How to get your Tibet Travel Permit (TTP): A Step -by-step guide
Tibet is a dream destination for international tourists. Every year, millions of visitors come to explore its breathtaking natural scenery, ancient Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and natural sacred attractions such as Yamdrok Lake, Mount Kailash, Mount Everest and Potala Palace. However, without a Tibet Travel Permit, it is completely impossible to visit this region.
Why Do You Need a Tibet Travel Permit?
Tibet is an autonomous region of China, unlike any other cities, Tibet has unique foreigner’s entry rules, independent travel to Tibet is not allowed, every foreign passport holder must book your desired Tibet Tour through a registered Tibet Travel Agency like Tibet Roof of the World. Once you confirm your particular itinerary for the Tibet tour, your Tibet Travel Agency will apply for your Tibet Travel Permits which is a mandatory document to enter to Tibet as this TTP will be checked at airports, train stations, hotels and entrance for any attractions for your Tibet tour, without it, you can’t enter to Tibet at all.
Step 1: Book your Tibet Tour with a Registered Travel Agency in Tibet
Since independent travel to Tibet is prohibited, you must book a Tibet tour with a registered Travel Agency and they will handle all Tibet permits based on your itinerary, a part from that, they will arrange speaking English local guide, experienced local driver and high standard accommodations.
Step 2: Get your Tibet Travel Permit (TTP)
After confirmation your Tibet tour, based on your itinerary, your Tibet Travel Agency will submit the application to the Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa which will take 7-15 working days.
Documents required
-A scanned copy of your valid passport (At least required 6 Month valid) and China Visa (Not required if your passport is visa free in China)
– Detailed your Tibet Tour Itinerary and Travel Dates
Your travel agency will mail the TTP to your hotel in Mainland China, without it you can’t’ board on flight and train.
Step 3: Additional Permits required in Tibet
Beside your Tibet Travel Permit(TTP), you may require some other permits based on your itinerary
- Alien Travel Permit (ATP), this permit is required to visit some restricted regions like Mount Everest Base Camp and in western part of Tibet and Nyingtri. For detailed information, please write to us at [email protected]
- Military Permit : As you can see from the word, this permits is related to military department, thus this travel document is mainly issued by the military authority in Tibet, in fact, this permits is compulsory for entering to any politically sensitive and border regions between China and neighboring countries. The military permits are required for visiting following places in Tibet.
- Ali ( Far Western Tibet)
- Guge Kingdom ( Far Western Tibet)
- Gyirong ( New Border to Nepal)
- Lake Manasarovar ( Near Mt. Kailash in Far Western Tibet)
- Kailash ( Western Tibet)
- Nyima country ( Border country between Ali and Nakchu Prefecture)
NOTE:
Visitors from Hong Kong and Macau, no need TTP for the Tibet tour, just need a special document, which is known as China Home Return Permits and can be applied from your resident but need to book your Tibet tour through a Tibet Travel Agency in Tibet.
For detail information about Tibet Travel Permits and Tibet tours, please write to us at [email protected] and our expert travel consultants will reply you with their best knowledge about the region and its regulations.