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Preparation for a trip to Tibet 1. Could you give me some advice on clothing when traveling in Tibet? Temperature differs dramatically between daytime and at night. Lhasa, the capital city, could have a temperature during daytime of around 10-25 Centigrade, but at night, temperature may plummet to 0 Centigrade or lower. You are advised to bring thick, warm coats when traveling Tibet. The roads are very dusty so you may wish to consider wearing dark colored clothing. 2. Can I travel Tibet with my child? Tibet may not be an ideal destination for young Children. The climate and generally harsher conditions in Tibet may not be ideal for young children. The sights and attractions are not those which children like to visit and facilities will be very primitive. If you do decide to bring your young child to Tibet please ensure that you bring all your child's daily needs with you. 3. When is the best time to visit Tibet? Tibet is one of the most dramatic climates places in china. Though cool in summer, it is extremely cold in the winter. The best time for your Tibet trip is from April to November, avoiding the cold and dry weather from December to February. 4. Are there any suggestions on what I should do or take to acclimatize the altitude in Tibet? Almost every visitor is affected by the high altitude as Tibet is over 3000 meters above sea level and many areas are above 5000 meters. Most of the visitors get acclimatized to the high altitude by taking it easy for one or two days, while still paying to their health. We would like to make several suggestions to those contemplating going to Tibet. People with serious heart diseases should not visit Tibet. Those with less serious heart problems need to consult a doctor before traveling. People with high or low blood pressure need to consult a doctor before traveling. Try to keep healthy and not to catch a cold before entering Tibet. The first day arriving in Tibet, suggest visitors not take a bath and smokers not smoke. Drink plenty of water while traveling in Tibet. Eat light, high-carbohydrate meals for more energy and avoid alcohol as it may increase the risk of dehydration. Tell your guide quickly if you don't feel well and follow guide's advice. It is advisable to use sunscreen, sunglasses lip creams to protect your eyes and skin, for Tibet's high altitude and the atmosphere allow the sun's solar radiation to strike the earth with unusual intensity. In addition to the normal medications for traveling it is advisable to bring high altitude medication. Ask your doctor for suggestions. 5. I have read that 2 dates; 27 september and 1 october are dates of anniversaries of difficult times in Tibet and that security may be tightened in these times. Could you please look into this for me? No special date limit for the application for the permit to Tibet, and dates around of the October 1 are as usual as other times. But more personal information is needed to apply for the permit. The essential information is travellor's name, sex, age, nationality, occupation, passport number and Chinese visa number. 6. How to get Tibet Permits in Hong Kong? Sorry, You can not get Tibet Permits in Hongkong from then on. Office of CITS Tibet in Hongkong has been moved away. 7. What should I bring for the Tibet plateau weather and high elevation? Tibet's high altitude and the atmosphere allow the sun's solar radiation to strike the earth with unusual intensity. To protect your eyes and skin, the sunscreen, sunglasses or dark glasses and lip creams are advised. In addition to the normal medications for traveling, just like the Aspirin and Ibuprofen etc, you should bring some high altitude medication. Better ask your doctor for suggestions. 8. How to get the Travel Permit to Tibet? Travel permit to Tibet is issued by Tibet Tourism Administration. To apply for it, the copy of your passport and Chinese visa, together with other information such as your occupation should be provided. Journalists and people that could be involved in political matters could be revoked. Your local travel agency can help; or, you are welcome to contact us. 9. Can I travel to Tibet by myself? No. According to China's regulation, individual travel to Tibet is not allowed. You have to join a group and we can help you find one at any time. When in Tibet 1. Could you give me some advice on how to avoid risking Cultural Shock when traveling Tibet? Tibet people are religious people and visitor may find their customs and practices are very different to that in the countries they come from. Although Tibet people are among the easiest to get along with in China but there are still some points you should be sensitive about when you travel there. (1). Do not photograph them without permission. (2). Do not talk the sensitive issues like politics &, religion. (3). Take your hat off when entering a chapel. (4). Do not take photos during a prayer meeting and in some larger monastery, you may need to pay a small fee for the privilege of taking a photo. (5). Do not touch or remove anything on an altar. (6). Do not wear shorts or short shirts in a monastery and do not smoke in a monastery. (7). Do not eat horse, donkey and dog when in Tibet. (8). Always walk around monasteries, piles of Mani stones, pagodas and other religious structures in a clockwise direction. (9). Never touch Tibetan People on the head. 2. What currencies Other than Chinese currency, can be used in Tibet? Can I use my credit card and ATM card? Chinese Yuan and US dollar are accepted in Tibet however the places which accept US dollars are very few. Visitors can change US dollars into Chinese currency in the Lhasa Central Branch Bank of China or at major hotels. Credit cards are not a recommended mean of payment in Tibet as the acceptance is very limited. Flights and hotels can not be paid using credit cards and they are also accepted at the Lhasa Central Branch Bank of China. About Tibet Train Travel 1 .Could you please give me some information on train conditions? Trains to Tibet are specially equipped for highland traveling. Each car is equipped with an oxygen-supply system to maintain the air pressure at a suitable level. Each seat will be equipped with an oxygen mask which can be used by individual passengers if needed. All railway cars are equipped with double-layer glass which is covered with anti-ultraviolet radiation film. Trains from all destinations including Beijing, Chengdu and elsewhere will be fitted with the equipment to ensure oxygen supply in Golmud. 2. Can the staffs on the train speak some English? Yes, unlike staffs on trains on other routes, whose English is very limited, staff on trains running on the Qinghai-Tibet railway can all speak some English. Simple communication is ok. 3. Where can I take a train to Lhasa? There are currently five train services to Lhasa from Beijing, Xining/Lanzhou, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing/Chengdu. 4 .Where the train will depart from in Beijing? How long is the train journey from Beijing to Lhasa? The train will depart from the Beijing West Railway Station and the journey takes about 48 hours. 5 .Where the train will depart from in Shanghai? How long is the train journey from Shanghai to Lhasa? The train will depart from the Shanghai Railway Station and the journey takes about 52 hours. 6. What are the prices for train travel to Tibet? Pls click here to check the price. 7. How long it will take to travel to Lhasa by train? Beijing West-Lhasa: around 48 hours Xining-Lhasa: about 27 hours Lanzhou-Lhasa: 30 hours Chongqing-Lhasa: 47 hours Chengdu-Lhasa: 50 hours Shanghai-Lhasa: around 52 hours 8. How many tickets can I buy one time? Every passenger can only purchase at most two berth tickets or three seat tickets once. 9. Is it easy to purchase a train ticket to Lhasa now? Important!! The popularity of train travel to Tibet has resulted in the huge demand for train tickets among visitors. It's very difficult for individual travelers to get a ticket on their own. Reliable travel agencies can not guarantee successful booking. We recommend you fly into Tibet and return by a train . 10. How long in advance can I purchase train ticket to Lhasa? Train tickets to Lhasa begin to sell 10 days in advance. 11. I have heard that there are nine scenery-view platforms along the way. What are they and how long does each place stay? There are 45 stations along the 1972 km long Qinghai-Tibet railway from Xining to Lhasa and every station has unique scenery. To provide travelers better opportunity to enjoy the stunningly beautiful scenery on that way, scenery viewing platforms have been set up at nine stations. These includes: Yuzhu Peak Station, Chumaer River. Tuotuo river, Buqiangge, Tanggula Mountain, Lake Namtso, Nagqu, Damshung, Yambajan. The train will stay for around 15 minutes in each station. |
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