☆We have already started the arrangement for foreign travellers 11 July , 2008

After Tibet reopened on 26th June, there have been already quite a few groups of tourists who left for Tibet from our hostel and came back without any trouble.

The train between ChengDu and Lhasa has already restarted running from 2nd July, its running time is as same as before, it departs once every other day and in case of July it leaves for Lhasa on date of even number. However, it is still very hard to obtain the train ticket.

Besides, it is still not allowed to visit Samye Kloster, Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery in Lhasa area.

Concerning to this time Tibet’s reopening, it’s quite strict for foreigners to travel to Tibet. In addtion to the previous conditions, some restrictions were added as followes:

☆Tibet is open for foreign travellers 26 June , 2007

After waiting for long time, now Tibet Autonomy Region (TAR) is open for foreign travellers. Actually we have heard that it is open on 25th, but we were still not very sure. We asked a few travel agencies in Lhasa and some said they have recieved formal letter from Tibet Travel Bureau (TTB). And today we have succesed with applying TTB permit and our customer is flying to Lhasa on 28th. But the situation is still not very steady and we suppose Tibet will be open slowly and carefully. It is still not allowed to travel individually, and the way we are able to arrange trip is by "Option 1-2" type, "Option 3" is still not available. Please read here to know the details about these Options.

We also think Tibet area in Sichuan Province is also going to be open gradually, but at the moment we still think there are restriction in many places.

☆Situation in Lhasa is getting worse 14 Mar, 2008

Just now (14th Mar. about 16 o'clock), we got a news from Lhasa, saying that there is riots taking place in Lhasa. It seems quite serious and we heard that almost all the shops, restaurants and hotels were closed and there is no electrisity and food providing in some area at momennt. Also the area around Jokhang Temple and Barkor Street is controled by the army and nobody is allowed to enter the area.

Due to this circumstance, we've suspended our service of the third option trip to Lhasa (that is only to issue plane/train ticket and Tibet Permit to individual tourists). Because the latest detailed information about the situation in Lhasa is yet to come out, we still don't know how it can affect our service of the first and second option trip to Lhasa. We have to wait and see for some time how it will develop. If you know any information about this situation, please feel free to contact with us, and share with us!

As soon as we get new information from Lhasa, we will inform you of it.

Because of the demonstration which is happened in Depun Monastery on 10 Mar, now it became difficult to arrange tirp to Tibet by option-3. We will update the new information when we have more specific details and please ask our staff by e-mail.

According to information from our business partner travel agency in Lhasa, dated on 12 th March, due to the coming Olympic torch relay in Tibet, all of foreign tourists are not allowed to go to Everest Base Camp during March, April, and May. In addition to it, Sera Monastery, Ganden Monastery and Drepung Monastery in or around Lhasa are also subject to the list in which foreign tourists can't visit.

Because of the sudden change of situation in Lhasa, the third option of Lhasa trip (that is only to issue plane or train ticket and Tibet Permit to individual tourists) is suspended for uncertain time until the current situation in Lhasa improves. However, it is still possible for you to use the first and the second option to go traveling to Lhasa.

☆Travelling Restriction happning again Oct , 2007

TTB started to control travelling of individual backpakers in Tibet again since 10 Oct. We have not heard details about the reason but it seems because of political problem. In the beginning we were told that the restrictoin will finish around the end of this month, but it is still continuing. So at the moment we are still not able to able to arrange trip in Lhasa by "Option 3" and we can help you to arrange "Option2-3" type. Please read here to know the details about these Options.

☆Travelling Restriction Sep , 2007

Since Chinese National Holiday is approaching, the TTB office will be closed or only have someone on duty very short. So it will be difficult to deal with the Tibet Entry Entry around the holiday . If you are travelling during the holiday, please arrange things in advance .Most placese will be croweded and things are expensive during the holiday.

☆Worried about Tibet things Aug 9th, 2007

Recently, there are some news related Tibet (bad news): Some Tibet free activities happend in China . We worried these activities will bring troubles to our traveller who are interested in Tibet trip and only purpose to Tibet is for Travelling.

Right now, it goes as usaul. But ,Please be prepared if there is any suddenly change which will stop your trip.

☆ Getting Permit during the Festival Aug 9th, 2007

There is a big, important festival on Aug 12 - Shoton Festival

The TTB officer will only work very short time per day till 21 of Aug. While there are many people waiting for it, so during next week, we may be NOT able to get the permit on time as usual (normally 2 working day).

☆ Change Train in Xining July 24th, 2007

Now if you take a train from Chengdu to Xining, you have to change seat at Xining. Because the train is very crowded dring summer holiday, they Railway Dep is trying to increase the seat. When the train stopped at the Xining Train Station, the train man will take you to the other train. You will get the same number's berth/seat in the different train.

☆ POTALA PALACE ENTRANCE TICKET July, 2007

Now it is getting very hard to get the entrance ticket and you can only spend 2 hours there (and only 1 hour for tour group). Only 2300 people allowed visiting POTALA PALACE per day.

☆Our recent experience about Tibet Entry Permit July, 2007

The situation has come down. But we worried that there will be some changes later.

We normally need at least 2 working days to deal with Tibet Entry Permit. Our guests can get on plane from Chengdu ShuangLiu Airport with the copy of the Permit which is hold by our driver. But during these days, we found that there are problems sometimes when you check in at airport if driver do not have original permit. Finally, our guests get on plane without delay or change. But there are guests who take flight to Lhasa from other place got problem and were delayed.

It takes around another 2 days to send original Permit by mail to ChengDu. Even you booked earlier, TTB accept the application when the date is getting very close, and they don't accept early arrengement. So we worried about there maybe suddenly change. Such as taking more days to deal with the permit, or change of the application procedure, etc.

We will NOT hold any responsibility due to the changes (or suddenly changes), even you make booking earlier.

Thanks for your kind understandings.