Visas & Documentation
F
or Tibet/China visa, details of client willing to travel to Tibet /Mt. Kailash most be sent to us four weeks prior to departure of trip. We need 14 clear full working days and client or their passport should be available, at least a week prior of departure in Kathmandu. On request we can advise the Chinese Consulate / Embassy to issue Tibet/China visa provided the group is minimum of four pax. Please note that Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu is opened thrice a week , Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 am to 11:30 am for visa purpose.Surcharge : A surcharge of US $ 40.00 on Tibet visa is applicable for British, Canadian, Belgian, Cameroon, Brazilian, Irish, French and Dutch Nationals.
History
A
lthough Tibetan history can be traced thousands of years back, the written history dates back to the 7th century. Its history can be divided into four period as follows:Tsangpo Period. 127 A.D. - 847 A.D.
Decentralization Period 842 A.D. - 1260 A.D.
Sakya, Pagdu and Karmpas Rule Period 1260 A.D. - 1642 A.D.
Ganden Podrangs Administration Period 1642 A.D. - 1959 A.D.
After Dalai Lama took political asylum in India in 1959, Tibet has been ruled by Peoples Government of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (China).
Religion and Culture
T
ibet is known for its unique culture and religion. Buddhism influenced Tibet after Songtsaon Gampo, the 33rd Tibetan king married Bhrikuti, a Nepali Princess. After the marriage Buddhism slowly started to replace the Bon religion and it took a better shape after the kings minister translated the first Buddhist scripture. Buddhist scripture is believed to have been descended from the heaven around 5th century and was written in Sanskrit. Now Buddhism is the soul of Tibet and Tibetans. Small number of population are Muslim and there is no trace of Christians and other religions.Geography
G
eographically Tibet can be divided into three parts; the east, the south and the north. Theeastern part is forest region which occupies one-fourth of Tibet. The southern part is open grassland which occupies almost half of Tibet. The Southern and central region is agricultural region occupying one fourth of Tibet and with all the major cities such as Lhasa, Gyantse, Xigatse, Gantse, Tsedang etc. This area is also considered as the cultural center of Tibet and Buddhism.
Tibet covers total area of 1,200,000 sq. Kms. And it has population of approximately 2,200,000. It is divided into one municipality, Lhasa and six prefectures, Shigatse, Ngari, Lhoka, Chamdo, Nakchu and Nyigntri.
Restrictions
T
here are strict controls over taking pictures inside the monasteries, most buildings and forts. Please ask for permission before taking photographs. In some places you can pay to take photographs.Do not carry any Dalai Lama pictures, Free Tibet posters or Tee Shirts, Tibetan Flag or any political magazine or books.Currency
T
he unit of currency for foreigners is FECs or Foreign Exchange Certificate US $ 1 = 5 FEC. Money can be exchanged at The Bank of China at Zhangmu, Xigatse and Lhasa.| Major Touristic Destination | |