To warmly welcome travelers from around the globe, China has extended its 30-day visa-free policy for 50 countries (for ordinary passport holders, for tourism, allowing a 30-day visa-free stay until Dec 31, 2026). Suppose you’re among the countries eligible for visa-free travel to China. In that case, applying for your Tibet travel permit is a breeze. You can easily travel to Tibet from cities in China or from Kathmandu, Nepal.

Please provide us with your passport scans and confirm your Tibet travel package at least a month in advance, and that’s all we need. We’ll share more details in the article ahead! Let us dive in...

Photo: Tibet Travel Article to Mount Everest's North Face.

2026-2027 China Tibet Travel Updates | Tibet Travel Packages

We're pleased to announce that until December 31, 2026, passport holders from 50 specified countries can visit China, including travel in Tibet, without a visa for stays of up to 30 days! The list of eligible countries includes:

EUROPE (35): France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenia, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Russia, Sweden, United Kingdom.

ASIA (7): Brunei, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain.

OCEANIA (2): Australia, New Zealand.

AMERICAS (6): Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay.

RUSSIA: China extends visa-free travel for Russian citizens. The visa exemption will be valid for one year, until the end of 2027, allowing entry into China for up to 30 days, including travel to Tibet.

Photo: Our recent two travelers at Mapham Yumtso Lake Manasarovar view of Mount Kailash, taken during our latest visit for the Tibet Travel Article.

Nationals of the countries above, including minors, are permitted to enter mainland China and travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region using their ordinary passports at all border crossing points accessible to foreigners (by air, land, or sea).

They may remain for up to 30 days for business, tourism, visiting relatives or friends, exchange initiatives, or transit. The 30-day exemption will remain in effect until the end of 2026!

Photo: View of Gyantse Town. Tibet Tour Shambhala Style Article.

If you have visa-free access to China, you will only require a Tibet travel permit to visit Tibet. To obtain a Tibet travel permit, you will need to provide a scan of your passport and confirmation of your Tibet travel package, provided that your nationality is eligible for visa-free travel in China.

China simplifies visa Applications for many Nations. We welcome international travelers to Tibet. As of January 1, 2026, China is making visa applications more accessible for US tourists. The Chinese Embassy has announced that US tourist visa applicants will no longer be required to provide air ticket bookings, hotel reservations, or invitation letters.

We warmly encourage visitors to seize this fantastic opportunity and experience the wonders of a Tibet travel adventure with our local Tibet travel service.

We’re optimistic that the 30-day visa exemption will still be available in 2027! Rest assured, we’ll keep this Tibet travel article updated for the years 2026-2027 to provide you with the latest information.

The requirement for an alien travel permit to access Mount Everest base camp, Mount Kailash, Mapham Yumtso Lake, Manasarovar Lake, the Shigatse area, and Lhoka Prefecture has been lifted. Travelers can access Nyingtri and Chamdo overland from Yunnan or Sichuan to Tibet without requiring an Alien Travel Permit.

This year, our Tour Guide, Kelsang, provided a 7-day overland trip for travelers from Yunnan Shangri-La to Lhasa. They appreciated exploring lesser-known attractions in Tibet and gave it a five-star rating on TripAdvisor. 

This policy change is anticipated to significantly expedite travel to these destinations, as travelers can now obtain the regular Tibet travel permit within approximately one to two weeks. The Tibet Travel Permit will be accessible for those planning to visit Tibet in 2026. We generally recommend booking at least 30 days in advance to get the permit you need. 

Photo: Tibet Trip Article for family travelers at the Namtso Lake. One of the youngest travelers is just five years old.

We are excited to announce that our Tibet tour season for the year 2026 began at the end of March, with a solo Travelers 12-day Tibet travel adventure. We are delighted to learn that our traveler had a wonderful experience in Tibet.

We eagerly anticipate their arrival for yet another remarkable Tibet tour experience! As part of our commitment to sharing incredible Tibet travel experiences, we are thrilled to present 15 top Tibet tour reviews from our valued travelers.

Tibet Travelers is delighted to share that we have received more than 27 excellent reviews of our Tibet tours on Google Maps from our valued travelers! You can trust us to care for your travel needs and have a worry-free trip. Join us for an unforgettable adventure!

Are you planning a trip to Mount Everest Base Camp? That's awesome! Just a heads up, the roads from Lhasa to the base camp are now paved for your convenience. To keep the beautiful natural environment of Mount Everest National Park pristine, EV buses that do not pollute operate from Tashizom town, which is only about 30 km from the base camp. 

Alternatively, we offer eight Tibet tour options to Mount Everest Base Camp: a 7-day Tibet tour to Everest Base Camp, an 8-day Tibet tour to Everest, a 9-day Tibet tour to Everest Base Camp, and a 10-day tour to Everest Base Camp.

10-Day Tibet Tour to the Crown of the Himalaya at Mount Everest Base Camp with a Shambhala-style vibe for spiritual travelers to Tibet. Another 12-day Mount Everest and Mount Kailash Combo Tibet Tour.

If you plan to travel to Nepal after your Tibet journey, we also offer an 8-day Tibet travel package to Everest Base Camp and the Nepal border, as well as a 10-day Tibet travel package to the Nepal border.

Due to the snow at Drolma La, a whopping 5,600 meters high, the Mount Kailash trek is only possible from May to October. We are pleased to announce the publication of a new Tibet tour, Mount Kailash trekking Photoblog article detailing a three-day trekking expedition.

Photo: We published a comprehensive photoblog article about the Tibet trip to Mount Kailash, highlighting the May Tibet tour from Dirapuk in the morning.

Alternatively, we offer six Tibet tour options to Mount Kailash, Mapham Yumtso Lake, and Manasarovar, with some itineraries including Guge Kingdoms, Toling Monastery, and Mount Everest Base Camp, along with many sights along the way: an 11-day Tibet tour to Mount Kailash, a 13-day Tibet tour to Mount Kailash, a 15-day Tibet tour to Mount Kailash, a 15-day Tibet tour without trekking Mount Kailash, and a 17-day Tibet tour to Mount Kailash. Furthermore, if you intend to travel to Nepal after your Tibet journey, we offer a 16-day Tibet travel package to Mount Kailash and the Nepal border.

Another update for 2026 is that the Namtso Lake Nature Preserve is approximately 30 km from the lake, requiring travelers to switch to an eco-bus for the final leg of their Tibet travel journey to Namtso Lake. Our 10-day Mount Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake, Tibet travel journey is the top choice for travelers.

The Chinese group visa is no longer required for travelers to Tibet from Nepal. Previously, securing a Chinese group visa was imperative for individuals traveling from Nepal to Tibet.

As you travel from Tibet to Nepal, please complete the online Nepal visa application form in advance, as internet access may be limited beyond the border. To make the process easier, visit the Nepal government visa website. The cost of a 15-day visa is $30 USD per person. 

However, current regulations allow individuals to travel from Kathmandu, Nepal, to Tibet by flight or by overland from Kyirong, and then continue overland to Lhasa without obtaining a Chinese group visa. Instead, travelers may use their individual Chinese visas. Additionally, travelers from eligible countries can visit Tibet with their passports and a Tibet travel permit. 

Photo: Shug La Pass, 5411 meters, the highest point of our Tibet travel adventure, taken during our latest visit for the Tibet Travel Article.

Embark on a memorable adventure with Tibet Tour and Travel Packages group tours and explore breathtaking landscapes. As the sole local Tibet Travel agency offering the smallest group tour size, with a minimum of three participants and a maximum of eight. Smaller groups provide a far more comfortable experience; sign up for one of our group tours today.

Suppose you're considering a private tour to Tibet. In that case, we're excited to inform you that our website's Tibet tour options and travel packages can be customized to create an exceptional personalized experience for your friends and family! Please note that this customization may come with an additional cost.

In addition to our standard Tibet tours, we take joy in crafting tailored Tibet tours that perfectly match your needs and preferences, ensuring your adventure is unique and unforgettable. Feel free to contact us via Instagram, Facebook, or WeChat at travelers2025 or email info@tibettravelers.com.

Photo: Mrs. K and Mr. D at the stunning Namtso Lake.

We're excited to confirm your Saga Dawa Festival tour in Tibet for 2027! Take a look at the details of the 17-day Tibet trip adventure, including a thrilling 3-day Mount Kailash Trek from June 10th to June 18th. We can't wait for you to experience this unforgettable journey!

Photo: Tibet Travel Ngari, captured by our Tibetan tour guide during our recent Tibet trip to Mount Kailash Ngari.

We at Tibet Travelers bought cozy jackets for 319 students and five cooks at one of the highest primary schools at an elevation of 4,300 meters. Our main goal is to give back to the locals by using a portion of our tour profits.

We've also completed two social responsibility projects in the past few years. We appreciate your support.

To sum up, international travelers can now visit Tibet. Opting for group tours with Tibet Travelers is an excellent way to reduce expenses compared to costly private tours. If you need more information about traveling to Tibet, we also invite you to explore our latest weekly updated Tibet travel newsletter blogs.

We're thrilled you took the time to read our article about Travel Tibet Updates, and we would love to hear your feedback! If there is anything we can do to improve the article, please let us know by leaving a comment. 

For tour bookings related to Tibet travel, travelers can contact us via Instagram, Facebook, or WeChat (travelers2025) for a live chat or email us at info@tibettravelers.com.