Lhasa Travel Permit: What Do I Need for a Lhasa Tour?

Traveling to Lhasa is a relatively easy thing to do these days. Whereas you once needed to jump through hoops to get to the Tibetan capital on the roof of the world, nowadays, it is much easier and simpler to organize. All you need to know is what you need to make sure that your trip to Lhasa goes without a hitch. Here, we will explain all the details you need to know for your lifetime Lhasa Tour.

Travel Permits and Visas for Lhasa Tour

For anyone traveling to Lhasa, you will need to have certain permits and visas in order to enter Tibet and reach this beautiful city. How to obtain the relevant permits and visas does depend on the direction of travel to Lhasa, and only those entering from mainland China need to process their own visa.

Tibet Travel Permit

The Tibet Travel Permit is the main permit for all tourists traveling to Lhasa, and is required not just to get to Tibet, but also to board the planes and trains to Lhasa. The permit is only available to tourists that have booked a pre-approved tour of Tibet with a registered travel agency, and can take around 15 days to process.

Once you have booked your tour with us, we will make the application for the permit on your behalf with the Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa. The application process requires us to have scanned color copies of your passport and Chinese Entry Visa (if applicable). Once the permit is issued, it will be sent to your hotel or address in mainland China. Then you can bring it to take the train or flight to Tibet.

Chinese Visa or Chinese Group Visa

The visa you need to enter China depends on the direction from which you are planning to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region.

If you are entering Tibet from mainland China, then you will need to make the application for the Chinese Entry Visa yourself at the Chinese Embassy in your home or resident country. Processing the visa application normally takes around 3-5 working days, and you will need to provide your original passport, two photos, a completed application form, the relevant fee for your country, and proof of onward travel and hotel bookings.

For those traveling to Lhasa from Nepal, you do not need to make the application for the visa yourself. Your Chinese Group Visa will be applied for on your behalf once you arrive in Kathmandu, so it is essential that you arrive at least four days before your date of expected travel to Lhasa. Our agent will collect your passport and process the visa application on your behalf, which is normally collected on the third day from application. Our agent will collect the visa and deliver it to your hotel, along with your Tibet Travel Permit.

More Required Things for Lhasa Tour Except the Permit

Your permits are not the only things you need for a well-planned trip to Lhasa. There are other essential items and requirements that you should be aware of and plan for so that your tour of Lhasa is without problems.

Train or Flight Ticket to Lhasa

You cannot just drive to Tibet, so the best way to go if you are traveling to Lhasa is to book a flight to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport or take the train from one of seven gateway departure cities in China. You can book flights to Lhasa from more than a dozen cities across China, or from Kathmandu in Nepal. Flight bookings should be made as early as possible, to avoid disappointment. If you are traveling to Tibet by train, you should book the train tickets as early as possible too, as they can sell out fast once released. We can help with booking your flights or train tickets.

Altitude Sickness Medicine

Lhasa lies at an altitude of around 3,656 meters above sea level, and you will feel the effects of altitude sickness when you arrive. The best way to combat altitude sickness is to first stop and acclimatize at a lower altitude, ascending more gradually. If this is not possible, allowing a couple of days to acclimatize, staying hydrated and refraining from strenuous exercise, is another good way to adjust to the altitude. For some, altitude sickness medications can help to reduce the effects and allow you to acclimatize better. However, such medications should only be taken on the advice of your own doctor, as they can have detrimental effects if you have any pre-existing conditions.

Warm Clothing

Warm clothing is a must for anyone traveling to Lhasa, and you may find that it is necessary even in the summer months. The weather in Lhasa changes with the seasons, and you will find that warm clothing is a necessary item of packing when traveling to the high-altitude Tibetan capital.

The peak season for travel to Lhasa is generally from May to October, through you can travel throughout the year. This peak period normally has warmer weather in the capital, and temperatures can range from 19-22 degrees during the daytime. Nights, however, are a different matter. While it will not be as cold as in some of the higher western areas, it can still drops to around 5-10 degrees throughout this peak season. Even in the hottest month of June, the nights will still be a chilly 9-10 degrees.

You should bring at least a couple of warm jackets or thick sweaters to keep you warm in the evenings and at night. Hat, gloves, and warm socks can also be good items to bring, especially since most body heat is lost through the head and extremities.

Personal Care Items

It may be hard to believe, but it is possible to get sunburn in Lhasa during the daytime. At the higher altitude of the plateau, the sun is harsher than at sea level, and can easily burn your skin is left too long exposed to the harmful UV rays. Therefore, it is essential to pack a good high-SPF sun block in your gear when traveling to Lhasa. You should also bring a hat, for protecting your head and reducing the risk of sun stroke, which is a common ailment in the summers of Lhasa.

The climate can also be very dry, despite summer being the monsoon season in Lhasa. Dry winds blow in from the west, and can cause severe chaffing of your lips, face, and hands. To prevent this, lip balm is recommended for all visitors to Lhasa, and a good moisturizer to keep your skin from being damaged in the cold, dry winds.

Sunglasses are an excellent addition to your packing, and serve a dual purpose when traveling in Lhasa. Not only do they reduce the harmful glare of the sun from damaging your eyes, they can also help to keep the dry wind out of your eyes, preventing them from getting dry and irritated. However, eye drops should be kept on your to counter this should it occur.

Contact a Travel Agency to Handle Your Lhasa Tour and Permit

It is not possible to travel to Lhasa independently, and all international tourists to the Tibetan capital are required to be on a pre-booked tour. In order to travel to Lhasa, you will need to find a registered and reputable travel agency to handle your tour and permits, and provide you with the required tour guide, driver, and private vehicle. There are a lot of agencies on the internet that can help you with this, but with our 20 years of experience handling tours to Tibet, we can offer you the best possible tour for your lifetime Lhasa trip.

Conclusion

What you need to consider for taking a tour to Lhasa include your visa and permits, registered travel agency, and transportation to the Tibetan capital. You should also consider what you are taking in terms of packing and environmental protection from the sun and winds. Once these are all taken care of, you can relax and enjoy your trip to the Roof of the World.