Tibet Entry Permit complicatinos
Trip Start
Mar 28, 2008
1
78
99
Trip End
Ongoing
Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Sunday, January 11, 2009
My eperiences in China have been all very positve, none bad. Virtually all other travelers I have met here Have the same reactions. Chines people genuinely friendly, very helpful and honest.
This will be an update of the past few days. Very briefly I went from Guangzhou to Guilin then Kunming then Lijiong, Tiger Leaping Gorge trek, Shangri La then to Chengdu where I am now.
Very roughly US$ 1 is about 7 Yuan
In more detail: 6 Jan Kunming to Lijiang, stay Ma Ma Naxi GH,
8 Jan with 5 others to Lijiong to Qioutou Jane's GH, started trek of Leaping Tiger Gorge. Night at Tea Horse GH. 9 finished trek at Tina's GH. Then by van to Shangri La where we spent a freezing night. There was no running water in the hotel, not even cold water. Most hotels, restaurants closed or preparing to close for trips home for Chinese New Year 25 Jan.
Sat 10 Jan. Up around 8 AM PSB office closed onn Sat. Had hoped to get permit to Tibet there and fly to Lhasa from there. However, the Sh La airport had closed down for the winter mso that was a no go.
So decided to go to Chengdu from where I could fly to Lhasa if I could get a Permit.
Made really lucky connections. Took taxi [~6 Y] to bus station. Got 11 AM bus Sh La to Lijiong [42 Y] Arrived there 3 PM. Headed for airport where there was a 1625 and 1640 flights to Chengdu. Started by #11 Bus but it only went to where another shuttle bus started. But now 3:30 PM so I opted for a taxi at 100Y. Got me there about 4PM. Got ticket foer 770 Y to Chengdu on Deere Airlines. Departure on time 1640 Arrived Chengdu Airport 1740 on time.
Couldn't get any info re Tibet Permits at airport. so about 7 PM took shuttle bus #303 into city center.[12 Y] Then taxi to Mix Hostel [14 Y] Checked in about 8:30 PM. Luxurious hot shower first in several days. Warm bed alone in twin room for 70 Y. [Nesxt day single at 50 Y available.
Today Sun 11 Jan Chengdu Temp;erature afternoon about 15oC. Overcast.
Spent much of afternoon square rooting out trip to Lhasa. What is included what is not. Flight schedules, ground transportation hotels, sight seeing, etc. Seems to work out at 6450 Y which includes air tix Chengdu to Lhasa and Lhasa to Shanghai. A budget busting sum for a backpacking travelr.
However Tibet has long been a dream destination. "Lost Horizon" "Seven Years in Tibet" Living in Nepal for two years while Tibet was closed. At my age will psrobably never pass this way again so must go for it.
Tues 13 Jan 09 Looks like I will take an 8 AM flight tomorrow morning CTU-LXR and spend four or five days in Tibet. Permit was approved without fuss. Total cost 6550 Yuan about US$940 Ouch!
