Asia
Tibet
Lhasa (Potala, Jokhang, Barkhor), the 4,000m+ plateau, Everest North Base Camp (Rongbuk), Mt Kailash kora, Friendship Highway to Nepal, Yamdrok and Namtso lakes. Permits You need TWO things to enter TAR: Chinese visa AND Tibet Travel Permit.
HardWhy It Is Difficult
Status, May 2026: TAR open only via Chinese-licensed agency with permit. Independent travel not allowed. Adjacent Tibetan regions in Sichuan/Yunnan/Qinghai/Gansu do NOT require the TAR permit.
Why It Is Worth Visiting
Lhasa (Potala, Jokhang, Barkhor), the 4,000m+ plateau, Everest North Base Camp (Rongbuk), Mt Kailash kora, Friendship Highway to Nepal, Yamdrok and Namtso lakes. Permits You need TWO things to enter TAR: Chinese visa AND Tibet Travel Permit. TTP only obtainable via registered Tibetan tour agency. USD 100-150 in package. You must book a full guided tour to get the permit - accommodation, transport, guide, permit. Even for Lhasa wandering. Additional permits for Everest, Kailash, border zones - agency arranges in advance. Solo travellers pay for the whole vehicle/guide: ~USD 1,500-2,500 for 7-day basic Lhasa programme. China 15-day visa-free workaround China grants 15-day visa-free entry to ~40 nationalities (most EU, ANZ, Singapore, Malaysia, etc.). Per the archive (June 2024): Use visa-free entry into mainland China, then fly Lhasa with pre-arranged TTP. You still need the TTP - visa-free just saves the Chinese visa. Mundo Tibet (Spanish/English-speaking): specifically named in archive as running visa-free 15-day TTP packages.
Practical Travel Notes
Altitude: Lhasa 3,656 m; everywhere else higher. Diamox, no alcohol, water. Currency: RMB. WeChat Pay and Alipay universal - set up before arrival. VPN essential for Western services. Photography: monastery fees common; no police/military/political imagery.
Access And Logistics
Access and internal movement depend heavily on seasonal schedules, route choices, and advance bookings. Build in spare time for delays and missed connections.
Safety Considerations
The main risk is budget drift: transfers, tours, food, and peak-season accommodation can multiply quickly. Confirm inclusions before booking.
Visa Or Permit Notes
Visa, arrival-card, permit, and onward-ticket rules can change. Confirm current requirements with official sources before booking non-refundable travel.