Tibettours.com.cn Home

 |

Contact Us
News | About Tibet | Food | Hotel | Traffic | Scenic Spots | Shopping | Entertainment | FAQ | Map | Pictures
  Position: Home > FAQ
  • If the tourists have cardiopathy, high blood pressure, angina, chronic obstructive airway disease, anaemia, and epileptics,we suggest them not to Tibet!
  • Jiuzhaigou  and Huanglong is high area too! Most tourists have no problem!  You have enough time to acclimatize yourself to high area in Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong. Then to Tibet, the first day in Lhasa you have no program in order to acclimatize yourself to high area!
  • In Jiuzhaigou ,Huanglong and Lhasa you can buy oxygen sack!
  • It is very important for you, in Lhasa no rheum ,no fury movement!
  • Your all program in Jiuzhaigou and Tibet is not fast!!
If you have big worry for your Tibet tour, we can give up Tibet tour, instead of Leshan,Emeishan,Dujiangyan,Qingchengshan,Chengdu, Sanxingdui etc. many things in Chengdu to visit!
High Altitude Syndrome:
Travellers who will be visiting mountainous areas should be prepared to recognize and respond to the symptoms of high altitude syndrome. The human body can adjust to changes in altitude (known as acclimatization) but needs time. The time needed by each individual varies and also varies with each trip. If the ascent is too rapid and your body cannot adjust adequately, high altitude syndrome will occur. The syndrome covers a broad spectrum of symptoms, ranging from mild headache to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and to the more severe High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE). If the treatment is not received when symptoms appear, death could result.
What is high altitude syndrome?
High altitude syndrome typically appears on rapid ascent to altitude above 2,500 metres (8,000+feet), e.g. flying directly to Lhasa or La Paz from sea level. It is caused by the lowering of atmospheric oxygen pressure when ascending to high altitudes. The human body will compensate to the lowered oxygen pressure by increasing the pulse rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, while increased urination and mild isolated headache can occur. If the body cannot cope, symptoms of AMS will then occur gradually after few hours of ascent. AMS is suspected when the following occur on acute attitude gain:
  • Headache (usually throbbing, on both sides, worse during the night and on awakening, made worse by bending over)
  • Plus one of the following: nausea; fatigue; dizziness; sleep difficulty.
The headache condition in AMS is often described as similar to a bad hangover. The sleep difficulty may cause sudden awakening and a feeling of suffocation. Other symptoms include irritability, loss of appetite and swelling of the face, hands and feet.
Without proper acclimatization and continue to ascend, the illness may progress to the serious conditions of High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE).
HACE means fluids accumulate in the brain. The condition can appear within as short as 12 hours to 3 days of onset of mild AMS and usually accompanied by HAPE. Once present, it can progress rapidly and can be fatal in a matter of a few hours. Such tragic death is preventable and recognition of symptoms is thus most important. Early symptoms are:-
  • Changes in behavior (disinterested, cannot count accurately)
  • Disabling weakness (e.g. cannot rise up and go to toilet)
  • Loss of coordination (stumble gait, cannot walk a straight line toe-to-toe).
In HAPE, fluids accumulate in the lungs and further aggravate the lack of oxygen. It is the most common cause of death in high altitude. Most victims are young and fit. Its onset may be abrupt and is characterized by:
  • Decreased exercise performance (earliest symptom)
  • Breathlessness even at rest
  • Fatigue, weakness
  • Lips or fingernails turned blue
  • Cough with pinkish sputum (usually in late stage)
Long term stay at high altitude can induce chronic mountain sickness and deterioration of body functioning. This is rare as travellers seldom stay high for that long.
Who is more prone to high altitude syndrome?
The occurrence of AMS is related to rate of ascent, sleeping altitude attained, length of stay at altitude, level of exertion and genetic susceptibility. The young and fit are not less vulnerable, while elderly seems to be so. Women appear to be slightly more vulnerable, though less susceptible to HAPE. The risk will be increased if the traveller has too much determination, exhausted, nervous, dehydrated, exposed to cold, or suffering from respiratory tract infection.
How can I prevent high altitude syndrome?
  • In general, cardiopulmonary diseases will be affected adversely by the decrease of oxygen pressure. Thus travellers with high blood pressure, angina, chronic obstructive airway disease, anaemia, and epileptics should seek medical assessment first for fitness to travel to high altitudes.
  • Those with illness which affects oxygen exchange, e.g. influenza should defer travel until full recovery.
  • Avoid flying or driving directly to higher altitudes (e.g. Lhasa, La Paz). If this is impossible, take more rest, minimize exertion and showers, drink more water, avoid alcohol, large meals and sleeping pills during the first few days after landing for proper acclimatization.
  • The simplest way to avoid or reduce the symptoms of AMS is to ascend slowly to allow enough time for acclimatization. Methods include:-
  1. when ascending, acclimatize for 2 to 3 nights at 2,500 to 3,000 metres.
  2. after reaching 3,000 metres, keep your sleeping altitude gain between 300 to 600 metres per day.
  3. for every 1,000 metres gained, stay at same altitude for 1 extra night.
  4. climb higher during the day, sleep lower during the night.
  • Keep warm to prevent cold exposure. Adopt a relaxed attitude helps to get acclimatized.
  • Be aware of symptoms of AMS, HACE and HAPE in yourself and among companions, and take appropriate remedial actions. Never ignore the early warning symptoms and signs.
  • Don't force yourself to keep up with the pace of the trekking group or to attain the target altitude. If necessary, leave the group and descend immediately, even at night. This is because HAPE can be fatal within a few hours.
What should I do if I begin to have symptoms?
  • For mild symptoms, limit your activity level and remain at the same altitude for a day or two until full recovery before resuming the ascent.
  • Descent is the definitive treatment for all forms of high altitude syndrome. You must descend if symptoms do not subside after 24 hours or become worse. A drop in altitude of 500 to 1,000 metres is usually effective.
  • If you suffer from symptoms of HACE and HAPE, you should descend immediately and seek treatment.
  • The drug acetazolamide can lessen AMS symptoms and help with acclimatization. It is taken one day before ascent and continued for several days at altitude. Please consult your doctor.
  • Herbal medication Ginkgo biloba and Rhodiola rosea have been used for prevention and need to be taken at least 5 days before ascent. However, their effects have not been proven clearly by large scale randomized control trial. Please consult your doctor for further information.
How to treat high altitude syndrome?
  • For mild isolated headache, use of panadol or aspirin can often provide relief.
  • If symptoms of AMS persist for more than 24 hours, one must descend immediately, which is the best effective treatment.
  • For AMS, the drug acetazolamide can also be used for treatment. It is given at onset of symptoms and continued for one day after symptoms have cleared. For HACE and HAPE, there are specific drugs available, but their effectiveness cannot match that of immediate descent. Please consult your doctor for further information.
  • Breathing oxygen at altitude lessen symptoms but is not advisable if one stay at altitude for long.
Where are the high risk areas?
Typical examples of cities or areas above 2,500 metres are:
Country
Area/City
Altitude
China
Sichuan
Jiu Huang airport
Huanglong
Daocheng, Yading
2,900 m
Average 3,300 m
Average 3,700 m
 
Yunnan
Shangri-La
Yulong Xueshan cable car
3,300+m
4,500 m
 
Qingzang Gaoyuan
Qinghai Hu
Lhasa , Gonggar airport
Ngari diqu, Naqu diqu
Qomolangma base camp
3,200 m
3,600+m
Average 4,500 m
5,200 m

Foreign Tourist:

"Foreign tourist" here refers to the person who doesn't hold Chinese ID card. For Taiwan people who have "TaiboZheng" still need to get permit for traveling in Tibet. Hongkong and Macao people now are in freely need of permit.

Independent tour:

Independent tour is prohibited in Tibet. You should take part in an organized group or have the local travel operator to arrange for you.

Tibet Entry Permit

Fly from any city to Lhasa you will need to show this permit when you check in at the airport. Furthermore, whenever you buy a flight to Lhasa you need to show this permit. The permit is also needed by groups traveling by Land but this will be arranged by the travel agency organizing the trip. Travel agency gets a travel permit for you!

Alien's Travel Permit

If you want to go further to the "unopened" areas, you need an Alien's travel permit issued by PSB of Tibet. It is called "Alien's Travel Permit". Travel agency gets a travel permit for you !

Please send us your
1) full name; 2) gender; 3) date of birth; 4) passport number; 5) nationality 6) occupation
You need to apply for the travel permit at least 10 days prior to your entry date.
Please note that if you do not book any tour from us, we can not help you get the permits. No travel agency can provide "permit-only" service.

Important Issues about Tibet Travel Permit

1. All kinds of people can get Tibet permit through a travel agency except diplomats, journalists, and government officials who should travel to Tibet under the arrangement by the Foreign Affairs Office of Tibet Government.

2. After having a permit, a travel agency could buy you the air tickets, and you can pass the check-in at the airport and the check point reroute with the permit.

3. Only the guide could hold the permit after you establish yourself on Tibet land. You are not allowed to bring with it and travel to anywhere you want because except Lhasa you need another permit named as "Aliens' Permit". Otherwise if you are stopped by the police you will be sent out of Tibet or have trouble politically and economically. Furthermore, the travel agency which helped to get you the permit will also be in trouble.

Therefore seriously not any legitimate travel agency could sell you the Tibet permit if you do not book a tour with them. We don't think you would like to be in trouble due to a "sold" Tibet permit after you pay a lot of money for the tour.

Best season for tour in Tibet:

Generally speaking, from April to October is the best season for Tibet tour. However, having a winter tour can be pleasant if you don't mind the cold weather. You can avoid the tourist crowds, and economical accommodations and transportation are more available.

Popular places in Tibet:

Lhasa, Tsedang, Gyantse, Shigatse, Tingri, Zhangmu etc. are the most popular places in Tibet, for both normal and trekking itineraries. For expedition, Mt. Everest and Mt. Kailish are the most exciting and accessible areas.

Enter Tibet:

By air, there are several routes are available now: Chengdu -Lhasa,Beijing-Lhasa, Shanghai-Lhasa, Xi'an-Lhasa, Xining-Lhasa, Guangzhou-Lhasa, Chongqing-Lhasa, Kathmandu-Lhasa. Especially Chengdu-Lhasa, every day at least 3 planes!

By land, the possible routes are: Qinghai-Lhasa, Sichuan-Lhasa, Yunnan-Lhasa and Kathmandu-Lhasa. However,land transportation takes much longer time, and can be very tough. especially the Sichuan-Lhasa route has many Scenic Spots to visit!.

USD in Tibet:

USD is acceptable only in a very limited range, e.g. tips. However, for convenience, Chinese currency is the best choice. If you want to change USD to Chinese currency in Tibet, you can change in Lhasa Hotel or the Bank of China in Lhasa. You can draw cash from the Bank of China in Lhasa has this function. However, the ATM there doesn't always work properly. So we suggest you to bring some cash with you.

Tibetan people:

They are very kind and hospitable, you can feel free to talk with them. But there are some rulers you should go by: Do not photo them without permission, please show the respect to them!
Do not talk about the sensitive topics like political or religious matters!
Do not eat dog, donkey or horse in Tibet!

Medicines for Tibet Tour:

Try to bring the following medicines that will be very useful during your travel: cold and flu tablets, throat lozenges, nasal decongestant, Aspirin, Multivitamins. Or you can ask your local doctor for suggestions.

Clothing for the plateau weather:

Tibet's high altitude and the atmosphere allow the sun's solar radiation to strike the earth with unusual intensity. It's very easy to get sun-burnt there. Sunscreen of high sun protection factor,quality sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat are good means of protection. Calamine lotion is good for mild sun-burnt. Those with fair complexions should bring reflective sunscreen with them. Apply the sunscreen to your nose and lips as well.

Tibetan Temperature

Average Temperature in different places of Tibet

Place Yearly ['C / 'F] January ['C / 'F] February ['C / 'F]
Lhasa 7.5 / 45.5 -2.2 / 28.04 15.1 / 59.18
Nagqu -1.9 / 28.58 -13.9 / 7 8.9 / 48.02
Qamdo 7.6 / 45.68 -2.5 / 27.5 16.3 / 61.34
Damshung 1.3 / 34.34 -9.9 / 14.18 10.8 / 51.44
Pome 8.5 / 47.3 -0.2 / 31.64 16.5 / 61.7
Amdo -3.0 / 26.6 -15 / 5 7.9 / 46.22
Nyingchi 8.6 / 47.48 -0.2 / 31.64 15.6 / 60.08
Tsedang 8.3 / 46.94 -0.7 / 30.74 15.5 / 59.9
Xigatse 6.3 / 43.34 -3.8 / 25.16 14.2 / 57.56
Gyangtse 4.7 / 40.46 -5.1 / 22.82 12.8 / 55.04
Tingri 0.7 / 33.26 -11.3 / 11.66 10.9 / 51.62
Zayui -11.8 / 10.76 -4.0 / 24.8 18.6 / 65.48
     Note: Data Format ['C / 'F]. 'C is in Celsius. 'F is in Fahrenheit.

The Average Temperature of Lhasa in a Year

    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Ave 'C 0.3 1.6 5.5 9.1 13 17 16.4 15.6 14.3 9.2 3.9 0
'F 32.5 34.89 41.9 48.4 55.4 62.6 61.5 60.1 57.7 48.6 39 32
Max 'C 12.2 15.5 18.3 21.6 25 27.8 27.2 25.5 23.9 21.6 16.6 13.9
'F 54 59.9 64.9 70.9 77 82 81 77.9 75 70.9 61.9 57
Min 'C -14.4 -11.6 -8.3 -4.4 -0.5 4.4 6.1 5.5 3.9 -5.0 -9.4 -13.3
'F 6 11.1 17.1 24.1 31.1 39.9 43 41.9 39 23 15.1 8.06
© 2006 - 2007 Sichuan China Travel Service. All rights reserved.