How to be a responsible tourist in Tibet

No matter which place we travel to, we should be a responsible traveler. Tibet is a dream place for many travelers. It is said that a Tibet tour is a lifetime journey. Let’s see how to be a responsible tourist in Tibet. A responsible tourist in Tibet means a lot. On one hand, you should be responsible for yourself. One the other hand, you should be responsible for the tourist destination.

 

To be responsible for yourself, you should make a Tibet tour plan carefully. When making a tour plan to Tibet, you should first choose a responsible Tibet travel agency because foreign travelers are required to travel to Tibet under the organization of a registered travel agent. There are dozens of travel agencies on internet saying that they can offer you Tibet tour service, but not all travel agencies are reliable and legal. So do spend some time to know more about these travel agencies, such as Tibet travel org and Tibet tour org. You can talk with their tour consultants and judge whether they are professional and reliable. 

 

Besides, you should make sure you got valid documents for travelling in Tibet. Generally, there are four documents for foreigners to travel in Tibet. Except your passport and Chinese visa, you need to apply for Tibet entry permit and maybe Alien’s travel permit. The Tibet permit is a must for you to board the flight for train to Tibet. Do not try to slip into Tibet without Tibet permit. Your trip will be spoiled by your stupid manner. According to the policy on Tibet permit 2013, it is easy for tourists to get Tibet permit.  

 

In addition, pay attention to your health when travel to Tibet. Tibet is a tourist destination that is quite different from many places, especially its altitude which easily causes altitude sickness. Before travelling to Tibet, you are highly recommended to have a thorough examination. If you are suffering one of the following illnesses, it is not advisable for you to make a tour to Tibet.

 

1. Organic heart diseases, severe arrhythmia or resting heart rate over 100per minute, high blood pressure II or above, all kinds of blood diseases and cranial vascular diseases.

 

2. Chronic respiratory system diseases, medium degree of obstructive pulmonary diseases or above, such as bronchus expansion, emphysema and so on.

 

3. Diabetes mellitus which is not controlled properly, hysteria, epilepsia and schizophrenia.

 

4. People with Bad cold, upper respiratory tract infections, and body temperature above 38 Celsius or below 38 Celsius while the whole body and the respiratory system have obvious symptoms, are not recommended to travel to Tibet until they're ok.

 

5. People who were diagnosed to have high altitude pulmonary edema, high altitude cerebral edema, high altitude hypertension with obvious increase of blood pressure, high altitude heart diseases and high altitude polycythemia.

 

6. High risk pregnant women. 

 

In addition, to be a responsible tourist in Tibet, you should respect local Tibetan culture and customs, and protect the environment of Tibet during your Tibet tour.

 

1. Do not wear shorts or short skirts and tops which bare shoulders when visit a temple in Tibet.

 

2. Don’t intrude on local people’s homes, tents, land or private activities (such as sky burials). Show respect for local’s private property and personal space. Always ask for permission before entering private property or land.

 

3. Don’t be disrespectful at religious sites or family homes by wearing shorts or revealing clothing or kissing or touching intimately in public. Remove your hat and shoes unless instructed otherwise and don’t step over people or people’s legs – feet are considered dirty. Don’t relax by putting your feet up on tables or chairs.

 

4. Don’t swim in holy lakes, sit on holy objects such as mani stones or walk on or step over prayer flags.

 

5. Don’t break local laws and regulations. Make sure you have the valid Tibet travel permits – your travel agency and tour guide or host could be fined or may even lose their license if you break the law.

 

6. Minimize your waste and dispose of waste appropriately. You are kindly requested to carry reusable cups, plates, cutlery or chopsticks. Try to purchase produce which is not wrapped in plastic. Avoid using disposable plastic shopping bags. If you make a Tibet tour to remote places in Tibet without environmentally sound trash management systems, pack your garbage out to larger towns or cities when it can be disposed of appropriately. If there is no toilet, dig a hole at least 25cm deep and bury human waste. Burn or bury toilet paper.