Frequently Asked Questions

Everything foreign travelers need to know about permits, altitude, hotels, and traveling responsibly in Tibet.

All foreign passport holders must obtain a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP), also known as the "Tibet Tourism Approval Letter," before entering Tibet. This permit is issued by the Tibet Tourism Development Bureau and is an official travel authorization document — not a visa.

The TTP must be applied for through a licensed local travel agency in Tibet authorized to handle foreign tourists. Individuals cannot apply on their own. Required documents: clear scanned copy of passport bio-data page (valid at least 6 months), scanned copy of Chinese visa page, basic personal information, and a confirmed itinerary. Processing time: submit at least 30 days in advance.

No. You must present the original Tibet Travel Permit to board a flight or train to Tibet. Copies are not accepted.

No. Independent travel is not permitted. Foreign visitors must travel in organized groups with a licensed guide, vehicle, and fixed itinerary. Your travel agency will arrange transportation, guiding, accommodation, and the itinerary. The Tibet Travel Permit remains with the group guide during your stay.

No. Foreign visitors are not allowed to visit certain areas of Nyingchi, Yarlung Tsangpo River, and other restricted regions. Your guide will inform you of the permitted route.

Most visitors experience only mild symptoms such as headache or insomnia. We recommend: get plenty of rest before departure; avoid strenuous exercise; avoid bathing, alcohol, and intense activity for the first 2 days after arrival; keep warm and ensure adequate sleep.

Foreign visitors must stay in officially licensed hotels authorized to host foreign guests. In major cities like Lhasa and Nyingchi there are 4- and 5-star hotels with good facilities. In remote areas guesthouses are clean and safe but more basic. Dining is mainly Sichuan cuisine and Tibetan cuisine.

No. Sky burial ceremonies are strictly off-limits to foreign visitors and non-Tibetan tourists. To learn more in a respectful setting, you may visit the Sky Burial Pavilion at the Tibet Museum in Lhasa.

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