Entry Regulations:

Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into China. A visa is necessary to enter China. You will need to fill out an application form, 1 passport size photo and your passport to obtain an entry visa.  A special Tibet entry permit is mandatory which is included in your Tour East Holidays package. 

Please check with your country’s Foreign Affairs office to find out about entry requirements for non-Canadians and Americans.

Climate:

Tibet has a dry, cold climate; it is particularly cold in the mountains and plateaus, which are also swept by strong winds all year round. In summer the daily temperature fluctuates greatly between day and night. At midday it may be 80°F (27°C), but after sunset the temperature drops to as low as 32ºF (3°C). The best time of year in Tibet is between April and November, when the weather is mild. July and August are the wettest months, particularly in the central area around Lhasa, but average annual precipitation is very low.

Currency:

The Yuan Renminbi is the basic unit of currency in mainland China.  At present, the exchange rate is CNY6.83 to USD$1.  As exchange rates fluctuate each day, please check the current exchange rate near your date of travel.

Electricity:

The current used in China is 220AC 50Hz.

Tip: This system may differ from the one you use at home. If it is different, please purchase an adaptor from a travel store near you, to take advantage of the power ports in your hotel room.

Language:

The official language in China is Mandarin Cantonese along with hundreds of local dialects.

Health Requirement:

Normally, vaccinations are not longer required unless one travels from or via an infected area. Check with your local health authority for further requirements.

Airport Facilities and Tax:

China has various ports of entry. The international airport in the capital city is the Beijing Capital International Airport. The main airport in Tibet is Lhasa Gonggar Airport.  Departure taxes are formulated into the price of the airline ticket.

Shopping:

Bargaining is common in China. Other than Friendship stores where prices are fixed, shoppers should bargain anywhere they shop. Friendship stores are popular with most foreign visitors as they are well stocked and can arrange shipping.

Cuisine:

Chinese cuisine has a long history and is one of China’s cultural treasures. Local flavors and snacks and special dishes have formed according to regions, local products, climate, historical factors and eating habits.

The cuisine of Tibet is quite distinct from that of its neighbours, since only a few crops (not including rice) grow at such high altitude. The most important crop is barley. Dough made from barley flour, called tsampa, is the staple food of Tibet.  This is either rolled into noodles or made into steamed dumplings called momos. Meat dishes are likely to be yak, goat, or mutton, often dried, or cooked into a spicy stew with potatoes.

In larger Tibetan towns and cities many restaurants now serve Sichuan-style Chinese food. Western imports and fusion dishes, such as fried yak and chips, are also popular.

For more information please visit:
www.cnto.org