Altitude sickness occurs when the body reaches a certain elevation and needs to adapt to the pressure difference caused by the altitude. It can begin around 700 meters. Symptoms of altitude sickness generally include: headache, shortness of breath, chest tightness, loss of appetite, mild fever, dizziness, fatigue, etc. Some people may experience different symptoms due to low oxygen levels, such as bluish lips and fingertips, drowsiness, hyperactivity, or insomnia. Others may suffer from dry air effects like rough skin, chapped lips, or nosebleeds or blood clots in the nostrils.
2. How to avoid or alleviate altitude sickness?
Most people experience some degree of altitude sickness when first arriving at high altitudes. There’s no clear pattern as to who will be affected. The best way to avoid or reduce altitude sickness is to maintain a positive mindset—many symptoms are psychological or triggered by anxiety, such as fear of high altitudes, lack of mental preparation, or determination to overcome the challenge.
It’s advised not to walk too fast, run, or do strenuous physical activity upon arrival. Avoid overeating to prevent extra burden on your digestive system. Refrain from alcohol and smoking, and eat more vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins. Drink water in moderation, keep warm, bathe less to avoid catching a cold or exhausting yourself. Don’t use oxygen right away—try to let your body adapt naturally. Otherwise, you might become dependent on supplemental oxygen in the highlands (the dependency can be very strong).
You may take some medications to relieve altitude sickness: High Altitude Rhodiola (take at least 10 days in advance), Gao Yuan An (take after arriving inTibet), American ginseng lozenges, Nordikang capsules (very helpful for relieving extreme fatigue), Bufferin (to control headaches caused by altitude sickness), American ginseng (also good for fatigue), Quick-acting Heart-Saving Pills (take sparingly), Salvia miltiorrhiza pills (for cardiovascular issues), and glucose solution (the type with five vials per box can be effective when symptoms occur). For those with strong adaptability, altitude sickness symptoms usually disappear within 1–2 days; those less adaptable may need 3–7 days.
If you can tolerate the taste of butter tea, drinking more of it may also help relieve altitude sickness.
3. What should I do if I have altitude sickness after arriving inTibet?
Tibetgenerally has hospitals or clinics in most hotels or larger towns. For mild symptoms, it's recommended to self-adjust and adapt. For severe cases, see a doctor. When experiencing altitude sickness, get plenty of rest, limit activity, continue eating, and take appropriate medication.
For serious altitude sickness—such as edema, pulmonary edema, or severe colds—it’s essential to seek hospital treatment including IV fluids and oxygen, and leave the highland area as soon as possible.Lhasais a convenient place for this, with flights in and out daily. You can take a flight to leave, and typically, once on the plane or back at lower altitudes, the symptoms vanish without any aftereffects.Lhasaflights. You can take a flight to leave. Generally, altitude sickness disappears without a trace once you board the plane or reach the plains, and there are no aftereffects.
4. Are there any physical requirements for entering Tibet? Who should not go? Is a health check needed? Should I train beforehand?
Besides maintaining a good mindset, there are no special physical requirements for traveling to Tibet. However, those with serious respiratory, cardiac, cardiovascular, or mental illnesses should not go. Therefore, individuals with severe hypertension, heart disease, bronchitis, diabetes, or colds are advised against traveling to Tibet. It’s recommended to have a heart and lung check-up before departure to confirm the absence of these conditions. Also, avoid intense physical training before going. If you regularly exercise, it’s best to stop half a month before the trip, as trained bodies consume more oxygen, increasing the heart’s workload inTibetand making altitude sickness more likely.
5. Why can’t you go toTibetwhen you have a cold? What should you do if you catch a cold inTibet?
For those suffering from a cold, the body's physiological functions are already compromised, weakening disease resistance and adding further stress to the immune system. Traveling to Tibet while suffering from a serious cold can easily lead to other altitude-related illnesses, especially high-altitude pulmonary edema — a particularly dangerous condition that can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. It is strongly recommended that individuals with colds ensure they have fully recovered before traveling to Tibet, and avoid bringing cold germs into the region.
InTibet, having a cold is generally not a major issue, as your body has already adapted somewhat to the high altitude and built up a certain level of resistance. Most people find their bodies have adjusted by then, so timely treatment is usually sufficient. Moreover,Tibetandoctors are very experienced in treating colds. It’s advisable to carry some cold medicine with you. At the first sign of a cold, taking common over-the-counter medications can typically resolve symptoms within 1-2 days.
6.Is it convenient to take a shower inTibet?
In Tibet,most cities of a considerable size (such asLhasa,Shigatse,Zhangmu Town,Gyantse,Tsetang,Nyingchi,andNagqu)have facilities for taking showers, with each shower costing around 5 yuan. It is recommended that first-time visitors to Tibet avoid using saunas, as the body may not handle the heat well. Most standard rooms in star-rated hotels come with private bathrooms and hot water for showers, and many guesthouses also offer communal bathing facilities with scheduled hot water supply, making it relatively convenient to shower. When you first arrive in) All of them have bathing facilities, and a shower costs 5 yuan each time. It is recommended that travelers who have just arrived in Tibet avoid using the sauna, as their bodies may not be able to handle it. Standard rooms in most star-rated hotels have private bathrooms with hot water available for showers, and many hostels also offer public bathhouses with scheduled hot water supply, making bathing quite convenient. Upon first arrivalTibet,it’s best to shower as little as possible or avoid it altogether to prevent catching a cold or worsening altitude sickness due to exhaustion from showering. After a few days, once your body has acclimatized to the high-altitude climate, showering is generally fine. Because the air inTibetis dry, moisture evaporates quickly, and nighttime temperatures are quite cold, people inTibetusually don’t feel a strong need to shower and don’t experience discomfort from not doing so.
7. I’ve heard that taking a flight to Tibet causes worse altitude sickness than traveling overland?
That’s true. However, both flying to Tibet and traveling overland have their pros and cons. Flying into Tibet means your altitude increases abruptly from a few hundred meters to over 3,000 meters, without a gradual process of acclimatization from lower to higher altitudes, which makes altitude sickness more likely. Traveling overland allows for a gradual increase in elevation, which is beneficial for acclimatization. However, most overland routes to Tibet have poor road conditions. Routes such as the Xinjiang-Tibet and Qinghai-Tibet highways involve crossing several mountain passes over 5,000 meters in elevation, and there are few hospitals or emergency medical facilities along the way. The Yunnan-Tibet and Sichuan-Tibet roads are in even worse condition, with frequent landslides and mudflows during the rainy season, posing significant risks. If you’re not an independent traveler or lack outdoor travel experience, it’s better to fly to Tibet. If you enjoy independent travel but have no outdoor experience, it’s recommended that you take theQinghai-Tibet Highway for your first trip.Entering Tibet is relatively safe.
8. I’m in a great hurry—how should I choose?Tibettravel routes?
For those with limited time, round-trip flights are suitable. You can choose a four-day trip to Lhasa alone or opt for Tibet’s golden tourist route—the six-day Lhasa–Gyantse–Shigatse tour. If you’re not a backpacker, you can contact the ZangYouRen forum in advance to get professional advice on your Tibet trip. If you enjoy independent travel and have some experience, you can refer to guidebooks such as Tibet on the Roof of the World or ZangYouRen Magazine (free electronic versions available from the ZangYouRen community) to plan your itinerary. Then share your plan on outdoor forums online, such as the ZangYouRen forum’s travel companion section (LhasaChoose a four-day trip to one destination orTibet's golden travel routeLhasa-Gyantse-ShigatseSix-day tour. If you’re not a backpacker, you can contact the Tibetan Travelers Forum in advance to get advice from its professionals regarding yourTibettrip. If you love independent travel and have some travel experience, you can refer to books like the “Tibetan Leather-bound Travel Book” or “Tibetan Travelers Magazine” (the Tibetan Travelers Community offers free downloadable e-versions) to plan your trip, and send your itinerary in advance to online outdoor forums such as the “Buddy Up” section of the Tibetan Travelers Forum (www.tibetdiy.com), the Travel section of Tianya (www.tianyaclub.com), or Green Field (http://www.lvye.org/), among others, to get suggestions from experienced travelers.
9. Is it better to enter Tibet via the Sichuan–Tibet Highway or the Qinghai–Tibet Highway?Sichuan–Tibet HighwaySichuan–Tibet HighwayQinghai–Tibet Highwaythe best way to enter Tibet?
The Sichuan–Tibet Highway is the most scenic overland route into Tibet, but it is also the most dangerous. The road conditions mainly consist of gravel or dirt surfaces, and the dangers mainly stem from natural conditions. This route crosses the Hengduan Mountains, where mudslides are common in the rainy season and heavy snow often blocks roads in winter. The weather changes unpredictably along the way, and accommodation and food options are very basic. This route is more suitable for adventure travelers or those seeking deep cultural experiences. It is not recommended for first-time visitors to Tibet.It is the most scenic overland route into Tibet, but also the most dangerous. The road conditions mainly consist of gravel or dirt surfaces, with dangers primarily stemming from natural conditions. This route crosses the Hengduan Mountains, where mudslides are common in the rainy season and heavy snow often blocks roads in winter. Weather changes unpredictably along the way, and accommodation and food options are very basic. It’s more suitable for adventure travelers or those seeking deep, immersive experiences. First-time visitors to Tibet are advised not to choose this route.The Qinghai–Tibet Highway offers the best road conditions among all the routes into Tibet. Although sections are under continuous repair each year, most of the road is paved with asphalt and is generally safe. Accommodation and dining options are more readily available compared to other Tibet routes. However, the scenery is relatively plain and monotonous, lacking the dramatic beauty of the Sichuan–Tibet or Yunnan–Tibet routes. Moreover, the journey involves crossing several high mountain passes at around 5,000 meters above sea level (It is the route with the best road conditions into Tibet. Although road construction is ongoing every year, most sections are paved, and there are basically no major dangers. Accommodation and food options are also more readily available compared to other overland routes into Tibet. However, the scenery is relatively plain and monotonous, not as spectacular or dramatic as that of the Sichuan–Tibet or Yunnan–Tibet routes, and the journey involves crossing several mountain passes at around 5,000 meters above sea level (Kunlun Mountain Pass,Tanggula Mountain...Tanggula Mountains), there may be some symptoms of altitude sickness. It is suitable for first-time travelers to Tibet who do not wish to take a flight.
10.Qinghai-Tibet RailwayWhat are the accommodation and dining conditions along the way?
Accommodation can generally be guaranteed. Even at places with relatively poor conditions such as Xidatan, Wudaoliang, and Tuotuohe, there are guesthouses and military supply stations where you can stay. Basically, you can check in upon arrival, and they rarely fill up. Once you passTanggula Passand reach the Amdo area, there are also hotels. Wherever there are hotels, you can enjoy hot water and take showers. Of course, guesthouses cannot guarantee hot water. As for dining, there is absolutely no problem. There are many Sichuan restaurants and eateries run by Hui people along the route. As long as you’re not on an extremely remote stretch, you can find hot meals or noodles within about ten minutes in villages or near military units. Moreover, there are plenty of small shops along the way where you can buy instant noodles or biscuits.