PERMIT SITUATION UPDATE

Would it be possible to arrange a permit and return train ticket to Lhasa from Xi'an in 3 days?

Probably not. The permit usually takes 2-3 days to be issued and you would probably need to find an agent and a group and Xian is not a common place to do this.

Can anyone recommend a hostel where they could assist with the process?

Hostels might be able to assist but this is really something that you need to arrange yourself since there are lots of options - how long, what is included, how many people, etc. Best place to do this arranging is Chengdu or Xining because there are lots of agencies located there and lots of others looking to put together a trip.

Approximate cost of permit/visa and ticket?

There is no way to estimate. You can't simply buy the permit. You must arrange a tour complete with guide and driver and the itinerary must be planned in advance to get the permit. Cost will depend upon the number of days, the number of people traveling together, whether additional permits are needed for your itinerary, whether accommodations are included, what class of service is the train ticket, etc.

You need to do more reading. The likelihood of getting this arranged in Xian in 2-3 days is slim to none in my opinion.

Ruth

I'm travelling to China with my mother from the 24 September to 15th October, this year. I personally wish to visit Tibet. Our trip starts in Beijing and ends in Hong-Kong, so it's likely that we in an eventual case would stay in Tibet in October.

Is there any issues with travelling at that date, that are known already?

Edit:
If it is of any help. We're from Norway. Norway is an european country but it is not a part of the European Union. Have no idea if that has anything to say.

Edited by: gorm1

+I'm travelling to China with my mother from the 24 September to 15th October, this year. I personally wish to visit Tibet.
Is there any issues with travelling at that date, that are known already?+

Well, yes, of course! All the usual issues of travelling with Mom.
All too well known already.

We gave it a shot last week, in the Easter. It went surprisingly well (even though it was only for four days)!

I've also made it clear that I will not want accept crossness, and that we have to slow down a bit and not run around like a rabbit on crack. (Yes, I do enjoy reading a book from time to time, which is usually hard when travelling with her).

Any other tips about issues that we may run accross, considering traveling in Tibet at that time, would be great

Edited by: gorm1

Good luck keeping up with your mother, gorm.

Thanks for the advice everyone, I think it will all be fine (I think that in a bloody-well-hope-so kind of way).

Off to Lhasa on 10 May after a few days in KTM. Kama Valley here I come...

I was able to get the permit in 24 hours out of Chengdu travel agency.
Just came back from a 8 days tour out of Lhasa to Everest base camp(3 to 11 April)
Train Chengdu-Lhasa
Flight Lhasa-Chengdu
High altitude was not for me, headache all the time even with 250mgr daily Diamox.

I had intended to visit Tibet in the first two weeks of July.

Is there any point spending time and money sorting this trip out? I heard that this is precisely when foreigners will not be allowed in...

Thanks guys

lingua_luisa - Unfortunately the Chinese are notoriously unpredictable about this sort of thing. Any decent agency will have some sort of refund policy so that you would get all or almost all your money refunded. Also you could purchase trip insurance...And if you are already in Tibet when they decide to close access in the past travelers have been permitted to finish their tours so perhaps if you could plan your trip for late June....

Ruth

Gee gutting news. I've wanted to go to Tibet for years and was planning to in July this year. I'll be in China 2-27 July - is it likely to be closed this entire time?

buddy23 -
>I'll be in China 2-27 July - is it likely to be closed this entire time?

I repeat: Unfortunately the Chinese are notoriously unpredictable about this sort of thing. There is no way to know. When they close access to Tibet, they almost never seem to indicate when they will reopen.

Ruth