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Before entering Tibet:
1. There's no need for excessive exercise or training before traveling to Tibet; simply relax and look forward to your trip. Your mindset determines your travel satisfaction.
2. Train tickets can be purchased 30 days in advance in 2019. Airfares should be cheaper the earlier you book, especially airfares from March to May when discounts are significant. Most tourist attractions in Tibet are open during this period, and it's not cold, making it the most cost-effective time to visit Tibet.
3. Foreigners and Taiwanese citizens should apply for Tibet Entry Permits through local travel agencies in Tibet at least one month in advance. Hong Kong and Macau residents do not require a Tibet Entry Permit to enter Tibet. Only travel agencies authorized by the Tibet Tourism Development Commission can process these permits; travel agencies from other provinces typically delegate their entry procedures to Tibetan agencies.
4. People with heart disease, asthma, or high blood pressure are not advised to travel to Tibet. Do not travel to Tibet blindly. Travel agencies generally politely refuse to accept people over 70 years old.
5. If it's your first time visiting Tibet, it's recommended to follow a more conventional itinerary: Lhasa (Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple), Nyingchi (Basum Tso Lake, Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon), Shigatse (Yamdrok Lake, Tashilhunpo Monastery), and finally Namtso Lake. A week is ideal for your trip.
6. Download an offline map of Tibet in advance. If you don't know where the attractions are, just search for them.
7. If you're planning an in-depth tour for your first time, such as the Ali pilgrimage, Bomi Ranwu, Medog trekking, or Everest Base Camp, it's recommended to research the best time to visit these attractions online beforehand. Currently, the best months for value are early April to mid-May and the entire month of September.
8. Tibet has always been very safe. Don't believe too many rumors. Over the years, Tibet has been one of the safest places in the country. Travel with peace of mind.
9. Before entering Tibet, try to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol to prevent upper respiratory tract infections. Reduce strenuous physical labor and conserve your energy.
10. It is advisable to bring some dry food, raisins, and ginseng slices as a backup, since the journey to Tibet is long and it is good to replenish energy along the way.
11. Some practical knowledge about altitude sickness. Given the widespread reposting of old Tibet travel guides, it's necessary to correct some points. The saying "train into Tibet, plane out" is inaccurate. Entering Tibet doesn't necessarily require taking the train. Altitude sickness is unrelated to flying. Taking the train allows the body to gradually acclimatize to the increasing altitude. However, train journeys from many cities to Tibet take over 40 hours, which is exhausting. Many tourists experience altitude sickness at the Tanggula Pass due to the long journey. In this case, you can choose to take the train in two segments, stopping in Xining or Xi'an for a day or two before buying a train ticket from Xining to Tibet (friendly reminder: there are many scalpers in Xining, and train tickets are often overpriced). If time is limited and the budget allows, flying to Tibet is highly recommended. The online claim that "flying to Tibet causes altitude sickness" is incorrect. Altitude sickness is not caused by flying; some people who drive to Tibet still experience altitude sickness. It's worth mentioning that whether you arrive in Tibet by plane or train, don't wash your hair or take a shower on the day you arrive in Lhasa. Get plenty of rest. If you're really a clean freak, be sure to dry your hair after washing it.
12. Before entering Tibet, tourists can go to local pharmacies, such as Laobaixing, Tongrentang, Yangtianhe, etc., to buy medicines to prevent altitude sickness, such as Nodikang, Gaoyuankang, Gaoyuanan, Gaoyuanshuning, etc., and take them 3-5 days in advance.
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During the journey:
1. The best time to view the banner clouds on Mount Everest is in April and May. It is recommended to stay overnight at Everest Base Camp to watch the sunrise and sunset.
2. For the May pilgrimage to Ali, Toyota Prados and Land Cruisers are mostly used by the Ali running group. It is recommended to avoid renting off-road vehicles during this period and instead rent commercial vehicles, such as Buick GL8, Mercedes-Benz Viano, Hyundai H1, etc.
3. During the summer months of July and August, Bomi, Ranwu, and Medog enter the rainy season, so try to avoid traveling to these areas.
4. Namtso Lake begins its ice-breaking period in April, but the route still passes through Nagan Mountain, where you may encounter heavy snow. Travel agencies usually advise tourists to be prepared for a return trip.
5. On the day of arrival in Lhasa, some tourists may experience mild dizziness, headache, dry and bluish lips. There is no need to worry too much, as these symptoms will subside naturally within 1-2 days.
6. During your trip, prepare some daily necessities, such as lip balm, sunglasses, and cold medicine, in case of emergency.
7. Upon arrival in Tibet, minimize physical activity and drink plenty of water. Avoid showering; eat a light diet and drink plenty of water (not beverages); don't rush to explore everywhere, first wander around Lhasa city to allow your body to gradually acclimatize to the altitude before venturing to higher altitude areas; get plenty of rest.
8. Single women are not advised to travel the Sichuan-Tibet Highway by car. The Sichuan-Tibet Highway has a southern route and a northern route. The southern route is 2140 kilometers long, and the northern route is 2412 kilometers long. Most people choose the southern route for hiking or traveling by car, which takes about a week. Currently, hiking the Sichuan-Tibet Highway is not recommended for single young women, especially on a budget. The risk of sexual assault is secondary; your life is at stake. Consider the potential dangers carefully.
9. Currently, among the three major domestic telecommunications operators, after years of testing by users in Tibet, China Mobile still has the best signal, especially on some roads outside Lhasa, in high mountains, lakes, and places with no villages or shops nearby. China Unicom's signal is basically zero bars. China Telecom's signal has improved in recent years.
10. When renting a car in Tibet, avoid going for the cheapest option. Do not rent unlicensed vehicles or ride in vehicles carrying strangers to avoid unnecessary trouble.
11. Due to the special conditions in Tibet, most hotels of 3 stars and below lag behind their counterparts in mainland China in terms of both hardware and software. Please understand that due to the unique geography and culture of Tibet, hotel staff may have a less attentive service attitude and be more straightforward. Most hotels do not have air conditioning but do have electric blankets; please contact the front desk if you require an extra blanket.
12. Do not carry large amounts of cash into Tibet. Local bank ATMs are now widely available in many towns and cities in Tibet. State-owned banks such as China Construction Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, and Bank of China have numerous ATMs. Postal Savings Bank also has multiple branches in rural areas. In recent years, Bank of Communications, CITIC Bank, China Minsheng Bank, and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank have also opened branches in Tibet. If you book a tour online, remember to check with the travel agency in advance whether credit card payments are accepted in Lhasa. These are the latest travel tips for 2019. Have a happy trip to Tibet, avoid peak seasons, travel off-peak, and maintain a pleasant mood. We believe your trip to Tibet will be worry-free.
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Recommended Itinerary
Lhasa-Shigatse-Mount Everest-Namtso 8-day tour ▶
Lhasa - Mount Everest - Sacred Mountain and Lake Manasarovar (Kora) - Namtso Lake - Lhasa 16-day tour ▶
Personalized itinerary ▶
