How to Plan Your Tibet Tours

Mysterious Tibet has helped thousands of travelers complete their dream tours of China and Tibet. Based here in Tibet and with offices in mainland China, we specialize in creating personalized itineraries tailored to individual needs, interests, and budgets. Our priority is to make sure that you are well taken care of while you are in China or Tibet. You give us your travel ideas and destinations and we help you plan your ideal trip. When you plan your trip with us, you will experience the excellence of our travel experts.

Choose a Gateway Cities to Tibet

Gateway cities to Tibet. Initially, when Tibet was open for the international traveller in the 1980’s, there is only two daily flight from Chengdu and Xian. In addition, travelers can take an overland journey either from Golmud in Qinghai or from Nepal. However, there is no train service to Tibet.

Now there is an increasing number of Gateway cities to Tibet as we progress in development. Kathmandu, Chengdu, and Xining are the major gateways to travel to Tibet. Besides these gateways, now you can travel to Tibet from multiple cities in China.

Best Time to Visit Tibet

The beauty Tibet has to offer is just incomparable. With plateau-climate and picturesque landscape, the place offers to be a perfect tourist destination.Most of Tibet experiences frost at least six months of the year, and the highest lakes have ice from October to March. The weather varies a lot from region to region. The best time to enjoy the scenery in Tibet is from May to October.

Deciding what’s the best time to visit Tibet is an important question. Generally speaking, April to October is the best time to travel to Tibet. But the specific month depends entirely on your interest, or what you want to see and to do. In fact, Tibet can be visited at any time of the year, but at certain times of the year is better than other times.

Tibet Climate by Region

Must-see Attractions in Tibet

When looking at a Tibet tour you should think about what you want to see. If it’s your first time in Tibet, you cannot miss the top attractions listed below, because they represent the most authentic Tibet. Some of the most popular Tibet tourist attractions include the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake and Everest Base Camp.

Tibet Attractions by Region

How to Get to Tibet

Getting to Tibet can be done in many ways, but the most popular is flying from your country of origin to Mainland China or Nepal, from where it is easier to take a flight or overland drive to Tibet. Traveling by flight from the different commercial and central hubs of Mainland China or the capital city of Nepal offers a bird’s eye view of the Himalayas and plateaus. Alternatively, the overland drive is a lengthier option that gives an insight into the unique culture and traditions of the Tibetan Buddhist region. While tourists with limited time prefer flight, tourists seeking adventure and ample time opt for the overland drive to get to Tibet.

Traveling by train can take up to 40 hours, however, you will be enjoying stunning views on the way. Depending on the departure time, you can see various parts of Eastern Tibet, including mountains, grasslands, forests, and can spot some wildlife. Trains originate from several Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Lanzhou. In addition, you can take a train on one of the stations, where trains stop, such as in Xian (train from Shanghai or Guangzhou) and Xining (several trains each day).

More about How to Get to Tibet

Tibet Transportation by Region

Colorful Culture in Yunnan

The numerous minority groups in Yunnan have created lasting and splendid ethnic cultures due to their diligence and wisdom over centuries. Among these cultures, as acknowledged in the history of cultures in Yunnan, three major ones are the highlights, namely the Ancient Dian Culture, the Cuan Culture, and the Nanzhao-Dali Culture; the Ancient Dian Culture, centered around the Dianchi Lake from the Pre-Qin Period (221-207 B.C) to the Han Dynasty (25-220 A.D), epitomizes the culmination of the bronze age civilization in Yunnan; the Cuan Culture, which rose slightly later in the valley of the Panjiang River, embodies the cultural development of this province in the middle ancient times; the Nanzhao-Dali Culture, which formed and fully developed around Er’hai Lake, strikingly characterizes the local ethnic cultures in Yunnan. After the Yuan and Ming dynasties, with the constant inflow of Han people to Yunnan, the Han people gradually dominated the province and the Han culture became the dominating culture of the province co-existing with the colorful indigenous ethnic cultures.

Yunnan Culture by Region

The Recommended Tours

More about Minority Festivals Tours

Yunnan Festival and Events by Month

Make the Travel Duration Sure

If you plan to take a tour in Yunnan, you’d better decide the attractions that you want to go. Then, it is easy to decide on how many days to spend in Yunnan. In general, 2-3 days is only for visiting one top city in Yunnan. Of course, you can only visit the highlights of a city for there are numerous attractions in top city. Generally speaking, 6-10 days is the recommended choice, which you can visit the highlights of Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La.

More about How Many Days to Spend for Yunnan Trip

Make the Tour Theme Sure

Yunnan Classic Tours are the most popular tours for travelers with limited time who are keen to see the major sites of the Yunnan Province, such as Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Erhai Lake, Lugu Lake, Dianchi Lake, Three Pagodas and Chongsheng Monastery, Dali Ancient Town, Lijiang Ancient Town, etc. Yunnan Classic Tours are covered the main highlights of Yunnan and are recommendable for travelers who come to Yunnan for the first time. You get a glimpse of the traditional Chinese city life, experience the rich and unique ethnic folk custom, stroll around the ancient towns to discover more Chinese traditional culture, follow our step into Yuanyang Haini Rice Terraces, enjoy the fascinating rice terraces and take nice photos there, and visit the impressive and amazing sceneries areas, such as Stone Forest, Tiger Leaping Gorge. Yunnan Classic Tours offer you a journey with the highlights of Yunnan and help you to discover the different “Yunnan”.

More about Tour Packages in Yunnan

Yunnan Tours by Region

Basic Travel Tips for Yunnan Travel

Where to Stay in Yunnan

As a top tourist resort, there are a lot of inns and hotels in Yunnan with different standards, especially in Kunming, Lijiang, Dali, Shangri-La. You may have enjoyed the 5-star modern hotels, however, it will be special to stay at hotels with traditional style and standard hygiene which presents beautiful local architecture, surrounded by lush greenery. Yunnan, as one of the important destinations in China, is famous for the numerous hotels and you can always choose the most suitable hotel for your Yunnan Tour.

Yunnan Accommodation by Region

What to Pack for Yunnan Travel

Take care of your luggage and important things, such as passport and visa.
Prepare for your SIM card to make sure the internet use in China.
Take some medicine with you for emergency use, especially if you are easy to get altitude sickness.
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and hats for the strong ultraviolet ray on the plateau.
Don’t forget your umbrella and rain gear during the rainy seasons.
Pack suitable clothes, windproof jacket and thick coat are suggested, outdoor clothing will be good.

Matters Need Attention

Read some basic information about Yunnan and China so that you could have a better experience there.
Respect and follow local custom and avoid conflicts.
Eat more vegetables and fruits, drink plenty of water, it may help you to avoid altitude sickness.
Check out the weather report before your travel. Do not go sightseeing in bad weather.
In China, please had better not travel in peak seasons, such as Chinese New Year, International Labor Day and National Day. If you want to experience the traditional festival culture, Taking a tour during the traditional festivals of China can get the opportunity to experience the festivals culture.
Be careful of the changeable temperature. A few chilly days could be followed by relatively hot weather. So it is better to take some early winter clothes to protect you away from the sudden low temperature.