Permit for Lhasa in Chengdu

Replies: 18 - Last Post: 21-May-2007 03:00 Last Post By: westwood

jump to

vueltaa

18-May-2007 04:40
Posts: 7

Permit for Lhasa in Chengdu

It's now possible again to get a permit to Lhasa in Chengdu. I booked the permit (500 Yuan) and an airplane ticket at Sam's Guesthouse and actually also arrived in Lhasa two days ago. I didn't have to book any kind of tour for Tibet. I also heard from other travellers that Mix Hostel is selling permits and train tickets to Lhasa again. But I can't confirm this information myself.

Just for your information. It may be helpful for some of you... ;-)

PS: Even if you arrive independently in Lhasa you probably can't avoid to book a tour to travel around Tibet as nearly everything in Tibet is closed for independent travelers. At least this is what I heard here in Lhasa from other travelers and travel agents. But I keep checking...

skelch

18-May-2007 05:51
Posts: 39

Andy,
Thanks for taking the time to post this confirmation about your real life experience, a welcome change from rumor and guesswork. I am leaving for Chengdu on Sunday, and you can probably hear my sigh of relief from where you are!
Best
Paul

Wallami

18-May-2007 06:58
Posts: 76

Maybe Sam's wasn't bullshitting me then, when they said they could get me a permit this morning. Good news indeed.

oldbackpack

18-May-2007 07:25
Posts: 43

.......and I also got this email from Helen at Windhorse this morning, Friday 18th.

Right now we can offer the tibet entry permit for individuals, but this
tibet entry permit is only for lhasa area, if you want to travel outside of
lhasa area, you need to join a group with a guide, our lhasa office can
handle this. Please check the pricing details of the individual travel at
this website: http://www.windhorsetour.com/4_index.html

Good news. Have a great trip Paul, looks like it's going to work out for you.

Oldbackpack

Shahjakhan

18-May-2007 10:45
Posts: 5

So you were able to successfully get an individual permit? Are you sure it's real? I'm sick of all this confusion and rumors, just like everyone is. Some people seem to have gotten permits while others are sitting around stuck in Chengdu. My agent still hasn't gotten back to me on the permit situation. I guess some people are more lucky than others. Anyways, thanks for posting. This is somewhat more comforting.

I heard that May 20th is the next day that people "claim" permits will be issued again. Does anyone know if this is a good rumor to believe or am I getting my hopes up too high?

Claudia

18-May-2007 13:21
Posts: 9

#4, I heard the same about the deadline on the 20th, but it's a bit odd considering that it will be on Sunday, isn't it?

Anyway, on Monday we should know...

best,

c.

I just love it.

pazu

18-May-2007 16:33
Posts: 2,177

I tend to believe it's real, if it's issued by Sim's, I don't think they want to ruin their reputation.

Extensive FAQ about travel situation and permit restrictions in Tibet
Spinn Cafe , Lhasa, Tibet - we are based in Lhasa
Spinning in Tibet (ISBN: 9789881805966), published in Hong Kong.

Shahjakhan

18-May-2007 19:28
Posts: 5

Hey Pazu, you're in Tibet, right? Is there any news spreading around as to when individual permits will be granted by the government again?

DavidLehman

18-May-2007 21:31
Posts: 30

I'm flying into Chengdu tonight and will spend the day tomorrow scouring the city to see if there's anyway in hell I can get a permit before Tuesday - otherwise I have no idea where I will go:/ Will keep ya'll posted. Still holding out hope...

Wallami

18-May-2007 22:10
Posts: 76

Okay, here's what I know. I just finished speaking to Xiao Jin at FIT in Lhasa and she said that yes agencies in Chengdu are now issuing permits and one-way airfare tickets to Lhasa and this is fine. If you want to travel outside Lhasa you must be on a tour however, though a tour can be one person as long as you have a driver and guide.

Xiao Jin also said that yes there were problems getting into Lhasa but things are fine now. Before whenever I asked FIT about the situation they refused to answer anything so this her openess is a good sign.

Tenzin at FIT also just sent me this email about getting a permit in Lhasa:

"I can send you the Tibet Entering permit but we must pick
you from airport so you must send me 500 yuan for airport pick up and 200
yuan for permit.total 700 +100 yuan at Chengdu and total 700yuan in our
account and 100 yuan at Chengdu and we will send the permit to Tibet
tourism branch office in Chengdu and you have to pay the 100 yuan to the
agency at chengdu to pick it from Tourism office in Chengdu and once you
are in lhasa you come and visit my agency and then we talk about the tour
and for Kialash tour you must take guide and permit and car and it takes 4
working days to arrange theses things.But if its chepear from Chengdu to
making the Tibet permit then you can have a look."

Again, this seems to confirm that yes an individual can get a permit and fly in. But it does seem cheaper to go through the agencies in Chengdu I have contacted such as Sam's and Windhorse.

This is good enough for me. I am flying in Monday or Tuesday.

Wallami

18-May-2007 22:17
Posts: 76

Oh, as for which agencies are doing this in Chengdu, Xiao Jin said to contact her Monday morning as she is not in the office on the weekend (I was calling her cell phone number).

vueltaa

18-May-2007 23:43
Posts: 7

To #4: I don't know if it is real. But I'm in Lhasa... ;-) Maybe some more information. Sam's is organising a so called "Group Permit". All the people booking a permit/flight at Sam's are on the same permit (one permit per day). But that doesn't affect your stay in Lhasa. You can split as soon as you arrive the airport in Lhasa.

But you have to check in at the airport in Chengdu with the other people on the same permit. I actually booked a transfer from my guesthouse in Chengdu to the airport where I was introduced to a guide from Sam's. He had the permit. He showed it at the check in and at the security check. After that the permit was not needed anymore.

I had Sam's Guesthouse write on my receipt that I want a copy of the permit. The guy at the airport gave me this copy. But so far I didn't need it in Lhasa.

Cheers

westwood

19-May-2007 02:06
Posts: 10,544

Please God, give hendri his permit if only to avoid him posting another zillion posts on the subject!!

We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

skelch

19-May-2007 11:23
Posts: 39

Hendri,
I'll be in Chengdu on Monday too, to collect the prize you offered. I have paid for, and will be picking up my non-group permit and ticket on Wednesday. Large bills will be fine.
Thank you
Paul

westwood

19-May-2007 14:16
Posts: 10,544

hendri, computer problems. Back up and running again.

We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

Subscribe to the latest messages in this branch.

Your Recent Threads

Announcements

Avatars!
Posted By: VenessaP -- 28-Jan-2010 15:01
How would you improve Thorn...
Posted By: VenessaP -- 09-Dec-2009 17:01

Latest Community News

	Speaking in Tongues Messages: 68,825 Last message posted at: 10-Feb-2010 03:17
	On Your Bike Messages: 30,512 Last message posted at: 10-Feb-2010 02:59
	Travel Tech Messages: 28,997 Last message posted at: 10-Feb-2010 03:06
	Kids To Go Messages: 26,289 Last message posted at: 10-Feb-2010 01:42
	Like a Sore Thumb Messages: 22,649 Last message posted at: 10-Feb-2010 00:02
	Trekking & Mountaineering Messages: 22,263 Last message posted at: 10-Feb-2010 02:03
	Travel on a shoestring Messages: 21,527 Last message posted at: 10-Feb-2010 01:00

Destinations

Asia: Destination information

Asia is a spectacular assault on the senses, whether you're riding the trans-Siberian railway, gazing up at the temples of Angkor, struggling with the immense tide of humanity in India, or trying to s... more »

Shop Online