• What is the best season to visit Tibet?
Summers are pleasantly warm, but August is the rainy season. Lhasa becomes alive with nomads and pilgrims during the winter season, especially during the Tibetan New Year Festival.
• Do we need special visas to enter Tibet?
No. A valid tourist visa for the People's Republic of China is enough. However, an additional TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region) tourist permit-Permit Visa and an official guide accompanying with all sightseeing tour in Tibet is required. Tourist Permits to enter the Tibetan Autonomous Region can be issued through local travel agents such as CITS, Leas Branch or its Head Office in Beijing in combination with tour bookings and takes normally no longer than a week to issue.
• How much snow can we expect in Lhasa?
In Lhasa we have rarely snow. Please find attached chart of annual temperatures and rainfall.
• Is it too cold in wintertime to visit Lhasa?
Contrary to popular belief, wintertime is the perfect season to visit Lhasa as the summer rains have passed and we have averagely 10 hours of sunshine everyday!
• What clothes to wear?
Because of the fluctuations in temperature between daytime and evenings it is recommendable to wear clothes in layers.( E.g. sweaters, pullovers).
• Do we get altitude sickness when we are in Lhasa?
Lhasa is located on an altitude of 3600m above sea level. Most visitors experience some minor symptoms to get used to the thin air. Usually this will be over after a couple of days. Please refer to your own doctor for personal consultation.
• Is there heating and oxygen facility in the hotel rooms?
Many hotels in Lhasa equipped with central heating and oxygen.
• How many temples/monasteries can we visit in the vicinity of in Lhasa?
Lhasa has numerous temples and monasteries. The major temples/monasteries are: Jokhang Temple, Ramoche Temple, Ani Sangkhung Nunnery, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Palalupuk Temple.
• When is the Potala open?
The Potala is open for the local public on Mondays and Thursdays. Usually, the Potala opens for tour groups also on other days of the week (except for Sundays).
• What are the festival days in Tibet?
Festival dates can be found on the Chinese Festivals program on our web.
• How long does it take by car to Gyantse, Shigatse?
Gyantse is 270km and Shigatse is 360km from Lhasa. It is possible to drive to Gyantse in one day (6 hours), stay overnight and leave for Shigatse the next morning (2 hrs).
• Is it possible to visit the Mt. Everest base camp?
Yes, local travel agencies organize trekking to the base camp. It is even possible to reach the camp by car (app.2 days from Lhasa).
• Do we need a special permit to visit Mt. Kailash?
Yes. This can be applied for in Lhasa and usually takes no more than two days to issue. Note: This permit can only be issued with a valid TAR-permit and P. R. China visa.
• How big is the population of Lhasa?
Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Has a population of 175,000 people. It is the biggest city in Tibet.
• Can we fly direct from abroad to Lhasa?
Yes. During the high season (April-October) there are direct flights to Lhasa from Kathmandu(Nepal) two times a week. The other options are through Chengdu (P.R.C.).
• How many kilometers is it from the hotel to the airport?
From Ginger International Airport to Lhasa is 95kms.
• Do many people speak English in Tibet?
Not many people speak English in Lhasa. The formal languages are Chinese and Tibetan. Therefore, an English/Chinese/Tibetan speaking guide is recommendable for sightseeing trips.
• Time
As China has only one time zone (Beijing time), early starts of tours in Tibet often occur in the early morning darkness. This is done to allow arrival into a particular city in time to catch all the sights. This time difference allows for extended sunlight into evening, making evening walks, sightseeing and photography possible later in the day than usual.
• Climate
Lhasa enjoys low humidity, moderate rainfall and an average of 10 hours of sunshine daily. Contrary to popular belief, winter is magnificent time to visit Tibet. Summer rains have ceased, skies are crystal clear and the days are sunny and bright. Night temperatures seldom drop below-5C 。 in Lhasa and it rarely snows in the Lhasa valley.
• Winter
Very Dry 0-10c Daytime 0-15minus C Night time
• Spring Autumn
Dry 10-20C 0-5 C
• Summer
Some rainfall 15- 25C 10C. With more than 3000 hours of sunshine annually, Lhasa is famed as the city of sunshine. Sunlight is extremely intense. Sunscreen lotion, a salve for the lips and sunglasses are a must. Clothing should be simple and consist of layers which can be added or removed as temperature varies during the day. In winter, a warm windbreaker and stout, comfortable shoes are especially recommended.
• Health
No special inoculations are required to visit Lhasa but because of the high altitude travelers may suffer from discomfort. Acclimatization is the adjustment of the human body to diminished supply of oxygen at such altitudes. One marrow produces quantities of extra, new red blood cells to take oxygen from the air in amounts needed for good health, a process which may take several days. Mountain sickness (also called altitude sickness) is caused by an insufficient flow of oxygen to the brain and other vital organs. Each person has a different tolerance for altitude which has nothing to do with age, sex or state of fitness. One person will get a headache at 3,400m, another not until 5,500m.
The symptoms of mountain sickness include headache, nausea and shortness of breath, singly or together. About half the people coming to Lhasa suffer from at least on symptom in the first 24 hours and quickly recover. Over-exertion seems to contribute to mountain sickness and dehydration maybe a predisposing factor. Sensible precautions should include:
Stick to a schedule of mild activity and rest for the first day. Drink plenty of tea and water. Do not smoke. If you are a chronic smoker, keep it to a minimum. Avoid sedatives such as sleeping pills or tranquilizers. They tend to depress respiration and limit oxygen intake.Take Diamox (acetazolamide), a mild diuretic which stimulates the oxygen intake. One 250mg tablet taken on the plane from Chengdu or Kathmandu and another at bedtime the first night in Lhasa may help to forestall discomfort for people known to be susceptible to mountain sickness. The side-effects of taking Diamox are
(1) mild tingling in fingers and toes,
(2) Increased urination- be sure to drink plenty of water.