Our Group in Tibet

According to the latest regulation from Tibetan Tourism Bureau, a tour group over 20 is not allowed to enter Tibet and has to be divided into smaller groups. Groups over 19 will be assigned with a policeman on each bus to take care of the safety of the tourists. Passengers on each tourist bus should not exceed 20, including the tourists, driver, tour guide, and policeman. The driver will face serious punishment if the bus overloads or overspeeds. The new regulation also requires that the all drivers and tour guides should hold related certificates, and travel agencies are forbidden to hire illegal private drivers and guides. This regulation was released after two serious traffic accidents happened to tourist buses in Tibet on August 9 and 18, which caused more than 50 dead.

Summer is the tourist peak season in Tibet, but heavy rains in August will damage roads and also cause landslides. Here Travel China Guide assures our clients that we use qualified guides, drivers, and tourist buses. We also want to remind tourists that always bear safety in mind and say “No” to illegal private guides and drivers.

  Further Reading: Other Regulations about Tibet Tour

1.   Foreign tourists are not allowed to travel to Tibet individually. They are required to go with tour groups organized by a qualified agency.

2.  Tibet Travel Permit: foreign visitors have to apply a Tibet Travel Permit apart from their Chinese visa before entering Tibet. The permit can only be applied by their agency. What’s more, the permit can only be issued to groups containing tourists with same nationality. There is no limitation on group size.

3.   Aliens’ Travel Permit: visitors are also required to apply an Aliens’ Travel Permit if their tours involve the restricted areas in Tibet, including

Shigatse: Sakya Monastery, Mt. Everest, Rongbuk Monastery;

Tsetang: Samye Monastery, Tomb of Tibetan King, Changdruk Temple, Yumbulakhang;

Gyangtse: Pelkor Chode Monastery & Kubum Stupa;

Nqari Region;

Nyingchi: Basumtso Lake;

Chamdo Region.