We traveled to China with China Connection Tours in 2007 and it is really a lifetime experience as we took the new train to Tibet for our Tibet tours. So this evening I will recount our visit to Xining and the train to Lhasa.
The trip and arrival in Xining went exactly as planned and we were met by Nancy, an exceptional guide. When she discussed what there would be to do for the afternoon we would have after lunch, she was pleased that we knew that there was an extensive street market in town that was certainly well worth our time and visit.
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To me Tibet was that elusive destination I always wanted to go but never knew how to get there, or if it was at all possible. Rumors and truths spurt from various sources about the difficulties of getting there, the hardships of the Tibetan people, and the care one must take when travelling there as a tourist. I was put off but never deterred from plans to travel this forbidden land, and I will never regret the path I chose to travel this stunning, foreboding and surreal country.
Is it difficult to get there? No actually it is not. Most people think the best way to go about it, is to fly into Lhasa, and go from there. I found a better way was to go overland from Nepal, Kathmandu over the friendship bridge and through places such as Nyalam, Tingri, Skekar, Lhatse or Quxar, Shigatse, Gyantse, Nagartse to Lhasa, over a very small but breathtaking region of the Chinese labeled “Autonomous Region” of Tibet. Of course things change all the time, so make sure you fully update yourself on travel to Tibet, permits, travel ability and general stability of the country politically is never something one should presume. A good travel company should be up to date with the goings on, and also offer some alternative if things change on your planned journey.
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Overseas tourists planning on entering Tibet must first obtain a Chinese L-visa (Tourist visa) from the Chinese Embassy or Consulate of their region. An exception applies to those who reside in countries that have signed special agreements with China. A list of those countries can be found online.
The tourist must then apply for the Tibet Travel Permit at the same Embassy or Consulate. When applying for this permit, foreign tourists are asked to submit basic identification information (including name, nationality, age, sex, occupation, and passport number), route to and point of entrance, approximate travel time, travel intentions, telephone contact information and other materials, to designated offices of the TTB. This can be done directly or through travel agencies. A copy of the Chinese visa and first page of the tourist’s passport need to be faxed or emailed to the TTB (Tibet Travel Bureau). Tourists should receive confirmation for travel to Tibet within two to four business days.
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