Tibet Travel Guide

Tibet is undoubtedly one of the most fantastic places of Asia to visit. It has spectacular monastery and offers a stunning view of Mount Everest. The people of the Highest Table Land of the World (Tibet) are friendly. The main highlight of Tibet is Potala Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and which measures 400 metres east-west and 350 metres north-south, with sloping stone walls averaging 3 m. thick, and 5 m thick at the base with copper poured into the foundations to help proof it against earthquakes. Thirteen stories of buildings – having over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and about 200,000 statues – soar 117 metres (384 ft) on top of Marpo Ri, the “Red Hill”.

Other highlights of Tibet include monasteries and lakes. Everest Base Camp Trek from Tibet side takes you to an altitude of 6340 m. During the trek, you come across the Advanced Base and Interim Camps. You also acclimatize 3 days at the main base camp of Everest. In other words you sit, read, and dine in front of the world’s highest mountain. You also enjoy watching the soaring Everest to the sky. After acclimatizing, you climb the Advanced Everest Base Camp, cross the Rongbuk River and walk between the glaciers and valleys. On your way to the Interim camp, you see the amazing pinnacle of the East Rongbuk Glacier.

Visa and Passport

Chinese visa and Tibetan Travel Permit are compulsory for entering Tibet. Ace Holidays arranges hassle free visa procedure for you before you head off to Tibet. Please make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months before travelling. Passports with less than six months’ validity will not be provided a visa. You need two passport-sized photos for the visa application. Ace Holidays also advise you to bring an extra photo just in case you need it.

Entering Tibet by Land

Khasa, Liping (Tatopani on the Tibet, China-Nepal border; the Friendship Highway connects Lhasa with Kathmandu)

Note Overland tourists entering Nepal with their own vehicles must possess an international carnet or complete customs formalities.

Entering Tibet by the following Airlines from Nepal

  • China Southern Airlines
  • China Eastern Airlines

    • Departure Tax Rs. 1000 (excluding VAT) for all outgoing foreign travelers, departing from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal.

    Best Season to Visit Tibet

    April to October

    ATM

    In Lhasa and Shigatse, there are lots of ATMs.

    Money

    Yuan is the currecy of Tibet. Another name of this currency is Renmibi. The Bank of China can exchanges all foreign currencies and it is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Travelers Cheques and credit cards are very difficult to cash out, especially outside Lhasa.

    Accommodation

    In most of the cities and towns, your accommodation is in the hotel or guest house. There are also 5-star hotels.In Lhasa. Shigatse, Gyantse and Tsedang, there are also three-star hotels, while in remote areas, your accommodation is mainly in guest houses.

    Festivals in Tibet

  • Tibetan New Year or Losar
  • Nyingchi peach Bloosom Festival
  • Tsurphu Festival
  • Gyantse Horse Racing festival
  • Saga Dau Festival
  • Shotan Festival
  • Tashilhunpo Festival
  • Samye and Trandruk Cham Festival
  • Choerkor Dhuchen Festival
  • Ganden thangka Festival
  • Nagqu Horse Racing Festival
  • Shotun Festival
  • Ong Kor Festival

    • Modes of Communication in Tibet

  • Postal Order, Postal Service
  • Telephone Service
  • The modern Internet
  • Newspaper

    • Things to see in Tibet

    POTALA PALACE
    JOKHANG TEMPLE
    BARKHOR STREET
    SERA MONASTERY
    SAMYE MONASTERY (Samye Monastery, the birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism)
    LAKE YAMDROK
    TASHILUNPO MONASTERY

    Note You are not allowed to preach the teachings of Dalai Lama in Tibet.