|
| Tibet-travel
FAQs
|
| 1.Do the travelers need the travel permits to visit
Tibet? |
| Except Chinese visas, the travelers (including those
of Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and other countries) need to obtain
the Travel Permits issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau or other Tibet local
authorities before entering Tibet. The permits are issued only to the
travelers taking the individual and group tours operated by China-based
tour operators. The tour operators can assist the travelers to obtain
the travel permits. The following information is required for the Tibet
Travel Permit applications, names in full, nationality, passport number,
sex, date of birth and occupation. The normal application procedure for
Tibet travel permits takes 3 -7 days. |
| 2.What is the best time for Tibet tours? |
| Generally speaking, the period from April to October
is the best time. However, traveling in a winter tour can still be
pleasant because of saving your tour budgets and avoiding the tourist
crowds. |
| 3.What is the best way to visit Tibet? |
| At present, independent travels are strictly
prohibited by Tibet local authorities. Traveling through Tibet need
certain travel documents issued by the local Tibet government. Without
the assistances of the local tour operators, the travelers cannot obtain
the required travel documents. In order to avoid the foreseeable
difficulties aroused by independent travels in Tibet, taking the tours
coordinated by the local tour operators should be good alternatives. |
| 4.How to get to Tibet? |
| At present, Chengdu is the busiest air hub to getting
into Lhasa, Tibet. The major commercial flight routings (Beijing/Lhasa,
Chengdu/Lhasa, Xian/Lhasa and Kathmandu/Lhasa) are monopolized by Air
China. If the travelers wish to reach Tibet by land, there are few
available roads to Tibet from Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan and Nepal
respectively. However, the conditions of most roads are not good and the
rides are quite tough. |
| 5.What to pack for Tibet tours? |
| Sunglasses, sun lotions, chapped stick, hat, layered
clothing and down-filled coat (the sun is very strong during the day but
the temperature drops at night). Wear comfortable walking shoes.
High-calorie snacks like cookies, chocolate and candies also should be
packed in advance. |
| 6.What is the weather like in Tibet? |
| In southern and eastern Tibet, the Himalayas act as a
barrier against the rain-bearing monsoons, with rainfall decreasing as
heading north. There is no rain from mid-September to May. Temperatures
can vary from below 40 F in the early morning and evening to 85 F at
midday. In the spring, dust is a problem. |
| 7.Do the travelers need travel insurances? |
| The travel insurances for Tibet tours are mandatory.
The comprehensive travel insurances for Tibet tours purchased from the
home countries are highly recommended because the China insurance
companies sometimes have the inactive responses to the emergencies. The
comprehensive insurances purchased by the travelers shall offer coverage
for trip cancellation, travel interruptions and delays, emergency
medical and health expenses, lost baggage and more. |
| 8.What medical preparations the travelers need to
make before Tibet tours? |
Most Tibet tours are not highly demanding physically.
However, the travelers need to be in good conditions and able to walk up
and down moderate hills on a daily basis. In some cases they may be a
day or more away from modern medical facilities. So it is better for the
travelers with a pre-existing heart and lung problems to consult the
doctors before taking Tibet tours.
According to the scientific studies, high altitude sickness has nothing
to do with the age, sex or state of fitness of the travelers and can
affect anyone who travels to the areas with the elevation of over 10,000
feet. Consult the doctors for getting the prescribed medicines for the
possible high altitude sickness. |
| 9.What is high altitude sickness? |
| High altitude sickness, also called mountain sickness,
is a problem that occurs when people travel from lower elevations to
about 8,000 feet or more above sea level. Serious types of altitude
sickness include high-altitude pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) and
high-altitude cerebral edema (swelling of the brain). With altitude
sickness, the travelers may first feel like having the flu or a
hangover, with symptoms such as, headache, fatigue, appetite loss,
nausea, insomnia and difficulty breathing during exercise. |
| 10.How to avoid and treat the high altitude
sickness? |
1. Please try not to strain yourself and avoid
excessive working before taking Tibet tours.
2. Take the prescribed medication before reaching Tibet and
continue to take the medication upon arrival there.
3. Avoid drinking coffee or alcohol, and taking sleeping pills in
the high altitude areas.
4. Drink plenty of water or tea.
5. Eat high-carbohydrate foods (rice, pasta, cereal) while
avoiding fatty stuff.
6. Avoid active movements and try to relax in the first one or
two days upon arrival at the high altitude areas.
7. Diamox® 125 mg. tablets taken twice a day is F.D.A. approved
for prevention and treatment of A.M.S. Although it originally was
released as a diuretic (water pill), it also helps you breath deeper and
faster. This allows you to get more oxygen. Diamox is especially helpful
with the sleeping problems and other symptoms of A.M.S. Avoid sleeping
pills because they may cause shallow breathing at night and make it more
difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep.
8. Use Oxygen to relieve symptoms.
9. If nothing else works, return to the areas with the lower
elevation. |
| 11.Do the travelers need to ask the permissions
before taking the photos of Tibetans? |
| It is always good to ask permission first. Tibetans
are very friendly. However, it might arouse the upset feelings of local
Tibetans by photo-taking without asking the permission first. |
| 12.Is it easy to get the cash money from ATMs in
Tibet? |
| Basically it is pretty hard to find ATMs in Tibet. The
only place to get the cash money is from the local branches of Bank of
China, Lhasa. For the sake of the convenience, it might be good to bring
some cash money along the trip. |
| 13.What are the commonly used phone numbers for
emergency in Tibet? |
The following phone calls can be directly made from
any telephones in Tibet once the emergency happens.
1. Police emergency: 110
2. Medical emergency: 120 |
| What statue of person is called "foreign tourist"? |
| "Foreign tourist" here refers to the person who
doesn't hold Chinese ID card. For Taiwan people who have "TaiboZheng"
still need to get permit for traveling in Tibet. Hongkong and Macao
people now are in freely need of permit. |
| Is independent tour allowed in Tibet? |
| Independent tour is prohibited in Tibet. You should
take part in an organized group or have the local travel operator to
arrange for you. |
| What is the best season for tour in Tibet? |
| Generally speaking, from April to October is the best
season for Tibet tour. However, having a winter tour can be pleasant
ifyou don't mind the cold weather. You can avoid the tourist crowds, and
economical accommodations and transportation are more available. |
| What are some popular places in Tibet? |
| Lhasa, Tsedang, Gyantse, Shigatse, Tingri, Zhangmu
etc. are the most popular places in Tibet, for both normal and trekking
itineraries. For expedition, Mt. Everest and Mt. Kailish are the most
exciting and accessible areas. |
| How to enter Tibet? |
| By air, there are several routes are available now:
Beijing-Lhasa, Shanghai-Lhasa, Chengdu -Lhasa,Xi'an-Lhasa, Xining-Lhasa,
Guangzhou-Lhasa, Chongqing-Lhasa, Kathmandu-Lhasa. By land, the possible
routes are: Qinghai-Lhasa, Sichuan-Lhasa, Yunnan-Lhasa and
Kathmandu-Lhasa. However,land transportation takes much longer time, and
can be very tough, especially the Sichuan-Lhasa route. |
| Can I travel in Tibet by bus? I really can't afford
the car. |
| Yes, but very limited, only Golmud (ofQinghai
Province)-Lhasa. And this route is subject to change,not always
available. |
| Other than Chinese currency, what else currency is
acceptable in Tibet? |
| USS is acceptable only in a very limited range, e.g.
tips. However, for convenience, Chinese currency is the best choice.
Ifyou want to change USS to Chinese currency in Tibet, you can change in
Lhasa Hotel or the Bank of China in Lhasa. |
| Can I draw cash from the local banks in Tibet? |
| Yes, but only the Bank of China in Lhasa has this
function. However, the ATM there doesn't always work properly. So we
suggestyou to bring some cash with you. |
| What should I keep in mind when I contact with the
Tibetans? |
| Tibetan people are very kind and hospitable, you can
feel free to talk with them. But there are some rulers you should go by: |
•Do not photo them without permission, please show the
respect to them!
•Do not talk about the sensitive topics like political or t religious
matters!
•Do not eat dog, donkey or horse in Tibet! |
| What can I do with Tibetan beggars? |
| Religious beggars are an accepted part of society in
Tibet. Giving money or food to a pilgrim is considered an act of merit.
Donations of five fen to two jiao (Chinese currency) are appropriate.
Please note: if the beggars are the old men and women who dress in
shredded, bulky clothes, while the younger ones may have a monkey on a
chain, it's a spectacle of great interest to the Tibetans. These beggars
are professionals, having less meritorious intentions than religious
pilgrims. Just wave them off as the locals do if you don't want give
anything. |
| What medicines should I bring for the high
elevation? |
| Try to bring the following medicines that will be very
useful during your travel: cold and flu tablets, throat lozenges, nasal
decongestant, Aspirin, Multivitamins. Or you can ask your local doctor
for suggestions. |
| What should I bring for the plateau weather? |
| Tibet's high altitude and the atmosphere allow the
sun's solar radiation to strike the earth with unusual intensity. It's
very easy to get sun-burnt there. Sunscreen of high sun protection
factor, quality sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat are good means of
protection. Calamine lotion is good for mild sun-burnt. Those with fair
complexions should bring reflective sunscreen with them. Apply the
sunscreen to your nose and lips as well. |
