Lhasa-Yamdroktso-Gyantse-Shigatse-Mt.Everest

Day1 LhasaArrive in Lhasa. Check in hotel. Rest and acclimatize. Stay Overnight in Lhasa

Day2 LhasaVisit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Day3 Lhasa-Gyantse-Shigatse Visit Yamdrok Lake and Pakchu Temple. Stay Overnight in Shigatse.

Day4 Shigatse-Shegar-Everest Base Camp Pass Shegar, also known as New Tingri, is the last stop before Everest Base Camp. Get to Everst Base Camp. Stay Overnight in Rongphu Monastery guesthouse.

Day5 Everest Base Camp-Shigatse Walk in Base Camp in the morning and then drive to Shigaze. Stay overnight in Shigaze.

Day6 Shigaze-Lhasa Visit Tashilunbu Monastery. Drive back to Lhasa. Stay overnight in Lhasa

Day7 Lhasa -Yangbachen- Namco Lake-Lhasa Visit the geothermal power station ofYangbachen, and also you can have a spa in the hot spring at your own expense. Drive to Visit Namco Lake. Stay Overnight in Lhasa. Day8 leave Lhasa

Tibet harvests recorded tourism income in May Day

Two foreign tourists pass by the Jokhang Temple Square
Tourists are visiting the Potala Palace

During the May Day golden week, Tibet has received 339,695 tourists with an increase of 32.6 per cent and the tourism income amounts to 135.56 million yuan (16.95 million USD), up by 31 per cent.

Explorative tour increases Tibetans' income

The Tibetan guy, Pasang is bargaining with some foreign tourists in English for hiring the carriage at a tourist-inhabitated place, 4 kilometers away from the 5,200-meter Qomolangma Base Camp. Finally, the two foreign tourists hire Pasang's carriage with 50 yuan (about 6.25 US dollars) to go to the Qomolangma Base Camp.

Pasang says that he can earn more than 100 yuan (about 12.5 US dollars) by transporting tourists to the Qomolangma Base Camp 4 times every day as it is the best time for climing the Qomolangma.

In Tashizong Village of Tingri County at the foot of the Qomolangma, there are hundreds of farmers and herders dealing with offering service to tourists and expeditioners. They run Tibetan characteristic family hotels, sell travel souvenirs and transport material for the climbers. It is the main method for them to gain cash income.

The Tashizong Village is the nearest village to the Qomolangma and locals are mainly engaged in agriculture and stock raising industry. Since 2,000, lots of travellers flock to Tashizong Village in spring and autumn for further journey to the Qomolangma. More and more locals understand that the Qomolangma will help them earn money.

Samdrup, a liaison officer of the Qomolangma Base Camp says that since the end of this March, over 500 locals and 1,000 yaks have participated in transporting service for the coming tourists with a total income of 500,000 yuan (about 62,500 US dollars).

Every mountaineering season, local farmers and herders gather near the Qomolangma Base Camp to serve the coming mountaineers and tourists until end of May. In all, Tashizong villagers have earned about 3 million yuan (about 0.375 million US dollars) by offering service to the explorative tourists and mountaineers.

Manpower trike popular in Tibet

A manpower trike carring passengers passes by the Potala Palace
Manpower trikes in Lhasa street,

During the May Day holiday, many tourists choose the manpower trike in Lhasa street. There are over 800 manpower trikes in Lhasa and each trike is busy with a daily passenger transport amount of about 100 person-time in May Day Golden Week.

Plateau animals

This text does not mean to scare you away, but rather to warn you of dangers that you can face with little problems if you take some simple precautions.

Generally altitude over 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) is defined as high altitude. Since most places in Tibet are higher than that level, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), also called Altitude Sickness is the biggest health threat to tourists in Tibet. AMS is common at high altitudes due to the decreasing availability of oxygen. It is usual that most people will experience symptoms at different levels at that high elevation. The occurrence of AMS is dependent on the altitude, the ascent rate and individual physical condition. Symptoms of AMS include headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of appetite and disturbed sleep. Many people will experience one or more AMS symptoms upon their arrival in Tibet. The symptoms will usually decrease in severity gradually during the acclimatization. Mild AMS is usual and will not interfere with mild activity.

However AMS can be very serious. The most serious symptoms are High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), which can be fatal. Symptoms of HAPE include weakness, shortness of breath, even at rest, impending suffocation at night, and a persistent productive cough with white, watery, or frothy fluid. Symptoms of HPCE may include headache, ataxia, weakness, hallucinations, psychotic behavior, coma and loss of memory. Both approach and strike at night and can be fatal! Immediate descent is the surest treatment.

Before visit to Tibet, get as fit and healthy as possible, both physically and psychologically. Visitors having record of heart, lungs and other organ problems or anemia should consult their doctor before making the decision to visit Tibet.
AMS can be lessened or avoided. Proper acclimatization can also ease and reduce AMS symptoms. A gradual ascent will allow your body to acclimatize to higher altitudes and the decreased oxygen supply. Go higher 300 - 400 hundred meters (984 - 1,312 feet) daily and have a rest after every 1,000 meter (3280 feet) ascent. Medication also helps to prevent AMS. Mild AMS symptoms can be cured with proper medication. Once medications do not respond to the symptoms, go to hospital or evacuate immediately to safe altitude!

The following precautions may help to keep AMS away from you:

Since fluid loss usually accompanies the acclimatization process, drink plenty of fluids (3 - 4 liters daily at least) and eat carbohydrate food to maintain properly hydrated;
Do not over exert and maintain light activity right after your arrival;

Stay way from smoking and alcohol and other depressants such as tranquilizers and sleeping pills, which will depress the respiratory drive and oxygen intake.
Always keep in mind the following rules which may ensure you a smooth and enjoyable trip to Tibet:
Any sickness at high altitude is AMS until proven otherwise; Never go higher with symptoms of AMS;

It is significant that you report any symptoms of AMS immediately to other group members in the trip.

High Altitude Illness

What is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) And How to Avoid ItThe high altitude and people's reaction to it is one of the difficulties to travel to Tibet. But it is not so serious as you imagined if you know it and get prepared for it.
What is High Altitude?- High Altitude: 1500 - 3500 m (5000 - 11500 ft) - Very High Altitude: 3500 - 5500 m (11500 - 18000 ft) - Extreme Altitude: above 5500 m
When acclimatization lags significantly behind ascent, various symptoms occur. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) represents the body's intolerance of the hypoxic (low oxygen) environment at one's current elevation
What kinds of physiologic reactions will occur?- Hyperventilation (breathing fast) - Shortness of breath during exertion - Increased urination - Changed breathing pattern at night - Awakening frequently at night - Weird dreams
The altitudes of different places in Tibet
Tips to avoid AMS- Do exercises to keep you fit before coming to Tibet.- Avoid catching a cold.- Make sure you have a good sleep the night before you flying to Lhasa.- You'd better not to take any activities for the first day in Tibet.- After getting off your airplane in the airport, walk slowly, take some deep breath. Do not do anything severely.- Ascend to higher altitude gradually. DO NOT ASCEND ANY HIGHER if you feel bad.- Prepare some AMS pills according to your doctor's suggestion.

High Altitude Sickness
Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS) is common at high altitudes, and depends on the elevation, the rate of ascent and individual susceptibility. Most visitors to Tibet will suffer from at least some symptoms that will generally disappear through acclimatization in several hours to several days.
Symptoms tend to be worse at night and include headache, dizziness, lethargy, loss of appetite, nausea, breathlessness and irritability. Difficulty sleeping is another common symptom, and many travelers have trouble sleeping for the first few days after arriving in Lhasa.

To prevent acute mountain sickness:
Drink extra fluids. The mountain air is dry and cold and moisture is lost as you breathe. Evaporation of sweat may occur unnoticed and result in dehydration.
Eat light, high-carbohydrate meals for more energy.
Avoid alcohol as it may increase the risk of dehydration, and don't smoke.
Avoid sedatives.
Don't push yourself when climbing up to passes, rather take plenty of breaks.
Avoid catching cold before you entering Tibet.

Tibet Tour Expert says:
For all of the groups , the authorized doctor from Tibet Tour Expert will come to guest's room to give a regular check. For the people who are affected severely with headache and sleepless, they could get injection in the room or take some Tibetan medicine as per doctor's advices. Many of our clients have been treated and approved for its efficiency.

Who can't go?
Tibet Tour Expert may suggest whose clients who suffered from high blood pressure and severe heart disease not travel to Tibet.

Tibetan style private hotels turn up at Barkor street

by:Zheng Peng (China Tibet Information Center)

Several inland tourists are chatting in a private hotel
Tourists are eating in the dining hall of a private hotel
Inland tourists are viewing the interior decoration of a Tibetan style private hotel

A new living style, private hotel is turning up in Lhasa quietly. Those at Bakor Street in old urban area are the most featured ones. Statistics show that till the end of April, 2007, there have been over 34 private hotels within the area with over 1,000 beds available.

Tibetan Prayers

prayers in front Jokhang Temple
prayer on road from Naqu to Lhasa
prayer in her home
prayers on road from sichuan to tibet

Tibetan are very loyal to their own belief.They will kneel down all their way from start to destination .

travel in Tibet by train

If you want to travel in Tibet from Beijing,you can follows this steps:

1:Beijing West, train starts at 21:30;

2:on the train, enjoy the scenery.

3:Arriving at Lhasa Station at 19:48, and you will be received and transferred to hotel.

4:Getting up at about 8:00 am, after using breakfast, drive to visit the wonder of the world-Potala Palace. Finish sightseeing at about 12:30, after having lunch outside drive back to the hotel to take a rest. About 15:00, drive to visit Jokhang Monastery-the most famous and oldest building in Lhasa, then visit Barkhor Street, the business center of Lhasa. The whole day visiting will finish at about 18:00, taking dinner and having rest afterwhile.

5:Getting up at about 8:00am, drive to Trupeng Hill to visit Drepung Monastery which is one of four great Gelugpa monasteries in Tibet. After sightseeing about 12:30, drive back to Lhasa and take rest after while. Drive to visit Norbu Lingka - the Summer Palace for Dailai Lama.

6:Transferred to the airport and fly out. End of the trip.Note: This itinerary uses short time to enjoy the essense of Tibet.

Which Time Is Best To Travel In Tibet

Athough the Tibetan climate is not as harsh as many people imagine, be prepared for sudden drops of temperature at night, particularly in western Tibet.

The most pleasant time of year to be in Tibet is between May and early November, after which temperatures start to plummet. However, in May and June there is a wind factor to consider, and dust storms are not unusual. During July and August you may find roads temporarily washed out along the Friendship Highway to Nepal. These two months usually see around half of Tibet's annual rainfall.

October is the best time to make a trip out to the east. Lhasa and its environs don't get really cold until the end of November. Although winter is very cold, many restaurants are shut and snowfalls can sometimes make travel difficult, some travellers swear by these months. There are few travellers about and Lhasa, for example, is crowded with nomads and at its most colourful.

March is a politically sensitive month (the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising and flight of the Dalai Lama) and there is occasional tightening of restrictions on travellers heading into Tibet at this time.

It's worth trying to make your trip coincide with one of Tibet's main festivals. Losar (New Year) is an excellent (although cold) time to be in Lhasa. Saga Dawa (April or May) is also a good time to be in Lhasa or Mt Kailash.

Expert: 'Step-by-step travel' to Tibet will prevent from plateau illness

by:Sophia Zhang

As the hot season of Tibetan tour is coming, more and more tourists will enter Tibet by train. Wu Tianyi, academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering reminds tourists not to go to Tibet directly but enter Tibet step by step, which will effectively prevent from the plateau illness.
Wu Tianyi has focused on the plateau illness study for a long period. He says the 22-hour train journey from 3,000 to 5,000 meters is a limitation of oxygen-lack for tourists. "Plateau illness responses occur at two places, from Golmud to Kunlun Mountain and after passing the Kunlun Mountain. So tourists may have danger of plateau illness on their journey to Lhasa from Golmud," said Wu.

"Aged tourists can stay in 2,200-meter Xining for one or two days to adapt to the plateau environment and then go to Golmud at 2,800 meters for another one or two days. Tourists then can decide when go to Lhasa. If one feels uncomfortable in Xining and Golmud, we suggest him not to visit Lhasa," said Wu Tianyi.

He also reminds that tourists should have medical checkup before visiting Tibet. Those who suffer from heart and lung diseases, fever, catching a cold or tiredness should delay or cancel their plan to visit Tibet.

From the operation of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway on July 1, 2006 to the end of this February, over 1.66 million tourists had visited Tibet and Qinghai by train.

FAQ about Qinghai-Tibet Railway train

As Qinghai-Tibet Railway will be put into trial operation on this Saturday, net friends show great passion and interest on this sky road. We have selected some questions raised by netizens as reference.
Q1. Where the train will depart from in Beijing?
A: The train will depart from at the Beijing West Railway Station.
Q2. When the train will leave Beijing and return from Lhasa?
A: As scheduled, the train T27 will leave Beijing at 21:30 and arrive in Lhasa at 20:58 on the third day after 47 hours and 28 minutes' running.
The train T28 will start from Lhasa at 8:00 am. and come back to Beijing west at 8:00 am. on the third day with a 48-hour-trip.
Q3. Where are the tickets issued?
A: Passengers can purchase tickets at the following railway stations, Beijing West Railway Station, Lanzhou Railway Station, Chengdu Railway Station, Xining Railway Station and Chongqing Railway Station.
Related Consulting Telphone Number:
Beijing West Railway Station: 86-10-95105105

Shanghai Railway Station: 86-800-820-7890
Chengdu Railway Station: 86-28-83322088 83332499
Lanzhou Railway Station: 86-931-4922222
Chongqing Railway Station: 86-23-63862607
Xining Railway Station: 86-971-8192832
Q4. How much does the ticket cost?
A: The ticket for Qinghai-Tibet Railway has been confirmed.

From-----To
Distance (km)
Hard Seat Price
Hard Sleeper (Bottom Berth) Price
Soft Sleeper (Bottom Berth) Price
Beijing West-Lhasa
4,064
389 yuan (US$49)
813 yuan (US$102)
1,262 yuan (US$158)
Chengdu-Lhasa
3,360
331 yuan (US$41)
712 yuan (US$89)
1,104 yuan (US$138)
Chongqing-Lhasa
3,654
355 yuan (US$44)
754 yuan (US$94)
1,168 yuan (US$146)
Lanzhou-Lhasa
2,188
242 yuan (US$30)
552 yuan (US$69)
854 yuan (US$107)
Xining-Lhasa
1,972
226 yuan (US$28)
523 yuan(US$65)
810 yuan (US$101)
Shanghai-Lhasa
4,373
406 yuan (US$51)
845 yuan (US$106)
1314 yuan (US$165)
Guangzhou-Lhasa
4,980
451 yuan (US$57)
923 yuan (US$116)
1434 yuan (US$180)

Q5. How many trains will operate in a day?
A: As planned, there will be both a train running from opposite directions in the four express train lines including Beijing west-Lhasa line, Chengdu(Chongqing)-Lhasa express train line, Shanghai(Guangzhou)-Lhasa and Xining(Lanzhou)-Lhasa express train line.
Q6. Can foreigners take these trains?
A: Yes, of course you can. Qinghai-Tibet Railway train welcomes all the passengers from home and abroad.
Q7. How long it will take to travel to Lhasa by train?
A: Please refer to the following lines:
***Beijing-Lhasa
Train T27 will start from Beijing West Railway Station at 21:30 and arrive at Lhasa Railway Station at 20:58 on the third day after 47 hours and 28 minutes' running.
Train T28 will depart from Lhasa Railway Station at 8:00 am. and arrive in Beijing west at 8:00 am. on the third day with a 48-hour-trip.

***Shanghai-Lhasa

Train T164/5 will start from Shanghai at 16:11 and arrive in Lhasa at 19:50 on the third day running for 51 hours and 39 minutes after 4,373 kilometers.

Train T166/3 will start from Lhasa at 08:32 and arrive in Lhasa at 13:45 on the third day running for 53 hours and 13 minutes .

Train leaves Shanghai or Guangzhou alternatively that means a train leaves either Shanghai or Guangzhou every other day.
***Guangzhou-Lhasa
Train T264/5 will start from Guangzhou at 10:29 and arrive in Lhasa at 19:50 on the third day running for 57 hours and 21 minutes after 4,980 kilometers.

Train T266/3 will start from Lhasa at 08:32 and arrive in Guangzhou at 19:37 on the third day running for 59 hours and 5 minutes .

Train leaves Shanghai or Guangzhou alternatively that means a train leaves either Shanghai or Guangzhou every other day.
***Chengdu-Lhasa
T22/3 train will leave Chengdu at 18:18 and arrive in Lhasa at 18:28 on the third day with a trip of 2 hours and 10 minutes.
T24/1 train will set out from Lhasa at 9:05 am. and get to Chengdu at 9:55 am on the third day after 48 hours and 50 minutes.
***Lanzhou-Lhasa
K917 train will leave Lanzhou at 16:45 and arrive in Lhasa at 22:30 on the second day with a trip of 29 hours and 45 minutes.
K918 train will set out from Lhasa at 9:32 am. and arrive in Lanzhou at 15:45 on the second day after running for 30 hours and 13 minutes.
***Chongqing-Lhasa
Train T222/3 will start from Chongqing at 19:20 and arrive in Lhasa at 18:28 on the third day running for 47 hours and 8 minutes.
Train T224/1 will set out from Lhasa at 9:05 am. and arrive in Chongqing at 9:55 am. with a trip of 48 hours and 50 minutes.
***Xining-Lhasa
K917 train will set out from Xining at 20:07 and arrive in Lhasa at 22:30 on the second day after running for 26 hours and 23 minutes.
K917 train will start from Lhasa at 9:32 am and arrive in Xining at 12:19 am. on the second day with a trip of 26 hours and 47 minutes.
Q8. How many people can every train contain?

A: 14 compartments are set on every train including 2 cushioned berths compartments with 64 persons, 8 semi cushioned berths compartments with 480 persons and 4 ordinary seats compartments with 392 persons. So the total capacity of the train is 936 persons.

Q9. How many tickets can I buy one time?

A: Every passenger can only purchase at most two berth tickets or three seat tickets once.
Q10. Visas or travel documents required to travel to Lhasa and surrounding areas in Tibet?
A: Passengers should fill in a Health Registration Card when buying railway tickets to enter Tibet and a permit for entering Tibet is also needed for the foreign tourists. There are two documents required for foreign tourists who want to travel in Tibet.
***One is the China Visa.
Non-Chinese passport holders (including Taiwan)must have a valid passport and a visa (Travelers from countries having visa exemption agreement with HK do not need a visa) to visit Tibet. Visa can be obtained from the local China consulate in your country. If you are coming to Lhasa from Kathmandu, you'd better get China visa from Kathmandu because no matter you've already got the visa in your country or not, you must get a visa in Kathmandu, which is regulated in an official memo between China and Nepal.
***Another is Tibet Permit issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau.
TTB Permit - Tibet Entry PermitWhen you fly from any city to Lhasa you will need to show this permit when you check in at the airport. Furthermore, whenever you buy a flight to Lhasa you need to show this permit. TTB permits are also needed by groups traveling by Land Cruiser but this will be arranged by the travel agency organizing the trip.
PSB Permit - Alien's Travel PermitIf you want to go further to the unopened areas, you need an Alien's travel permit issued by PSB of Tibet. It is called Alien's Travel Permit or PSB permit.
All kinds of people can get Tibet permit through a travel agency except diplomats, journalists, and government officials who should travel to Tibet under the arrangement by the Foreign Affairs Office of Tibet Government.
Q11. Where I can obtain the TTB permit ?
A. Here are the contact methods for Branch Offices of Tibet Tourism Bureau over China, please find the one you are easy to contact for to apply for Tibet-entrance permission.

***Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa
Tel: 0086-891－6343854 0086-8916349239 (Speaking both English and Chinese)***Beijing Branch Office Tel: 0086-10-84477899 Fax: 0086-10-84476503 Mrs. Cao: Tel: 8610-66569109　8610-84477899 8610-84476703 8610-84476503　 Fax: 8610-66569107 8610-84476503 8610-84477899 Web: www.tibettour.net.cn　 Mail: tibettour2001@vip.sina.com Address: A28F Oriental Kenzo Plaza, Dongzhimen, Beijing 100027 P.R.C.***Shanghai Branch Office Tel: 0086-21-62572089 Fax: 0086-21-63231016***Chengdu Branch Office Tel: 0086-28-85551719 Fax: 0086-28-8555171985551719***Ge'er Mu Branch Office Tel: 0086-979-8483532 Fax: 0086-979-8483532***Xi'an Branch Office Tel: 0086-29-87815987 Fax: 0086-29-87815987***Yunnan Xianggelila Branch Office Tel: 0086-887-8229028 Fax: 0086-887-8227892***Xining Branch Office Tel: 0086-971-8459840 Fax: 0086-971-8459840***Zhangmu Branch Office Tel: 0086-892-8743733 Fax: 0086-892-8915377