When is the best time to visit Tibet?
The best time to visit Tibet is from early May to late October. Because first of all the Tibet weather would be not harsh, and secondly it is best time to visit Mt. Everest Base Camp (if you have plan to get there).
What’s the weather like in Tibet ?
Lhasa - Shigatse - Lhatse - Tingri - Nylam: Along the Friendship highway is basically in good conditions year around. But from December to February, the thawed road could make some trouble. Try to avoid August - landslide could happen in the rainy season.
Mt.Everest Area: Early May and early October are the best time to visitMt. Everest. Due to the clear weather, you have great chance to seeMt. Everest's true face (if you are lucky). From December to February, you'd better not to go to this area because it is too cold - except you are real Great Adventure People.
Ali (Mt.Kailash): Even without climate restrictions, this area is already inhospitable. Big rain and snow could make the journey worse. However, for those determined tourists, the appropriate time is May, June, July, September and October.
Eastern Tibet : Don't go to this area in July or August (the rainy season) because the rain could ruin the road, and make terrible landslides. In winter, the road could be frozen.
Northern Tibet : With the average altitude of 4,500m, this area offers very limited time for tourists. Summer (July to August) is the prime time to enjoy the great plain in northern Tibet .
What do you suggest we bring with us if we travel to Tibet ?
For the clothing, we suggest casual attire style and layered clothing. In day time you may need only a T-shirt or at most a jacket, but at night you may need a coat. Down coat is necessary if you go beyond Lhasa and Shigatse to remote areas, the Everest Camp or further to Mt.Kailash.
Sun glasses, sun blocking cream, moisture scream are very necessary to be in your packing list.
What is high season? What is the definition for high season, shoulder season and low season?
High season marks the most popular times of the year for travel in Tibet , due to the weather, holiday periods or other reasons. Therefore hotels, airlines and travel agencies are heavily booked, and prices are higher than at other times.
The seasons are usually defined as follows:
High season: July 1 to October 15.
Shoulder season: May 1 to June 30.
Low season: October 16 to April 30.
Access Tibet Tour reserves the right to vary prices as a result of seasonal charges being imposed.
5. What currency do I have to use in Tibet ?
The legal tender in Tibet is Renminbi (RMB). Foreign currencies can not be used directly. Foreign currencies may be converted into RMB at all banks, bank branches or hotels at the exchange rate quoted on the foreign exchange marker on the day.
The Bank of China in Tibet is the bank which specializes in handing money exchange.
Is it easy to find an ATM in Tibet ?
You won't have any problems finding an ATM in Lhasa and Shigatse, although you probably won't be able to find one in remote areas or the smaller towns. However, this situation is changing, and ATMs are gradually spreading out across the land.
What documents do I need if I am planning to travel to Tibet ?
You need to have a valid passport, a valid China visa and a Tibet travel permit (sometimes people call it Entry permit or TTB, or Tibet visa).
Do I need Visa for China?
All visitors traveling to mainland China, whether for business or pleasure, require a visa. No Visa is required prior to enter Hong Kong; a Visa will be issued upon arrival. If you travel beyond Hong Kong, even for a few hours, you will need a China visa to enter China.
What should I be aware of when apply for the China Visa?
Access Tibet Tour recommends that you obtain your visa before leaving the country where you live. When you are applying for the China visa, ATT advises you try not to mention Tibet or to write anything about Tibet on the application form. It is advisable to refer to other places in China like Beijing , Shanghai , Xi’an , etc. otherwise, visa officer may reject your application and you won’t get the visa to China .
Do I need double/multi-entry visa if I come to Tibet from China mainland and return China mainland after the trip?
No, because Tibet is a part of China , if enter Tibet from other cities in China mainland and after the trip in Tibet , get back to China mainland again, only a single entry visa is required.
For example:
BeijingàTibetàShanghai
For this, a single entry visa is okay.
If I travel via Nepal to Tibet , are there any special requirements on China visa?
Before you are coming to Lhasa from Katmandu , you must get China visa from Katmandu because no matter you've already got the visa in your country or not, you must get a visa in Katmandu , which is regulated in an official memo between China and Nepal . The fastest way is that we send the Invitation Letter to Katmandu at least one day prior to your arrival in Katmandu , then you can apply for China Visa in the second day easily, which will cost around 1-2 days. Chinese Visa fees: US$ 50.00 payable in cash upon arrival in Katmandu [US$ 70.00 for US Citizens].
The Chinese embassy in Katmandu only opens for visa application on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00am to 11:30am. The application will take at least one working day, please confirm your schedule to fit the visa application.
What is Tibet Travel Permit?
Tibet Travel Permit is the official document that allow foreign traveler to enter Tibet. It is granted by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. Tibet Travel Permit sometimes is also called Tibet Entry Permit or TTB permit.
What do I need to do to obtain the Tibet Travel Permit?
You need provide us with the high quality scanned copies of your passport and China visa, and the following information as well. Then we can hold these things to help you get the Tibet Travel Permit.
1) Full name
2) Gender
3) Date of birth
4) Passport number
5) Nationality
What are the hotels like in Tibet?
Tourism is Tibet is in its infancy and the number of 4 Star hotels is quite limited. The newer hotels have been built away from the city center in order to protect the city history and environment. These hotels have central heating which is used in winter but no cooling is available in summer. We would still warn that the facilities and service standard may not be as you would expect from a hotel with this rating in other parts of the world. Older hotels located in the city have a good location but will not provide the level of comfort of the newer hotels and may not have any central heating. The level of service and facilities may be quite basic. Staff will probably not speak much English. Hotels in small cities and the Everest Base camp are very basic. They will usually have a public bathroom with squat toilet.
What can we eat in Tibet?
In Lhasa, you can choose Chinese food, western food, Nepali food and Tibetan food as well. But in remote towns and areas, choice is limited, Chinese food or Sichuan cuisine is the best choice.
