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Top 10 Tibet Travel Questions You Might Have During Your Tibet Tour
When you set foot on the land of Tibet, your journey finally begins. However, even with thorough preparation, there are still unexpected things during your actual trip. For example, what to do if you experience altitude sickness, how to find a restaurant, what to buy for souvenirs, etc.
Here, we list some common travel questions you may encounter during your days in Tibet to help you get more confidence in your upcoming trip to Tibet.
1. How can I deal with altitude sickness while in Tibet?
2. What to eat during my Tibet tour?
3. Where to stay during my Tibet tour?
4. Are there any interesting things to do during a Tibet tour?
5. What souvenirs should I buy during my Tibet tour, and where can I get them?
6. Is Wi-Fi available in hotels or restaurants in Tibet?
7. Can I use my credit card during my Tibet tour?
8. Are WeChat Pay or Alipay accepted in Tibet?
9. How can I charge my phone or camera during the trip in Tibet?
10. What if roads are blocked or bad weather delays my Tibet tour?
1. How can I deal with altitude sickness while in Tibet?
Upon arrival in Lhasa, some of you may get slight symptoms of altitude sickness as you arrive in a place at over 3,600 meters in such a short period after a flight or train to Tibet.
You may get a headache or less breath. But it is common, so you don’t need to worry too much. It is suggested to stay at your hotel for the rest of your first day in Lhasa.
Do not rush into sightseeing, but take an acclimatization day for your body to get used to the altitude in Lhasa. Then, you can better adapt to the environment on the next step and enjoy your journey in Tibet.
Sometimes, even if you don’t have any symptoms in Lhasa, you may feel discomfort when traveling to higher places, such as the Everest Base Camp at around 5,000 meters or during your Mount Kailash Trek.
Our tour vehicles are all equipped with oxygen tanks. Also, you can purchase portable oxygen bottles in local shops to prevent altitude sickness that may occur in higher places.
Furthermore, moving slowly and drinking plenty of water to keep hydrated can also help relieve discomfort.
However, if you still feel uncomfortable after taking oxygen, please inform your tour guide immediately. Our experienced guides will assist you in descending to a lower altitude or seeking medical treatment.
Our tour vehicles are all equipped with oxygen tanks.2. What to eat during my Tibet tour?
In cities like Lhasa, Shigatse, and Nyingchi, there are numerous food options, ranging from authentic Tibetan cuisine to Chinese Dishes, from Western food to Nepali and Indian dishes. If you’re wondering what to eat in Tibet, start with a visit to a local Tibetan teahouse, where you can taste the most authentic Tibetan snacks with locals.
While traveling beyond Lhasa, the further you go, the more basic dishes you can find. At Everest Base Camp or during the Kailash Kora, the food to eat is simpler, mostly fried rice or noodles.
If you have specific dining requirements, such as vegan food or halal food, please tell us while inquiry your Tibet tour. We will recommend or arrange suitable restaurants and meals for you in advance.
Visit a traditional Tibetan teahouse and enjoy butter tea like the locals.3. Where to stay during my Tibet tour?
Recently, hotels in Tibet have improved a lot. In major cities, like Lhasa, Shigatse, and Nyingchi, you can easily find accommodation options from luxury 5-star hotels to boutique guesthouses, with hot showers, Wi-Fi, and some other modern facilities to make your stay in Tibet comfortable.
For the night stay at Everset Base Camp, the tent hotels at Everest Base Camp and the Rongbuk Hotel have also improved a lot. The shabby communal sleeping platforms no longer exist. You can stay in a twin room or a triple room as you like.
A comfortable room with a stunning view of Mount Everest at Rongbuk Hotel.Moreover, in towns and villages at the foot of Mount Everest, like the Tashizong Village and Tingri, there are more modern hotels, offering comfortable accommodation at a lower altitude.
The accommodation for a Mount Kailash tour, especially during he 3-day Kailash kora, is much simpler, as only guesthouses are available along the trekking trail.
If you travel to remote areas or small towns in Tibet, the accommodations are more basic due to the harsh environment and lower development.
It would be kind of you to understand that most hotels in Tibet cannot be compared to the same level hotels in the mainland of China or other international tourist destinations in the world. But we'll try our best to arrange the most suitable accommodation tailored to your needs.
Join our best-selling Everest Base Camp tour and witness the majestic Everest from different angles.
4. Are there any interesting things to do during a Tibet tour?
Besides the ordinary visit to popular attractions in each destination, there is something more you can experience during your days in Tibet.
Visiting a traditional Tibetan teahouse is a must-do during your Lhasa tour. After you visit the Jokhang Temple, it’s time to find a teahouse nearby and enjoy a bottle of Tibetan butter tea as the locals do. It is the best way to experience authentic Tibetan daily life.
If you’re traveling to Tibet with kids or your family, don’t miss out on a chance to visit a Tibetan family during your days in Tibet. Savoring traditional homemade Tibetan snacks, touring typical Tibetan houses, and even having the opportunity to experience farmwork with the villagers is truly a fascinating travel experience in Tibet.
During your journey in Tibet, it is easy to see colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind at mountain passes or over some sacred sites. It is a traditional way for locals to pray for blessings. If you want to experience this activity and hang your own prayer flags for family and friends, feel free to tell us in advance. Our tour guide will take you to a suitable place and help you hang the prayer flags to bring blessings for your loved ones.
Of course, there are many other things to do in Tibet. Let us know your interests and we’ll recommend the most suitable activities to ensure you fully experience the unique charm of Tiber during your Tibet tour.
During your family tour in Tibet, visiting a Tibetan family is a wonderful experience.5. What souvenirs should I buy during my Tibet tour, and where can I get them?
Tibetan Thangka is a traditional Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton or silk. It is a popular souvenier for tourists to take back home after a visit to Tibet. Odtern depicts deities or mandalas, you can choose your favorite images or content of thangkas.
Another popular souvenir in Tibet is Tibetan incense. During your Tibet tour, you can arrange a visit to a local Tibean incense factory and witness how it is made by hand in a traditional way. You can also buy the Tibetan incense as a gift for your family or friends.
While visiting the vibrant Barkhor Street, don’t miss out on Tibetan handicrafts, like prayer wheels, singing bowls, yak wool products, and other gift items. You can also find something interesting in a local market or monastery gift shop.
Barkhor Street around the Jokhang Temple is where you'll find most worthwhile Tibetan handicrafts and souvenirs. If you're looking for jewelry like Dzi beads or turquoise, visit authorized shops to ensure quality and authenticity. If you want to know more gifts to buy in Tibet, feel free ask your guide to direct you to the right shop.
You can also experience making Tibetan incense during your Tibet tour.6. Is Wi-Fi available in hotels or restaurants in Tibet?
Free Wi-Fi is generally available in most hotels and some restaurants in major cities of Tibet, such as Lhasa, Shigatse, and Nyingchi.
Usually, guest rooms and public areas of hotels in Tibet, from 3-star to luxury 5-star, have free Wi-Fi. However, in guesthouses in remote areas, such as those along the trekking trail around Mount Kailash, the connection may be limited and slow.
For better internet access in Tibet, it is a good idea to buy a Chinese SIM card for your trip to Tibet.
You can enjoy free Wi-Fi at hotels in Lhasa.7. Can I use my credit card during my Tibet tour?
Credit cards are accepted in luxury hotels and shopping malls in Lhasa, Shigatse, and Nyingchi, but POS machines are not widely available. You can prepare some RMB in cash. In remote areas with less reliable internet access, cash payment remains the primary method.
Explore the holy city of Lhasa with our classic Lhasa City tour.
8. Are WeChat Pay or Alipay accepted in Tibet?
Mobile payments are now quite common in Tibet, as in other cities in the mainland of China. It's recommended that you open Alipay or WeChat Pay before your arrival and link your credit card for convenient online payments.
WeChat Pay and Alipay are both available in big cities in Tibet.9. How can I charge my phone or camera during the trip in Tibet?
The Tibet Autonomous Region, like the mainland of China, uses 220 volts (V) at 50 hertz (Hz) AC. Common plugs are either the two-pin flat-shaped Type A or the three-pin slanted, slanted Type I.
Before traveling to Tibet, please confirm that your appliances support 220V and have the appropriate plug adapters available.
During your Tibet tour, you can find some shops and restaurants in Lhasa, Shigatse, and Nyingchi offering shared power banks. However, their availability is limited.
Therefore, it is recommended that you bring your own power bank or sufficient backup power banks to keep your phone, camera, and other electronic devices charged.
The common types of plugs used in Tibet.10. What if roads are blocked or bad weather delays my Tibet tour?
With the continuous improvement of infrastructure in recent years, road conditions in Tibet are improving. Most roads from Lhasa to major tourist destinations are well-maintained asphalt, making long journeys in Tibet more comfortable.
However, in high-altitude mountainous areas, some roads may be temporarily closed due to extreme weather conditions. For example, the roads leading to Namtso Lake always be bloked due to heacy snow in winter, while the roads near the Gyirong border will be affected by heavy rainfall in summert.
If you meet any unexpected road closure during your journey, please be patient and wait for your tour guide's instructions.
If we get a road closure notification before departure, we will promptly contact you to discuss rerouting or exploring alternative attractions to ensure you enjoy your trip to the fullest.
Please be patient and understand when encountering special circumstances. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We will do our best to assist you and ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.
The road to Namtso Lake is often blocked by heavy snow in winter
Experience Tibet’s most stunning natural scenery in one trip, from Everest to Namtso Lake!
Conclusion
Once you understand what you may experience during your trip in Tibet, such as altitude sickness, dining and accommodation, and things to do in Tibet, you will enjoy your Tibet tour with greater ease.
As the leading local travel agency in Tibet, we at Tibet Vista are always attentive to your needs. If you meet any problems during your Tibet tour, feel free to contact your tour guide or your travel consultant for assistance. We’ll promptly provide solutions to ensure every day of your journey in Tibet is hassle-free and enjoyable.
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