Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
than grown-ups. They also tire more easily from an endless round of visiting monasteries.
Bring along a copy of
Tintin in Tibet
for when morale flags. In Kathmandu several book-
shops sell Tibetan thangka (religious paintings) and mandala colouring books. Children un-
der 1.5m (5ft) or under a certain age (the definition depends on the site) get in free at most
sights in Tibet.
Tibet is probably not a great place to bring a very small child. You should bring all sup-
plies (including nappies and medicines) with you. Small spoons can be useful as most
places have only chopsticks. There's plenty of boiling water to sterilise bottles etc. It's pos-
sible to make a cot from the copious numbers of duvets supplied with most hotel rooms.
Be especially careful with children and altitude sickness, as they won't be on the lookout
for signs.
Climate
Customs Regulations
Chinese border crossings have gone from being severely traumatic to exceedingly easy
for travellers. You are unlikely to even be checked when flying in or out of the country.
You can legally bring in or take out ¥20,000 in Chinese currency and must declare any
cash amount exceeding US$5000 or its equivalent.
It is illegal to import any printed material, film, tapes etc 'detrimental to China's politics,
economy, culture and ethics'. This is a particularly sensitive subject in Tibet, but even
here it is highly unusual to have Chinese customs officials grilling travellers about their
reading matter. Maps and political books printed in Dharamsala, India, could cause a
problem.
It is currently illegal to bring into China pictures, books, videos or speeches of or by the
Dalai Lama. Moreover, you may be placing the recipient of these in danger of a fine or jail
