As there are some restrictions on visiting Tibet, many tourists are unsure if they can travel to Tibet. And these questions come up often, like ‘Does the Tibet Travel Permit apply to me?’, ‘Do I need to have a good health to visit Tibet?’, ‘Is there any age limit?’, etc.

Here, we’ll cover 10 essential questions to help you decide whether you can visit Tibet and ensure a smooth trip to the roof of the world.

1. Can I Get a Permit to Travel to Tibet?

Yes, you can! As long as you have a valid Chinese visa and passport, you can apply for a Tibet Travel Permit, which is required for all trips to Tibet. It is important to book a Tibet tour through a local travel agency, because the individual application is not accepted by the Bureau.

A Sample of Tibet Travel Permit

Dealing with around 8000+ permit applications annually, we at Tibet Vista guarantee you the Tibet Travel Permit, as well as all other necessary local travel documents, such as the Alien’s Travel Permit for visiting the Everest region and the Military Permit for Mount Kailash Tours once you book a Tibet tour with us.

Just be sure to obtain your Chinese Visa in advance, as it still takes around 14 days to process a Tibet Travel Permit.

However, if your passport allows for 15-day or 30-day visa-free travel to China, you can simply apply for the Tibet Travel Permit with your passport only.

Insider Tips:
If you plan to travel to Tibet from Nepal, you need to apply for a Group Tourist Visa through the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Feel free to contact us for more details.

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Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

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Experience the majesty of Everest Base Camp in Tibet with our hassle-free small group tours!

2. Do I Understand the Risk of Altitude Sickness in Tibet?

Generally speaking, it is very safe to visit Tibet, as you don’t have to worry about public security issues or crimes such as robbery and theft. The main concern in Tibet is altitude sickness, which is a common physiological reaction of the human body when entering a plateau area from a lower altitude.

Starting your Tibet tour with a visit to Lhasa is ideal for acclimatizing to the high altitude.

Usually, it takes one to two days to adapt to the high altitude in Lhasa. Therefore, we begin our Tibet tours in Lhasa, where you’ll spend a few days exploring the city’s iconic landmarks. This not only allows you to immerse yourself in the spiritual and cultural heritages but also provides a gradual acclimation to the altitude before traveling to higher regions beyond Lhasa.

>> Check the useful tips to avoid altitude sickness in Tibet.

The Altitude of Major Cities and Attractions in Tibet

3. Am I Physically Healthy Enough to Travel to Tibet?

Physical condition is something many people believe to be a deciding factor in travel to Tibet. While you should be able to walk around and be relatively fit, there is no need to be at the peak of physical health. And many people coming to Tibet are ordinary travelers who are not perfect specimens of fitness.

However, tourists with the following conditions are not suggested to visit Tibet, as these may cause risks at high-altitude places:

Severe hypertension, heart disease, or other cardiovascular conditions

Asthma, severe bronchitis, or other respiratory diseases.

Diabetes

Please consult your doctor for professional advice on whether you are healthy enough to travel to Tibet.

Stay physically fit for the Mount Kailash Trek.

If you are planning a trek in Tibet, a good level of physical fitness is essential, as many routes in Tibet, especially the Everest trekking and Mount Kailash trek, are challenging and demanding.

Insider Tips:
Tours in Tibet involve some walking, such as climbing the 365 steps to the top of Potala Palace and exploring large monasteries like Drepung Monastery and Tashilhunpo Monastery. And there are no elevators available.

4. Can I Visit Tibet Because of Age Limit?

There is no restriction on age when traveling to the region. We have successfully arranged trips for a family with kids aged 4 and 6, and helped an 84-year-old German traveler fulfill his dream to Everest Base Camp. As long as you are physically fit enough to explore the high-altitude plateau, then there is nothing stopping you from taking a Tibet tour.

Our client visited Everest Base Camp with us at the age of 84.

However, it is not advisable to bring small children under four, especially babies to Tibet. The risks of altitude sickness are higher in small kids and they are too young to tell you how they are feeling, so it can be very hard for you to know if they are being affected by the altitude sickness or not.

5. How Can I Travel to Tibet?

You can travel to Tibet either from the mainland of China or Nepal depending on your schedule.

From the mainland of China, you can reach the Tibet Autonomous Region by flight, train, or overland travel. The fastest way is to get to Tibet by flight. There are several direct flights to Tibet from major cities like Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, etc. Among them, Chengdu offers the most frequent direct flights to both Lhasa and Nyingchi.

On your flight from Chengdu to Lhasa, enjoy breathtaking views of the majestic snow-capped mountains.

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway provides a scenic train ride through the Tibet Plateau from Xining to Lhasa. Recently, there are seven cities having trains to Tibet, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xining, and Lanzhou.

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway offers unique views and the best way to experience the Tibetan Plateau.

Moreover, there are four highways to Tibet, which offer the most adventurous way to get to Tibet from the mainland of China. The Chengdu to Lhasa overland journey via the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (also known as the G318 National Highway) is the most popular overland journey as you can drive along the most scenic highway to Tibet.

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Tour Route: Chengdu - Yajiang - Litang - Mangkang - Baxoi - Bome - Nyingchi - Lhasa

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Travel the stunning G318 National Highway to Tibet with our small group tour!

If you’re traveling from Nepal, you can either fly directly from Kathmandu to Lhasa or take an epic overland journey through the Friendship Highway via Gyirong border, which offers a unique road trip experience across the Himalayas. The direct flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa takes 1.5 hours while the overland journey takes around 8 days.

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Tour Route: Kathmandu - Gyirong - Everest Base Camp - Tingri - Shigatse - Gyantse - Lhasa

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This is the epic overland journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa, taking you explore the best of Everest.

6. Can I Travel to Tibet Independently or Do I Need a Guide?

Generally speaking, you can’t travel independently in Tibet without a guide. However, you can travel individually by a customized private tour with a registered local tour operator like us (Tibet Vista). We can arrange a tour guide, a private vehicle, and a local driver to follow the itinerary as you like. Of course, it is an expensive way to travel as you need to pay for the full cost of the whole trip without sharing it with others.

The most popular way to travel in Tibet is to join an organized small group tour in Tibet. In this way, you can explore Tibet with fellow travelers from around the world while sharing share costs with your group members. It is the most money-effective way to visit Tibet. Alternatively, you can form your own group - the larger your group, the lower price per person.

Join our Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour and travel with like-minded travelers from around the world.

7. Am I Prepared for the Harsh Environment of Tibet?

The extreme weather of Tibet, its high altitude, and its remote location make Tibet an unusual destination for travelers. Some people may hesitate to travel to Tibet because of the harsh conditions there. In fact, major cities, like Lhasa, Shigatse, and Nyingchi, offer improved living conditions and modern amenities. There is no need to worry about dining and accommodation in Lhasa and other major cities of Tibet nowadays.

But when you travel beyond Lhasa, such as to Everest Base Camp or Mount Kailash, you should be ready for basic tourist facilities in remote towns and villages. The hotels and guesthouses are quite simple and cannot be compared to those in large cities. Dining options are also limited, with most meals are local Tibetan food and Sichuan cuisine.

If you travel to Everest Base Camp, be prepared for the basic accommodation in the Tent Hotel.

8. Am I Open-minded about Different Religions and Cultures?

Tibet has a rich culture deeply rooted in Buddhism, with strong religious beliefs shaping daily life. If you are open to different religions and willing to experience diverse cultures, you will definitely enjoy your trip to Tibet.

As you travel through Tibetan monasteries and palaces, while admiring the featured Tibetan architecture, be sure to respect the local culture and religions and pay attention to the following tips:

Avoid touching sacred objects like statues.

Dress properly, covering your shoulders and legs when visiting religious sites.

Always ask permission before taking photos of local Tibetans.

Do not take photos inside monastery halls.

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9. Am I ready to take a Long Journey?

The Tibet Autonomous Region is the second-largest region of China, with vast distances between major attractions. For example, the distance from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp is around 520 kilometers, often requiring a 2-day travel via Shigatse, with 7 to 8 hours’ driving every day. Mount Kailash is even further, about 1,400 kilometers always, often requiring 4 days to travel.

The developed road conditions in Tibet make driving more easy but the long drive still needs some preparation:

Bring some snacks that can replenish your energy anytime.

There will be many winding roads when crossing mountain passes in Tibet. If you are prone to motion sickness, you can take motion sickness medicine in advance.

In Tibet, it is common to see yaks and sheep grazing near the roadside, particularly in rural areas. If you are taking a self-drive in Tibet, be mindful of livestock to avoid accidents.

The well-paved, winding road to Everest Base Camp in Tibet makes your journey even more exciting!

10. Do I Have a Strong Reason to Travel to Tibet?

Tibet is not a typical leisure travel destination. If you are still hesitating about whether you can travel to Tibet, you might as well ask yourself: Why do you have to come here?

Are you also traveling to Tibet to witness the majesty of Mount Everest?

Many people come to Tibet to witness the majestic Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, with their own eyes, and some people come to Tibet to complete a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey to Mount Kailash. Some people are attracted by the mysterious charm of Tibetan Buddhism and the unique local culture, while others want to appreciate the stunning natural landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau, the World’s Third Pole.

Although the high altitude and remote location of Tibet bring challenges to tourists, these difficulties often become bearable under the strong drive of dreams.

Therefore, if you find a clear reason to visit Tibet, then you can travel to Tibet and everything you experience will become more meaningful.

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It’s a challenging journey, but visiting both Mount Kailash and Mount Everest in one trip makes it worthwhile.

Conclusion

If you’re wondering whether you can travel to Tibet, the good news is that for most tourists, age and physical condition are not the limiting factors for visiting Tibet. The most important requirement is obtaining the necessary travel documents, such as a Chinese Visa and a Tibet Travel Permit. Since you will always be accompanied by a local tour guide, it is quite safe to tour Tibet.

If you have considered the above 10 questions, then you can definitely start planning your trip to Tibet with us. As the largest local tour operator in Tibet, we (Tibet Vista) are ready to take you to explore the REAL Tibet.