Tibet Tours

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the 1,956-km transportation link that began operations over the “roof of the world” in 2006, made it through severe tests to its third anniversary on July 1.

The link is the world’s longest plateau railroad, which goes from Qinghai’s provincial capital of Xining to Lhasa, Tibet. It was the first railway to connect central Tibet to the outside world, running through the Qinghai Lake, Kunlun Mountain, Hoh Xil and the northern Tibetan grasslands. Qinghai’s Golmud to Lhasa section zigzags 1,142 km across the Kunlun and Tanggula mountain ranges. About 550 km of the tracks run over frozen earth, the longest of all the world’s plateau railways.

The railway is a highly symbolic part of China’s western development strategy. Its completion and operation has changed the social and economic landscape of the autonomous region by greatly promoting the region’s development. With plenty of natural and cultural scenery, the region is also preparing to tap great business opportunities, including Tibetan medicine and processing farm and pasture products.”Since the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the thoughts of local herdsmen have appeared to gradually change,” said Tinley Norbu, a Nagqu government official. More and more local herdsmen today have dropped their traditional living styles and started doing business.

Gega, a local Nagqu herdsman, often tried to start businesses but always failed. “The bad transportation conditions held me back,” said Gega. But his yogurt business has begun to see considerable development. “The opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway makes my business much easier,” he said.

He said 1 kg of yogurt used to sell for 15 yuan (2.2 U.S. dollars) but has now climbed to 70 yuan (10.25 U.S. dollars) per kg since the railway went into operation because more inland businessmen are coming to purchase the high-quality yogurt.

“I can earn more than 10,000 yuan (1,464 U.S. dollars) each month from my business,” said Gega.

Gega now makes contact with more local and visiting consumers. He has started to get business cards printed in both Mandarin and Tibetan.

“If foreign consumers come to buy my yogurt one day, I will also print English business cards,” he said.

95% of Qinghai-Tibet Railway in good condition in 3 years
More than 95 percent of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway has been in good condition since it opened to traffic in July, 2006, according to China National Radio.

Furthermore, 98 percent of the 1,142-km section between Golmud in Qinghai Province and Tibet’s capital of Lhasa has been in stable condition.

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the highest in the whole world, traverses the places with the harshest conditions.

To protect the environment along the railway, electrical energy, solar energy and other clean energies have been used widely.

All the wastewater and garbage on the trains are disposed of in designated sites so as to meet the zero-pollutant discharge target along the railway.

Meanwhile, education in environmental protection has been carried out for the railway maintainers, who have been instructed not to disturb the migration of wild animals in their worktime.

No serious environment-damaging cases have ever been reported in the past three years.

Moreover, the operation of the railway has contributed a great deal to the development of Qinghai and Tibet. The railway transported 5.41 million passengers and 28.84 million tons of cargo in 2009.

Lhasa Gonggar Airport is Tibet’s gateway to the outside world. There are non-stop flights connecting Lhasa with Chengdu (capital of Sichuan Province), Chongqing, Diqing (in Yunnan Province), Xian (capital of Shaanxi Prinve) and Katmandu (capital of Nepal), while direct flights connecting Lhasa with Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou makes stops at Chengdu, Qingqing, Diqing or Xian. Flying from Chengdu will be most convenient, as more than one flight leave Chengdu for Lhasa

every day. See the Tibet flights route map below:

Aside from having better opportunities of nabbing the cheapest airline tickets, booking early also lowers the risk of coming across various problems. Summer is the peak time to visit Tibet. So book your air ticket four or five days in advance. If possible, buy the return ticket before starting your trip to avoid any inconvenience on your return.

Note: Every effort has been made to ensure the information collected from various airlines and contained in this timetable is correct. The times and other details shown may change without further notification from time to time. It is therefore imperative that users should check details with airlines direct before travelling to Lhasa, Tibet. Last Update: August, 2009

Tibet is still Open To Foreign Tourists, how travel for foreigners to Lhasa needs to be arranged:

1. Everyone must be part of a group tour.
We asked how may people makes a “group” and the TTB wasn’t 100% sure, but thought that 2 people would be enough to make a “group”. This minimum number could be changed to 3 or 4, but today we were told 2.

2. The difference of the nationality will be no problem to make a group.
compared with the rules in 2008, be changed since 2009, no matter you come from which country, you can make a group if you like.

3. The tour guide still necessary when you go to Tibet.
A tour guide still necessary when you go to any part of the Tibet area, anyone who visit wothout the guide is still not allowed by the local governemnt.

4. All foreigners must have all of the proper permits before departing to Lhasa.
This is nothing new, but you can be certain that all train stations and airports will be checking everyone’s permits.

5. All foreigners must be pick up by the local guide and driver.

Compared with the Chinese customers, all the foreign customers should be pick up by the local guide and driver from the travle agency.

6. Travel to Lhasa must be arranged at least 5 days in advance.
We have been told that an official itinerary must be given to the TTB 5 days before the customer plans to arrive in Lhasa. The TTB will be doing at least some sort of a background check before a permit is issued to travel to Lhasa. Although maybe you could get a permit in 2 or 3 days, but we still suggest arrange it at least 5 days to process in order to ensure that you can go on time.

How to go to Tibet

By Air:
From within China, most travelers fly to Lhasa from Chengdu,but it is also possible from Kunming and a few other Chinese cities.

From outside China, it is only possible from Kathmandu, Nepal. Tickets can be purchased abroad, but you can also get to Nepal or China and then book from there. All tickets must be purchased through a travel agency.

By Rail:
The Qinghai-Tibet railway was completed in July 2006 and is expected to bring in hoards of Chinese tourists. If travelling to Lhasa from within China, this is a great option as it might help you acclimatize to the altitude a bit better.You can take the train from Chengdu,Beijing,Chongqing,Xining,Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Overland:
Route 1:Via Nepal.
Many travelers book overland tours via the Friendship Highway that runs from Kathmandu to Lhasa. The 920km (570 miles) trip is spectacular although don’t expect a shower along the way. It takes three to five days with stops at sights along the way.

Route 2:Via Golmud.
The terrain is desolate so it’s not recommended unless you happen to find yourself in Golmud, wishing to be in Lhasa. If this is the case, you may have a better time on the train.
Route 3:Via Chengdu.
For this route,private tour is allowable.You may find a travel agency in Chengdu to arrange you a private tour with at least driver,guide & travel permit.

Currency
In Tibet, you still use Chinese Yuan ‘RMB’. But in Tibet people don’t use coins as other big cities in China.

Exchanging Money
In Tibet, the only place to change foreign currency and travellers cheques is the Bank of China. The top end hotels in Lhasa have exchenge services but they are only availbale for guests. The sensible thing to do is to change as much money in Lhasa as you think you need. The only other places to change money are in Shigatse, Zhangmu and Purang(or perhaps Ali). If you are travelling upcountry, try and get your cash in small denominations: RMB100 and RMB50 bills are sometimes difficult to get rid of in rural Tibet. If you don’t like the idea of turning up at the border with no Chinese currency you can buy cash RMB from banks in Hong Kong and the Bank of China in large cities.

Credit Cards
Credit cards are not recommended as a way of payment in Tibet. Flights out of Lhasa can not be paid using a credit card. The Lhasa branch of the Bank of China is the only bank in Tibet which provides credit card advances. Most of time you couldn’t get cash by ATM from small branches, usually you need to go to the Main one nearby Potala Palace. A 3% commission is usually deducted and the minimum advance is normally RMB2000.

Travel to Tibet – Discover the Roof of the World!Local Time
22:20:14
CSTRatings:3.88 out of 5 (60 votes) Reviews: Be the first to write a review Vast and desolate with an average altitude of 4,900 metres Tibet is a huge plateau with a unique, vibrant and distinguished cultural inheritance. It’s desolate wastelands of stark beauty – deserts, mountains and rivers embrace isolated gompas – Buddhist monasteries and a people with a spirit of survival fuelled by their devotion to the Dalai Lama.

An adventure holiday to Tibet, Known as the “Roof of the World”, is a once in a lifetime experience rewarding visitors who brave harsh conditions with an insight into a long-surviving cultural traditions that manifest themselves in amazing temples and palaces such as the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Kumbum Stupa, Yumbulagang Palace and the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery.

See to Mt Everest from the Tibetan side of the border at Rongbuk Monastery as you make your way to Kathmandu along the Friendship Highway. There are lakes and rivers to discover too, like Lake Manasarovar, overlooked by Mt Kailash, holy in 4 great Asian religions.

Travel is tough but the natural beauty bathed in an unmatched clarity of light, the friendliness of its indomitable people and the amazing cultural sights make this one of the world’s greatest travel destinations.

For many people this is the Tibet that they discover on their first visit and the route along the Friendship Highway to or from Nepal is one of the true greats of the travel world. Major highlights litter the route, Shigatse where lies Tashilhunpo Monastery and the spectacular tombs of the Panchen Lamas, and Gyantse, home to Kumbum Stupa, to Rongbuk Monastery and Mt Everest Base Camp. Superlatives can’t do this area justice, it has to be seen, felt and experienced.

Views along the route are simply breathtaking and it’s no wonder this is the most visited part of the country – where else can you get close up views of Mount Everest without trekking, but if trekking is your thing then head hear with an experienced travel specialist and you’ll have some astounding experiences.

Choose the to travel along the Friendship Highway for a superb adventure holiday to Tibet!

Why travel to Tibet in Winter

For those who are traveling in Tibet in the summer of comparison, to a certain extent, the more cautious calm in Tibet in the winter. Advantageous aspects of the grounds on foot is long enough, fewer tourists and the adaptation options. Of course, the cheapest tourist spending is certainly the greatest superiority. Please note the development as follows:

1. Enough to keep the resort and in close contact with the local Tibetan culture.
Some travelers visit Tibet during the high season complaining that the period of observation inside the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple and other cultural and natural sites is just a flash in the pan. The reason is that local government should reduce the demand for time to visit for every tourist balance. In general, for example, tourism is only necessary to go through the Potala Palace 1 hours in the high season, which should be considered as a rule to 3 to 4 hour visit with caution, if at all major shrines.
During the winter, is the room for 3 or 4 hours or more possible in the Potala Palace well. have a very detailed knowledge of the tourism leaders of Tibetan Buddhism. a talk with the monks in the monastery of his free time in the winter.

2. Top Guides are easily placed in the winter
In contrast to the work of a lively tour guide in the high season, tourist guides, tour groups have much less to the winter, that guide is for you attention to every detail of your trip more intense than that paid high season travelers. Travel guides are always attentive to accompany him, said the most interesting and mysterious stories of Tibetan culture and philosophy, because they have to do much work.
The second important reason for the function of leaders is that it is simply an excellent guide in the winter would have a sufficient supply in low season. CITS Our Top 4 Tibettravel.Org use only the Tibetan tour guides in the winter, even if we have a team of 10 travel guides.

3. Send your luxurious accommodation or sub-categories, the prices are much lower
All hotels 5 star luxury hotel on the top or guest houses and hostels in the lowest budget, including 5 star and 4 stars, from 30% to 50% of the price in high season. The housing budget expenditure is obviously attractive to the passengers. In addition, well-equipped with the conditions and heating in good hotels and all the passengers are likely to be a restful night’s sleep. All the anxiety and irritability can all disappear after a quiet night and warm.

What special offers Tibetantours.net CITS in the winter?

1. Heating in winter weather measurements
Contrary to what many think, cold winter weather in Tibet, the region around the city of Lhasa also strongly recommended, as the temperature around 8 above zero to minus 5th In addition to outdoor activities in the afternoon sunny and hot, you can enjoy the warm night in a hotel, especially our travel agent gathers to pay 4 or 5 star, Lhasa, drive the cold.

For those who visit the Mt. Everest, our office will be responsible for Tibet in the Tibetan tent to stay warm long to heat the oven is available for heating. And prepare some hot water bottles in a sleeping bag and blankets made in advance. The uptake of oxygen bottles and pillows are always provided free of charge. Sleeping bags for presentation to the Mt Everest is always cautious with very low incomes.

2. Outstanding outdoor activities in winter
Yangpachen Hot Spring, hot spring and so sincerely recommend Detsong, the warmth and care of the skin like a benign molecules experiences were recently discovered in Hot Springs in Tibet.
Riding in Dazi County, approximately 30 miles east of Lhasa, you too could be a great energy and joy, even in cold winter.

3. We offer the possibility of dealing with the monks
Llamas do not receive a personal visit in high season and low season, as they must continue to learn for several hours each day. However, it is quite possible that during the winter, traveling with llamas scholars, or even a deep meditation under the guidance of Lama University when communicating to passengers paying a very small donation to temples and monasteries. Our travel agent will try to organize this kind of privacy if you ask.

4. Special designed traditional Tibetan Contact
Our guide is the human contact during his stay in Lhasa, we list a few.
Assembly of hundreds of Tibetan pilgrims circle Lingkahor Barkor hours, standing, kneeling, and lying on his stomach with his hands and in the church door should be developed Jokhong important measures in the tourism industry lives.
Tsekhor Kora: Tibetan language, the Potala Palace is also known as “TSE” is supermacy known. Therefore, the motion in the Potala is called as tsekhor. Tibetans circumambultes still in possession of a mani prayer wheel in his right hand and his left hand ROSSARY.
Tibetan butter tea, and teahouses: If you have enough time in the morning, you can drink full of sweet tea or Tibetan butter tea in a restaurant Ghamchung tea house.Butter tea Zhutral dri (female yak) butter mixed with salt, soda, tea and hot water in a tube timber mix. When mixed with tsampa (barley), the staple food of most Tibetans, and may very well be in the monasteries, houses and even people waiting for a bus on the road are available.

Tibet is probably the only goal in the Himalayas that are not so well known for its adventure circuits as the rest. But do not underestimate this destinations as just another area of the Trans-Himalayan Himalayas. It is much more than Buddhism in Tibet, monasteries and cold desert climate.

Weather
Tibetan winters, as might be supposed, are fiercely cold. However, half of the year, the sun heats the air, which makes almost every day in Lhasa, soft and comfortable through the mountains for protection, very windy. Temperatures have been above 30′C (high-80 F) and only to a rapid decline -23 ‘C (-10 ° F) in winter. The best time to visit is late spring to early autumn.

Adventure sports chief of Tibet
Trekking in Tibet region
Everest Region
Everest is often know as a part of Nepal, and hikers have explored numeorus trekking routes on the highest peaks in the world of the Himalayas in Nepal. However, if you like trekking in the unexplored zones then opt the routes the area of Mount Everest from the Tibetan side of the Himalayas. One Everest trek option in Tibet is in the unity of Kathmandu in Nepal, a beautiful landscape along the Chinese border on the ground Zangmu negotiate their way through deep gorges Sunkoshi River Tingri. Trek past the ancient village of Tingri to Base Camp, where you see the beautiful and spacious Mt Everest.

For over a thousand years the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims have traveled to pay homage to the mystery of the mountain, about an ancient ritual of devotion that continues to this day. People have visited Kailash – Mansarovar for centuries. Almost all the important stages of Uttaranchal Himalayas lead Kailash – Mansarovar. The largest in the Kumaon region Lipulekh, Lampiya Dhura, Nuwe Dhura Lowe Dhura spread Dhura, Jayanti and Kungri Bingre. Under the administration of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and in cooperation with the Chinese government, Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam has trips to Kailash – Mansarovar through the stage Lipulekh made.

Namchag Barwa Trek
Barwa Namchag is not only perfect for nature lovers and amateur botanists. Contains beautiful Nyima and lush forests of the valley Rong. The route begins in Pei, a small town, also the place to stop trekking to the great bend of the Tsangpo by Pelmá cooking and Metog. Here, a ferry crossing on the northern bank of the river, the place was a cave, Timpe, revered Guru Rinpoche and the monastery.

A trail leads north to the beautiful Nyima through some of the most beautiful forests and gardens in southeastern Tibet. The road passes a nomad camp and idyllic forest of rhododendrons blooming along the road. Many plant species abound on the plain, open, close to the cervix. From the pass there is a great view of the Himalayas of Assam, including nearby St. Peter Gyal and Namche Barwa. On the other side of the valley is Nyima Rong, a beautiful wooded valley, the lush and carpeted with primroses, purple iris from May to July. The best time for this hike is from May to October.

Mountain biking
Lhasa to Kathmandu
Cross the road between Lhasa and Kathmandu, including 4 days off-road tour of the Rongbuk Valley beneath the imposing north face of Mount Everest, is our journey longer and more difficult to bike. Flight to Lhasa, we allow 4 days for acclimatization in the mystical Tibetan capital and a substantial amount of time to its many attractions including the fabulous Potala Palace to explore. Below are firmly on the high plateau of Tibet, our overland route to Kathmandu takes us over 6 main steps and through the spectacular monastery towns Gyantse and Tingri Shigastse.
Read more about mountain biking in the Himalayas

Tibet Attractions
Lhasa – The Land of the Gods
The Land of the Gods “and is the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region is ‘E at 29 36′ N, 19 06, on the north coast Kyichu River, a tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, at an altitude of 3650 meters of sea level. Lhasa a history of more than 1300 years and was the center of politics, economy, culture and religion in Tibet since ancient times. There are many beautiful places and historic sites like the Potala Palace, Norbulingka, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple and Ramoche Temple, is the most famous.

The Potala Palace
The Potala, one of the most famous works of architecture of our peoples, is at the top of Red Hill in Lhasa. The word “Potala” comes from the Sanskrit. In the 7th Century, was after the marriage of the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wen Cheng of the Tang Court, the palace built for meditation. In half of the 17th Century, was from the 5th Dalai Lama to its present size, and has since been rebuilt to the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. The construction took fifty years from conception to completion. The Potala is divided into two sections, namely, the Red Palace and White Palace.

Jokhang Temple
Jokhang Temple is located in the old city of Lhasa, and was in the middle of the AD – 7 Built century and later developed by successive rulers, it has become a gigantic architectural complex. Located in the east, the west is the four-storey temple with beautiful golden roofs. It has architecture feature of Tang Dynasty and also assimilated many features from both Nepalese and Indian Buddhist Temples.

The high altitude of Tibet is one of the special atmosphere typical of Downy. The climate is much more diversified in various fields and temperatures vary greatly within a day. As a rule, fit to travel to Tibet from April to early November. Except that this time begin fall temperatures. High season is from May to September and the best months are May, June, September and October, July and August are the rainy months. However, different sectors of the golden days:
(A) to Lhasa and Central Tibet, the climate is normal and Nice for the trip. So if you’re just in Lhasa, stay, which can go at any time of year.
(B) Lhasa – Shigatse – Lhatse – Tingri – Nyalam: The Friendship highway is basically in good condition year around. However, it is possible for tourists is from December to January because of the country covered with snow every year in August, the rainy season, landslides occurred!
(C) MT. Everest region is: the beginning of May and early October the best time to visit Mount Everest. In good weather, a great opportunity, the true face of Mount Everest has seen. It’s too cold to have the tourists visiting this area from October to April!
(D) in northern Tibet, the average temperature below freezing and the winter lasts from October to May or June as the average level is as high as 4500 m, can be the beauty of summer! July and August are the best time to visit the area to enjoy the warm weather, bright sun, beautiful scenery and festive events.
(E) in eastern Tibet, May, June and September are the peak season for travel there. It is difficult and dangerous for the region in July, August and winter to visit, because it is frozen over a terrible flood in summer and winter load.
(F), Ali (Mount Kailash): Every year in May, June, July, September, October is best time for this area without having to visit the problem of landslides in the rain and snow.
Although the climate is not as heavy as the imagination of many people, it must also be prepared for the sudden drop in temperature at night, especially in western Tibet.

Tibet is by car, train or plane. Lhasa Gonga Airport, 40 miles east of Lhasa is located, receives daily flights from major cities in the region, including Shanghai, Beijing and Kathmandu. A flight from Beijing to Lhasa takes about 4 hours. There are five main roads between Tibet and neighboring provinces and a number of buses available. A train passes through Tibet in order to invite a number of locations and relations with China itself. By train from Beijing is 48 hours away from Lhasa.
Tibet is the roof of the world because of their extreme height and the home of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest at 29,029 feet known. The region provides travelers and adventurers of the early 20th Century, when it fascinates discovered by the rest of the world. Extreme mountain climbing and hiking are very popular with the adventurers who enjoy a challenge and rewarding field.

The earth has an abundance of natural wonders of spectacular beauty, including several large rivers, lakes and mountain valleys, breathtaking. The Yangtze and the Yellow River runs through most of the land and the neighbors, and offer great opportunities for water sports. Lake Nam-tso is the highest saltwater lake in the world and offers a truly breathtaking landscape and places of religious interest.

The Tibetan people are warm and friendly hospitality and fantastic offers for all visitors. In every village and town in the region, you will be greeted with a smile. Shopping in Tibet Tibet Travel Info is a wonderful experience with many interesting and unique products and souvenirs. The famous Barkhor Street in Lhasa is mandatory for its suppliers that sell traditional products such as hand-woven rugs known accounts of jewelry.

Tibet has a number of festivals and events throughout the year, which can do fantastic to. Tibetan New Year is the most important festival is the occasion where friends, relatives and neighbors gather to wish a successful year that passes. Every city, every town has a kind of celebration that lasts three days.

Tibet has a number of tours available, you will be held by the spectacular land and stops at all major attractions and sights. You can take the bus, although the recently completed Tibet railway is a memorable experience, traveling through the picturesque landscapes and terrain.