tibet FAQs

Where is your company located?
Our company is located in Chengdu, the political. ecnomical and cultural center of Sichuan province in southwest China; Chengdu is the main entry airport to Tibet and also the HOME to Big panda bears and the HOME to Giant Big Buddha Statue.
Why is the price quoted on a similar travel route higher than the one quoted to me by other travel agent?
All the trans China tours are co-oprated by several agents throughout China; as the tour operator, we have to keep the profits to enable each partner having their share and make the tour going well; if the profit is too little, the ttour service and the tour quality cannot be guaranteed as what we have promised on the advertised itinerary
What does "tibet-8848.com" means?
"www.tibet-8848.com" is the internet brand of our company; 8848 is the height of Mt. Everest; the reason that we put "tibet" together with "8848“ means the focus of tour service is on Tibet highland
How many days, can you tell,do I need to make a trans China tour?
Please hit this link to view the trans China tour itineraries, there you can see how many days you need to do a trans China tour
Do I have to apply Chinese visa before I travel to China?
Yes, you should apply your China visa before you fly to China; but if your nation has contracted with China to be mutually free from visa, therefor, you do not have to apply your China visa.
Does the China visa enable me to travel through China?
It will be enugh if you do not plan any tour to Tibet; but when your trans China tour includes any part of Tibet, you are required to obtain "Tibet Travel permit" as the supplement; we apply the latter part on behalf of you
Do I have to enter China first through Beijing? based on the tours on your web, can I change my entry airport to get into China?
No, you can change your entry arport to get into China; our tours advertised on the internet is based on the entry from Beijing; if you decide to enter China from other city, such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, ......., you can tell our side, we can adjust your tour and make the first day to match your tour plan and your entry airport.
What months are the tour peak season and what months are the low tour season?
Generally speaking, the peak tour seaon are from late April till early November; during China May Day holidays (April 27th through to May 7th) and China Natinal Holidays (Sept. 27th till Oct. 7th) will be the roof of the tour peak seasn; the other months beyond this time period are Low tour season
What are the differences of service on tour peak season and low tour season?
During the peak tour months, the hotel rooms, transportation and even the restaurants in scenic area will be short of needs, almost every scenic visit will be crowded with tourists, except for the visit to the scenic spot, the number of tourists in each site will be a new view and visit; for example, in these tour season, especiallu during the holidays celebrations (mentioned bove), tourists have to wait for their turn for meals inside scenic area; and more, it won't be unusual that the roads leading to or out of the tourist scenic spots will become jammed
Where is Tibet (Xizang)?
Tibet is in the wouthwest corner of China, sharing common land borders with Burmmha, Indian, Butthan, Nepal, Pakistan on its south and west border area; in the north is Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous regon, in its northeast is Qinghai province, in its east is Sichuan province, in its southeast corner, sharing a small portion of land border with Yunnan province
What is the size of land of Tibet (Xizang)?
The land of Tibet (Xizag) is 1.22 million square kilomers, making up 12.8% of China total land area; the average elevation of Tibet (Xizang) is 4000 meters; Tibet plateau slopes towards its southeast coner from its northweast part; The average altitude at northwest is above 5000 meters, but at its lowest place, its elevation is about 200 meters; Himalayas mountain range runs from west to east at Tibet's south border area. Lhasa is the political, economical and cutltural center of Tibet, located in the center of Tibet plaeau, by the Lhasa tiver, its elevation is 3658 meters
What is the total population in Tibet?
The total population of Tibet AR. (Xizang) is over 2.62 millions (statics in year 2003); Tibetans (Zangzhu) makes up to 90% of the total; the majority of people in Tibet are centered and gathering in river valleys and pataches of plains on the both side of Yarluzang river, the biggest and longest river inside Tibet (its lower reach is called Bram Puttra river).
Is it possible and available for tourists to make Tibet trip all year round? even in winter time inside Tibet plateau!
The answer is absolutely sure; in winter time, even in the coldest month in Tibet (January every year), the temperature of Lhasa, Shigatse, Tsetang and Gyangtse town is higher than that in those cities located on the same longiitute, for eaxample, Chengdu, Wuhan, Nanjing and Shanghai inside China and
In what period, the tour price will be very high while making tours inside Tibet?
The tour peak season mataches with the time period in inland China.(click here to view); beond the May Day holidays and China National Holidays, in Tibet (Xizang), Evey August or early Septermber will be aother peak tour season. between August 10th and 16th is the Nakchu horse racing festival, the grandest celebrations to Tibetan nomands un history, happening in Nakchu city (400 kilometers to the north of Lhasa city); Tibet Shoton festival will falls on Mid Augut in some years, but sometimes, it falls on September, like 2005, the Shoton festival is on Sept. 13th
Does my China visa enable me to travel to Tibet without any limits?
No, if you plan a China tour related to Tibet (Xizang), you are required to obtain a special ermit in advanc before your time to Tibet, the paper is called "Tibet Travel permit", this permit must be processed before your arrival into Tibet; only with this paper CAN you buy your air tickets or bus tickets to GET INTO Tibet; but this paper is not enough if you want to travel to other places such as a tour to Gyangtse, Shigatse, Mt. Everest, Gar, Lintse, Chamdo, Tsetang and Bangdha area. If you want to travel to these limited places, another paper "Alien's Travel Permit" will be processed while you are in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet A.R.
Where can I apply and get the "Travel Permit’ to Tibet?
You can apply the "Tibet Travel Permit" through the travel agencies at Chengdu, Xi'an, Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Kunming,, Zhongdian and Guangzhou. Our office is located in Chengdu, the HOME to Big panda bears and Giant Buddha Statue.
Do all tourists have to apply the "Tibet Travel Permit"?
Only tourists from China mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and those holdind China passports and China ID are FREE from this permit; tourists from Taiwan island is still required to obtain a special paper, but different from "Tibet Travel Permit". the paper to tourists from Taiwan island must be processed by "Tibet A.R. Taiwan Affairs Office of China".
How many days wil the permit be valid in Tibet?
This depends on what type of tours your take:
1): if you travel in an organized group (either small or big), the permit will be valid from the day of your entry to Tibet till the day of your departure from Tibet; during your tour in Tibet, you will be escorted by a local guide.
2): If you take our individual and inependent type of tour to Tibet, the permit will be only valid for 15 days in maximum; during the 15 days,, you MUST stay in Lhasa city and are not allowed to travel to other cities such as Gyangtse, Shigatse, Mt. Everest, Gar, Lintse, Tsetang and Chamdo; if you wish to make a tour to those limited places, you must report to us days before your going.
3): While we are applying your paper, the valid duration of your stay is cleared marked on that paper and recorded in Tibet Tourism Bureu (T.T.B.)
Does the "Tibet Travel Permit" enable me to travel through Tibet without limits?
As said aboe, the "Tibet Travel Permit" is only the legal paper for a travel agency to buy your air tickets or bus tickets to GET INTO Tibet, if you want to travel other cities such as Gyangtse, Shigatse, Mt. Everest, Gar, Lintse, Chamdo and Tsetang, you are required to obtain another paper issued by Tibet A.R. Border Defence Armed Forces of China, tha tpaper is called "Alien's Travel Permit to Tibet Border Area". "Tibet Travel Permit" must be handled before you get to Tibet; " Alien's Travel Permit" must be handled when you are inside Lhasa.
What does "Alien's Travel Permit‘ means?
"Alien's Travel Permit" is issued to those tourists and tour group which have plan or destination in Tibet Border area. Tibet Border area includes such places as Gyangtse, Shigatse, Mt. Everest, Gar, Lintse, Chamdo and Lintse; for this type of tour or extende tour, the trip is required to be escorted by local guide;
People from China other provinces, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan island or those holding China passports or China ID are still NOT FREE from this regulation
What type of people are not qualified to travel to Tibet plateau?
1): People who has diplomatic status, journalists are not allowed to travel to Tibet through travel agencies, their tour to Tibet must be handled by China Fofeign Department and Tibet A.R. Foreign Affairs Bureau.
2): People are suggested not to go to Tibet for a tour who has such sickness and diseases as high blood pressure, heart disease, worse lung's problem, blood vessel trouble, miocardial infarction......
3): If you decide to take a tour to Tibet, please consult your doctor or go to hospital to have a check.
What medicines can you suggest to bring for a tour to Tibet?
1): You should keep yourself away from catching cold before your tour to Tibet
2): Bring some medecines for the cold, the fever in case, and Aspirin, vitamins......
How many days do I need to make Tibet tour?
1): If you travel only in Lhasa city, 4 days will be enough (including the day of your flight to Tibet and the day of your departure from Tibet; in items below, it is the same)
2): If you want to travel Lhasa city and places around Lhasa city, such as tour to Namtso, Ganden monastery and Chupu monastery, you need 5 days
3): If you travel Tsetang and Lhasa city, 5 days will be OK
3): If you travel Lhasa, Gyangtse, Shigatse, you need 6 days at least
4): If you travel Tsetang, Lhasa, Gyangtse and Shigatse, you need 7 days at least
5): If you want to include Mt. Everest after touring in Lhasa and Shigatse, you need at least 8 days; but we suggest you 9 days
6): If you want to see all major scenic spots in Tibet, 10 days is the minimum; but we suggest you 12 days
Can I travel individually without the escort of local guide inside Tibet?
No, you are not allowed to do so by regulations and rules; if you try to do so, you will be expelled out of China and face penalty; at the same time, the travel agent will be involved into the trouble.
What are the famous scenic visits in Tibet which are the main targets of foreign tourists?
I listed these scenic visits by its location of geography, with Lhasa at the center of all tours.
1): At Lhasa city, Potala palace, Jokhang temple, Sera monastery, Drepun monastery, Norbulinkha palace, Ramoche, Muru temple, Local bazaar--Parkhor street, Lhasa nunnery, Lhasa Potala carpet facotry, Lhasa Tibet museum.
2): Visit close to Lhasa city are Chupu monastery, Ganden monastery, Reting monastery
3): Visits at Gyangtse twon (260KM to the west of Lhasa) are Karola glacier, Perkhor chode monastery
4): At Shigatse (280KM to the west of Lhasa), you can visit Xialu monastery, Tashilunpo monastery, Nathang monastery
5): Further west of Shigatse, you can see Sakya monastery, Mt. Everest, Mt. Chowoyoyag, Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, Tsadha Earth forests
How can I get to Tibet?
There are several ways for you to Get to Lhasa
1): by land, you can travel to Lhasa from Xining, capital of inghai province, Golmud, Jyekundo, Chengdu, Kunming and Kathmandu
2): By air, you can fly to Lhasa from such cities as Beijing, Xining, Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming and Kathmandu of Nepal
If I want to travel overland to Tibet or Mt. Everest, what suggestion can youo recommend?
1): if you travel from Kathmandu of Nepal, you can enter Tibet through Kodari/Zhangmu, the Nepal/China border town; if you travel to Tibet from Nepal side, your China visa won't help you to enter China, you need a special permit and you are required to be in Kathmandu 3 days before your departure to Tibet
2): If you travel to Mt. Everest, from Lhasa direction, you can fly to Tibet from Chengdu, Beijing, Xi'an or Chongqing
3): If you travel to Mt. Everest from Kathmandu of Nepal side, the length of tour (inside Tibet) is 8 days in minimum; after the tour ends inside Tibet, you will have to return to Kathmandu
4): If you travel to Mt.everest from Lhasa, 8 days is required at least, but we suggest you do a 9 days tour
How many airports in Tibet?
1): There are two civil airports inside Tibet, the number 1 is Lhasa Gonggha aiarport, which is about 100 kilometers to the southeast of Lhasa city, about 2 hours drive; the other is Chamdo airport, which is about 1200 kilometers to the east of Lhasa city, but it is not a major tourists airport
2): There are many flights in one day to Lhasa airport (from Beijing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Kunming, Xining, Chongqing and Kathmandu); but there is only 3-4 flights a week to Chamdo from Chengdu; to Chamdo, there is no more flight route except this one.
Can you show me the locations of scenic spots which are relative to each other?
Please click this link to view the map on which the scenic visit are marked, you can tell easily their geographic location
Can I travel to base camp of Mt. Everest in one day?
No, you cannot; because the mileage between Lhsa and Shigatse via Gyangtse town is 710 kilometers (equal to 440 miles), in winter time, it is icy on muntain passes, sometimes, some passes will be blocked by heavy snowfall; in summer time, part parts of the road is muddy for traffic; this means anything may happen on the road; and for the reason of safety, the average speed for a land cruiser is no more than 45 kilometers (equal to 28 miles); therefor, any tour to Mt. Everest from Lhasa requires at least 2 FULL days:
Day01: Lhasa to Shigatse;
Day02: Shigatse to Mt. Everest
Can a tourist travel inside Tibet by locall public transportation?
No, you cannot. your tour must be escorted by local guide; travel to other places beyond Lhasa city reequires "Alien's Travel Permit"
But you can travel in Lhasa city area without any limits and the escort of local guide
Do you have a map showing me where the scenic visits are located and their relative place with Lhasa in the core
Yes, please hit this link to view the map, I wish this map can help you on decide what parts you want to tour while you are in Tibet.
Please tell me how many days I need inside if I don't feel interested in making a tour to Mt. Everest?
Please click this link to view a suggestion, if you don't feel enough, please send us a mail.
Can I travel to Tibet from Kathmandu? is it possible for me to take local transportation?
Yes, you can travel to Tibet from Kathmandu of Nepal, either by air or by land; you cannot travel by local public transportation; most important, there is no regular public transportation on Tibet/Nepal highway
Is there any limitation on tourists who travel to Tibet from Kathmandu?
Yes, there are
1): if you decide to go to Tibet from Kathmandu of Nepal, you do not have to apply your China visa in your country, even you did, your China visa cannot help; this means that you can travel to Tibet even without China visa .
2): If so, he or she is required to be in Kathmandu 3 work days before departure, because we need their passports (Not copies of passports) to apply and get their permit to Tibet
3): After their tour end, generally, you will have to return to Kathmandu; the applied permit will be valid for only 15 days.
4): If you extend your tour to China inland, such as to Chengdu, Xi'an, Beijing, you must leave China in 15 days; the 15 days covers your time inside Tibet
If I travell to Tibet from Kathmandu (either by air or by road), can I extend my tour to inland China, such as visiting Warriors in Xi'an, Panda bears in Chengdu and Great Wall in Beijing?
Yes, you can extend your tour to inland China, but please remember your time in China is no more than 15 days. the length of tour inside Tibet from Kathmandu is 8 days, so you have only another 7 days to do your China inland tour to Chengdu, Xi;an and Beijing. by our expierence, 15 days to do such a trans China tour is OK.
Can you list all the international or China domestic cities from where I can take plane to Lhasa (the capital of Tibet)?
1): Flights to Lhasa from these China domestic airport: Beijing to Lhasa, Chengdu to Lhasa, Xi'an to Lhasa, Chongqing to Lhasa, Kunming to Lhasa, Zhongdian to Lhasa and Chengdu to Chamdo to Lhasa
There is no daily flight flying to Lhasa except from Beijing and Chengdu
2): Flights to Lhasa from major international cities are: Kathmandu to Lhasa; there is no more international flight route to Lhasa of Tibet.

Please show me the flight timetable of flights to or off Tibet?
Please click here to view the Flight time table (flights of departure from Lhasa and the flights of arrival in Lhasa)
How can I buy a tour from you?
After our discussion over tours arrangement and your conclusion on our side, you can pay 35% of the total tour price as deposit to guarantee the tour; to pay the deposit, you can choose to do by wiring money to our bank account through Bank Service or doing the wiring through Westernunion service
Whay type of payment do you accept to buy the tour?
In present time, we accept payment of deposit by
1): Wiring through bank account
2): Wiring through Western Union service
3): The balance is to be cleared when you are in China eith by cash or traveller cheques; when in China, you can use your credit cards to withdraw money from ATM machines in Bank of China. ATM machines are available at airports and in branch offices of Bank of Chian.
What are your policies supposed that I cancel my purchased trip for some reasons beyond expectation?
If you cancel your purchased tour, below are the policies:
1): You can postpone your trip to a later date and the deposit will be kept in the bank account.
2): If you cancel the trip 30 days before the tour starts, the deposit will be refunded
3): If you cancel the trip 20 to 30 days before the tour and the traffic tickets are not purchased, 5% of total deposit will be charged, the rest will be refunded
3): If you cancel the trip 15 to 20 days before the tour and the traffic tickets are not purchased, 15% of toal deposit will be charged, the rest will be refunded
4): If you cancel the trip between 6 and 15 days before the tour and the traffic tickets are not purchased, 20% of toal deposit will be charged
5): If you cancel the trip between 3 days and 6 days before the tour, 50% of total deposit will be charged, the rest will be refunded
6): If you cancel the trip in 72 hours before the tour, there is no refunding
7): If the traffic tickets are purchased, the service charge by railway station, bus station and airlines will be subject to their regulations and polices
8): The charge by Air China on Lhasa flight is 50% of the airfare to cancel the purchased air tickets
9): The date when tickets are purchased is marked and typed on the tickkets
How can you assume me your service if I buy your tour?
The tour will be carried out by the agreed travel arrangement, covering such parts as what type of vehicle to be used, how the conditions are to the vehicle, where to eat, where to accommodate, what level the commodation is at, how the guide service is and weather the visits are covered. In the final travel itinerary, all these service will be detailedly stated and specified.
How can I judge that you are not frauding or cheating me for money?
I think you can come to an inclusion on what type of people we are through our continuous emailing communication; or you can ask us to give you some testimonial.
We have many tourists, individual or small group, I can send you the contacting means after getting their permission, so you can get more information on our tour quality and service
Do you have a tour co-operator in other countries, like U.S.A, Canada, France, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Braizil, Austrilia, South Africa, ......?
We do not have tour co-operators in other countries outside China.
Because we are doing small sized tours through Chiina or on Tibet-Qinghai plateau in west China
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FAQs on Trans China Tours and Travel Tibet & Kham

Payment and Refundment

Tibet Permits

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