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[boston333]

Hello Everybody

Very much appreciate input/suggestions/options for the following

* Wish to depart Beijing to Tibet and return ( in June ) over 10/12 days

* Do not want to necessarilty travel the 4 days on the train.

* Other ways to do this journey - fly/train/overlarnd etc ?

Many thanks

[starlagurl]

Well, Wikitravel says it's a 48 hour train trip from Beijing:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Tibet#Get_in

[rbisset]

about 4 hour flight from Beijing to Lhasa

[aopaq]

In case you were not already aware, you need to have a Travel Permit to visit Tibet (over and above your China visa) which may be possible to get in Beijing. However, Chengdu seems to be the most common staging point for trips to Tibet and apparently getting a permit through a local hostel or travel agency there is quite common. There is also the issue of whether you need to be on an official tour with a guide which you may well have to consider. I would try contacting an agency about the latest Travel Permit info (including processing time) because it does seem to change.

Finally, it has been noted that some people struggle from altitude effects upon arriving in Lhasa (specially if flying direct from a lower altitude location such as Beijing) which is one of the arguments for taking the train from Chengdu. Just be aware that altitude sickness can be severe and should not be taken lightly.

[boston333]

Thank you Aopaq,rbisset and starlagurl -

Your input is most appreciated.

Am aware of plane travel times/altitude issues/permit issues.

The news about Chengdu I will follow up .

Again, very much appreciate your time to advise me.