1. What are Tibet's local delicacies  and where can I get them?

Zanba (roasted barley flour), butter tea, yak meat, Tibetan noodles, sweet tea, highland barley wine (Qingke wine) are the most popular food in Tibet. If you want to experience real Tibet , we will highly recommend the sweet teahouses in Tibet, where you can taste the authentic Tibetan noodles, sweet tea, and feel the hospitality of local Tibetans.

If you want to taste more, the Aluocang Restaurant, just beside the celebrated Jokhang Tempe, will never disappoint you. There are various local Tibetan dishes for your choice, but the price is a little higher. Many travelers find some Tibetan dishes don’t agree with them, such as dried beef and Zanba.

2. How is the weather like in Tibet?

Except for northern Tibet and the No-man Area in Ngari Prefecture, the temperature in Tibet is very agreeable, especially for travel. In summer, the daytime temperature is generally below 25 degrees centigrade (77 degrees Fahrenheit), and about 10 degrees centigrade (50 degrees Fahrenheit) in the evening. In winter, it is also about ten degrees centigrade in the daytime, just a bit lower than zero at night. Usually, most of the sightseeing activities are in the daytime, so to the tourists, summer is not so hot, and winter is not so cold.

3. How is the road condition in rainy seasons? Are rain gears necessary?

The rainy season in Tibet is mainly in June, July and August, when the road condition becomes very bad and dangerous. You will never know what may block you on the way. For example, the road may be good in the previous day but broken and blocked the next day because of rain, so you have to take a devious route. However, there are a huge amount of workers maintaining the road, and also with local garrison's help, the traffic normally can resume in a few hours.

As for the rain gears, if you are traveling on your own, like trekking, mountain hiking, bicycling and other adventurous tours, rain trousers and boots and windproof coats are required. But if you travel with an agency, then you don't have to bring rain gears, for most of the rains in Tibet fall at night, and the weather will clear up in the daytime. Furthermore, there is a tour bus along with you, so you don't need to worry at all.   

4. When is the best time to visit Tibet?

The peak season for traveling in Tibet is mainly between April and October, when the scenery in Tibet is the most beautiful. However, the costs of accommodations and shopping are much higher during the peak season. Many major Tibetan traditional festivals, such as the Shoton Festival fall in these months.

It is cheaper to travel in winter with fewer tourists and lower costs of accommodation. If you like the bustling atmosphere, you can come in July or August, but if you prefer a quieter tour, December is a good time. There are not so many tourists in December, expect for a few living or spending in the long winter in Tibet. 

5. Are there any restrictions on foreign tourists to visit Tibet? What about overseas Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong and Macao residents? What are the procedures? And how long will it take?

Foreign tourists must be organized to travel to Tibet. They must be organized by travel agencies and with confirmed routes. What's more, a "Tibet Travel Permit" (TTP for short) from the Tibet Tourism Bureau is indispensable. The TTP must be shown upon booking flights and boarding planes.

Overseas Chinese and Taiwanese also need to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit. Hong Kong and Macao residents need a Home Return Certificate instead of the TTP.

Foreign tourists, overseas Chinese, and Taiwanese can entrust the Tibet Tourism Bureau and travel agencies to apply for the permit with the copies of passport, Chinese Visa and work certificate. Normally, it will take about one week, or 2-3 days for emergency. 

6. Who needs a border pass when traveling Tibet? How to apply and can it be applied in Tibet?

Since many places in Tibet are in the border areas or haven't been entirely opened to tourists, domestic citizens (including Hong Kong and Macao citizens) must apply for border passes if they want to enter these areas. Otherwise, they will be turned down.

For Chinese citizens who have valid passports, which have been endorsed with overseas visa, they don't have to apply for border passes. The procedure of Tibet border pass is the same as that of Shenzhen. People can apply for it with their Identification Cards at the police station where they keep their household registration. We suggest you get a certification of travel at the Tibet Tourism Bureau before applying for a border pass in case some police stations may reject your application. 

7. Which areas in Tibet need border passes?

Shigatse Prefecture: Zhongba county, Saga county, Nylam county (Zham), Tingri county, Kangma county, Yadong county, Gampa county, Dinggye county, Gyirong county.

Lhoka Prefecture: Cona county, Lhongzi county, Lhodak county, Nanggarze county.

Nyingtri Prefecture: Mailing county, Nang county, Zayul county, Medog county.

Ngari Prefecture: Purang county, Zhada county, Rutog county, Gar county.