Tibet is one of my dream travel destinations. This year, I finally fulfilled that wish by visiting Lhasa.
Foreign tourists are required to book their trips to Tibet through a travel agency. For this journey, I made my arrangements about five months in advance with "Great Tibet Tour," opting for one of their organized group tour packages. Booking ahead gave me ample time to prepare for the trip and sort out transportation.
Great Tibet Tour provided excellent service: the booking process was smooth, the itinerary was well-planned, and the staff, including customer service representatives, tour guides, and drivers, were professional, responsible, and attentive. If I were to visit Tibet again, I would certainly consider using this agency once more.
I traveled from Singapore, transiting through Chengdu before finally arriving in Lhasa. The entire journey required careful coordination between international and domestic Chinese flights. Since a "Tibet Travel Permit" is required to board a flight from Chengdu to Lhasa, I spent one night at a hotel near Chengdu Tianfu Airport.
Upon arriving in Lhasa, my long-awaited Tibetan adventure began. Given the high altitude, I recommend that travelers familiarize themselves with tips for visiting high-altitude regions and allow sufficient time for acclimatization upon arrival. It is best to book your flights in advance and inform the travel agency; they can arrange airport transfers, which makes the process completely stress-free.
During this trip, I stayed at a four-star hotel, Thangka Hotel. Located near Barkhor Street, it sits right in the heart of the city. The hotel is comfortable and well-suited for the basic needs of a traveler. The rooms are quite spacious, approximately 30 square meters. The hotel is well-equipped with amenities such as a restaurant, a game room (for board games and cards), and a laundry facility. The rooms have air conditioning, a television, a hairdryer, and essential toiletries. I would definitely choose to stay at the Thangka Hotel again.
The Thangka Hotel is well-situated and located in a safe area. The surrounding neighborhood features various shops, restaurants, and streets with a distinct local character, allowing visitors to experience everyday local life alongside their sightseeing. Nearby attractions, such as the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street, are within walking distance, while those further away can be reached by tour vehicle. I would definitely choose to stay here again.
The focus of this trip was to explore the history, culture, and religious traditions of Lhasa. It was an organized tour with a fixed itinerary. The travel agency handled all the attraction tickets in advance, so I didn’t have to worry about a thing. The highlight was visiting the sites—especially the Potala Palace, one of Lhasa’s most iconic landmarks, which is truly impressive with its magnificent architecture and long history. There was no need to spend much time shopping during the trip. A pleasant surprise was interacting with the locals on Barkhor Street and getting a glimpse into their daily lives. The locals were warm and kind.
In Lhasa, I had breakfast at the hotel. For lunch and dinner, I dined at local restaurants, where I could sample traditional Tibetan cuisine, as well as Nepalese dishes, Sichuan cuisine, and other Chinese food. The "Lhasa Kitchen" is highly recommended. For travelers interested in local culture, specialties like Tibetan noodles, sweet tea, Tibetan-style dumplings, and yak meat are well worth trying. I suggest choosing clean, hygienic restaurants frequented by locals, rather than "trendy" spots or eateries located right next to major tourist attractions.
I booked this trip as a package through Great Tibet Tour, which made it easy to plan my travel budget. Traveling in Tibet is not cheap, but joining a group tour offers relatively good value. I visited Lhasa in September and joined a 4-day group tour, which cost $690 (based on sharing a room with another traveler). This price does not include air or train tickets. As for meals, they typically cost about $5–15 per person per meal; dining with other travelers and splitting the bill is a more cost-effective option.
If I were to visit Lhasa again, I would plan in advance and make sure to download WeChat and Alipay, as they are much more convenient for daily use locally.
On a group tour, you are accompanied by a guide throughout the trip. When I arrived in Lhasa, I experienced some altitude sickness; my guide helped me purchase medication for it. I felt significantly better after taking the medicine. So, I learnt that Altitude sickness medication and supplemental oxygen are generally effective for alleviating symptoms. I think joining a guided group tour is a great option.
This trip to Lhasa gave me the chance to get an up-close look at Tibet’s unique culture, history, and religious traditions. From the magnificent Potala Palace to the vibrant, bustling Barkhor Street, Lhasa possesses an unforgettable charm. Booking a tour package in advance through Great Tibet Tour also helped me organize my trip more effectively. I hope to return to Lhasa, Tibet, in the future to further explore this sacred land. I would highly recommend Tibet to travelers who have an interest in history, culture, religious architecture, and natural scenery. Please note that Tibet is not suitable for children under the age of 3, pregnant women, or individuals with serious heart conditions, coronary heart disease, or severe asthma.