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Middle Section of Xuexincun Road, Lhasa, Tibet, 850000, China
Outside The Summit Cafe
Tibet
discussing philosophy with the monks of jokhang
Nice warm scriptures ready for reading!
Hi,
I think it's been announced that Tibet is safe for tourists to visit again and I'm thinking of going to Lhasa next month. Anyone got any updates on visas / travelling / best points of entry? Also, I'm thinking of going on my own - anyone got any tips on joining a tour group or travelling alone?
Thanks!
Think you should check the Foreign Office advice first, to be honest:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/china
and
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/china?ta=general&pg=6
The Chinese are not processing applications at the moment.
It is very sad that Tibet is not listed as a separate country on the FCO website.
When the Chinese do begin to process applications again, I suggest you investigate tour group travel. Independent travel would not, imo, be a good idea at this time.
I don't think it has ever been possible to go there independently, not in the past, not now - you have to join a group somewhere, such as Chengdu.
I suppose it was once, long ago.......but certainly not in the recent past.
OP, I think you need to do more research to clarify your options.
Don't dream about it. Check the Lonely Planet ThornTree forum, North-East Asia branch for more updated information: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forum.jspa?forumID=19
At this point they will not process applications for travel there, but when they do, I would go with a group. You'll probably be fine in May, because they are just putting in this measure for the Olympic torch. I would also register under with Locate, just in case.
First the Chinese announced that Tibet would be open in May for tourists and then they announced that this was a mistake and permits would not be issued until further notice. Obviously the situation remains fluid and the advice given on this forum to keep checking is appropriate.
After the banner incident last May there was a period of tightening of requirements and of uncertainty. (The Chinese government holds travel agencies responsible for any trouble tourists may cause.) The long standing requirement of travel by tour that allowed groups of one, disappeared and individual travel became essentially impossible for awhile, but slowly it was re-established. Now this process will have to start all over again. I think that when the Chinese re-open travel for foreigners to Tibet, at least initially you will have to be in a group and the travel agency will be very restrictive. With time and peace the requirements will again be softened.
PS: I am hoping for a September visit.
Just spoke with a friend this morning who runs a travel agency in Shanghai. Tibet is "officially" open again, but issuring of visa is at the government's discretion. So far he has only been able to get visas for Chinese tour groups like teachers and seniors. To apply for Tibet visa one also need hotel and flight confirmations (which is imposed all over China right now).... and the rules change everyday!
At present I'm planning on going alone for three weeks, but I'd be glad to join anyone going after Sept14. Melosh?
It is really worth visiting the Barkhor Square first thing in the morning, the atmosphere really is magical! There are many more pilgrims than any other time of day, and also many of the devotees will light fires in specially constructed ovens in order to create a misty effect. And the result is surreal. It has to be seen to be believed.
Because our transport to the Rongbuk Monastery hasn't arrived yet we had to wait for a while. That was a good opportunity to write in the diary. When this was finished we had to spend the time. Therefore there was a wonderful solution: we played dice.
Enough stones around us so a 'gambling table' was made in no time. Chairs: no problem too. Some larger stones to sit on and we could play our game. We had great fun upthere and maybe this was the highest 'casino' in Tibet (about 5,000 meters).
Prayerwheels come in all forms and sizes. You are supposed to turn them around so the prayer (usually Om Mani Padme Hum) can travel to the heavens.
This pilgrim has one in her hand while turn the large ones in the outer wall of the Jokhang.
It took me many times to get this photo as I wanted it...she was really competing for the world record of how fast you can walk with a ton of goodies on your back...which didn't help me as I was feeling the altitude and running to keep up with her didn't help matters!
There are hundreds of places in Tibet that would be a shame to miss but with the current situation (politically, in terms of transportation, visa limits, and so on) it is almost impossible to get to all of them. If you are limited to the area around Lhasa (like most travelers to Tibet), there are a few places that you shouldn't miss. These include the town of Shiangtse and the monastary at Drepung. Less than a days trip from Lhasa (both can be reached by fairly cheap local bus), they are great places to see what is Tibet is like outside of 'Metro Lhasa'.
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