Tibet Travel Guide
Dreaming of traveling to Tibet but feeling overwhelmed by the amount of research, permits, and planning that seems to be involved? Worry no more, we have you covered! Have a look below for comprehensive, straightforward everything-you-need-to-know-and-more visa and permit instructions, maps, regional information, and fun history facts. Our Tibet travel guide make everything easy for you.
Where is Tibet
Despite Tibet’s pervasiveness in popular imagination, few people are able to locate the area on a map. What exactly is Tibet? And where is it? No, it isn’t an embarrassing question. It’s the first thing you need to know!
‘Tibet’ is a cultural region whose physical location roughly corresponds with that of the Tibetan Plateau. Beyond the People’s Republic of China, Tibetan speaking peoples can be found across the Himalayas in Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Today, the bulk of Tibetan cultural areas are part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). In addition to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), there are 10 Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures located in the provinces of Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, and Yunnan. Read carefully the travel guide to special Tibetan areas.
China’s Administrative Division:
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is comprised of 22 provinces and five autonomous regions which are administered under the Chinese Communist Party’s system of democratic centralism. Chinese provinces are composed of prefectures which are in turn made up of counties, townships, and villages.
Autonomous Regions were established in minority areas and have constitutional autonomy which includes, among other special rights, the right to use the local language in major media. Additionally, the PRC contains four direct-control municipalities and two special administrative regions.
The Tibetan areas of the PRC are:
- Gannan Autonomous Tibetan Prefecture in Gansu Province
- Haibei Autonomous
- Tibetan Prefecture in Qinghai Province
- Huangnan Autonomous
- Tibetan Prefecture in Qinghai Province
- Hainan Autonomous Tibetan Prefecture in Qinghai Province
- Golog Autonomous Tibetan Prefecture in Qinghai Province
- Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province
- Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province
- Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan
- Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan
- Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan
- Xizang Tibet Autonomous Region
TIBETAN CULTURAL REGIONS
The greater Tibetan cultural area can be roughly split into three main cultural and linguistic sub-cultures: U-Tsang (Central Tibet), Amdo, and Kham. Each area boasts its own unique cultural flavor, special local style of dress, language, and customs. Check all Tibet tour packages to find the most suitable trip for you.
U-tsang Tibet Travel Guide
(U-tsang) Central Tibet is accessible by plane only from Nepal or ports of departure within the PRC. Though train travel is 22 hours, it is recommended as it allows for better acclimatization. The rail line, built in 1996 boasts modern facilities, sleeping compartments, and dining cars. The port of departure for train travel is Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province. Check places to visit beyond Lhasa city.
Must See: Potala Palace, Yumbu Lhakang, Kailash, Ganden, Sera, and Drepung Monasteries
Getting to U-tsang Tibet
(U-tsang) Central Tibet is accessible by plane only from Nepal or ports of departure within the PRC. Though train travel is 25 hours, it is recommended as it allows for better acclimatization. The rail line, built in 1996 boasts modern facilities, sleeping compartments, and dining cars. The port of departure for train travel is Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province.
Travel Guide to Amdo Tibet
Amdo Tibet is spread across three provinces. The cultural areas can be found in southwestern Gansu, Qinghai, and northern Sichuan. Amdo is best known for it’s rolling plains, scholars, and for its leading role in Tibet’s Buddhist revival. Check all Amdo tours to find the most suitable trip for you or check best attractions in Amdo. Check Amnye Machen Trek & Amdo to Lhasa by train tours.
Must See: Amnye Machen, Labrang Monastery, Qinghai Lake (Lake Kokonor), Traditional Thangka Painting in Rebkong
Getting to Amdo Tibet
Amdo is perhaps the most easily accessible area as Qinghai and Gansu’s roadways are comparatively well maintained and the geography is, generally, less vertical. The bulk of historic Amdo is most easily accessed via Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province, although it’s southern regions are closer to Chengdu.
Kham Tibet Travel Guide
Kham Tibet is spread across three provinces and part of the TAR. The cultural areas can be found in the TAR’s eastern extremity, southern Qinghai, the western half of Sichuan, and northern Yunnan. This area is best known for its forests, steep mountains, and distinctive style of dress. Check all Kham tours to find the most suitable trip for you.
Must See: Dege’s Printing House, Litang’s Old Town, Yulum Lhatso, Minyak Towers
Getting to Kham Tibet
Kham is most easily accessible via the capital of Sichuan Province (Chengdu) or the capital of Qinghai Province (Xining). Though Kham is home to a variety of domestic airports, overland travel by bus or car is recommended for acclimatization’s sake. This area is not yet accessible via train. Check our amazing Highlight of Kham Tibet if you recently prepare a trip.
Overall Tibet Travel Guide
Depending on the location you choose, you will have different options to choose from in terms of public bus, train, private car, or plane. Some regions, like those located in relatively flat Qinghai are more easily accessible, while others, like those in western Sichuan require long road trips. Each region has a departure city situated at lower altitude where you will likely fly in and out of. (check tibet travel FAQs to understand more information before you go.)
As the average altitude of the Tibetan plateau is over 4500 meters (14763 feet), altitude sickness is not uncommon. Overland travel is recommended for all regions as it allows time for acclimatization. For more about altitude sickness, read our section below entitled “Altitude Sickness”. You may also read women’s health and-safety while travelling in Tibet. We have a nice article on things you should know before you go to Tibet to help you get more out of your trip in Tibet.
When Should I go?
Summer
Generally, the best time for traveling to the Tibetan Plateau is not, contrary to popular opinion, summer. While summer is certainly beautiful, the same monsoon rains that sweep across the Indian subcontinent during the summer (the root of which is the Himalayan mountain range), pour over much of the plateau in the months of June and July. The upside of all the rain is that the flowers of the grasslands are in full bloom. Temperatures are, of course, much warmer during the summer.
Fall
The late summer or early fall is the time for trekking (particularly late July to late September) if you wish to increase your chances of staying dry. The flowers will be receding at this time, but the rains will have largely stopped.
Winter
Winter is a long affair on the plateau. Lasting from mid-October to early May, it is the coldest time of the year, and even swallowing up that special time we call Spring. While winter is, in many places, bitterly cold, the skies are hauntingly blue and the rivers run turquoise with glacial melt. The sun is typically strong during the day, and as winter is the dry season, one won’t find very many snowy places until middle or late winter or even early spring.
Altitude Sickness
The average altitude of the Tibetan Plateau is over 4,500 meters, so chances are that no matter how good of health you are in, you may experience altitude sickness. Usual symptoms include headaches, dizziness, trouble sleeping, fatigue, and shortness of breathe, and dehydration. In rare and extreme cases altitude sickness can result in edema. Serious altitude sickness is almost always the result of ascending too quickly. A slow ascent and taking rest days to allow for acclimatization are simple steps guiding to make your trip safe and enjoyable.
As you ascend in altitude, the air gets thinner and your body begins to overproduce red blood cells to compensate for the decrease in oxygen. Within 72 hours your body will adjust and you can continue to ascend. Hope you are enjoying with this Tibet travel guide for preparing your next outdoor tour with us.
Most people will not experience problems with altitude sickness under 2500 meters (8000 feet), but everyone’s body is different. In some cases an increase of even 100 meters can make a big difference. Pay attention to how you are feeling and be ready to take it slow. Hope our Tibet travel guide article is helpful of you to plan a trip to Himalayas of Tibet. Our office direction if you are in Nepal. We would much appreciate to involve in forum to discuss and share your recent Tibet experience.
