Recent Events

New train Lhasa to Nyingchi
New train Lhasa to NyingchiNew Train Fuxing service now connects Lhasa to Nyingchi one of the most scenic destinations of south west Tibet from 25 June 2021. Tourists and train buffs now can take the region's fastest trains and enjoy the awesome views along a…>> Read More

 

Black necked cranes winter
Black necked cranes winterBlack-necked cranes flock to the nature reserve in Linzhou county, Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region making it their winter home. Linzhou county, a distanced of 65 km from Lhasa, is known to a great bird watching area for these magnificent…>> Read More

 

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MAKING NEWS!

  • Tripadvisor picks Kathmandu #1 for 2024!

    The popular travel portal 'Tripadvisor' has declared Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital city, as the best natural destination 2024 in the world.…

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  • China visa free facility to 6 countries

    China announced unilateral visa-free policy to more countries on a trial basis by extending visa-free facility to travelers holding ordinary…

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  • Himalaya Airlines to Chongqing and Lhasa

    Himalaya Airlines breaks new ground by resuming the Kathmandu to Lhasa, new route to Chongqing and Shanghai.  It connects an…

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  • Lijiang to Shangri-La train journey opens

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  • New Buddha era relics excavated

    New Buddha-era relics have been unearthed in Ramgram Nawalparasi West Nepal located 46kms east of Maya Devi temple making this…

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  • Sichuan Airlines to increase Nepal flights

    Sichuan Airlines a major inbound carrier from Chengdu China to Kathmandu announced that it will operate daily flights from August. …

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  • Hollywood Superstar Jet Li visits Nepal!

    World famous Hollywood and Chinese actor Jet Li arrived in Kathmandu along with his wife during the Christmas holiday. He…

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FAQs - Tibet TAR

Tibet FAQ

TRAVEL TO TIBET TAR : 

Lhasa, Tibet TAR is well connected with weekly flights to Kathmandu and multiple daily flights domestically to all major cities in the mainland China cities including Ali, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Kunming, Lanzhou, Nyingchi, Qingdao, Shanghai, Xian and Xining.

 

Some of the airlines include; Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Chongqing Airlines, Lucky Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Tibet Air, West Air China,

 

BY ROAD

From Nepal the entry point to Lhasa overland is from the north east Nepalese border town of Rasuwa adjoining Kyirong or Gyirong, Tibet TAR.  From Kathmandu, capital of Nepal it is just 2 days drive away. To the east it is a 5 or more day drive from Chengdu and a shorter time from Golmud.

 

BY TRAIN

One of the most spectacular train journeys in the world on the highland of the Tibetan plateau. Daily train service connects to Beijing, Chengdu, Golmud, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Xining.  Chair car seating and soft sleepers are available.  A dining car serves excellent meals and light snacks on push carts are available.  Views of snow mountains, rugged terrain, azure blue sky, vast lakes, rivers and yak pastures can be seen on this remarkable trip.  Wild yaks, Tibetan gazelles, wild ass, marmot, wolf, many species inhabit this permafrost region. 

 

GEOGRAPHY

A beautiful land rich in natural and cultural heritage, Tibet is located at the main part of Qinghai-Tibet plateau, south west of China.  It has an average altitude of 4,000 metre above sea level with more than fifty peaks above 7,000 metre of which eleven are over 8,000 metre.  With an area of 1.2 million sq. km it borders Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai and Xingjiang provinces; to neighbouring countries in the south Bhutan, Burma, India, Nepal and Pakistan.

 

POPULATION

There are 2 million people mostly living in the central area in cities like Lhasa, Xigatse, Gyantse and Tsedang.  Many more live in smaller communities in valleys and alpine pastures.  The far west and southern areas towards the Himalayan range are sparsely populated.  A majority are farmers and raise yak and sheep. A growing agriculture farming under hot houses have sprung up throughout the region.

 

RELIGION

Almost all practice Mahayana Buddhism. There are also pre Buddhist Bon-po and Islam. 

 

LANGUAGE

Is derived from the Sanskrit text.  There are more than 20 local dialects that are spoken.  Tourism related individuals speak working English.

 

CLIMATE

The best time to visit Tibet is from April through to November.  When the rest of South Asian subcontinent is hot and humid, the highland plateau of Tibet is most inviting.  Spring is from April to June, followed by a short Summer in July to August when it rains a little, Autumn from September to November and Winter from December to March.

 

VISA

All visitors to Tibet must travel with passports with a minimum 6 months validity.  After a package tour is confirmed, visa is issued by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu on presentation of passport.  Visitors travelling from mainland China require a Tibet Travel Permit from the point of entry while boarding flight, train or road journey. Please contact our agency for further details. Clients are recommended to apply for visas at the earliest. 

 

ELECTRICITY / TELPHONE

All towns in Tibet are electrified using 220 volts alternating current.  Most major cities have International call facilities.  Mobile connectivity has made good progress and internet is available.  Satellite phones are also available for rentals especially for expeditions.

 

HOTELS / ACCOMMODATIONS

Tibet has seen a proliferation of 3 to 4 star hotels and luxe category which include Hotel Shangri La, Hilton hotel, Inter Continental hotel, St Regis and many Boutique styled accommodations especially in Lhasa.  Tourist standard hotels are 2 to 3 star, the further away from cities the standards are lower.  Some journeys especially in the far west viz Mt Kailash have only local guest house with basic common amenities and shared dormitory accommodation.  Larger hotels are clean and serve good meals.  Hotels used by Asian Bhrikuti are the best in their category.

 

RESTAURANTS

There are always restaurants outside hotels.  Our guides will recommend the better ones.  For trips away from the big cities there are less choices and Tibetan cuisine are limited in variety.  For treks or distant excursion, it is handy to carry anything that can be brewed with hot water especially instant noodle, soups, etc.

 

ROADS

The major highways are well maintained.  Where expedition grade trips are booked, expect dirt road that can be bumpy and dusty by 4-wheel drive vehicle while the majority of travel is by mini van or coaches. The new entry point of Rasuwa - Kyirong 146kms north east of Kathmandu is open to all tourists.

 

CUSTOMS

There is no restriction on use of still and video cameras, camcorders as long as they are registered by a customs official on your passport.  Not permitted are printed matters considered unsuitable by the Chinese Government.  Customs regulations forbid the export of art objects created prior to 1959 or souvenirs in large amounts deemed excessive for personal use.

 

TIME

08 hours ahead of GMT.  Note Tibet is linked to Beijing time so when you cross the border from Nepal the time change is considerable.  Nepal is 05 hours and 45 minutes ahead of GMT.

 

BUSINESS HOURS

Most businesses are open between 0900 hrs and 1230 hrs and from 1430 hrs until 1730 hrs, these close on SUNDAYS.  Government offices are usually closed on SATURDAY afternoon and all day SUNDAY. There are many banks and ATMs in major urban areas.  Opening hours are from 1000 hrs to 1330 hrs and from 1600 hrs. to 1830 hrs.  It is closed all day on SUNDAY.

 

MONEY

RENMINBI RMB or YUAN the people's money used by millions of Chinese everyday circulates in notes of higher denomination upto 100 and lower value coins.  The preferred currency to use while travelling is US Dollars or EURO cash. With digital transformation; Alipay / Wechat mobile app is most widely used with even fruit vendors using it! 

 

As of 21 February 2024 exchange rate 1 U.S.$ = 7.19 Yuan. 

 

CLOTHING

The check-list items are :  Comfortable walking shoes, dust masks, sun hat, sun glasses, sunscreen lotion, a flashlight, personal first aid, toiletteries and recommended clothings.

 

Choose and Book a visit to Tibet "Roof of the World" and enjoy a truly ancient land full of history and cultural heritages that continue to amaze!