Trip Report Beijing,Train to Lhasa,Tibet,Nepal

Has anyone heard heard that Tibet may be closed in July?

Many rumors about this that started with a closure in June : 60 year "anniversary" of the Seventeen Point Agreement , marking the end of Tibetan indepence.

Neil-- I just came across your posting....great summary with lots of useful info! I'm glad that my Tibetan tour guide recommendation worked out for you (and also thanks for the plug for china-mike.com!).

Mike,
I really appreciated your recommendation as Nga Wang proved to be fantastic.There are too many touts on this thread.
Your website is a fantastic resource.Thanks
Best regards
Neil

Since it looks like the general area of Tibet is going to be inaccessible due to closure, I have received a recommendation to go to the area of the Tibetan plateau that does not require a permit. Repkong (Amdo). There is a shaman festival going on that I and my fellow travelers could see and since it is part of the same geographical region, would offer some of the same geographical wonders.

Can anyone comment on this idea? Might someone who has gone to this area comment?

Eventually,
I'd recommend you look on china-mike.com ,find out Mike Lin's email address and email him for advice.He is very knowledgeable with no commercial interests.Our backup plan was Yunnan
Regards
Neil

Great site! It is so informative for all of the nuts and bolts kind of advice. Thank you for directing me to it.

My trip has come and gone and it was fabulous despite the closing of Tibet Proper. We did, in fact, spend our time in the Tibetan Plateau area and it seemed, as was said to us, we saw the "real" Tibet.

I highly recommend LumBum as a guide. A recommendation was given to me for him from Phil Borges, a photographer, who just published a beautiful book called _Tibet: Culture on the Edge.

LumBum is very knowdegable, is Tibetan, is experienced and is a lot of fun. We also spent a few days being guided by his wife Namdon who was equal in quality of service to us as a guide. Lovely, wonderful, fascinating entrance into a culture so different and so inspiring.

LumBum and Namdon's email is happyfreeboy2003@gmail.com