Tibet Travel Guide: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Destination Guides • 8 min read

Tibet — the 'Roof of the World' — is one of the most extraordinary places you can visit. Sitting at an average altitude of 4,500 metres, it offers a landscape and culture found nowhere else on Earth.

Permits

All international visitors need a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP). This must be arranged through a licensed Chinese travel agency at least 20 days before arrival. We handle this automatically for all tours that include Tibet.

Altitude

Lhasa sits at 3,650 metres above sea level. Most travellers experience mild altitude symptoms — headache, breathlessness, fatigue. The key is to take it easy on your first day, drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol.

What to See

• Potala Palace — the iconic former residence of the Dalai Lama
• Jokhang Temple — Tibet's most sacred temple
• Barkhor Street — a bustling pilgrimage circuit
• Sera Monastery — famous for its debating monks