Chengdu to Lhasa Warning.

Replies: 8 - Last Post: 05-May-2007 00:49 Last Post By: alexsh

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roystonvasey

03-May-2007 08:26
Posts: 7

Chengdu to Lhasa Warning.

Hello,
I am currently in Chengdu trying to get to Lhasa on the train.

After many days of trying to find a train ticket and permit I have finally spoke to someone who seems to know what's really happening.

You can't get a legal permit to Lhasa as a foreigner untill May 8th. Anyone who claims they can is probably trying to sell you a fake permit, which will result in you being asked to get off the train before you reach Lhasa.
It seems the only legal way to get to Lhasa, at the minute, is to pay to join a large group of Chinese tourists travelling into Tibet from China.

Myself and two friends were today offered a TTB permit by a travel agent in Chengdu. After researching, it turns out that the guy has previously spent time in prison for selling fake permits to Tibet. The one he tried to sell us was obviously fake.
In fact we ended up leaving his office after he threw a chair at a Chinese guy, who he thought was telling us not to trust him!

Everything has gone a bit nuts. It's seems the only benefit the idiotic American kids have brought about is uncovering travel agents in China who try to rip you off. The Tibetan people are certainly no better off.

For anyone in Chengdu: the travel agents is next door to "Dave's Restaurant and Pub". However, Dave's has nothing to do with this travel agents and in fact the owner of Dave's is a great guy. This is why the travel agent may tell you that he is called Dave.

Good luck!

spearhawk

03-May-2007 09:49
Posts: 165

thanks for updating us on the latest information. =)
with regards to the date of 8th May, how definite is it?
i will be traveling to tibet in maybe 3 weeks time, so hopefully the restrictions will be lifted by then, else i will have to come up with a backup plan pretty soon.

thanks again!
spear

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gawdess

03-May-2007 12:18
Posts: 59

I take issue with your curt generalization about "idiotic American kids". I am an American and I am not an idiot, nor do I condone the in any way the protest that happened. I think it would be more accurate to these protesters moronic in general.

However, I do agree with the general frustration in your post. I think the protest has brought about major problems for travelers, but also the Tibetans who are missing out on the economic benefit of tourism at the moment. Tourists who are genuinely interested in Tibetan handicrafts, culture and tours. I think in the end this protest is going to make it so that more money ends up in Chinese hands and much less ends up in Tibetan. This whole thing makes me very sad. Deep in my heart I want a free Tibet, however protests such as the one that happened last week really are not the most appropriate move to achieving that.

On a side note to this discussion, I've also heard the owner of the tour agency these protesters came in through has gone missing. I bet they never thought about that poor guys life either. That is not confirmed news, but I saw it in another thread on here.

chengdude

03-May-2007 18:01
Posts: 664

Well, I'm American and I have no problem with calling them idiotic...but moronic is good too. Maybe 'idiotic morons'? Moronic idiots?

gawdess

03-May-2007 18:04
Posts: 59

I guess I am just worried that this event is making people think this is how all Americans act. Really, its not. I hope everyones travel plans come together in the coming weeks!

celinaa

03-May-2007 18:06
Posts: 45

Hi, thanks for the info.

Does anyone know if this "after the 8th of May" condition is only for Chengdu agencies or is it a general thing? Cause I'm planning on flying into Lhasa from Xining around the end of May (I was actually going to fly from Chengdu, but had to quickly develop a plan B!!)

Thanks.

Dexta

03-May-2007 19:26
Posts: 12

Gawdess - As far as I can tell, the term "idiotic American kids" is a descriptive term for the 5 people that protested at base camp as they are idiotic, American and kids. That term easily identifies to us all who #1 was talking about. I don't think it was intended in any way as a sweeping generalisation of all American's or kids. Don't take it personally.

roystonvasey

04-May-2007 06:04
Posts: 7

Sorry everyone I should have been a little more precise.

I was told by someone reliable in Chengdu that the EARLIEST you can organise a permit to Tibet, and therefore a train ticket, is after the Chinese holidays- May 8th. This is because, at the minute, legal permits to travel to Lhasa can only be obtained through a government office which are all closed in China until the 8th May.
However, the Chinese government may still put a hold on Tibet permits after the 8th if everything hasn't quietened down regarding the EBC protest/publicity stunt.
Although American citizens may still have difficulties even after the 8th.

In addition: #7 was spot on, I was not trying to offend Americans, or kids, in any way.
Although you have to admit that this is another prime example of ignorant people interfering in foreign politics without considering the consequences of their actions.

alexsh

05-May-2007 00:49
Posts: 9

When i read the news about the protest, it was an organized, preplanned protest affiliated with an organization, not some tourists who decided to do something on the spot.

Thereby, they are part of the foreign politics, more so than tourists themselves. I would wonder whether the locals supported or condemned the action themselves, if they could hear about it.

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