Yunnan Tibet Tour

Yunnan Tibet Tour FAQs & Travel Tips

• Can I Travel to Tibet Independently from Yunnan?

  No, international travelers must join an organized Tibet tour with a local Tibet travel agency like us to visit Tibet from Yunnan and other parts of China, as required by the Tibet Tourism Bureau.

• What Travel Documents Are Needed for a Yunnan Tibet Tour?

  Firstly, to enter China, you need to apply for a Chinese Tourist Visa (L Visa) at the Chinese consulate/embassy in your country. Then, you can fly from your country to Kunming in Yunnan.

  Besides, once you book our Yunnan Tibet tour, we will also help you get a Tibet Travel Permit and send it to you by SF Express or in person at your hotel. With a Tibet travel permit, you can legally board the flight and train to Lhasa.

• What’s the Best Way to Travel from Yunnan to Tibet?

  The fastest and most effortless way to travel from Yunnan to Tibet is by flight. You can take non-stop flights from Kunming, Lijiang, and Shangri-La to Lhasa in around 2h 45 mins.

  Alternatively, if you want to maximize your journey from Yunnan to Tibet, you can fly from Kunming to Xining, the starting point of the famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway, and ride this world’s highest railway from Xining to Lhasa in 20hrs.

  What’s more, for road trip lovers, you can opt to travel overland from Kunming to Lhasa via the adventurous Yunnan-Tibet Highway. The exhilarating road trip promises diverse landscapes and rich cultural encounters that can’t be experienced by flight and train.

• What’s the Best Time to Travel from Yunnan to Tibet?

  Both Yunnan and Tibet can be visited all year round with different views and travel experiences. So, the best time to visit Yunnan and Tibet depends on what you are looking for.

  March to early June and September to early November are believed to be the best time to enjoy pleasant weather, stunning Himalayan vistas, and diverse outdoor activities in a Yunnan Tibet tour, esp. the Nyingchi Peach Blossoms from mid-March to early April and admiring Mt. Everest in Tibet.

  To experience diverse festivals in a Yunnan Tibet tour, April to August is the best time to join locals for joyous festivities, such as the Water Splashing Festival (April) in Yunnan, Saga Dawa Festival (May/June) in Tibet, and Shoton Festival (Yogurt Banquet, Aug) in Tibet and more.

  If you travel on a budget, November to February is the best time for a Yunnan Tibet tour. You can enjoy hefty discounts on hotels and enjoy entrance-free policy in Tibet and attractions get less crowded for an immersive travel experience.

• Can I Travel by Yunnan Tibet Railway to Lhasa?

  The answer is yes. However, there is no direct train from Kunming to Lhasa. You can either travel by train or flight to Xining and board the Xining to Lhasa train to Tibet, which is also the highlight of the Qinghai-Tibet railway, esp from Golumd to Lhasa section. Check the top 20 Tibet train journey faqs.

• What Are the Must-see Attractions on a Yunnan Tibet Tour?

  Before flying from Yunnan to Tibet, you can visit Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-la, the four most popular tourist destinations in Yunnan. Some of the must-see attractions include the Stone Forest in Kunming, ancient towns in Dali and Lijiang, Ganden Sumtseling Monastery in Shangri-la, and more.

  As you arrive in Tibet from Yunnan, Lhasa, Shigatse, and Ngari are the top three spots most travelers keen to explore. Lhasa, the spiritual heart of Tibet, is home to Tibet’s landmark attractions like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, and Drepung and Sera Monasteries.

  Shigatse is Tibet’s second-largest city, a gateway to Tibet Everest Base Camp. Most travelers will book the classic 8-day Lhasa to EBC tour to fulfill their travel bucket list to admire Mt. Everest up close.

  Ngari is located in remote and soaring western Tibet. Travelers worldwide are drawn to experience the 3-day kora around sacred Mt. Kailash, Tibet’s holiest mountain. Discover the top 20 Tibet travel experiences.

• How Many Days Are Needed for a Yunnan Tibet Tour?

  A typical Yunnan Tibet tour can last 6 to 14 days by flight, depending on the destinations you wish to cover.

  The shortest Yunnan Tibet tour involves 2 days in Kunming and takes a flight to Lhasa and you spend another 4 days in Lhasa to cover Tibet’s iconic attractions.

  For more in-depth Yunnan Tibet tours, you need to budget 3 to 5 days in Yunnan and 7 to 15 days in Tibet since Tibetan attractions lie far away from each other and traveling by road, is the only and best way to enjoy them in Tibet.

• What Kind of Hotels Can I Stay on a Yunnan Tibet Tour?

  In Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri la, you have endless choices for 5-star luxury resorts, 4-star boutique hotels, and tons of featured homestays with refined décor and styles.

  While in Tibet, due to the high altitude and harsh environment on the Tibetan Plateau, most 4-star and 5-star luxury hotels center in Lhasa and Shigatse, two of the biggest cities in Tibet.

  As you travel to Himalayan regions like Tibet Everest Base Camp and Mt. Kailash remote regions in Ngari, clean and simple Tibetan-run yak tent hotels and 3 and 4-star local hotels are more common.

  One thing to mention is that in terms of hotel service, most local Tibetan hotel staff may not be proficient in English and are less flexible in accommodating guests' needs and handling complaints.

• What Food Do I Expect to Eat for a Yunnan Tibet Tour?

  As you explore Yunnan, you have chances to local cuisines with bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and influences from ethnic minority groups.

  For foodies, don’t miss out on Yunnan’s famous Crossing-the-Bridge Noodles, a must-try noodle soup with a steaming bowl of broth, rice noodles, egg yolk, and various fresh toppings served separately for you to mix in.

  Besides, steamed pot chicken, grilled delicacies, and veggie-friendly wild mushroom noodles and spring rolls are also worth trying. You may also find local restaurants selling sandwiches and salads, burgers, and pizza to cater to the tastes of overseas travelers.

  As you enter Tibet, the local food reflects the high-altitude environment and the mix of Tibetan, and neighboring Nepalese, and Indian cultures.

  In local Tibetan restaurants, you may enjoy iconic Tibetan cuisines, such as Yak meat, Tibetan momos, and Tibetan noodle soups (Thukpa), and taste Tibetan sweet tea, Tibetan Yogurt, and snacks like deep-fried dough sticks.

  Other than that, in Lhasa, you can also find great Nepalese and Indian offering authentic butter chicken and Naan bread, tasty Dahl soup, pizza, Yak burgers, and more. Besides, Western and Chinese restaurants offering pizza and pasta, and diverse Sichuan cuisine are also easy to find in Lhasa. Our local experts will recommend many great local eateries across Tibet.

• Will I Have Altitude Sickness When Traveling from Yunnan to Tibet?

  Most travelers traveling to Tibet by flight from Kunming (1,900m) may have mild symptoms of altitude sickness due to the quick ascent and the air-sealed plane with an oxygen supply. However, no worries!

  Such symptoms will gradually disappear as your body adjusts itself to the thin air and new altitude in Lhasa (3,656m) in a couple of days. Upon your arrival in Lhasa, avoid strenuous activities like yelling, jumping, and running, drink more water to stay hydrated, and don’t roam over Lhasa City on your first day in Lhasa. Instead, sleep at your hotel for a good rest.

  Another great suggestion is to fly from Shangri-la (3,160m) to Lhasa (3,656m), which stands as a better option as the mild ascent normally won’t be likely to lead to altitude sickness. Besides, you may also consult your health doctor to prescribe altitude sickness tablets in case you need them.

• Are There Any Special Customs I Should Know About?

  Yes, since Yunnan has 25 ethnic groups and Tibet is a Buddhist destination, there are many special customs you may find strange.

  For example in Tibet, always walk clockwise around religious sites and local Tibetans don’t eat fish while in Yunnan, in some ethnic groups, it’s impolite to refuse alcohol offered as part of a welcome. If you can’t drink, politely explain.

  We suggest that if you are uncertain about something concerning local religious taboos and customs, always ask for your local expert’s guidance first.

• Can I Add Stops like Chengdu or Shanghai to My Yunnan Tibet Tour Itinerary?

  Yes, we can blend additional destinations from cities like Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Kathmandu, and more into your Yunnan Tibet Tour, based on your China arrival city, interests, and budget.

  As a local Tibet travel agency with offices in Lhasa, Chengdu, and Kathmandu, we offer you a one-stop service to secure a Tibet Travel Permit, book flight, and train tickets to and from Lhasa, and arrange local pickup and border transfer, and offer you a variety of quality local hotels and best local experts to fulfill your travel bucket lists in Yunnan, Tibet and beyond.