Here are the key points about the Tibet Travel Permit:

Please be noted that independent travel is not allowed in Tibet – you must book through a licensed travel agency who will arrange your permits and provide a guide for your entire stay.

The Tibet Travel Permit, also called Tibet Entry Permit or TTB Permit, is an essential document required for all foreign tourists to enter and travel in Tibet, in addition to a valid Chinese visa.

It is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) and allows visitors to enter Tibet and visit places like Lhasa, Shigatse, Mount Everest, etc.

Foreign tourists cannot apply for the permit on their own. You must book a tour with an authorized local travel agency in Tibet, who will handle the permit application process for you.

To apply for the permit, you need to provide:
1,A scanned copy of your valid passport
2,A scanned copy of your valid Chinese visa
3,Your confirmed Tibet tour itinerary

The application process typically takes 8-20 days, so it’s recommended to apply at least 20 days before your planned trip.

The permit itself is free, but the service fee for obtaining it is usually included in your tour package.

Once issued, the travel agency will either express mail the original permit to your hotel in China or have your tour guide deliver it to you at the airport/train station.

You must show the original permit when boarding flights or trains to Tibet, and keep it with you throughout your stay in Tibet.

There are several special permits required for certain areas in Tibet beyond just the basic Tibet Travel Permit:

1,Aliens’ Travel Permit (PSB Permit):
Required to visit areas outside of Lhasa, such as Shigatse, Shannan, Nyingchi, etc. Issued by the Tibet Local Public Security Bureau.

2,Military Permit:
Required for military-sensitive areas like:
Ngari region (Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar)
Parts of Nyingchi (Pomi, Rawu)
Some remote places in Shannan

3,Border Pass (Frontier Pass):
Required for remote destinations near borders, such as:
Mount Everest
Zhangmu
Yadong
Mount Kailash
Mansarovar Lake

4,Foreign Affairs Permit:
Needed along with the Military Permit for sensitive border areas like Mount Kailash and eastern Tibet.

5,Cultural Antiquities Department Permit:
Required for places like Tholing and Tsaparang in western Tibet.

The exact permits needed depend on your specific itinerary. Typically, a liscensed travel agency will handle obtaining all the necessary permits for you as part of arranging the trip. Independent travel is not allowed, so these additional permits are obtained through authorized tour operators prior to the tour.

Flying is the fastest option to Lhasa Tibet, but more expensive, Taking the train, especially from Xining, offers scenic views and helps with acclimatization.We offer tour packages combining Tibet with other popular destinations in China, and also to help you handle travel permits and arrangements.

1,From Beijing:
Direct flights from Beijing to Lhasa (about 4-5 hours)
Take the Qinghai-Tibet Railway from Beijing to Lhasa (about 40 hours)
Fly from Beijing to Xining, then take the train from Xining to Lhasa (recommended option, about 21 hours)

2,From Shanghai:
Direct flights from Shanghai to Lhasa (about 2.5 hours)

3,From Xi’an:
Direct flights from Xi’an to Lhasa (about 2 hours)

4,From Chengdu:
Direct flights from Chengdu to Lhasa (about 1.5 hours)
Take the train from Chengdu to Lhasa

5,From Xining:
Take the Qinghai-Tibet Railway from Xining to Lhasa (about 21 hours)

6,From Hong Kong:
Fly to Xining, then take the train to Lhasa

7,From Kathmandu, Nepal:
Direct flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa
Overland route through Gyirong port (when open)

Be respectful to local customs, dress modestly, ask permission before taking photos, and be mindful of religious and cultural sensitivities. When in doubt, ask your local guide about proper etiquette. Here are some key things you should not do when touring in Tibet:

1,Don’t take photos inside monasteries or of Buddha statues without permission. Photography is generally prohibited inside Tibetan monasteries.

2,Don’t wear hats, sunglasses, or revealing clothing (shorts, skirts) when entering monasteries. Dress modestly and respectfully.

3,Don’t touch religious items like scriptures, Buddha statues, or prayer flags. These are considered sacred.

4,Don’t disturb or approach animals, especially those wearing colored cloth strips, as they may be considered sacred.

5,Don’t swim in lakes, as most are considered sacred in Tibet.

6,Don’t move or disturb mani stone piles you see along roads or near holy sites.

7,Don’t touch the head of a Tibetan, especially children, as this is considered rude.

8,Don’t eat fish, horse meat or donkey meat when dining with locals, as these are often taboo.

9,Don’t make loud noises or engage in public displays of affection, especially in religious sites.

10,Don’t step on thresholds when entering Tibetan homes.

11,Don’t take photos of locals without asking permission first.

12,Don’t discuss sensitive political topics or post about them on social media.

Here are some common mistakes tourists make when visiting Tibet:

1,Believing they can backpack or travel alone in Tibet. Independent travel is not allowed – all foreign tourists must be on an organized tour with a registered tour operator.

2,Not allowing enough time for acclimatization to the high altitude. It’s recommended to spend 1-2 days in Lhasa (3,656m) before going to higher elevations to avoid altitude sickness.

3,Wandering around without their tour guide. Tourists are required to be accompanied by their Tibetan guide when traveling around the region.

4,Not respecting local customs and etiquette, such as:
Touching the head of a Tibetan person
Wearing inappropriate clothing (shorts, skirts) when visiting monasteries
Taking photos inside monasteries or of Buddha statues without permission
Touching religious items like prayer flags or scriptures
Not circling temples and monuments clockwise

5,Underestimating the time needed to obtain proper permits. The Tibet Travel Permit takes time to process and should be arranged well in advance.

The scenery differs significantly between flying and taking the train to Tibet:
Train journey:
1,You can see vast grasslands, shimmering lakes, snow-capped mountains, and unique geological formations
2,Passes through notable areas like the Gobi Desert, Kekexili Nature Reserve, and Tanggula Mountains
3,Allows you to observe the gradual changes in landscape as you ascend to higher altitudes
4,Provides opportunities to see wildlife like Tibetan antelopes and wild donkeys
5,The scenery changes with the seasons, offering different views year-round

Flying:
1,Provides aerial views of the Himalayas and Tibetan plateau from high altitude
2,You can see snow-capped mountain peaks and the curvature of the Earth
3,Offers a bird’s eye view of the landscape, but for a much shorter duration
4,The view is often obstructed by clouds
5,Limited opportunity to see details of the landscape or observe gradual changes

Overall, the train journey offers a more immersive and varied scenic experience, allowing passengers to observe the changing landscape over a longer period. Flying provides spectacular but brief aerial views of the region, and saves time if your China tour is in a limited duration.