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Altitude and oxygen content
Lhasa: At an average altitude of 3,650m and
oxygen content is 78%
Lhoka: At
an average altitude of 3,600m and oxygen content is
80%
Nyngri:
At an average altitude of 2,991m and oxygen content is
84%
Chamdo:
At an average altitude of 3,500m and oxygen content is
83%
Nagchu:
At an average altitude of 4,500m and oxygen content is
60%
Ngari: At
an average altitude of 4,200m and oxygen content is
62%
Xigatse: At an
average altitude of 3,836m and oxygen content is 67%
Distances
Between Key Towns
Lhasa - Gongar (Airport) 93 km
Gongkar -
Tsetang 97 km
Gongkar - Chusul
Bridge 25 km
Chulsul Bridge -
Gyantse 193 km
Gyantse -
Xigatse 90 km
Xigatse -
Zhangmu 251 km
Zhangmu -
Kathmandu 122 km
Time:
8 hours ahead of GMT. Note Tibet is linked to Beijing time
so when you cross the border to Nepal the time change is
considerable. Nepal is 5 hours and 45 minutes ahead of GMT.
Hours of
Business:
Government Offices and Banks:
Winter: 10 A.M - 1 P.M, 3.30 P.M - 7 P.M
Summer: 9.30 A.M - 12.30 P.M, 4 P.M - 7.30 P.M
Most Shops:
Winter: 10 A.M -
7 P.M
Summer: 10 A.M - 6.30 P.M
Public Holidays
January
1: New Year's; Two days.
February: Tibetan New Year; Three days
February: Chinese Spring Festival; Three days
May 1: International Labour Day
May 4: Youth Day
June 1: Children's Day
August 1 : Army Day
August: Yogurt Festival
Money Matters
With the
Chinese currency, Renminbi, one Yuan is divided into 10 jiao;
one jiao into 10 fen. Exchange rate approximately one U.S
dollor cash equals 8 renminbi. Money can be exchanged in the
bank of china, branches in Lhasa, Xigatse, Zangmu, and other
major cities including some major hotels. American Express
and Visa Card are accepted
When to Visit
The best
period is March to October when days are not too cold and
the passes are clear of snow. February, March and
June-September are the best months for festivals. During the
June-September monsoon season south of the Himalaya,
landslides and delay journeys through the mountains to Nepal
From November through February some of Tibet's most
interesting migratory birds (and fever tourist) fly in.
Customs
Entering: There is no prohibition on still and
video cameras, tape recorders of radios as long as they are
registered with a Customs official Permits to make
commercial films in Tibet must be obtained in advance.
Printed mater deemed unsuitable by the Chinese government
are prohibited. At the moment, photographs of the Dalai Lama
are permitted as long as they do not contain Tibetan script
or the Tibetan flag. Political situations change, however,
and to secure them from possible confiscation, store them
out of sight.
Exiting:
Customs regulations forbid the export of art objects created
prior to 1959 or souvenirs in amounts deemed to be
excessive.
Clothing & Footwear
As a
minimum, you will need basic warm clothing, including a hot,
scarf, gloves, down jacket, long underwear, warn, absorbent
socks, all-weather shell and sun hat, sunglass, as well as
comfortable well-made pants and shirts. Women may want to
add a long skirt to their clothing list.
If you attempt
winter trekking you will certainly need more substantial
mountaineering clothing. Many people opt for synthetic-pile
clothing, but also consider wool, which has proven itself in
the mountains of Tibet for centuries. One of your most
important assets will be a pair of strong, well-fitting
hiking boots. And remember to break them in before starting
the trek!
As in much of
Asia, nudity and open displays of affection are frowned
upon,. Try to dress modestly, which is pretty easy in such a
rugged environment. You are better off covering up in the
intense solar radiation of Tibet with light-coloured,
lightweight clothing. Be especially vigilant at monasteries
there are not places for immodest western fashions. As a
rule, don't wear shorts or short dresses, especially in
villages and at religious sites.
Food Bag
While
hotel food is generally quite good and quantities are
sufficient, consider carrying snacks with you. Some
suggestions: Packets soups, instant coffee and powdered
drinks as hot water is usually, available nuts, candy,
cheese, dried fruit, chocolate, peanut butter, jam,
crackers, muesli, tuna fish and sardines.
Security
Tibetans
are generally honest and hotel staff can be trusted not to
walk off with your belongings. Pickpockets and purse
snatchers are virtually unknown and there seem to be
no scams aimed at paring you from your money.
While the
situation has eased and Tibetans no longer risk being
punished for talking with foreigners, be aware that there
are still Chinese plainclothes policemen around; temper your
comments accordingly. Avoid photographing Chinese soldiers.
Health & Emergencies
Tibet's
thin air and dust pose considerable medical problems and the
lack of medical facilities, doctors who speak little or no
English, and difficulties involved in evacuating a sick
person do not recommend it to someone who is not fit. If you
have heart or respiratory problems, ask your doctor about
the advisability of a Tibet trip. Tell him of the altitude
(3,500-5,300 m, 11,400-17,400 ft) the dry, dusty air, and
the need to climb steep stairs. Tibet's climate is excellent
for asthmatics.
There are some
medicine shops in Lhasa sell medicines for preventing HAS
(high altitude sickness) people who want to get safety
medicines should go to hospitals where you can have
medicines in prevention recommended by doctors. Every day
you should drink about 30 grams of water with brown sugar
(don't use the white sugar instead) and take several
composite vitamin pills for 3 days which can reduce
suffering from HAS
Hospitals
While
major towns have hospitals, the facilities are basic and
treatment may include Western pharmaceutical or Chinese
herbal remedies (or both). Most doctors speak only Chinese
so take your guide or translator to the hospital with you.
Lhasa:
People's Hospital of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, Linkuor
Road
Tibetan Medicine
Hospital of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, Yutuo Road
The Holiday Inn
Lhasa has a doctor on call
Tsetang:
The hospital is at the western entrance to the town.
Xigatse:
The
hospital is about 500 m (1600 ft) north of the Xigatse Hotel
on the same side of the same road.
Shegar:
It is
500m (1,600 ft) down the same road as the Shegar Guest
House, on the opposite side.
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