What it Takes to Get to Tibet

After Ned and I drop off our luggage and Nina the Dog in Beijing, we are flying to Tibet for a week.

Planning a trip to Tibet is not easy. I am thankful that Ned has done all the work and financing for our Tibet trip.

This is what it takes to get to Tibet:

1. If you don't already have a Chinese visa, get one.

2. In addition you need to get a Tibet permit. For this Ned and I needed to send our tour company copies of our passport, copies of our visa, and an official document from the university saying that we have jobs in China.

3. Speaking of tour companies, every traveler needs to sign up for a tour. Nobody can just "show up" at the Lhasa airport and backpack around. It probably isn't even possible to get a taxi alone from the airport. The Chinese don't want foreigners wandering around by themselves, especially westerners. Ned requested an afternoon free for us to just relax and do something on our own. We were told this was not possible, and that we had to be accompanied wherever we went. So book a tour. There are plenty.

4. Yes we are allowed to take pictures. Of course anyone traveling to Tibet should be concerned about the high altitude, drink lots of water, and be prepared for all the ordinary international travel precautions, such as safeguarding money and passport, wearing appropriate clothing for the region, comfortable footware, and maintaining a good attitude.


I'm sure all the trouble of getting there will be well worth our efforts once we get there and bask in the beautiful scenary and spirit of the region.

I wish I could post some pictures, but the free proxy doesn't allow it.