im finished teaching here in xian in july and im thinking
about going to tibet. problem is there are alot of rumors
floating about. the two the concerned me most were that
because of the tibetan anniversary no independent travel
will be allowed, is this being enforced? i also heard that
"foreigners are bringing aids to tibet" and all travellers
are reauired to get aids tests. any truth to that one.
answers tio questions and any other tips would be greatly
appreciated.
scruggs
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I believe the tibetans have their own aids, don't need our
help.
Was in Lhasa in early April. Here are some comments I sent
to other people with similar questions. I didn't have to
get an AIDS test, but there is a lot of prostitution in
Lhasa.
I got to the traffic hotel around 2 in the afternoon,
and just barely got on the list for the next day's
group. They asked if I had a reservation (which I
didn't). I didn't know you could make reservations
with them. I paid about 3500 for 3 nights and the two
plane tickets. Unfortunately, I didn't have more time
to spend in Lhasa.
As far as the "guided tours" go, none of the travel
agencies have a schedule for them when you get to
Lhasa. They just make it up each day, based on what
the group wants to do. A lot of time is wasted,
particularly since the bus drivers are not prompt
about showing up on time.
Here is what I put out on the thorn tree:
Just got back. Travel agencies do not appear to be
selling
"packages" for a limited number of days anymore.
Lots of
folks going there (early April) for trekking and
no fixed
date to leave Tibet. Agencies are organizing
tours around
Lhasa since you are supposed to be with a guide
the whole
time. They tell you that anyone caught without a
guide,
particularly at a site such as Sera or Potala,
will be fined
by the PSB. However, lots of people are ditching
the tours
in Lhasa to do their own thing (sight seeing or
making
arrangements for treks) and aren't having any
problems. A
friend and I spent an evening in a Chinese diner
full of
government types and PLA officers. We were
obviously
unescourted and no one cared. You now have to
have a permit
to visit Ganden. By the way, the "quality" of the
guides
and organization of the "tours" leaves a lot to
be desired.
Try to avoid Tibet in March. Lots of people were
stuck in
Chengdu for up to 2 weeks before they could get
tickets and
permits for Tibet.
Was in Lhasa in early April. Here are some comments I sent
to other people with similar questions. I didn't have to
get an AIDS test, but there is a lot of prostitution in
Lhasa.
I got to the traffic hotel around 2 in the afternoon,
and just barely got on the list for the next day's
group. They asked if I had a reservation (which I
didn't). I didn't know you could make reservations
with them. I paid about 3500 for 3 nights and the two
plane tickets. Unfortunately, I didn't have more time
to spend in Lhasa.
As far as the "guided tours" go, none of the travel
agencies have a schedule for them when you get to
Lhasa. They just make it up each day, based on what
the group wants to do. A lot of time is wasted,
particularly since the bus drivers are not prompt
about showing up on time.
Here is what I put out on the thorn tree:
Just got back. Travel agencies do not appear to be
selling
"packages" for a limited number of days anymore.
Lots of
folks going there (early April) for trekking and
no fixed
date to leave Tibet. Agencies are organizing
tours around
Lhasa since you are supposed to be with a guide
the whole
time. They tell you that anyone caught without a
guide,
particularly at a site such as Sera or Potala,
will be fined
by the PSB. However, lots of people are ditching
the tours
in Lhasa to do their own thing (sight seeing or
making
arrangements for treks) and aren't having any
problems. A
friend and I spent an evening in a Chinese diner
full of
government types and PLA officers. We were
obviously
unescourted and no one cared. You now have to
have a permit
to visit Ganden. By the way, the "quality" of the
guides
and organization of the "tours" leaves a lot to
be desired.
Try to avoid Tibet in March. Lots of people were
stuck in
Chengdu for up to 2 weeks before they could get
tickets and
permits for Tibet.
I have just returned from Tibet - within the last week. I
left Chengdu at the end of April. We DID have to book a
"tour" but we managed to cut him loose after 1st day. Be
very clear about where you want to stay in Lhasa. The
travel agent kept trying to put us into hostel/hotel in the
new part of Lhasa (Chinese); we stuck to our guns and stayed
at the Kirey hotel in the old part of Lhasa. Part more fun
No probs travelling around independently. No longer need
permit to visit Ganden.
Here is an alternative to the rules imposed by the
government, sneak in. I was able to do it last year in
September from Golmud. There was nothing complicated to it.
I took the train from xining to golmud and was able to get
on a chinese bus to lhasa the same day. I did not have to
pay for a permit or tour because the bus operator allowed me
on a bus for locals instead of foreigners. I paid about 50%
the local rate which was about US$ 100 less than the
permit/tour package. I arranged this at the train terminal
parking lot with some bargaining and patience. It helps to
be in a group to get a discount. It also helped that we did
this on a sunday. The bus ride was 38 hours of a slow bumpy
ride. The view was nice for the first hour or so. The
experience was overall a good one, but next time i'm flying
in from chengdu. i had no problems at all with anyone
asking me for a permit and none of the people i met had any
real permit to show anyway. i was even able to get an
extension without much of a problem. good luck, i've heard
that i was luckier than most.