Tim Wang's eLearning Blog

Are the Chinese citizens required to get this Tibet Travel Permit?

Brent, a Chinese citizen does not need any permit to travel in Tibet. The Tibet Travel Permit is only for foreign travellers.

Hi Tim, my husband and I are planning a trip to Tibet this year. When would be a good season to travel in the high altitude Tibet? Are there anything else we should be aware of while travelling in Tibet? We love your blog! Thanks Tim!

Hey Tim, Just found this entry on a Google search. Are you at UBC, Vancouver? That's my alma mater. Grad '02. I've been living in Beijing the past three years and I'm planning a trip to Tibet this June. Have you been? I've heard contradictory reports on what is and what is not needed. If I purchase the Tibet entry permit, can I then proceed to the travel agent and buy my ticket to Tibet? Or will I run into difficulties. Also, my buddies and I are wanting to hike to the Everest base camp. Are we obligated to hire a guide beforehand or can we do that upon arrival in Lhasa? I guess, I've been most frustrated by all the tour companies trying to wrangle up business and I can't get a straight answer of what is and what is not required. If you've been to Tibet and know the ins-and-outs, I'd appreciate an email. Alternatively, if it's too much to write, I could give you a call on Skype at your convenience. Thx, Anders

Hey Anders, I have to agree with you it's hard to travel anywhere in China, not because of the transportation or language barriers, but there are just too many darn crooks as travel agencies in China. Some of them have not even got a clue of the destination you are traveling to, but they say they will give you a worry free trip. Anyway, here are the answers to your questions:

Yes, you should join a travel agency (ironically). Because according to the government rule, all individual foreign travelers must join a tour group organized by certified travel agencies. However, there are MANY exceptions, such as mountain climber experts or athletes can be excused etc. I suggest you to check with an airline and an official tour bureau of the government. The following is a list of phone numbers for different branches of the Tibet government traveling bureau:

Hong Kong
Phone:（00852）28383391
Fax:（00852）28841535

Chengdu
Phone: 028-8551719
Fax: 028-8551719

Shanghai
Phone: 021-62288845、64311084
Fax: 021-63231016

Beijing
Phone: 010- 84477899
Fax: 010- 84476503

Xian
Phone: 029-87815987
Fax: 029-87815987

Shangri la, Yunnan
Phone: 0877-8229028
Fax: 0877-8227892

These are the government travel bureau which should provide official information about traveling to Tibet. One can also complain or report mistreatment from the private travel agencies to this organization. They are the one issues the permits to the traveling agencies. They would also provide you a list of "trusted" travel agencies that you can contact. The documentations you will need to enter Tibet would be: Passport, Visa and Tibet Travel Permit (some time they call it "invitations").

About the guide, you should be able to hire a local one in Lhasa, it would be cheaper and sometime even speaks better English. If you plan to do this, then don't mention to the travel agency in Beijing about the hike to the Everest base camp, simply say you want a tour in Lhasa with some extended free time (time without arrangement by the agencies). Then when you are in Lhasa, you would find tons of foreign travelers, probably even more than you see on Beijing Street today. Talk to them, you may even tag along with their pre-arranged tour guide and just chip in for some cost.

Sure traveling in Tibet is not gonna be as "free" as drive up to the Rockies, but there are not as many "restrictions" as it may appear to be. So, have a back-packers' mind, contact the bureau, get more official information, grab the documents, enjoy your time there! Good luck and email me a photo or two of the beautiful snow mountains that roots above 13,000ft, I miss them!

Tim,
I am currently in China with my girlfriend who is a Chinese citizen. It turns out that when she came to America for study she loses her residence permit and has to apply for permission just as I do, weird I know. Her mother and her arranged our trip to Tibet in their hometown here in Hefei. They were able to get what I think is a pretty good rate (about $600US) for an 8 day trip including airfare from Hefei to Chengdu, meals and board. One thing that caught my attention is that you mentioned it might take a week to get permission to enter Tibet. While at the travel agency here in Hefei they seemed to be able to get the permission over the phone in a couple hours. I don't know if this was some inside track that this travel agency has or if I should expect some kind of hiccup on my trip. We are leaving tomorrow afternoon for Chengdu! So hopefully everything is ok! If not, i'll be hanging out in Cheng Du for awhile.

P.S. I'm looking for work in Shanghai, I'm a recent graduate from University of Illinois, just got my Masters in electrical engineering, do you know any sites, webboards, or friends that could point me in the right direction for jobs?

Hi Neecur, this is the best time travelling in Tibet. It sounds like your gf is no longer a Chinese citizen? Because if she still is, all she needs to do is to present a Hu Kou Ben (Household Registration), they will give her a temp. residence permit. Anyway, it's always good if one can pull a few "strings" (through Guan Xi - relationships) in China, it would make the processes much faster and easier. According to the book, it would take around three days to get the permit, but I have just checked with my friends in China, it is possible to get the permit within one day or two. I have posted an image to the original posting of a sample Tibet Travel Permit. If this is what you have got, you are all set! Good luck with your trip! I know it's gonna be an awsome one.

Hey! We live in Chengdu and plan to visit Tibet in August. We heard from friends that they are/were renovating Potala Palace, but no one here can tell us if it will be open this summer. Have you heard? Because we'd rather wait and go when we are sure we can visit the palace. So far no links about it are telling anyone it could be closed.

Jay, the Potala Palace renovation started 2002 and it's an on-going process. They started with refreshing wall paintings and roof refining. The process should come to an end pretty soon. I know they re-built the square in front of the palace last summer, and the finished work looks great! I am certain partial of the palace is open. However, they have permanantly shut down the top level (unless you are someone REALLY important) for touring. So, good luck and have fun!

I was at the Potala in 2002, in August as far as I recall. When we were in Lhasa part of the front steep staircase of the Potala fell away and was swiftly covered by an extremely large banner the next day. I guess the renovations may have started after this.

The view from the top story is fantastic - this is where you get onto the roof or the Dalai Lama's palace. It's a shame if this is no longer accessible.

The palace is fantastic but very stale. It is like a museum rather than a living palace. Any Tibetans we saw trying to prostrate within the palace were very quickly brought to their feet. This is (was in 2002) a quite unusual sight as most days the palace is (was) reserved for tourists rather than Tibetans. The Jokhang Palace is an absolutely must see - just respect the religous significance of the place.

Good travels,

Eric

Hello, Tim! Just read your blog on the web. I called the number for a Beijing Tibet Tourism Office that I found on the internet. They directed me to a tourist agency that does a permit in 2 days but they want 400 rmb. Seems excessive to me. Do you know any trusted agencies in Beijing? Thanks so much.

Sasha, I personally have not used any agencies to travel to Tibet. So I don't know what's a reasonable price for the tour. It also depends on what do you want to do overall. Here is a link (http://travel.tom.com/lasaxianlu1.html) I found from Tom travel. Tom.com is one if the most popular Chinese web site in Asia. I guess you can consider they are pretty reliable...

4Day Tour in Lahsa, the city and its surroundings, standard price 5400 yuan and luxury 5600. Foreigner, there is an extra charge of 500 yuan / person. Don't know what's the extra charge for, but I assume it's for the permit application? This price includes return ticket via air, local tours by bus, 2-3 (choose luxury for the 3) star hotels (please have low expectations on hotels, don't think they will match the word - luxury), meals. They do require foreigners to acknowledge them 5 working days ahead of the trip. You need to fax them a paper with your name, gender, age, occupation, citizenship, and a copy of your passport and visa. Their fax and phone: 010-89100062 / 010-64475085

however, I found this link (http://www.dreams-travel.com/jpxl/DR-XZ-foriener1.htm)1 min after, it's for individual tourists with no arrangement of return and accommodation. It's for people who wants to tour on their own and spend more time out side of Lahsa if needed. On this page, it indicates only need 2-4 days for the permit to be stamped.

One way flight + permit = 3050 yuan (you need to pay the air port fee yourself)
Two way flight + permit = 3050 + 2430 + 110 = 5590 yuan
their number: 028-86080196

Hope this gives you some better idea what they charge and good luck finding your way to Tibet!

Tim,

I've got question concerning this newly opened Tibet railway. I'm planning to get to Tibet from Beijing in early October with this train but I heard that there are some problems with getting tickets. Is it possible to make international booking or do I have to get a permit before buying a ticket...? Do you have any kind of information about that? cheers

Hi Thomas, the Tibet Railway is still under "beta running" at the moment. Your best bet is to request it through a Travel agency that offers Tibet Tours. Cheers.

A question: is motion sickness avoidable when flying into Lhasa from Beijing?

Hi Tim, Will be in Chengdu for about 10 months and want to visit Tibet in this time. Everything I have read says that Foreigners with a residence permit cannot visit. Is this true...do you know anything about this? Any info you have would be greatly appreciated.

Very many thanks for a good work. Nice and useful. Like it!

Kathy, when you fly to Lhasa, you should not experience any motion sickness on the plane. However, as soon as you land and need to move around, you will feel some symptoms such as lack of oxygen, rapid heart beat etc... My suggestion to you is move slowly once you are off the plane and do not rush anything. Let your body adjust the pressure and oxygen level of Tibet first. Good luck!

Fliss, yes, you do need another permit "Tibet Travel Permit" to get into Tibet. The resident permit does not grant you the travel right.

Hello,

MY friend and I are living in Shanghai to study Chinese, we are planing to go to Tibet for the first week of Feb. We are looking for the cheapest possible way to get there. So, from what I have read, we can go to the Tibet government bureau and pay to get a Travel Permit, then we can just buy train tickets once we get the permit. Arriver in Lhasa and find a hostel or hotel ourselves I guess...Then fly out whenever we want? Does that sound right?

Hello,

Planing to go to tibet in 2weeks, plan to get the permit from Tibet government travel bureau, then buy train tickets to tibet from shanghai...does this make sence?

Kool webside...it helped me lots...

Peace!

Thanks, Thanks, Thanks

I thank you for your comment.

Hey Buck, I am terribly sorry not answering your question on time. I was away for two month (in China actually) in early this year. Anyway, yes, you are right, the cheapest way to do a Tibet Tour would be get your own permit, get your own transportation and accommodation. I think you should be able to get personal travel permits now days. Give them a call or ask some Chinese friend to check with the travel Bureau. According to the dates, you are probably already on the road. Please share your experience with us. Thanks and Good Luck!

Hey..
I am in the same situation as Buck. I would love to hear if we can go to the Tibet government bureau and get the permit without having a guide? And what is the price?
Then we will find a local guide and hostel when we get there.
Michael

Hi Tim

thx for your information i plan to Cheng du then go to Lasa by air in 12Jun
come back i will post again

Hi Tim,

I'll fly to Beijing in 2 weeks. And than I'd like to take the new tibet train to Lhasa.
Is it true that I have to book a tour to get a Tibet Travel Permit? Do I need it to be able to buy my train ticket?
And do you know if the train is usually fully booked long in advance? I would like to spend 1 week max. in Beijing.

By the way, GREAT BLOG!!!
Thank you very much in advance!
Veronika

Can some update on latest on individual travel in Tibet. A tour operator told me they don't book "Self-tours" any more - you have to have a guide etc.

According to following, independent travel isn't allowed anymore.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article1790471.ece

Thanks about the Tibet travelling docs

Bulletin on Tibet Travel Permit


June 28, the Tibet Tourism Bureau issued a bulletin on the Tibet Travel Permit (also known as Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit). The full text is as following:

According to a conference of TAR People's Government, since July 1, 2007, inland offices of the TAR Tourism Bureau stop transacting the operation of TTB-permit (Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit).

The TTB-permit will be only issued by the TAR Tourism Bureau Calling Management Office and a new edition for TTB-permit will be launched while the former edition has been called off.

There will be no charge to apply for the TTB-permit.

Tibet Tourism Bureau

June 28, 2007

Hi Tim, I am a HK citizen, and have a "Return Home Permit" which grants me certain residence and work rights in China. Would I need a travel permit for Tibet? Thanks Lura

Hi Veronika:

Sorry for the delayed response. Jut got back from a trip. Don’t know if you already arranged your trip to Tibet. If so, wish you a good trip. For your question, my knowledge tells me you will need a permit as long as you are not a Chinese citizen. However, I don’t think you will need to provide a permit in order to purchase a train ticket to Lhasa, and advanced booking is no longer needed for the train tickets, it should be pretty easy to get.

My advise to the general travelers who want to “freely” travel in Tibet, still get a permit and travel arrangement to Lhasa, but do not enroll to their “programs” (accommodation and tour plans). You can be honest to the travel agencies, many of them can understand and are willing to help.

Hi Lura:

There is no need for a permit to Tibet if you hold a HK citizenship. So, good luck and have fun!

hi everybody,
it is interesting, what information u got in china about the permit. referring a tour guide, the permit is not necessary anymore since 2006. on the other hand the beijing travel agency says, that it is necessary and they want 1000 yuan!!!! for it (including the transfer from airport/station to downtown.
i have heard from other travellers, that it is possible to go there and nobody checks the permit. this is for train travellers. i dont know how it is, if u go there by plane. maybe someone knows more about it.

Hello,

I am currently in China as a teacher with a Z Visa issued in HK. I have heard that since I have a Z visa (a working visa) I am treated as a Chinese citizen. Do I need a Tibet Travel Pass? I plan on going by train over the national holiday in about 10 days. Thanks, Derek

Derek, I am not really familiar with z via. But I believe you shouldn't need the permit. Especially as Hansi mentioned above, don't think they check that closely with the passengers on the train. I am also aware that there have been people getting the permit after arriving in Tibet. So, your worst scenario is to get one once you arrive Lhasa. If you want to be careful, try to contact one of the numbers in my original posting and see what the government says? Good luck!

I'm plannig to go to tibet in the next few dqays but do not know if I can get the travel permit in hongkonk and if I can get a train ticket from xining to lhasa. thanks for any info. Al

Hi Al:

As someone mentioned in the above posts, you don't really need a permit if taking the train. However, it is the October "Golden Week" where millions of Chinese people are on the road to tourism places. Tibet is one of the hottest spot among all destinations. Therefore, getting a ticket wont' be easy. Therefore, I suggest you arrange something with a local travel agency in HK or Guangzhou just for the train ticket. Good luck!

HI...
I want to make a trip of Beijing-Lhasa-Kathmandu(Nepal) and also return China.
I am a Indian and I am a student. I already have a Chinese X-Visa.

Can you please help me that I also need a permit to travel in Tibet and crossing the border by road.

Can you please help me that, is it possible to come to Lhasa by road from Nepal.

What is the procedure and paper requirement to cross the border.

I am waiting for yr reply, So please help me as soon as possible.

-Mayank.....

Hey! I read that it should be very easy to get the train tickets for the tibet train and the permit very easily but actually I have some trouble to get both.
At the moment I am living in Qingdao and want to go to Lasa on the 18th of Febr. from Xian. But all travel agencies here either don´t even know about the train or tell me that the train doesn´t run any more. So I would be very grateful to get some help now where and how to get the tickets. Thank you already now!!!
Yvie

Hi Mayank, I am not aware of any way to travel to Lhasa by road from Nepal, but I maybe wrong. Don't think you need to worry about any permit any more since you are coming via Nepal. Double check though.

Yvie:

This is awkward, because I am sure the railroad is operating and you can get ticket from the regular travel agencies. One possibility is you gonna have to travel to Beijing first then to Lhasa. There is no direct trains to Lhasa from Qingdao. The following are some possible routes:

Qingdao -> Beijing -> Lhasa
Qingdao -> Chengdu -> Lhasa
Qingdao -> Xian -> Lhasa
Qingdao -> Nanjing -> Lhasa
Qingdao -> Shanghai -> Lhasa
Qingdao -> Changsha -> Lhasa

The shortest traveling time among them would be Qingdao -> Xian -> Lhasa, around 4000 kilometers. Hope this helps. If you still have problem with the ticket, let me know, I will try to help.

Hi!
My partner and I are visitng Beijing and Lhasa during Chinese New Year. We plan on going to Beijing from Feb. 6-10 and then Lhasa from Feb. 10-13. We live in Hong Kong and CANNOT find any information from the agencies here. I've e-mailed several agencies in Beijing to get a Tibet Travel Permit but they all say it takes 1-2 weeks and that we MUST join a tour with them which all seem fairly expensive. In addition to this news, i've also heard that the Tibet Travel Bureau will close from Jan. 24-feb. 15 so we must process our permit before then. The time is quite urgent and i was wondering if this is true that the bureau closes for holidays. Is it possible to get a permit in Beijing in 4 days? Any places you recommend?
CAN YOU HELP ME! THANKS!!!
Steph

Hello, i stumbled upon your page, great info. I'm wondering, is traveling to tibet around spring festival a bad idea b/c its too busy? right now i am having difficulty finding train tickets, they say i have to wait 4 days prior to departure date, and this causes me to worry that there wont be any left. do you have good ideas of how to guarantee i can buy one? I'm leaving from beijing. and this is to mayank, if hes still reading this and hasnt left yet, im also in beijing and would love to do the BJ-Lhasa-Kat- back to beijing somehow. hopefully you can post back soon. I want to leave in a week.

Stephanie, as far as I am concerned, you can get a permit within a few days. However, the Bureau will be closed during the Chinese New Year holidays. Just for a reference, I have found an advertisement in Chinese online: Plane Ticket + Permit = 1980. I don't know if this price is cheap or expensive though. Usually the plane ticket is over 1000 I think. Good luck with the trip...

Alex, It is definitely a bad idea to be on the road (especially rail road) during the Chinese Spring Festival. There will be millions in transit during the time and the majority of them are by train. Plus, according to my relatives who live in Lhasa, it is a bad idea to go there during winter, most of the tourist places are closed due to bad weather. The best time to go to Tibet would be June - August. Good luck to you too.

thanks Tim, but i like it when its off season, and im not really into the cliche touristy spots anyways. can you give me the link to that website with the plane ticket and permit for 1980. thanks.

I never thought I'd need a special permit to go to Tibet. I must admit I was thinking to choose another destination but now that I know I need the permit I'm surely changing my destination.

Wanting to visit Tibet only -- coming from Kathmandu - how does it work? Can I obtain Tibet Visit Permit in Kathmandu? I assume that I have to get both Chinese visa and Tibet permit at the same time in Kathmandu. And how long would it take? Where should I get those in Kathmandu - Chinese embassy or travel agency? And how much would it cost?
Thanks!

Hi Tim, and thanks for this website full of useful infos.
I am currently working in Beijing, and I hold a one year residence permit in China (and the working permit that goes with it). Since my contract is about to finish but my visa is valid until 2009, I want to take this opportunity to travel to Western China by train from Beijing to Lhasa, and then pass on to Xinjiang, beginning in April.
As many people, I am concerned about this travel permit to Tibet. I have read you said Z visa holders may not require this permit, do you know anything about holders of residence permits?
Also can you tell me how long one permit is valid?
Thanks so much

Just returned from Lhasa-visit february 2008

Chengdu is the place to get the permit - cost around 300 Y/person.
Price in Xi'an/Beijing 600-800 Y a person.

Bought through CITS in Xi'an and got it in 3 days (after pushing hard). Learned later, that Hostels are cheaper than CITS as Permit-provider.

Was not allowed to buy train ticket in Xi'an before I could present a fax-copy of the permit at the train ticket office.

It was easy to get Soft sleeper even it was just before chinese new year. Hard sleeper was fairly packed and seats was stuffed.

(Chinese New Year are like american Thanksgiving - Everybody joins family creating heavy load on transportation (and high prices on air tickets) - and as a family-time nothing much is happening - Everything is closed - Don't expect anything interesting except for drama at train stations/airports when transport are canseled/tickets sold out)

Back to the TTP:
Otherwise no request for the permit was presented, neighter in train or Lhasa

Had to pay 1000 Y in Deposit but can't understand the reason why. Was VERY suspicious, but the money returned when we arrived in Lhasa.

Thank you Janch, for sharing this useful information with us. "No one checks it" is the key of the issue. Since it is never asked during the traveling, you could easily ask some Chinese friend to buy you the tickets without the need of presenting any permit. But of course that would not be honest and there is still chances that things may go wrong, and you may be questioned by the authorities...

I admire your courage Janch, for being on the road during the Chinese New Year. I have not tried that since 2002. Imagine the picture of 100 million+ people on the road in the range of 10 days (80% of them are on the rail road)...

Hi!

Me and my friend are planning to travel from Finland to China at next summer. We want also visit in Tibet. We planted to fly Peking-Chengdu and then Chengdu-Lhasa but how to get TTB without guided trip? Can we easily get permit in Peking and then fly Peking-Lhasa for straight? How long TTB process take thease days?

Hi Juho:

Here's the latest facts:
- You only need to show Tibet Travel Permit when you buy plane or train tickets. However, many agencies will simply want your business and "ignore" the fact you are foreigners. But the easiest way is to get some Chinese friends to get you the tickets then you are off to Tibet.
- HOWEVER, a big HOWEVER, if you follow the news, then you must have learned there have been some riots in Tibet, therefore, it's possible that the Chinese government will further tighten the Tibet Travel Permit issue. Therefore, I am suggesting you not to go alone without a guided tour, for the next few months...
- Try the numbers I listed above for further inquires. I suggest you call the HK station if you don't speak Chinese.

Good luck!

There is a rumor in webs that the "Tibet Travel Permit" would be gone after train to Lhasa started, but so far the policy still not changed. Some may get suggested by other travelers that they were not checked when they travel to Tibet, but that just because they are very lucky. If you get caught without "Tibet Travel Permit", you can be taken to Police Station , fined and sent back to where you started your trip before.

After the 314, Tibet is reopened to tourists on Jun. 25. But obviously, the Tibet Travel Bureau has tighten the Tibet Permit Issue. Several things you need to keep in mind if you want to travel to Tibet in 2008.
1)You must be in a group, which means the tour must be organized by an agent. There will be a tour guide accompanied with you during the whole tour.
2)For a group, you'd better have the same nationality. If it is not, try not too many natinalities. There is a group of 6 people, but each of them hold different passports, and TTB refused to give the permit.
3)You must get the travel permit before you arrival in Lhasa. You will be checked when check in at the airport, hotel, and etc.
4)Some places are still cloed, like Drepung Monastery, Gandan Monastery and Samey Monastery.
If you guys have some questions about traveling to Tibet this year, you can ask me.

Hi..
I am planning to go to Tibet next May 09 & would like to know more advise on the following issue:-

1) Fly from Singapore to Shanghai and will meet up with a Tibetan friend. If she is free, she will travel with me to Tibet. In this case I will not be joining any travel group. Is it possible to get entry permit to Tibet? & How?

2) If my Tibetan friend is not free, than I will join a tour group to Tibet from Shanghai. How many days will need to apply for the permit. I have only two weeks holiday. I hope it will not be more than 3days.

3) I have heard rummours saying that Tibet is not safe to go. Tibetan will robbed / steal foreigners things etc...

Pls advise..

Hi,

I am trying to find some Tibet Travel agents who operate Tibet trips from Kathmandu. It would be great if they have contact office in Kathmandu.

Thanks!!!

Krishna
www.nepalholiday.com

Hello:

I am an American citizen currently living in Thailand. I own a Chinese plated bike that I bought in China last year, and traveled all around the county. This year I wish to return, and travel to Tibet. From inquiries I have made, somehow Tibet does not want or cannot conceive the concept of traveling there by motorcycle by a foreigner. Odd, as thousands of Chinese ride there. What it the best way to try to get a Tibetian Travel Permit? Everyone I contact refuses to do anything with me unless I book a tour.
Just go there without and wing it ??
Thanks in advance for any advice.

well i have taken a 8tour lhasa-kathmandu,if some body is interesting to join me may contect ,
my E-mail-virsasrl@libero.it
cell.00390307157815
thanks
kazmi