Tibet at a Glance
- Location: Tibet lies on the Tibetan Plateau in southwestern China, bordering Nepal, Bhutan, and India to the south.
- Population: The Tibet Autonomous Region counted about 3.65 million people in the 2020 Chinese census.
- Continent: Located in East Asia, Tibet is a high-altitude region of China on the northern side of the Himalayas.
- Capital: Lhasa is Tibet's capital and its spiritual and administrative centre.
- Currency: Tibet uses the Chinese Yuan (Renminbi).
- Language: Tibetan is the everyday language for most residents, alongside Mandarin Chinese.
- Religion: Tibet is predominantly Buddhist, alongside the older Bon tradition that predates Buddhism in the region.
- Elevation: Tibet averages around 4,000 metres above sea level, earning it the name "roof of the world."
- Highest peak: Mount Everest sits on Tibet's southern border with Nepal, at 8,848.86 metres.
- Ethnic composition: About 86% of the population is Tibetan, with the remainder mostly Han Chinese and other ethnic groups.
- Travel requirement: Foreign visitors need a Tibet Travel Permit and a registered local guide for the entire visit.
History of Tourism in Tibet
Tibet stayed almost entirely closed to outside visitors until China opened its borders to limited foreign travel in 1978, and even then, only small, tightly escorted groups could enter.
Everything changed in 1984, when China opened the Tibet Autonomous Region to independent travelers. The following spring, China opened the overland route linking Kathmandu and Lhasa, the same route many Tibet tour itineraries still follow today.
Visitor numbers rose tenfold within eighteen months. Restrictions have tightened and loosened several times since, and today every Tibet tour must run through a registered agency with aTibet Travel Permit arranged in advance. The reward for that paperwork is access to one of the most preserved Buddhist cultures left on the planet.
What a Tibet Tour Includes
Most journeys begin in Lhasa, Tibet's spiritual and administrative capital. A Tibet tour with us typically includes:
- Lhasa Culture Tour: The Potala Palace, once the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, along with Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, and Norbulingka Palace
- Tibet Overland Tour: A road journey past Yamdrok Lake and Gyantse toward Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan side
- Tibet Budget Tour: A lighter cost option for the same core highlights
- Mt Kailash Tour: The sacred kora around Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, revered across four religions
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Trekking and Natural Sites in Tibet
A Tibet tour is not only temples and palaces. Our Tibet Everest Base Camp Tour brings you within sight of the world's highest peak by vehicle and short hikes rather than a multi-week trek, making it accessible to travelers who want the view without weeks on the trail.
Along the way, the landscape itself becomes part of the Tibet tour:
- Namtso Lake
- Yarlung Tsangpo River
- The high-altitude Tibetan plateau
Our guides build time into every Tibet tour to properly take in these landmarks rather than rush past.
Travel Information for Tibet
A few things to know before you book:
- A Tibet tour must be booked well in advance so your Tibet Travel Permit and China visa can be processed correctly. Independent travel is not an option
- Lhasa sits above 3,600 metres, so we build acclimatization time into every Tibet tour before pushing toward higher passes and Everest Base Camp
- Learn more in our guides to the history of Tibet, religion of Tibet, and culture of Tibet before you travel
Why Choose Global Adventure Trekking?
Global Adventure Trekking has organized cross-border Himalayan travel smoothly since 1998. We provide experienced Tibetan guides, comfortable hotels, and reliable transportation for every Tibet tour we run, along with full support in obtaining your permits from our Kathmandu office.
We also combine a Tibet tour easily with a trip to Nepal or Bhutan for travelers who want to see all three Himalayan destinations on one journey.
Experience the Roof of the World
Explore Lhasa, Everest Base Camp, and Mount Kailash with a Tibet tour planned by Global Adventure Trekking. Reach out to us today to start your journey.
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