one; travellers with a mainland Chinese ID card generally do not, but need a border pass for border areas.

What documents are required? 47 Save Processing

Usually a clear photo of the passport (or equivalent travel document) data page, a photo of the Chinese visa page where applicable, entry and exit dates, route and accommodation, and occupation. For border areas, specify the exact areas you plan to visit.

How long does processing take? 47 Save Processing

Standard applications are usually completed within a few working days once materials are complete and the itinerary settled, counting from the point materials pass review; supplementation time and holidays are excluded. Express shortens the cycle through priority handling but does not change the requirements.

What is the difference between the permit and a border pass? 46 Save Tibet Permit

The permit covers entering Tibet; the border pass covers entering border areas such as Everest, Ngari, Yadong and Zhangmu. They cover different scopes, and itineraries touching border areas usually need both.

Is the permit electronic or on paper? 43 Save Tibet Permit

It is usually emailed to the address on your order and you print it in colour yourself; in some cases a paper original may be required and you will be told separately. The permit must match your document, and must not be lent to anyone else.

What if my itinerary changes? 47 Save Processing

If your entry dates or route change, contact us as early as possible; adding a border area requires a supplementary border pass declaration. Serious inconsistency with the declared information can affect verification, so make changes before departure.

Do children and seniors need separate applications? 46 Save Tibet Permit

Yes — permits are issued per person, so each traveller needs their own document details and permit. Children must have their own document such as a passport and cannot simply be listed under an accompanying adult.

What does the fee cover? 47 Save Fees

The fee covers only the declaration and processing of the permit (and border pass). It does not include transport, accommodation, meals, tickets or guiding. The exact amount is confirmed when you place the order.

Can I get a refund? 43 Save Refunds

Cancellations requested before the declaration is filed can be refunded under our rules; once declaration has begun or the permit has been issued, processing work has already taken place and refunds are usually not available. This depends on the order status and progress.

What happens if my documents are returned? 42 Save Processing

If materials are incomplete or inconsistent we will contact you about what is needed; once supplied, processing continues and the timeline shifts accordingly. Please watch the phone number and email on your order.

Are there health requirements for travelling to Tibet? 42 Save Entering Tibet

The plateau is high in altitude; travellers with heart disease, severe hypertension, respiratory conditions or who are pregnant should consult a doctor before departure. Rest well on the first day, avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol, and drink plenty of water.

How do I use the permit after arriving? 41 Save Entering Tibet

On arrival, present the permit together with your original document as arranged, and keep them with you. For border areas, present the border pass as well, and stay within the areas listed on it.

Can I travel in Tibet independently? 39 Save Entering Tibet

Foreign travellers in Tibet usually need their itinerary and accompaniment arranged by the receiving party and cannot travel entirely independently; the exact arrangement is confirmed with the itinerary. In some border areas travelling with a group or being accompanied is required.

When is the best time to submit my application? 40 Save Processing

Submit as early as possible once your entry dates and itinerary are settled, and leave enough room for processing. Peak season and holidays are busier, so apply earlier than usual; itineraries that enter border areas need extra time set aside for the border pass.

Do I need a new application after renewing my passport? 39 Save Processing

Yes. The permit is tied to your document details, so once the document number changes the old permit can no longer be verified and a new application must be submitted with the new passport. If the permit has already been issued, contact us as soon as possible.

Is a border pass the same as the Tibet Travel Permit? 34 Save Border pass

No. The Tibet Travel Permit covers entry to Tibet itself, while the border pass covers border areas such as the Everest direction, Ngari, Yadong and Zhangmu. They are issued and checked separately, and itineraries that touch border areas normally need both.

Where do I apply for a border pass and what do I need? 34 Save Border pass

Foreign travellers normally have it arranged by the receiving service together with the permit. Holders of a mainland ID card can apply at the police station where they are registered, free of charge, with an ID card, household register and two one-inch photos, stating the prefecture and county to be visited. Applications in Lhasa go through a travel service, require you to appear in person and a service fee applies, usually completed in one working day.

How long is a border pass valid? 32 Save Border pass

Passes issued at your place of registration can be valid for one month, three months, six months or a year depending on the stated purpose, with tourism usually capped at six months. Passes issued in Lhasa are commonly valid for one month. Check that the validity covers your whole trip.

What are the symptoms of altitude sickness? 32 Save Altitude

Common symptoms include headache, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, poor appetite, mild fever, dizziness and fatigue. Some people develop bluish lips or nail beds, drowsiness or insomnia from the thinner oxygen, and dry skin, cracked lips or nosebleeds from the dry air. Symptoms usually begin above about 2,700 m.

What should I do if I get altitude sickness? 38 Save Altitude

For mild symptoms, rest is the main treatment: limit activity, keep eating, drink water and stay warm; they usually ease within one or two days. For severe symptoms such as swelling, breathing difficulty or a heavy cold, seek medical care and oxygen, and descend to lower altitude if necessary.

Who should not travel to Tibet? 32 Save Altitude

People with serious heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe asthma or other serious respiratory conditions should not travel to the plateau, and travellers who are pregnant should consult a doctor before departure. A significant cold should be cured before setting out.

Can I travel to Tibet with a cold? 33 Save Altitude

It is not advisable. Travelling to high altitude with a significant cold can trigger more serious altitude illness, particularly pulmonary oedema, which is dangerous if not treated promptly. Wait until the cold has cleared. If you catch a cold while in Tibet, treat it early and see a doctor; it usually resolves quickly.

Do I need a medical check or extra training before going? 32 Save Altitude

A special medical check is normally unnecessary; people without serious heart, lung or blood-pressure conditions can usually travel. Deliberately increasing training is not recommended — higher oxygen demand after exercise can add strain at altitude. Regular sleep and avoiding colds matter more.

Is altitude sickness milder if I fly or if I take the train? 31 Save Transport

Each has trade-offs. Flying is quick and lets you rest at your hotel soon after arrival, with easy access to medical care. Overland travel climbs gradually, which in theory helps acclimatisation, but long rough drives and high passes are exhausting and can trigger symptoms. Choose according to your time and fitness.

How should I spend my first day in Lhasa? 29 Save Altitude

Take it easy: no strenuous activity on arrival, avoid a chill after bathing, skip alcohol, drink plenty of water and eat lightly. Save gentle city sightseeing for the second day and increase activity gradually.

When is the best time to visit Lhasa? 31 Save Itinerary

July, August and September are usually the most comfortable months; most rain falls then but days are often clear. Winter brings plenty of sunshine, fewer visitors and lower prices, though the temperature swing is large and some sites shorten their hours.

How much cheaper are tickets in the off season? 32 Save Fees

Many sites in Tibet charge peak-season prices from 1 May to 31 October and off-season prices from 1 November to 30 April, with many tickets roughly halving and hotel rates falling noticeably. Exact prices and policies are set by each site and can change.

What discounts are available at the Potala Palace? 30 Save Fees

Students in school, people with disabilities, serving military personnel, teachers in post and senior citizens with valid certificates normally pay half of the seasonal price, and children under 1.2 m enter free. Confirm the eligible groups and required documents on site.

How do I get from Lhasa to Shigatse and what is along the way? 28 Save Itinerary

The usual route runs Lhasa–Yamdrok Lake–Karola Glacier–Gyantse–Shigatse, about a day of driving. Along the way you see the lake, the glacier, Gyantse Dzong and Pelkor Chode Monastery, and Tashilhunpo Monastery once in Shigatse. Road conditions are average, so a hired vehicle or small group works best.

When is the best time for Shigatse and what should I see? 26 Save Itinerary

May to July is generally the most comfortable window with plenty of clear days, and Everest occasionally shows itself; without the Everest leg, Gyantse and Shigatse can be visited year round. Highlights include Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse Dzong and Pelkor Chode, Tashilhunpo, Shalu and Sakya monasteries, with Lhatse knives and silverwork as local specialities.

What do I need for the Everest base camp direction? 23 Save Border pass

Besides the Tibet Travel Permit you need a border pass listing Shigatse prefecture, Dingri county and the Everest area. Foreign travellers and Taiwan compatriots normally have it declared through the receiving service, while mainland travellers can apply free of charge at their place of registration. The route is long and high, so allow plenty of time.

How does the overland route from Lhasa to Kathmandu work? 24 Save Transport

Exit through the Gyirong port: drive from Lhasa to Gyirong town, cross the suspension bridge into Nepal and get an entry stamp at the immigration office about 1.5 km from the border, then take a country bus from the nearby town the next morning — about seven hours to Kathmandu. A valid passport and Nepali visa usually mean no separate border pass is needed.

How do I get to Tibet from Nepal? 26 Save Transport

You can fly Kathmandu–Lhasa directly or enter overland through Gyirong. Another option is to fly first to Chengdu, Guangzhou or Xian, obtain the permit and then continue by air or rail. Either way the permit must be declared through the receiving service in advance, with the itinerary arranged.

How long does it take to reach Lhasa from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu? 21 Save Transport

By air: roughly four to six hours from Beijing, about eight hours from Shanghai including the stop, about six hours from Guangzhou and two and a half hours from Chengdu. By train: about 40 hours from Beijing, 47 from Shanghai, 52 from Guangzhou and 36 from Chengdu. Schedules change, so confirm when booking.

What is the Qinghai-Tibet railway like on board? 23 Save Transport

Carriages include soft sleeper, hard sleeper, hard seat and a dining car, with oxygen supplied throughout. A soft sleeper compartment has four berths with bedding, a small table and a flask; meal trolleys pass at mealtimes and the dining car is also available. Because of the altitude the train carries medical staff, and first-aid points operate at key stations on the plateau section.

Should I take the Sichuan-Tibet road or the Qinghai-Tibet line? 21 Save Transport

The Sichuan-Tibet road has the richest scenery but much of it is gravel, with mudslides in the rainy season and snow closures in winter — better for experienced travellers with time. The Qinghai-Tibet line has the best road conditions and services but less dramatic scenery, suiting first-time visitors who prefer not to fly.

Are showers easy to find in Tibet? 20 Save Preparation

Bathhouses exist in Lhasa, Shigatse, Nyingchi, Tsetang, Gyantse and Nagqu, and star-rated hotels usually have en-suite hot water, while guesthouses are more basic. On arrival it is better to bathe less or not at all until you have adjusted, to avoid catching a chill or using up energy.

What should I pack for Tibet? 21 Save Preparation

Bring layered clothing such as long-sleeve shirts, a wool sweater and a jacket, plus sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen and lip balm; for the Everest direction add a down jacket and a sleeping bag. Common medicines, cold and stomach remedies, wet wipes and some cash are all useful. The day-night temperature swing is large, so warmth matters more than you expect.

What local customs should I respect in Tibet? 19 Save Entering Tibet

Walk clockwise around monasteries, stupas and mani piles; ask before photographing monks, worshippers or ceremonies; do not touch religious objects casually or step over prayer flags; remove your hat and keep quiet inside halls. Respecting local practice makes the trip smoother for everyone.

Can I still use my permit after renewing my passport? 18 Save Processing

No. The permit is tied to the document number, so after a renewal the old permit cannot be verified and a new application must be submitted with the new passport. If the permit has already been issued, contact us as early as possible so the follow-up can be arranged.

How far in advance should I apply for the permit? 19 Save Processing

Submit as early as possible once your dates and itinerary are fixed, and leave enough room for processing. Peak season and holidays are busier and take longer; itineraries that enter border areas need extra time for the border pass. For late bookings, express processing is available.

Do I need travel insurance for Tibet? 15 Save Preparation

Itineraries on the plateau involve long-distance transport and changes in altitude, so travel insurance covering medical care at high altitude and emergency evacuation is recommended. Cover varies by policy — before departure, check that it includes Tibet and any border areas you plan to visit.

What is mobile signal and internet coverage like in Tibet? 14 Save Preparation

Coverage is good in urban areas such as Lhasa, Shigatse and Nyingchi; remote stretches of road and high mountain passes may have no signal at all. Download offline maps in advance and keep your itinerary and contact details somewhere other than your phone.

What is the accommodation like in Tibet? 12 Save Preparation

Lhasa and Shigatse offer hotels and guesthouses at a range of levels. Outside the main towns, accommodation is mostly simple guesthouses where hot water and power can be unreliable. Book ahead in peak season; options are fewer in border areas.

Can I travel independently in Tibet? 9 Save Entering Tibet

Foreign travellers in Tibet usually need their itinerary and accompaniment arranged by the receiving party and cannot travel entirely on their own. Holders of a mainland ID card can arrange their own trip, but still need a border pass for border areas, and some areas require travelling with a group or being accompanied.