Things you need to know before traveling to Tibet!

1. Altitude Sickness Symptoms 

When first entering high-altitude areas like Tibet, due to the increase in elevation and decrease in oxygen, some people may experience symptoms such as headache, tinnitus, shortness of breath, general weakness, and insomnia. In severe cases, there may be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, palpitations, and bluish complexion.

2. How to Alleviate Altitude Sickness 

It is recommended that when you first arrive at a high-altitude area, avoid running or brisk walking, do not drink alcohol, refrain from bathing for the first few days, drink plenty of water, eat more fruits and vegetables, get plenty of rest, and stay mentally relaxed.

If you only feel slightly unwell, there’s no need to use oxygen—try to acclimate naturally. For those who are sensitive to altitude sickness, start taking Rhodiola or Gaoyuan’an two weeks before your trip. Once there, you can take supplements like ginseng tablets, inosine tablets or oral liquid, or Nuodikang capsules, which can help alleviate symptoms.

Glucose, while not a medication for altitude sickness, can also help relieve its symptoms. Drinking butter tea also has a surprisingly positive effect on altitude sickness.

3. Transportation to Tibet 

If you have enough time, it is recommended to take the train to Tibet to gradually adapt to the altitude. If you’re short on time, choose to fly, but avoid bathing on the day you arrive and get plenty of rest.

4. People Who Should Not Travel to Tibet 

1. Those suffering from various heart diseases, blood disorders, or cerebrovascular diseases.

2. Those with chronic respiratory diseases.

3. Individuals with epilepsy, schizophrenia, or uncontrolled diabetes.

4. Those with severe colds, fevers, or respiratory infections.

5. People who have previously suffered from high-altitude pulmonary edema, high-altitude cerebral edema, high-altitude hypertension, high-altitude heart disease, or high-altitude polycythemia.

6. High-risk pregnant women.

5. Tibetan Cuisine 

Thanks to the large number of tourists, cities like Lhasa offer a wide variety of food options on every street, so you don’t need to worry about finding something to eat.

If you’re interested in Tibetan cuisine, you might want to try dishes like yak beef stewed with radish, chicken with cordyceps and matsutake, roasted barley with butter, or beef curry rice.

Snacks include Tibetan noodles, Tibetan dumplings, Tibetan buns, sweet tea, butter tea, yak yogurt, and beef pies.

6. High-Altitude Sun Protection 

The sun in Tibet has very strong ultraviolet rays. Without proper protection, you can get not just tanned but also sunburned, so sun protection is essential. Be sure to bring a sun hat, sunglasses, a windproof face mask or mask, sunscreen, and lip balm.

The air in Tibet is dry, so remember to carry moisturizing cream.

7. Tibetan Weather 

There is a relatively large temperature difference between day and night, which is also closely related to altitude. The temperature at Namtso is about 10 degrees lower than in Lhasa, and sunny days are much warmer than nights.

Additionally, in high-altitude areas, it is usually sunny during the day and rainy or snowy at night. Tibet’s rainy season is from May to October, although most rainfall occurs at night.

8. Everyday Clothing 

The temperature difference between day and night is significant, so try to avoid going out at night. When visiting high-altitude areas, pay attention to keeping warm—preferably wear a windbreaker. From April to October, Lhasa isn’t very cold, and regular clothing is fine, but in remote areas, it’s best to check local climate conditions.

9. Border Permit Application 

Only the following areas require a border permit.

Shigatse Region: Zhongba County, Saga County, Nyalam County, Dingri County, Kangma County, Yadong County, Gongba County, Dinggye County, Gyirong County

Shannan Region: Cona County, Longzi County, Lhodrak County, Langkazi County

Nyingchi Region: Mainling County, Lang County, Zayü County, Motuo County

Ngari Region: Purang County, Zhada County, Rutog County, Gar County

10. Purchasing Potala Palace Tickets 

Potala Palace tickets cost 200 yuan. During the off-season, you can buy them directly at the ticket office for same-day entry. During peak season, very few tickets are available for individual travelers, who must go to the west gate of the Potala Palace one day in advance with their ID to obtain a purchase voucher, then return the next day to officially buy tickets and enter.

11. Language Communication 

Most young Tibetans can understand Mandarin, so communication isn’t an issue. However, older people in many remote areas may have more difficulty communicating.

12. Travel Souvenirs 

Barkhor Street has lots of small items, but most are from Wenzhou. If you want to buy something slightly more valuable, like turquoise or amber, be sure to shop carefully. For thangkas, go to specialty thangka shops. If you’re looking to buy Tibetan medicine, caterpillar fungus, snow lotus, or saffron, head to the pedestrian street (Yutuo Road) right in front of the Jokhang Temple—the area is more concentrated and mostly home to legitimate shops.

13. Tibetan Taboos 

Tibetans do not eat donkey, horse, or dog meat, and in some areas, they also avoid fish.

When drinking butter tea, the host pours it, and the guest should wait until the host presents it with both hands before accepting and drinking it.

When passing religious sites such as monasteries, mani piles, or stupas, you must walk around them from left to right (those who follow the Bon religion walk clockwise). Prayer wheels should be turned clockwise; Bon followers turn them counterclockwise.

Do not touch someone else’s head with your hand; do not pass or receive items with one hand; avoid using paper with Tibetan script as toilet paper or for wiping things.

Inside a herdsman’s tent, men sit on the left and women on the right—do not mix. Avoid throwing bones into the fire.

When there is a sick person or a woman giving birth in a Tibetan home, a marker is placed outside the door—some light a fire outside, while others place branches or hang a red cloth strip. Outsiders seeing this marker should not enter.

14. Safety in Tibet 

Tibet is very safe, with excellent public security, especially in Lhasa—you don’t need to worry at all, and it’s fine to go out at night. There are soldiers fully armed at almost every intersection in the urban area.

15. Temple Visitation Notes 

When entering a temple, smoking, touching Buddha statues, flipping through scriptures, or striking bells and drums are taboo. You must not touch the religious items worn by lamas, such as amulets or prayer beads. Inside the temple, remain quiet, sit upright, and never sit in the seat of a living Buddha. Avoid making loud noises, hunting, or killing animals near temples. Before entering a temple, remove your hat and sunglasses as a sign of respect. Photography is not allowed in some temple halls.

16. Best Viewing Spot for Namcha Barwa Peak 

Namcha Barwa Peak has been ranked first among “China’s Most Beautiful Mountains,” so many people hope to see it in person—it’s said that catching a glimpse of it brings great luck. But Namcha Barwa is often shrouded in clouds, making sightings rare. The chances are higher in spring and autumn when the weather is clear. Good viewing spots include the Sejila Pass, though it’s a bit far, but the best locations are Zhibai Village and Dalin Village near Pai Town.

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