Tibet closing from today??

Hi all,

Just heard a tourgroup on the way to Everest basecamp was denied access. It seems they have to leave Tibet asap. Is it closing again? Any reports from today?

Thanks,

xbz

Its been said before there may be closures in Tibet during May as its also a sensitive month.

Hi in 2007 the road to everest was closed as some foreign protesters had placed a flag at base camp and taken photos and sent them worldwide, so leading up to may 23rd if the road is closed this possibly is the reason to prevent such an occurence again

as I understand at the moment though , permits are still being issued for tourists to TAR for the usual itineraries, so those who have them for may already will all be able to tour, ...but maybe not to everest

but then again the everest area could open quickly again...it was closed for only a couple of days last time...aah the vagaries of travel

courtesy of mrcjonesy:--
They may also be a closure during May due to the anniversary of the "Peaceful Liberation of Lhasa and the signing of the 17 point agreement"

Yes, there's news that Everest was closed this afternoon (7 May), but it may be able again tomorrow, let's wait and see.

But the good news is, permits are still okay. So Tibet is not closed... yet!

Good news.

Everest Base Camp is OPEN now (7 May, afternoon).

This news is confirmed by traveler's report.

Bit of an open and shut case then!!

Hi
Predictable tourism situation in Tibet become natural after the nonstop closure and reopening, but closing of EBC couple of days before is nothing to do with any anniversary and historical things, it is just happened something in that particular area, but closure won't last too long as rest of regions in Tibet is opened and permits are issuing as usual.

Agree...the area is open.

Interesting how easily this popular tourist sight is closed, and without prior notice, and, usually without any public explanation. What if this were to happen with other world sights, e.g., the pyramids, the Taj Mahal, Eifel Tower, Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, The Washington Monument, etc., etc.? These sites are seldom closed but when they are it is announced in advance with an explanation; it is not done in an arbitrary manner.

What can we say? Thats China for you, they'll stall as long as they can before giving any explanations. not only re Tibet.

On May 6, 2011, the Chinese Government closed access to Everest Base Camp in Tibet.

Our trekking group travelled from Lhasa to Shigatse, to reach the police security check just before EBC (probably our 10th police check). We were told EBC was closed due to a landslide and would be closed for at least another 10 days. Our luggage was completely searched. We stayed at Tingri that night where we were positioned for a 6 day camping trek to EBC with full crew. Police were positioned at all access points and we were told we would not be given access.

We had to scramble to make alternate arrangements to go to Nepal and change our trek to a week there. (we couldn't do base camp from there as it requires 12-14 days.) We later heard Tibet EBC was likely closed due to political reasons. We left 6am on May 7th as we didn't want to lose any days of our vacation waiting around.

It sounds like it may have opened the very next day! Does anyone have any further information?

It was opened the next day. You were unlucky and arrived at the wrong time.