Can I visit China and Tibet now?
Now, China tourist visa is available for overseas tourists. What’s more, from December 1st, 2023, to November 30th, 2024, travelers from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia can now enjoy a 15-day visa-free entry to China for tourism, business, transit, and visiting friends and relatives.
For travelers wanting to explore Tibet, a Tibet Travel Permit and other documents are required. Don’t worry! Once you book your tour with us, simply send us the first page of your passport and a valid visa, and we will take care of the rest for you!
What are the required travel documents for a China and Tibet tour?
First, you need to get a Chinese visa. It is necessary for visiting mainland China, as well as applying for a Tibet travel permit.
Tibet travel permit is the most important document for entering Tibet. The individual application for a Tibet travel permit is not accepted by Tibet Tourism Bureau. You need to book a Tibet tour with a licensed local travel agency and get the permit through the agency. All you need to provide are scanned copies of your valid passport and Chinese visa.
More extra permits are required for visiting Everest Base Camp, Mount Kailash, or other remote areas in Tibet. But your travel agency will handle it according to your travel itinerary. So don’t worry about these extra permits.
How to travel to Tibet from China?
It is convenient to get to Tibet from mainland China by train, by air, and by overland.
If you have enough time, it is highly recommended to take a train to Tibet as it is only in China that you can experience the unique Qinghai-Tibet railway. The shortest train journey from Xining to Lhasa takes about 23 hours while the longest journey from Guangzhou to Lhasa takes over 55 hours.
If you don’t have enough time, it is easy to get to Tibet from most major inland cities by air. Chengdu has the most non-stop flights to Lhasa. Other major cities near Tibet, such as Chongqing, Kunming, and Xi'an, also have more than one direct flight per day. If you travel from Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, etc., you may need to take a connecting flight to Tibet.
When is the best time to visit China and Tibet together?
The best time to visit Tibet is from April to October, which is also the best time to visit most parts of China. Based on your destinations, the best time to go may be different. Please feel free to tell us your travel plan, our travel expert will help you find the best time to go.
Please notice that there are some big holidays in China, during which a large number of domestic tourists will travel to Tibet, such as the Golden Week of October and the summer vacation from July to August. During this period, it is hard to get a train ticket to Tibet, and travel costs will be high. So if you're flexible, avoid these peak seasons.
Which inland cities have a train to Tibet?
Recently, you can take a train to Tibet from Xining, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Lanzhou.
Tibet trains from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xining depart every day, while trains from Chengdu, Chongqing, and Lanzhou depart every other day. Please check the exact train schedule while planning your China Tibet train tour.
Since each city above only has one train to Tibet, the amount of Tibet train tickets is quite limited. Please book your train ticket as early as possible.
Is it possible to take an overland tour to Tibet from mainland China?
There are four highways connecting Tibet with mainland China, namely the Sichuan-Tibet highway, the Yunnan-Tibet highway, the Qinghai-Tibet highway, and the Xinjiang-Tibet highway.
There are currently four highways connecting Tibet to mainland China. You can choose to drive yourself or join the road trip.
If you choose to drive by yourself, you need to apply for the necessary documents such as the Tibet Travel Permit, the Alien’s Travel Permit, and a Chinese driver’s license. You should also be accompanied by a professional guide once you enter the Tibetan region.
You can also choose a more hassle-free way to travel. You can join our overland tour to Tibet. We provide you with a professional Tibetan guide and experienced local drivers to ensure your travel safety so that you can enjoy the scenery and local customs along the way to Tibet.
Can Chinese nationals take part in the China Tibet tour with foreign travelers?
No matter you are a foreign expat in China or overseas travelers, you can take one of our China Tibet tour packages with your Chinese friends, partner, or family. You can also customize a China Tibet tour according to your interests.
Visitors of Chinese nationality do not need to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit. However, if you are going to visit Everest Base Camp or Mount Kailash, they still need to apply for the Frontier Pass (Tibet Border Pass).
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