Tibet Travel Tips

TIME: 10:20AM Saturday October 10,2009

Travel Documents

Considering the special ethnic traditions, the cultural relics, the environmental protection and the transportation capacity of Tibet, Chinese Government regulates that non-Chinese citizens, including foreign tourists, Taiwan tourists and overseas Chinese must have a Tibet Travel Permit as well as a valid passport and a visa (Travelers from countries having visa exemption agreement with Hong Kong do not need a visa) to visit Tibet. A visa can be obtained from the local Chinese consulate in your country. However, the foreign journalists and diplomats are not allowed to go to Tibet as a tourist.

Who has to carry a Tibet Travel Permit?

1. The Taiwan tourists, who do not have the valid identity card of China

2. Non-Chinese passport holders

3. The overseas Chinese, who do not have Chinese passport

Note: The Hong Kong and Macau citizens who hold SAR passport, Home-Visiting Certificate or Permit to Traveling to and from Hong Kong and Macau do not need a Tibet Travel Permit.

Since the government encourages group tours to Tibet, the permit is issued only to tour groups traveling with a Chinese tour operator. The Tibet Travel Permit is issued for free by China Tibet Tourism Bureau. Your travel agency will represent you to facilitate the application process.

For those overseas tourists want to travel to Tibet as an individual, the administrative offices of Tibet Tourism Bureau in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu (in Sichuan) and Golmud (in Qinghai) will answer for the related affairs.

Tibet Tourism Bureau

Tel: 0086-891-6835472/ 6834315

E-mail: webmaster@xzta.gov.cn

Address: No.3 Norbulingka Road, Lhasa, Tibet

Information on the administrative offices of Tibet Tourism Bureau:

1. Chengdu Office

Tel: 028-8555171

Address: No.3 Wuhou Hengjie, Chengdu

2. Xian Office

Address: Qomolangma Hotel, No.333 Youyi Dong Lu, Xian

3. Shanghai Office

Tel: 021-62578447; 021-62572413