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Tibet vs Nepal: What is the Difference? Which is Better to Visit?

Last Update: July 25, 2023

Often mistaken for each other, Tibet and Nepal are two stunning tourist destinations lying next door to each other, and they share many similarities. However, despite these shared similarities, they also have their differences, leaving many people wondering which one is better to visit or if touring both is the ultimate choice. This article aims to provide answers to these questions and help you make an informed decision.

Tibet vs Nepal: Location Difference

Lying either side of the mighty Himalayas, in Southeast Asia, Tibet and Nepal are the closest of neighbors, and have been trade partners for more than a thousand years. Tibet Autonomous Region of China and Nepal share a border along the line of the Himalayas that stretches for around 1,414 kilometers (879 miles), from Ngari in northwestern Tibet to the southwest of Shigatse Prefecture.

Tibet and Nepal Location MapLocation Map of Tibet and Nepal.

Lying between China and India, Nepal is a small landlocked country, around one-fourth of the size of Tibet. In direct contrast, while Tibet may also be landlocked, it is the westernmost part of the People’s Republic of China.

Nepal is also the only country in the world from which you can enter Tibet, outside mainland China. A unique arrangement that these two locations share, this mutual neighborliness has prompted a unique relationship between China and Nepal, one which makes for a useful entry point to Tibet for international travelers and enables a combined tour of both Nepal and Tibet even easier.

Tibet vs Nepal: Landscape Difference

The landscape is the most obvious difference between Tibet and Nepal. While the Tibetan landscape lies wholly on the vast Qinghai Tibet Plateau, the highest plateau in the world, Nepal’s landscape is varied, ranging from the high mountains of more than 8,000 meters to the lowland areas in the south of the country, along the border with India.

Tibet’s landscape is one of high altitudes, desolate deserts, lush valleys, and vast open prairies that all lie at an elevation of between 3,500 and 6,000 meters. While there are huge differences in elevations across the Tibetan plateau, wherever you go it is at high altitudes that mean a risk of altitude sickness for international travelers and tourists from mainland China.

Tibet Gawula PassThe high-altitude Gawula Pass offers stunning views of the Himalayas.

Nepal’s varying landscape starts with high mountains along its border with Tibet, dropping down to lower mountains and then foothills as you get further away from the border. These natural foothills, formed by the lifting of the Himalayas billions of years ago, drop down to rolling hills and lush valleys at altitudes of less than 2,000 meters, such as the stunning Kathmandu Valley, which averages around 1,500 meters.

As you move closer to the border with India, the altitude drops even more, and the forests of the central region of Nepal give way to the dense sub-tropical jungles of the lowland Terai region, lying at altitudes of just a few hundred feet.

Tibet vs Nepal: Religion and Culture Difference

Tibet is a mainly Buddhist land, where Tibetan Buddhism is the main religion. Introduced to Tibet in the 7th century, and taking over from the ancient animistic Bon religion of the plateau, Buddhism has spread across the plateau in such a way that it is a major part of the Tibetan culture, and Buddhist rituals and ceremonies can be found in every aspect of the daily lives of most Tibetans.

Bon, the original religion of the plateau, has a small number of followers still, largely thanks to the anti-Buddhist King Langdharma from the 9th century. There is also a small community of Roman Catholic Tibetans in the region, though they are very few and make up less than 0.01 percent of the population. However, Buddhism remains the predominant religion of the Tibetan people wherever they live.

Kathmandu in NepalNepal is a predominantly Hindu nation.

Nepal is a predominantly Hindu nation, albeit with a number of other religions mixed in, including Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity and Catholicism, Islam, and others. A very multicultural country, even the predominance of Hinduism in Nepal is not enough to keep it pure. Hinduism in Nepal has aspects from many other religions incorporated into it these days, especially Buddhism. Buddhist ceremonies and rituals have been adopted by Nepali Hinduism, and it is common to see Buddhists at Hindu ceremonies, and vice versa.

Tibet vs Nepal: Everest Base Camp Difference

Mount Everest lies on the border between China and Nepal, and both Tibet and Nepal have base camps for climbers and tourists.

In Nepal the base camp lies at an altitude of around 5,364 meters and is the higher of the two base camps. However, there is no view of the summit of the world’s highest mountain from the base camp in Nepal, and visitors need to trek up to the site at Kala Patthar to get a view of the peak.

Nepal Everest Base CampThe Nepal Everest Base Camp lies at an altitude of around 5,364 meters.

Getting to the base camp in Nepal is also a lot harder than in Tibet. Lying more than 60 kilometers from the nearest accessible town, visitors to the southern base camp need to fly to Lukla and then trek to the base camp, a hike that takes around 12 days round trip.

The Tibetan base camp on the northern side of Mount Everest, however, is much more easily accessed. A well-maintained road stretches along the G318 Friendship Highway leading to the northern base camp. Tourists can easily travel by road vehicle, enjoying a smooth journey without the need for trekking, all the way to the base camp. Additionally, an eco-bus service operates between Rongbuk Monastery and the base camp, offering convenient transportation options throughout the day.

Tibet Everest Base CampA well-maintained road leads to the Tibet Everest Base Camp.

The base camp in Tibet is a little lower in altitude than in Nepal, at just 5,200 meters above sea level. However, this is still high altitude, and altitude sickness is still a major concern. Moreover, the base camp, along with Rongbuk Monastery and several sites on the road, provides unparalleled views of the majestic peak, offering the best vantage point to admire the grandeur of Mount Everest in both Nepal and Tibet.

Tibet vs Nepal: Best Travel Time Difference

For Tibet, the best time to visit is from spring to autumn, encompassing April to October, which showcases the region at its finest. Warm and comfortable weather prevails, making it an ideal time for exploration. Summer is the peak season when the plateau is blanketed with vibrant and breathtaking landscapes. On the other hand, spring and autumn are perfect for mountain treks and clear views of Mount Everest's majestic peak.

Meanwhile, Nepal's dry season from October to May beckons travelers with its stable weather and minimal precipitation. This season sets the stage for remarkable treks across Nepal's stunning landscapes. The post-monsoon months of October and November are particularly popular, painting the country in lush greenery and revealing unobstructed mountain views.

Nepal travel seasonThe best time to travel to Nepal is from October to May.

Tibet vs Nepal: Travel Highlight Difference

Traveling to Nepal and Tibet is a very different travel experience as well. Tibet is a land of Buddhist monasteries, vast open prairies, high mountains, and stunning lakes, all of which can be seen on any of the many tours that run across the plateau.

Monasteries and mountains are the main highlights of the tours of Tibet, and the provincial capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa, is renowned for its sacred Jokhang Temple, a 7th-century temple that was built to house one of the oldest remaining statues of Buddha.

Jokhang TempleSacred Jokhang Temple in Lhasa Tibet

The plateau also holds many secrets, from the beauty of the Great Three Sacred Lakes of Tibet to the stunningly beautiful lush green valleys that can be found in a number of places across Tibet. Traveling in Tibet is an experience of culture, religion, discovery, and adventure.

Meanwhile, Nepal has a different idea of what it means to be adventurous, as it is the trekking capital of the world. The most popular reason for travelers visiting Nepal, trekking is big business and has become the largest part of the country’s tourism industry.

Hundreds of thousands of international travelers head to Nepal every year to make the treks to EBC and around the Annapurna Massif, as well as to many other places in the Nepali Himalayas and the lower foothills. Nepal also has a lot of other adventure sports you can try there, from kayaking and mountain biking to white-water rafting and paragliding.

Paragliding in NepalParagliding is popular in Nepal.

Nepal does have a cultural side to its tourism industry as well, and there are a good number of temples and monasteries that can be visited, for those that enjoy discovering more about the local cultures and religions. Majority of these are in the famous Kathmandu Valley, known as the “real Nepal”, though there are a few outside, such as the site at Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha.

Why Visiting Both Tibet and Nepal is the Best Choice?

Nepal and Tibet are often traveled together as part of a longer tour of the area, and there are very good reasons to do so.

Lying side by side in the Himalayas, it is easy to travel from one destination to the other, and this can be done from either side of the mountains. Transport from Nepal to Tibet or Tibet to Nepal is easy and convenient, and the border crossing at Gyirong Port (Tibetan side of China) and Rasuwa Gadhi (Nepal) is well set up to give tourists to both destinations an easy way to transfer from the border to the nearby towns.

Gyirong PortIt is convenient to cross Gyirong Port to enter Tibet from Nepal.

It is also a great way to discover the differences that exist between the two neighbors, from the different religions and cultures to the differences in landscapes and scenery. It is also fun to see the similarities between Nepal and Tibet, in the monasteries and temples, the high mountains, and the uniqueness of the two cultures.

Professional tour operators like us can also handle both aspects of your combined tour of Tibet and Nepal, from the requirements of the tour in Tibet to the transport to Kathmandu from the border, as well as the options of how to travel between both locations.

How to Enjoy a Smooth Tibet and Nepal Tour?

Prepare the required permits for Tibet and Nepal tour

While all you need for a tour in Nepal is the Nepal Entry Visa, which can easily be obtained once you arrive in Nepal, there are more requirements for a tour of Tibet.

To travel to Tibet, you'll first need a China Visa. If you enter Tibet from mainland China, you can get your Chinese Visa from the nearest embassy. However, for those entering from Nepal, the visa is a Group Visa, and can only be applied for by the tour operator once you arrive in Kathmandu.

Meanwhile, you also need to obtain the Tibet Travel Permit, which is a must before you enter Tibet, regardless of which side you are entering Tibet. Only a registered tour operator can make the application for the permit, and you need to book your pre-arranged tour before the permit can be applied for.

Tibet Travel PermitObtaining a Tibet Travel Permit can be simple through us.

Additionally, there may be more documents to be obtained to visit different areas of the plateau region, such as the Aliens’ Travel Permit for Mount Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan side. But no worries! We can help to handle all of them on your behalf as long as you book your Tibet and Nepal tour with us.

Choose the best way to travel between Tibet and Nepal

There are two ways to travel between Nepal and Tibet, by flight or by overland tour. Flights run daily between Tibet’s Lhasa Gonggar International Airport and Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, but are expensive despite it being just a 90-minute flight.

Kathmandu to Lhasa flightThe flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa offers the views of the Himalayas.

Overland travel is the best way to enter Tibet from Nepal, as you have the opportunity of acclimatizing to the higher altitude of the plateau on the first days in Tibet, instead of having to acclimatize in Lhasa after the flight, and then travel overland for your tour.

The trip from Kathmandu to Lhasa is an amazing journey that allows you to see the Himalayas from both sides, as the trip to the border from the Nepali capital is by car and is done over two days. After crossing the border, you will be met by your guide and driver, who will give you the tour of a lifetime for your journey through Tibet.

Conclusion

Tibet and Nepal are completely different places in the Himalayas, and should not be confused for each other. The wealth of differences actually outweighs the similarities of these two stunning destinations, which makes it well worth visiting both instead of just one or the other. If you are still unsure of whether to visit both Tibet and Nepal together, then come and speak to our professional tour advisors, who can help you with any other queries you may have.

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