Thorn Tree travel forum

1

Offically agencies do not need you physical passport to get your Tibet permit or buy a train ticket. Photocopies should be fine. (this is normal practice) However, sometimes you are asked for you passport at the train station.....so you may have some hassles here. If you speak Chinese (or are good at charades) you should be able to explain and get away with using photocopies.....but no gaurantees!!

If it was me I would give it a go!! I guess there is only one way to find out.

CJ

2

You are always asked for your passport when you check into any hotel in China. I'm not sure if photocopies will work. But color photocopies, in a plastic slipcover, might give you your best chance. Be sure to copy not only your main information page but also the relevant Visa page. You would also definitely want a nice official letter from the embassy stating that they have your passport.

-- Cat www.centralasiatraveler.com

3

I wouldn't do it.

Hotels will insist on a passport to check in.

he'll defend us, he'll defend us,
the amazing astroboy!

4

Hotels can also be negotiable. I have use passport copys at Hotels in Lhasa without a problem (while my passport was off for permit applications!) I have also checked into hotels without my passport (.....I'll bring it in tomorrow...really I will!!)

So.....KathyUK......did you go ahead with your plan or not?? I'm interested to hear?

Cheers

Chris

5

Well, decided rather than sending my passport now and trying to go to tibet without it to try, to get Nepal visa put on a page that already has stamps on it, or my "observations only" page and get my new passport in Nepal instead... Not sure that is any safer or if it will work but my embassy didn't like the idea of sending my passport into tibet for me so I'm going to risk it.
Thanks for the info people.