I’ve known for a long time that it’s possible to visit Tibet. Way back in 2016, after all, I had a Tibet tour all lined up and nearly paid for.
I don’t actually remember why I ended up canceling it, if I’m honest, though I do remember that I went to Nepal instead. That, of course, is neither here nor there: I finally visited Tibet in 2024; it was one of the best trips of my life.
What is essential is that when it comes to the question “Can foreigners visit Tibet?”, the answer is a clear and definitely “yes.” As is the case with contentious travel topics, however, there’s quite a bit of fine print to read.
Yes, You Need a Tour to Visit Tibet
When it was announced in early 2023 that Tibet was open to foreigners after three years of pandemic-related closures, many people thought authorities there might follow in the footsteps of their counterparts in Bhutan. Which is to say reopening without the requirement for an organized tour, which had been in place for years before anyone knew what “covid” was.
Unfortunately, this was not to be. As has been the case for at least as long as I’ve been traveling abroad, all foreign visitors to Tibet need to book an organized tour in order to get approved for a Tibet travel permit, the document required to enter Tibet. While you don’t need to be with the guide 24/7 (more on that in a second), you can’t spend a stay a single day longer in Tibet than the duration of your tour.
5 Myths About Travel to Tibet for Foreigners
Tibet tours are expensive
Although some luxury tours of Tibet may be pricey, the one I took certainly wasn’t. In fact, even before I settled on the 10 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake Tour” from Tibet Vista, I only rarely came across tours whose prices worked out to more than 100 USD per person, per day. This is pretty affordable compared to almost every other country in the world.
You can’t even leave your hotel without a guide
An organized tour is a condition of receiving your Tibet travel permit, but it isn’t a jail sentence. Unlike in, say, North Korea (or in Iran if you’re American, British or Canadian), in Tibet you aren’t forced to be with your guide 24/7; you just need one to enter tourist attractions. You can freely explore cities and towns in the mornings and during the evening.
A guided tour ruins the Tibet travel experience
I’ll be frank: I don’t love guided tours, particularly since I operate a service where people pay me for advice on how to travel independently in lieu of taking one. And I’ll also be honest in saying that there were times that having a guide felt overbearing and even took away from the experience. At the same time, the trade-off of a guided tour is more than worth the priceless experience of being able to visit Tibet in the first place.
Visiting Tibet makes you look suspicious
Although I had a Tibet visa in my passport upon landing on the Chinese mainland days before my flight to Lhasa, I demurred when asked about my plans. Which was fair, since the officer had actually suggested that name of my hotel in Chengdu “sounded Tibetan.” Still, having successfully exited both Tibet and the PRC itself within days of my trip, I know first-hand that visiting Tibet doesn’t necessarily mean future trouble.
Tibet is a place you only visit once
As my time in Tibet wrapped up, I felt a curious duality. On one hand, I felt completely satisfied by what I had seen, and the amount of time I had spent. On the other hand, I was curious for what adventures might be available a bit further along the tourist trail, and whether coming in a different season might yield a meaningfully different experience. I do think I’ll be back someday, even if I’m not sure of when.
Is it Safe to Visit Tibet?
Tibet is safe in the sense that like mainland China, you are unlikely to fall victim to any violent crime. Unlike mainland China, there are few scams here and almost no petty theft, a fact that owes itself more to Tibetan culture than the laws of the PRC. Roads here are also among the best in the entire Himalaya region—better than those in Bhutan, and far better than those in Nepal.
At the same time, the reason that independent travel in Tibet is not allowed—i.e. that Chinese authorities don’t want locals speaking too candidly to foreigners, and vice-versa—underlies the element of travel here that’s not especially safe. Conceivably, you could say or behave in a way that might result in your imprisonment. Another potential safety issue in Tibet? Low atmospheric oxygen levels.
Other FAQ About Visiting Tibet as a Foreigner
Is Tibet open to foreigners?
Tibet is open to foreigners who have the credentials required to enter. Namely, a valid Chinese visa and a Tibet travel permit, for which an organized tour lasting the duration of the foreigner’s planned stay in Tibet. Entry into Tibet is no problem with these documents in hand; it is impossible with out.
Do US citizens need a visa for Tibet?
US citizens need a visa for China, and a permit for Tibet. You need to have a valid China visa at the time you book your Tibet tour; the company you work with will apply for your permit a few weeks before your tour begins and send it to your hotel in Chengdu (or elsewhere in mainland China) for you to pick up.
Why is it so hard to get into Tibet?
It’s hard to get into Tibet because, to be frank, the Chinese government doesn’t want many people visiting. They don’t want locals speaking freely with tourists or vice-versa; the organized tour/permit system creates a barrier against this, since anyone who enters will effectively be tracked and monitored the entire time they’re there.
The Bottom Line
Can foreigners visit Tibet? Yes, although there are many catches and caveats. Among them is that as of 2025, you must have booked an organized tour in order to get the Tibet travel permit that is necessary to board a flight or train to Lhasa. The good news is that unlike in some other tour-required jurisdictions, you don’t need to be with your guide 24-7. The better news? Although hiring me as your Travel Coach will have limited utility for Tibet itself, given the tour requirement, I can help you fit Tibet within the context of the rest of your amazing Asia trip.
