Tibet Travel Restrictions 2022 - 7 Practical Tibet Travel Tips

Tibet is one of the must-see places for many travel lovers in their lifetime due to the fascinating landscape and unique ethnic culture. She is also a special destinations since there are some travel restrictions for foreign visitors. But travel to Tibet dose not complicated. Here China Travel figures out 7 practical Tibet Travel Tips for your reference when you’re planning your Tibet Travel.

Can I Travel to Tibet in 2022?

The answer is absolutely "Yes"! Due to the epidemic, Tibet trip was suspended for about one year. After the epidemic was basically under control, on May 9, 2021, Tibet has opened the door to expats living or working in Chna again.

Expats in China Are Able to Travel to Tibet Now

For expats in China, it is a good news that Tibet is open to you again. As long as you’re working or living in China, you can arrange a Tibet tour easily. You’re required to prepare your Green Health Code and negative PCR test result. China Travel has prepared dreamed and memorable Tibet tours for you. If Tibet is your next destination, please scan our QR Code to get detail information.

As for foreign visitors outside of China, it’s a pity that you cannot travel to Tibet now. You’re unable to get a Chinese travel visa (L visa) now. Once China issue Chinese travel visa again, you can enter China. Then you can consider a plateau tour to Tibet.

Is it safe to Travel to Tibet now?

Don’t worry about Covid-19 in Tibet. Thanks to the local prevention measures, Tibet is more than safe to visit compared with other cities within China.

Covid-19 Situation in Tibet (updated on Aug 19)

Tibet Permit is A Must for Tibet Travel

As known that foreign visitors need to get a Tibet Travel Permit before traveling to Tibet. To apply for Tibet Permit, you have to prepare two important documents: a Chinese visa and your passport. We suggest you book a Tibet tour at least 10 days before departure since it usually takes about 10 days to apply for Tibet Permit.

How to Get a Tibet Permit for Expats in China?

As expats in China, you’re required to provide 6 documents. Don’t be scared off. The application of Tibet Permit is not complicated. Just cooperate with your tour operators and the application will be smooth.

A Guide to Apply for Tibet Permit

• A screenshot of the health code of where you live now
• Clear photo or scanned copy of passport
• Clear photo or scanned copy of Chinese Visa or Residence Permit
• Recent covid-19 Test result copy (suggested within 7 days) (need to provide when applying for permit)
• Clear photo or scanned copy of Work certificate
• A certificate issued by the applicant company or neighborhood committee to prove that he/she hasn’t left the mainland of china within the last 90 days. This information can be written on the same document as the Work Certificate Letter（Tourists are not allowed to visit Tibet unless they have been in China for three months）

Can China Expats Visit Tibet Independently?

The answer is “NO”. According to the regulations of Tibet Autonomous Region, independent Travel is not allowed in Tibet for foreign visitors. That means you have to book a Tibet tour with travel agency. You can book hotels yourselves or with travel agencies. But during your whole travel in Tibet, you have to be accompanied by a tour guide to visit the scenic spots. During your spare time, it is no problem to get out alone.

Travelling in Tibet is not that convenient compared with traveling in other big cities in China, especially some remote cities far away from Lhasa. A tour guide will be helpful to take care and arrange everything for you. The guide will help you to have a memorable in this holy plateau.

China Travel has both group tours and private tours in Tibet. You could choose as per your interest.

Recommended Tibet Tours:

• The Essence of Lhasa Tour
• Mt.Everest Tour
• Yomdrok Lake Tour

When Is The Best Time to Travel to Tibet?

Typically speaking, July to August is summer of Tibet and the peak season of traveling in Tibet. That means July and August is the best time to visit Tibet, when the weather is comparatively warmer and the oxygen content of air is higher. It is also the rainy season of Tibet, when it won’t be dry and static.

• Dry season of Tibet: October - April
• Rainy season of Tibet: May - September

In summer, all kinds of flowers bloom and make this holy land stunning. Travel in summer of Tibet, you can take the chance to visits as much place as possible in Tibet, such as Namsto, Everest Base Camp. Especially Everest Base Camp, it will be extremely cold after September. If you’re interesting trekking tour or pilgrimage tour, July and August will be a good time.

In Spring and Autumn, the weather is mild. And the sky is clear. Autumn is also a friendly for trekking tour.

Avoid Tibetan New Year When You Plan A Tibet Trip

Tibet is closed to visitors in March every year. That is because Tibetan New Year is in March. Moreover, Tibet also get closed in some special anniversary celebration, for example, anniversary celebration of Tibet Autonomous Region.

Expats in China, please skip March when you plan a Tibet tour. After China opens inbound travel again, foreign visitors should also pay attention to Tibetan New Year.

How Should I Enter Tibet via Nepal?

Before Covid-19, visitors can also travel overland from Nepal to Tibet. There were one or two flight between the Kathmandu, capital city of Nepal and Lhasa.

Please kindly notice that, Group Visa is required if you enter from Nepal. You should apply for China Group Visa in Kathmandu. To get a group visa, the assistance from agency in Tibet is necessary. Your Tibet agency should issue an invitation letter including the information of your Tibet tour. Then the corresponding partner in Nepal will help you to get your China Group Visa at Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Actually, the procedure is very simple. All you have to do is filling out the application form in Kathmandu. It only costs about USD30.

How to Avoid Attitude Sickness in Tibet?

Generally speaking, there is no age limit for the visitors travelling to Tibet. However, due to the special landform of Tibet, the lowest altitude of Tibet is around 38,50 meters (12,600 feet), areas like Shigatse and Everest Base Camp is around 5,200 meters (17,000 feet). Visitors come to Tibet have to get used to the high altitude. Here we list some advice for you:

• If you’re small kids, pregnant women, it will be better to consult your doctor before planning the trip; or if you have heart diseases, you have to think it over. You must listen to your doctor’s advice.Your original Chinese visa.
• DO NOT hang out on the first day you arriving in Tibet. Have dinner in the hotel and have rest in hotel. Give yourselves some time to adjust the altitude.Your original passport.
• Buy some oxygen bottles if you feel week. During your trip, the tour guide will also prepare some oxygen box for you. If you don’t feel comfortable, please tell your guide immediately. And the guide will help you to get medical assistance.

How to Plan A Tibet Trip on A Budget?

As mentioned above, Tibet Trip will never “cheap” compared with traveling in main cities of the mainland of china. Due to the local regulation, you have to book a tour with travel agency. You cannot travel independently. Thus ,the tour budget would be “friendly”.

We have some advise about how to lower the tour cost:

• Plan and book the tour as early as possible so that you can enjoy early-bird discount of some agencies.
• As for transportation to and from Lhasa, choose train, rather than plane. Flight tickets are much more expensive. Your original passport.
• Choose shoulder or lower season. Avoid peak season and National Holiday of China.

Recommended Budget Tibet Tour