Tibet 西藏 — The Roof of the World
Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区) sits on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, averaging over 4,500 meters in elevation. For travelers, Tibet offers an experience unlike anywhere else on Earth: ancient Buddhist monasteries, vast grasslands, towering peaks including Mount Everest (珠穆朗玛峰), and a culture profoundly shaped by Tibetan Buddhism. This is sacred ground — physically and spiritually.
⚠️ Tibet Travel Permit Required
All foreign visitors must obtain a Tibet Travel Permit (入藏函). This is separate from your Chinese visa and cannot be obtained independently.
- How to get it: You must book through a licensed travel agency. They apply for the permit on your behalf.
- Processing time: Allow 2-4 weeks minimum
- Required documents: Passport copy, Chinese visa copy
- Additional permits: Some areas (Everest, Kailash, border regions) require extra permits
- Restrictions: Independent travel is not permitted. You must be part of an organized tour or have a private guide.
We do not sell tours. This is a government requirement. Contact a licensed Tibet travel agency to arrange your trip.
Lhasa 拉萨 — The Holy City
Lhasa (elevation 3,650m) has been Tibet's spiritual and political center for over 1,300 years. The city blends traditional Tibetan culture with modern Chinese development.
Potala Palace 布达拉宫
The iconic Potala Palace is one of the world's architectural wonders — a massive white and red fortress-palace complex rising 13 stories above Lhasa. Built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo and expanded in the 17th century, it served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. Inside are over 1,000 rooms, thousands of shrines, and 200,000+ statues. The climb to the top involves hundreds of steps — go slowly at altitude.
Admission: 200 RMB (May-Oct), 100 RMB (Nov-Apr). Open: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Advanced booking required — only 2,300 visitors per day. Your guide will arrange tickets.
Jokhang Temple 大昭寺
The spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism. Pilgrims prostrate themselves in front of the temple, circumambulating the shrine inside. The Jowo Rinpoche statue inside — a jeweled image of Buddha at age 12 — is Tibet's most sacred object. The rooftop offers views of Barkhor Square and Potala Palace.
Admission: 85 RMB. Open: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
Barkhor Street 八廓街
A pilgrimage circuit around Jokhang Temple, lined with shops selling religious items, jewelry, and souvenirs. Walk clockwise with the pilgrims. Great for people-watching — nomads, monks, and devotees from across Tibet congregate here.
Sera Monastery 色拉寺
One of Lhasa's great monasteries, famous for its daily monk debates in the courtyard (usually 3:00 PM). Monks slap their hands and stomp their feet during animated philosophical discussions. Founded in 1419, it houses 550+ monks.
Admission: 50 RMB. Located 5 km north of Lhasa.
Everest Base Camp 珠峰大本营
The north side of Mount Everest lies in Tibet. The road to Base Camp (elevation 5,200m) is one of the world's great drives, passing high mountain passes, nomadic camps, and finally the Everest Viewpoint (加乌拉山口, 5,210m) where you can see four 8,000m peaks simultaneously. Base Camp offers basic accommodations (tents or guesthouses) and surreal views of the world's highest mountain.
Distance from Lhasa: 600+ km (2-3 days driving each way with stops). Requires additional permit beyond standard Tibet Travel Permit. Best time: April-June and September-November. Expect extreme cold at night year-round.
Namtso Lake 纳木错
One of Tibet's three sacred lakes, Namtso sits at 4,718 meters — one of the highest lakes in the world. Turquoise water surrounded by snow-capped mountains, with nomadic herders grazing yaks nearby. The sunrise and starry skies are legendary. Basic guesthouses available overnight, or day trip from Lhasa (5 hours round trip).
Admission: 120 RMB. Best time: May-October (frozen in winter). Day trip possible or overnight for sunrise.
Nyingchi 林芝 — Tibet's Switzerland
Eastern Tibet's Nyingchi region features lower elevation (3,000m average), lush forests, peach blossoms, and the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon — the deepest canyon in the world. The Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival (late March-mid April) is a highlight. Good for travelers who want Tibet's beauty with milder altitude.
Practical Information
Altitude: Lhasa is 3,650m. Everest Base Camp is 5,200m. Acclimatize 2-3 days in Lhasa before higher travel. Drink water. Avoid alcohol. Walk slowly. Consider carrying portable oxygen.
Altitude Sickness: Common symptoms: headache, nausea, breathlessness. Most people acclimatize in 2-3 days. If symptoms worsen (confusion, inability to walk), descend immediately. This is serious.
Transportation: Most fly to Lhasa (LXA) from Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, Shanghai, Kathmandu. Qinghai-Tibet Railway from Xining (24h) or Beijing (40h) offers epic scenery but is very long. Within Tibet, all travel is by road with your guide.
Climate: Summer (May-Sep): warm days, cool nights, wet season. Winter (Oct-Apr): cold, dry, clear skies. Nights are below freezing year-round.
Best Season: April-June (spring, blooming) and September-November (clear skies, post-monsoon). July-August are rainy and crowded with Chinese tour groups.