PERMIT SITUATION UPDATE
Replies: 1,034 - Last Post: May 31, 2012 6:44 PM Last Post By: everbrite
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1022
You have to realise that when people say Tibet is closed from 20 Feb, then it is all closed - the entire country. Hard for us westerners to understand, but no permits (which must be issued from a travel agency) for any foreign tourists. My friends in Lhasa, as of this week, say that the city is under military lockdown. It's even difficult to phone or text, with the restrictions placed on communications. Just best to avoid it at present.1023
flowergranny....the areas d2thel is requesting information about are not in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Permits are not required to visit these areas. His question is specifically pertinent as some of these areas have seen unrest recently and some particular towns in the region have been shut to foreign visitors, while some remain open. It is not clear which are closed and getting accurate information right now is very difficult.There is no "entire country" of Tibet. Ethnically Tibetan areas of China cover a much larger area of "Tibet" than just the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces all have regions that were once part of "Greater Tibet" those Tibetan areas in these provinces do not require permits - however some areas (such as much of ethnically Tibetan western Sichuan) have been closed to foreign access for the last few weeks.
1024
thanks for the info, flowergranny, and mrcjonesy is correct, we're just looking to hit the Tibetan areas, not the province of Xizang (Tibet today). we just rolled into Lanzhou and are planning to head south tomorrow, probably stopping at Bingling Si grottoes and then on to Xiahe and Labrang, so I guess we'll find out if it's open! will let you guys know..PS. anyone been to Liujiaxia National Dinosaur Geopark? worth visiting along the way? and how's Linxia? not sure if we'll stop there before Xiahe or push straight through.
1025
So. The 14 and 15 March has come and gone. Anyone with their contacts in Tibet any closer to knowing whether it will reopen on April 1, or do we have to wait longer?1028
FYI, we were able to get into Xiahe, just had to register with the police at the toll gate outside of town, then the police/army presence was significantly ramped up on the 14th, when we were leaving for Tongren. there was a full-on checkpoint set up outside of Tongren and we were registered and then told "it would be better if you just continued on to Xining". tried some gentle prodding/negotiating but to no avail, and was escorted onto a passing bus for Xining.1031
Use a travel agency and rely on their advice - the only way at present. Personally, I have been using Tibetan Expeditions in Lhasa for over 10 years and they have not failed me - but keeping in mind that even the agencies are bound by the ever changing permit situation. Good luck1032
i've heard (from a travel agent) that it's open, but no overland entry for foreigners (except by train) AND apparently now foreigners are no longer free to move around Tibet and arrange travel on their own after arrival. must have a guide (read: "minder") at all times during a visit to Tibet now. only in China! (and North Korea)1034
How would you like it verified? Read this thread, the updated version. There are several reports that this is the case on this forum, both from travelers and from agents.Ruth
