Practical Tips

Visiting Tibet requires a special travel permit that can arranged through many offices throughout China, some of the offices are: Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. To apply for the travel you'll need to provide some basic information like: passport number, purpose of travel, route. The easiest way to get this permit is apply for it through a travel agent.

The main hazard in Lhasa is the high altitude. Although Lhasa is situated on a plain it is already 3,650m above sea level. It will take a few days to a week to acclimatize so factor this time into your trip. On arrival don't try to carry your own bags at the airport, go slow, rest and drink plenty of water. The key is not to become out of breath. Some symptoms of altitude sickness include: headaches, loss of appetite or nausea, shortness of breath and lightheadedness or dizziness.

The weather in Lhasa is milder than other places in Tibet and April to October is the best time to go, expect snow outside these months. In July and August be prepared for temperatures of 0°C at night and up to 30°C during the day. Lhasa can also be rainy in August.

Having an ethnic Tibetan guide is an excellent way to see Lhasa. Sights are spread out and except for the city center, public transportation is inconvenient. Guides also have detailed information on the sights, which allows you to see more in a day and they often have detailed knowledge of the sites or of the different festivals or events that are taking place.