On Apr. 25, 2015, a devastating earthquake struck Nepal and affected southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.

Is it safe to travel to Tibet after the earthquake? Yup, it still is！

Mr. Kungar Dundup, the client service manager of Tibet Vista, gave his detailed explanations, according to the Shigatse International Travel Service.

Q: Will our trips be canceled due to the earthquake?

A: The quake-hit areas were mainly lie in the border between China and Nepal. After the earthquake, the Chinese government made the National Highway 318 as the rescue passage, and neither private cars andtourist buses, nor public cars are allowed to enter. Currently， tourists were unable to travel to Shigatse, Gyangze, Tingri, and Mt. Qomolangma area，which used to be hot tourist attractions. If these places were your planned destinations, it is necessary for you to change your itinerary. Our recommended spots are Tsedang, Lhasa and Nyingchi in eastern Tibet.

Q: Which places are affected by the earthquake in Tibet?

A: The affected areas included Nyalam and Gyirong counties, and the gorges to the east of Mt. Himalaya.

Though the quake was strong in some areas, the major attractions in Tibet as a wholeremained safe and sound, such as Lhasa, Tsedang, Namtso Lake, and Nyingchi, Shigatse and Nagri are temporarily denied access for relief and rescue purposes.

Q: Is it possible to travel to the north slope of Mt. Qomolangma Base Camp?

A: There was no house damage and avalanche in the north slope of Mt.Qomolangma. The Rongbuk Monastery and its affiliated guest house as well as the Mt. Qomolangma Hotel remained intact. The road from Tingri to Mt. Qomolangma was also unaffected by the quake.

At present, as the continuous aftershocks were very likely to occur, the local government, for safety concerns and need of relief efforts, temporarily shut down thisarea. Hopefully, it will reopen to the public in the near future.

Q: When will the China-Nepal road be resumed?

A: Up till now, the fallen rocks have been removed and the traffic of the China-Nepal road has been resumed. But it is not open to tourists yet for many tourists are still stranded in the bordering areas and the regional government is now trying to rescue them. Hopefully, the road will reopen to the public when the rescue work is finished.

Q: Is the Application of Tibet Travel Permit to Mt. Qomolangma and Shigatse is suspended?

A: Yes， the Application of Tibet Travel Permit to Mt. Qomolangma and Shigatse and Nagri is suspended for the time being to both Chinese and foreign tourists. The suspension doesn’t mean travelling in these areas is unsafe. The government made this decision to organize the disaster relief and rescue vehicles to pass.

However, the suspension is temporary in some areas only.

Q: If we are denied access to Mt, Qomolangma, whereelse could we go?

A: Tourists to Shigatse, Mt. Qomolangma, and Ngari may have to postpone your tours from June to September until these areas are safe enough. Some alternatives we recommend are as follows:

Tsedang: the Yarlung Tsangpo River, known as the cradle of Tibetan civilization the first monastery in Tibet, first farm, and the origin of the first Tibetan dynasty

Nyingchi: noted for its low altitude, snow-capped mountains and dense forests, gorgeous farmland and superb place for landscape photographing, dubbed “oriental Switzerland”

Lhasa and its surrounding area (one-week-long trip): famous for its densely-built Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, snow-capped mountains, temples and gorges in the surrounding areas.