Welcome to TIBET – a land so rich in culture and steeped in religion is also called the Roof of the World. The age-old Tibetan mysteries cast an enchanted spell that holds a visitor in thrill and excitement.  One of the holiest places in the world, Tibet is home to world’s most beautiful religious and cultural landmarks including Potala palace in Lhasa, Samye Monastery, Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar among others. The magnificent presence of The Potala Palace is a testimony the age-old tradition of The Dalai Lama who is still revered by Tibetans as their religious figurehead. Samye Monastery is regarded the oldest monastery in Tibet believed to be 1200 years old. Built by Trisong Detsen around the third quarter of eighth century te design of the monastery represents the cosmological interpretations to Buddhist philosophy. The first seven Tibetan monks were ordained in this monastery. The first part of the tour offers fascinating views of the incredible formation of the highest plateau of the world with awesomely beautiful rocks, cascades and canyons slightly hidden in the thin flying mists amidst the mighty presence of Mt. Everest. Monasteries in Ganden, Nangkhor, Barkhor and Lingkhor are famous for their artistic beauty, statues and mural paintings and are huge repository of ancient scriptures and text in Tibetan Buddhism. Similarly Lhatse, Shigatse, Tingri and Gyantse in Southern Tibet are equally fascinating.


Visa

All foreign travellers to Tibet require a visa.  Two photographs and a passport valid for another six months are needed to obtain the visa.  Visas can be obtained either from a Chinese embassy in your home country or from the embassy in Kathmandu prior to your departure for Tibet.  At the time of booking we shall advise where it is best to have your visa issued. Generally speaking if your visa is issued from the embassy in Kathmandu, you will need to arrive at least two days in Kathmandu prior to your Tibet departure. In Kathmandu the Chinese embassy processes visas on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Visas can sometimes be issued within day but an emergency fee is charged by the embassy of about US$ 50-80 depending on the size of the group.

Upon return to Nepal, a 30 day visa can be issued at the Nepalese immigration checkpoint at Kodari border (when you drive back) and Tribhuvan International Airport (for those flying Lhasa/Kathmandu); however we recommend that you obtain a double entry visa from your home country  or on arrival to avoid any possible complications.

For your information individual visas are not issued by the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu and individual travel is not permitted across the Nepal/Tibet border.

Customs

At Zhangmu, the land border entry point to Tibet, you will have to complete a Chinese Customs Declaration Form.  You must declare the money you are carrying (whether in cash or travellers cheques), jewellery, precious metals, watches, camera and lenses, radios and tape recorders.  A copy of the Declaration Form will be returned to you.  On exiting Tibet/China, you must present the Form and have the declared items easily accessible.  Customs formalities on arrival and departure

are usually quite efficient.  According to regulations, antiques are not permitted out unless they are purchased at state-run stores, in which case the items should have red wax seal and/or receipt of the transaction.

Baggage

On flights within China, you are allowed 20 kgs of checked baggage and 5 kgs of hand luggage.  
Each passenger must pay for any excess baggage at the airport check in point.  Please remember that there is always an advantage in travelling light. Please note that porters are seldom available at airports and in hotels.  More often than not, you will have to carry your own baggage.

 
Currency

The basic unit of Chinese currency is the Yuan, which equals 10 Jiao, and one Jiao equals 10 Fen.  One US dollar is roughly equivalent to 8.3 Yuan, though rates fluctuate.  Yuan come in denominations of 100, 50, 10, 5, and 1; 50 Fen and 10 Fen.

In Tibet, Travellers Cheques and cash of major foreign currencies are accepted at the Bank of China and at the Holiday Inn Lhasa.  Hotels and banks on the overland route to Lhasa also exchange Travellers Cheques and foreign cash.

Visitors are required to cash foreign exchange at registered encashment counters (ie at hotels and at authorised banks) and to retain the receipts.

International credit cards such as American Express, Visa, Master Card, Diners, are accepted only at the Holiday Inn Lhasa. They may also be used in main branches of the Bank of China (including the Lhasa branch) to obtain cash. Note however that a small percentage may be deducted.

Photography

You can photograph almost anywhere in China except at airports, certain bridges and harbours.  Photography at military installations and concentrations of soldiers is not permitted.  Monasteries allow photography but often charge 20-30 Yuan per room per camera.  Tibetans and Chinese are sometimes camera-shy so use your discretion at all times, and when in doubt, ask verbally or by gesture.  Your tour leader and Chinese liaison officer can be of help.

Home video cameras and 8 mm movie cameras are allowed into China, but special permission is needed for 16 mm and 35 mm movie cameras.  Dalai Lama pictures are popular gifts in Tibet and in great demand by the local population. However you should be aware that distribution of these is against Chinese law, and the consequences could be a heavy fine if caught distributing these pictures, not to mention the trouble you will cause for your group and local handling agent.