| Tibet, China |
Facts for the Visitor
Visas| US citizen: | 30-day single-entry visa processed in 5 days: $33 30-day single-entry visa processed in 3 days: $56 30-day single-entry visa processed in 1 day: $66 |
| Japanese citizen: | 30-day single-entry visa processed in 5 days: $33 30-day single-entry visa processed in 3 days: $56 30-day single-entry visa processed in 1 day: $66 |
| In addition to a Chinese Visa, a Tibet Entry Permit is required to enter Tibet. Permit checkpoints within Tibet verify that each foreigner is permitted to be there. Tibet Entry Permits are arranged through tour operators in Mainland China and Kathmandu, Nepal. In Mainland China, at minimum, a round-trip bus ticket to Lhasa must be purchased through the tour operator for Tibet Entry Permit processing to begin. In Nepal, a minimum 5-day tour and outbound bus or plane ticket from Lhasa must be purchased through the tour operator. |
| English is sufficient in tourist areas. Knowing a few Chinese characters like "man", "woman", "wash", "vegetable", and "meat" are a tremendous help when ordering at a restaurant, going to the bathroom, and looking for a laundry or public bath. |
| There are no ATMs connected to the Plus, Cirrus, nor Maestro international networks in Tibet. |
| The best way to get Chinese Yuan is by American Express card at the main Bank of China office in Lhasa. US$ are charged to the AmEx card and Chinese Yuan or US$ cash are returned at the intra-bank rate without commission. A cash advance on VISA costs 3%. The US$-Yuan cash exchange rate at banks is 2.5% worse than the AmEx cash advance rate. |
| US$ 1 = ¥ 8.26 (Chinese Yuan) on October 19, 2001. |
| 220V, 50Hz. Electrical outlets accept US/Japan parallel flat pin plugs, mainland Europe round pin plugs, and Australia/New Zealand slanted flat pin plugs. |
| International Certificates of Vaccination are not required. |
| Tips are not expected. |
| Public China Telecom pay phones are found even in the most remote towns and only accept IC telephone cards. |
| The only Internet point in Tibet is in Lhasa. Connection speed is slow. Cost is typically ¥5 per hour, ¥3 minimum. |
| Transportation in Tibet is very limited. Occasional buses are seen but road conditions are poor and sometimes impassable without 4-wheel drive. |
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