Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gateway Cities
Which City?
Given the complicated logistics of getting into Tibet, it's advisable to at least stay
overnight in a gateway city en route to Lhasa, either to pick up your Tibet Tourism Bureau
(TTB) permit, meet up with your fellow travellers or to buffer potential delays in your in-
ternational flights. Most travellers reach Lhasa from Chéngdū or Kathmandu, though it's
equally feasible to fly or train in from Běijīng, Xīníng, Guǎngzhōu or a half-dozen other
Chinese cities.
Kathmandu
Crowded, colourful and chaotic Kathmandu has been a popular destination for travellers
since the Hippy Trail in the '60s and '70s, but there are a couple of drawbacks to entering
Tibet from here. Prime among these is the time needed to get a Chinese visa (group visas
only) and the hassle that this group visa brings if you plan to travel further inside China.
However, if you want to get a taste of both sides of the Himalaya and plan to return to Ne-
pal, it's an interesting choice. It's also an extremely satisfying way to end an overland trip
through China and Tibet.
Chéngdū
Sìchuān's huge capital city has long been the main logistical gateway to Tibet. With ever-
increasing international air connections and excellent hostels that are very much used to
helping travellers headed to Tibet, it's still a logical choice (unless you want to travel by
train, then Xīníng is better). It's also a great starting point for exploring the ethnically
Tibetan areas of western Sìchuān.
