Explore Tibet: Feel the World’s Third Pole
Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, is an international tourist city brimming with ethnic charm and the political, economic, cultural, and educational center of Tibet, as well as a world-renowned holy land of Tibetan Buddhism.
As one of the first 24 historical and cultural cities designated by the State Council, Lhasa is famous for its stunning scenery, long history, splendid culture, unique customs, numerous sites, and deep religious atmosphere. With world-class attractions like the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Namtso Lake, Lhasa has earned titles such as China's Excellent Tourist City, European Tourists' Favorite Tourist City, National Civilized City, China's Safest City, China's Most Charming Featured City of the Year, Top Ten Leisure Cities, and the Summer Resort Capital. Since 2012, Lhasa has been named "China's Happy City" by CCTV for several consecutive years.
In recent years, happy Lhasa has drawn more and more tourists from around the globe to the plateau to experience its unique charm.
Daily necessities: Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen, moisturizer, long-sleeved tops, etc. Adjust clothing thickness by season. It’s best not to wear short sleeves and shorts outdoors. In spring, autumn, and winter, bring a down jacket and thermal underwear. For Everest, Ngari, and northern Tibet, down jackets are essential year-round. Footwear: preferably sneakers or hiking boots. For backpacking, a windbreaker, waterproof jacket and pants, quick-dry underwear, and hiking boots are indispensable.
Medications: Most common medicines are readily available in Tibet. Bring travel medicines like Rhodiola rosea, paracetamol for colds, dimenhydrinate for motion sickness, etc.
Documents: As Tibet is a border area, your ID card or passport is the most valid identification. If self-driving, remember to bring a valid driver's license and vehicle registration. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan compatriots need to apply for an entry permit.
Physical requirements: No special physical demands apart from a good attitude, but those with severe hypertension, heart disease, bronchitis, diabetes, or colds should avoid travel to Tibet. Also, no need to intentionally exercise before arriving.
Public security: Tibet has excellent public security. Many police stations on street corners provide convenience and reassurance for tourists. Sometimes due to differences in ethnic beliefs and habits, misunderstandings may arise. Please resolve them through friendly negotiation. If unsuccessful, contact your tour leader or police promptly.
Valuables: Safeguard your belongings and valuables during travel. In major Tibetan cities, ATMs with UnionPay signs are widespread, allowing cash withdrawals anytime. Alipay, WeChat Pay, and many other convenient payment methods are also prevalent.
Emergency handling: If self-driving, check your vehicle’s condition, brakes, and fuel line before setting off each day. Because many roads in Tibet are narrow, winding through mountains and gorges with complex conditions, please obey traffic rules and drive courteously. When taking flights, trains, etc., keep valid tickets and remember distinctive marks on your luggage for easier recovery if lost. If something is lost, contact nearby police immediately.
I. Etiquette Taboos
1. Hada: The most common ritual item among Tibetans. Presenting a hada expresses purity, sincerity, respect, and good wishes.
2. Drinking tea: Guests accept the cup with both hands, only drinking after the host's invitation, and without making noise. Ideally drink more than two bowls; it is considered very unlucky to drink just one. Leave a little tea in the bowl at the end to symbolize endless supply and abundance.
3. Photography: Respect local customs and never force taking photos.
4. Sky burial is a funeral practice of Tibetan people, protected by national law. Watching, photographing, filming, or recording sky burial ceremonies is prohibited.
II. Folk Customs Taboos
1. When visiting temples, avoid revealing clothes; remove your hat and sunglasses before entering the hall and keep quiet.
2. Within the monastery, walk clockwise or follow the path of Tibetan devotees. Do not run or go counterclockwise.
3. Never turn prayer wheels backwards.
4. Do not lie down or sit casually in temples, especially on the rows of monk seats in the main hall. If invited, lift the red cloth covering on the seat.
5. Do not tap or touch Buddha statues and ritual implements.
6. Do not climb onto the Dharma throne.
7. The monastery has a long history, and many items are cultural relics. Please care for them.
8. Do not climb onto stupas or step on prayer flags for photos, as these are disrespectful.
9. When sitting in a Tibetan home, avoid slouching or stretching legs straight with soles up, and do not put feet on the tea table or other furniture. Whistling indoors or at night is taboo.
Upon first reaching high altitudes, avoid walking fast, running, or physical labor. Do not overeat or overdrink to avoid overtaxing digestion. Avoid alcohol and smoking. Eat more vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, drink water in moderation, keep warm, and avoid frequent baths to prevent chills and energy depletion. Because the plateau climate is cold and temperature difference between day and night is large, add or remove clothes accordingly. If altitude sickness occurs, take anti-altitude sickness medicine and oxygen promptly. If severe chest tightness, violent coughing, breathing difficulty, or fainting occur, go to the nearest hospital immediately or transfer to a lower altitude for recovery.
1. Keep an optimistic mindset; don't overly stress about altitude sickness.
2. Adjust your physical condition before entering Tibet. Rest well in the days before arrival.
3. Maintain a balanced routine after arrival; avoid binge eating and drinking.
4. Don't rely on oxygen.
5. Prevent colds; bring common medications.
6. Adjust diet, eat local foods, and drink water moderately.
7. Follow the three "don'ts": don't ascend too fast, don't climb too high, don't over-exercise.
8. If discomfort occurs, seek medical attention promptly.
1. Sichuan-Tibet Highway: The most beautiful road.
First, don't be afraid of altitude sickness on the Sichuan-Tibet route. Starting from Chengdu in the Sichuan Basin, the altitude rises gradually westwards. Although there are many mountains over 4000 meters, you only pass through them briefly. Moreover, most of the route is rich in vegetation and dense forests, so you needn't worry too much about hypoxia-induced altitude sickness.
Second, you won't go hungry or thirsty on the Sichuan-Tibet route. It has the most towns and stops along the way compared to other routes. Besides various home-style dishes, there are many mountain delicacies to enjoy. However, because the road is often blocked, buy some compressed biscuits in Chengdu before departure for emergencies.
Third, pay attention to rainproof equipment. Your cameras, gear, clothes, tents, sleeping bags, etc., must be highly waterproof, or you may suffer significant losses.
Fourth, self-driving is best for the Sichuan-Tibet route, as long-distance buses don't fully cover the road yet. There are sectional buses in many places, but almost none after Bangda.
Fifth, there are many landslides and mudslide-prone sections, usually at spots like Bangda to Baxoi and Bomi to Bayi Town. Road closures and being stuck for days are common, so pass these dangerous sections when the weather is good. Allow ample time for the journey, about 7 days, and travel between May–June or September–October. During the rainy season in July–August, it's very difficult.
2. Yunnan-Tibet Highway: A journey full of charm.
The Yunnan-Tibet route starts from Dali in Yunnan in the south to Markam in Tibet in the north, the most colorful route.
First, you'll pass through the most ethnic minority areas. From Dali, you enter a colorful world of minorities. In Dali, there are Tibetan, Miao, Naxi, and other ethnic groups, plus the famous "Foreigner Street." Continuing north from Lijiang, you enter the Tibetan area of Yunnan. But this area is economically developed; Zhongdian and Deqen have become tourist cities, crowded during holidays, with vendors selling cheap souvenirs at every scenic spot.
Second, the road is not always passable. The section south of Deqen is very good, but after Deqen into the Lancang River valley, the road is like the Sichuan-Tibet route, with frequent landslides and mudslides. Because this road is not strategically or economically important, there isn't a strong maintenance force, so road closures are frequent, and being stuck for half a month is common. Some sections feel even more dangerous than the Sichuan-Tibet route. Unless well-prepared, it's best to avoid this road.
3. Qinghai-Tibet Highway: The most proper route into Tibet.
The Qinghai-Tibet highway is an asphalt road, open year-round, and the busiest of the four routes. Many say entering Tibet is hard, but on this road, you could drive a Xiali to Lhasa.
First, there will be altitude sickness. Over 100 km from Golmud, you reach Kunlun Pass at over 4000 meters, where many experience some sickness. But drinking more water and resting well eases it.
Second, the road is good with many vehicles, but due to high speed and driver fatigue, traffic accidents are the most frequent, so drive carefully.
Third, there is abundant wildlife along the way, like Tibetan antelope and wild ass, but taking good photos is hard because they are far away and common camera lenses are too short.
Fourth, eating and refueling are convenient. There are many food and accommodation points; most restaurants are noodle shops run by Hui people.
Fifth, don't listen to tall tales about Kunlun Pass or Tanggula Pass being high and dangerous. Unless there's a monument, you wouldn't even know you've reached the pass. The Qinghai-Tibet route is on a high plateau, with gentle slopes, not the high mountains and deep valleys of the Sichuan-Tibet route, but its average elevation is above 4000 meters—the so-called road to heaven.
4. Xinjiang-Tibet Highway: The national road laid across the sky.
Compared to the other three routes, the Xinjiang-Tibet route is the toughest.
First, many sections are unpaved, over barren ground, with an even higher average elevation than the Qinghai-Tibet route, terrible road conditions, fewer eateries and accommodations, and harsher conditions. But the sacred mountain and lake in Ngari attract countless people to this arduous road.
Second, it's best to have a guide. Because many forks are in uninhabited areas, taking a wrong turn wastes precious time and, crucially, fuel.
Third, the most challenging stretch is from Shiquanhe to Yecheng. Over 1060 km crosses hundreds of kilometers of no-man's-land, climbing seven major passes. The majestic Karakoram mountains make one feel tiny.
Fourth, Yecheng is a genuine small southern Xinjiang county town with wide streets, lively bazaars, and beautiful Uyghur girls—like another world. The Xinjiang-Tibet road is the most challenging route, lacking the beautiful scenery, romantic charm, and smooth roads of the others, but it offers views of sacred mountains and lakes, the mystery of the Guge Kingdom, and the grandeur of the Karakoram. A trip on this road gives you memories for a lifetime.
After arriving in Lhasa, the first thing is to find a hotel. Today I recommend a chain hotel I often stay at: Jinjiang Inn. There are two in Tibet. I recommend the one that opened in 2008; I called a couple of days ago and they are renovating. Hope the new style will be a big change. The hotel is on a bustling downtown street at No. 15 Deji South Road, with free parking. It's about a 10-minute walk to Potala Palace, and you can take buses 7 or 8 to Jokhang Temple, very convenient. Rooms are clean and tidy, and from the fourth-floor observation deck, you can see Potala Palace, Yaowang Mountain, and Qianfo Mountain. Nothing else special, but every time the staff are very warm. Their front desk staff wear Tibetan clothing and smile. Whenever I come to Lhasa, I definitely stay here. Here, I feel the warmth of home; we can chat together, and honestly, it feels like everyone is a friend.
Day 1 morning: Potala Palace (book online in advance; if you book but don't show up, you'll be blacklisted for a week, so don't miss it. Off-season Nov–Mar ticket 100 yuan, peak season Apr–Oct 200 yuan). Afternoon: Jokhang Temple (last entry 4:30 pm, so go early. Find a guide at the gate for 100–200 yuan, or you won't understand what you're seeing). Evening: enjoy local yak hotpot; if you want to try Tibetan cuisine, Jokhang Temple has good options. Day 2: go to Yamdrok Yumtso. Recommend joining a tour, full-day or half-day, relatively relaxed. You can take photos with yaks and Tibetan mastiffs. (Stargazing): Depart around 10 am, not far, but there are speed checkpoints throughout, arriving around 3–4 pm. Bring a down jacket as it's cold at night. Watch stars at night, sunrise in the morning. Truly, you can pluck the stars. Actually, I suggest joining a group tour for ease; self-driving involves many worries. Compare prices for group tours to choose the best deal, don't blindly book.
Travelogue Directory: 1. Pre-trip preparations for Tibet travel 2. Tibetan travel folk customs and taboos 3. Understanding altitude sickness 4. Preventing altitude sickness 5. Introduction to entry routes to Tibet 6. Jinjiang Inn Lhasa Potala Palace Branch 7. Two-day Lhasa tour 8. Namtso 2-day tour. Travel information. Hotel index. Guide index. Flight index. Website navigation. Travel index. Cruise index. Business travel index. Franchise cooperation. Distribution alliance. Friendly links. Corporate gift card purchase. Insurance agent. Agency cooperation. Hotel franchise. Destination and scenic spot cooperation. More franchise cooperation. About Ctrip. Ctrip hot spots. Contact us. Recruitment. User agreement. Privacy policy. Business license. Security center. Ctrip content center. Intellectual property. Trip.com Group algorithm disclosure.
