Frequently Asked Questions About Tibet Tourism Answered. In this post, we will address all the frequently asked questions from visitors and readers. These questions are asked by many of my followers on social media. We have responded to the questions based on our latest information, and all the information is accurate and up-to-date at the time of writing and updating. The answers are subject to change following the updates to the tourism policy of the Local Government of the Tibet Autonomous Region and the Tibet Tourism Bureau.
1) Is it possible to travel independently in Tibet?
Answer: Unfortunately, no. Independent travel is not possible. All tours must be organized with local Tibetan travel agencies. You will need to hire a tour guide and a private vehicle for the duration. Please read here for the 2025 Tibet tourism regulations.
2) What documents are required for applying for a Tibet Travel permit, and how can we use for the Permit?
Answer: A Tibet travel permit is free, but it can only be obtained through a travel agency in Lhasa.
The first document you will need in making your permit is a valid Passport. Please note that you will need to send a copy of the passport on which you intend to obtain your visa or bring it to China.
The second Document is the Visa. Besides L (which is a tourist visa), all other types of visa holders have to produce another letter from their host in China. For example, if you hold a student visa, you will need to submit a letter from your school. If your country has a visa exemption for China. You only have to submit the passports.
Once when you have, all the required documents submitted to your travel agency, Our agency will apply for your permit at the Tibet tourism bureau. It takes more than 15 days to make. prior to your arrival, you will get it in hand. Aliens permit can be made in an hour by your guide.
Answer: There are two ways to get to Tibet. Therefore, from Nepal and China. Click for more information on how to visit Tibet.
If you are traveling to Tibet from Nepal, you have two options to choose from. You can take an overland journey into Tibet or take a flight to Lhasa. Taking a flight to Lhasa can cost you more than $ 250 per person.
If you are coming to Tibet from Other parts of China, there are two means of transportation available: the railway or the flight to Lhasa. The railway is much better, and I always recommend that everyone try a railway route at least once. Click here for Train to Tibet.
4) What is the cost of a Tibet tour?
Answer: The cost of the tour varies base on the number of people in the group, the places of visit, and the number of days on the tour. for example, the tour to Kailash is the most expensive tour in Tibet tourism. Ideally, the average cost of the tour to Tibet would be 150 USD per person per day. If you join a group tour the ideal tour price would be 1050 USD per person based on a small group tour of eight-person in a group. If you want to have a private tour the good price for the private tour could come around 2500 USD for a private group with two members.
5) What are the things we need to keep in mind when dealing with Tibetan?
Answer: Tibetans are very polite and claim people. During your travel, you will be visiting our monasteries and spiritual centres. I think it would be great if travellers would respect the privacy and claim, we require in doing their religious rituals. We would really appreciate it if you could ask permission before taking our Picture. In this way, you will get a better click.
It is highly requested for the travellers to respect the local custom and traditions. follow the rules in monasteries and photography is strictly prohibited in any monasteries.
6) What should we pack before travelling to Tibet?
Answer: good sunglasses, a warm light coat, an umbrella, medicines, comfortable shoes, if you miss anything you can buy them in Lhasa.
7) What do I have to pack when trekking in Tibet?
Waterproof coat, warm light coat, good comfortable walking shoe, first aid, and sunscreen lotion. Sleeping bag but ask if your travel agency provides.
8) Can we take pictures everywhere in Tibet?
You cant take pictures anywhere. please do not take pictures of anyone with their permission. do not take pictures of the military bases, police stations and security personals. in any monastery, it is strictly prohibited in taking pictures. yet the politeness in asking for permission could give you a very beautiful click.
9) What is the currency in Tibet? Is there any ATM cashpoint?
The Chinese RMB or Chinese Yuan is the currency in Tibet. But you can bring some dollars to pay for your tour services as many travel agencies calculated the tour price with dollars.
Automatic Tally Machine or ATM is available everywhere in Tibet, many hotels have cash point facilities on their premises. It is always better to cash enough money on departure from one point to another.
10) Where can we eat? what is the food like?
All the Tibetan meals are very good, If you don’t like Tibetan food there are lots of restaurants selling Indian, Nepalese, and Chinese food. The average cost per meal is about 10 US Dollars per meal.
11) Is Tibet a safe place? It is safe to walk out in the night?
Answer: Yes Tibet is a very safe place. Tibetans are usually good people, but they are bad in all good, So prevention is always better. If you are walking in the night I would suggest avoiding remote streets. and avoid walking alone out after 10 PM.
12) Can Tibetan speak English?
Yes and No. Many Tibetan nows days can speak and read English very well but you are not likely to meet those people during your trip besides your guide and the driver. Almost every Tibetan in City and town can speak very fluent mandarin.
13) How about transportation in Tibet?
The standard of Transportation in Tibet is very good. Travellers can use local transportation like taxis and buses in the cities. Besides this, you will have to take a private tourist car and in most cases, it is included in your tour price.
14) Should I take medicine with me?
We also suggest travellers bring some basic first aid medicine including drugs for fever and pain killers.
15) Is Wifi Available?
Almost every hotel and coffee shop has Wifi facilities.
16) How can I find a reliable travel agency in Lhasa?
There are lots of travel websites. but it is rather very hard to find good Tibetan local travel agencies in Lhasa online. it is always better to refer to The Tibet travel expert like the lonely planet, trip advisor.
Conclusion
Above are some of the regular questions travellers asked us before making plans to Tibet. Yet we have now added a lot of other important Frequently asked questions about Tibet tourism. Please click here to read more
Tenzin Travel is the best Tibetan Travel agency in Tibet. Our agency is one of the most experienced tour operators in Tibet, with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Founded by a local Tibetan family with decades of experience as guides, managers, and route planners, we craft personalized itineraries tailored to the highest-rated and recommended Tibet travel agency on TripAdvisor, Google, and Lonely Planet for every traveler. We are highest rated and recommend Tibet travel agency in TripAdvisor, Google and LonelyPlanet.
Our Lhasa office is just steps from Barkhor Square, and our all-Tibetan team ensures deep cultural, linguistic, and religious insights, setting us apart from other agencies.
Beyond tourism, we support Tibetan communities by donating a portion of the proceeds from each tour to local projects. Your travel to Tibet is about more than profit—it’s about opportunity for us to give back.
