China / Tibet, Lhasa

You need to spend at least 3 days in Lhasa to acclimatise to the altitude. It's at 3600m and you're goping to feel tired and lethargic. Don't skip this time especially if you are going to be heading higher. Altitude sickness is not fun or to be taken lightly. Pack Aspirin to thin your blood and help with the headaches.

No problem though as there's plenty to do in Lhasa. Must sees are the Barkhor Circuit and Jokhang Temple and of course the Potala Palace. Definately go to the Sera Monastry to see the monks debating in the afternoon. There are plenty of other monastries.

Eat Yak steak / burger / whatever. Really tasty meat

If you're not doing the overland trip to Nepal which is more than highly recommended, get out of Lhasa and see one of the sacred lakes nearby.

Getting to Tibet
We found the best way was to fly from Chengdu for 1900 RMB. The Tibet permit was included in the price of the air ticket organised through Sims Cozy Guesthouse.

If you enter from China you are free to spend whatever time in Tibet as long as you don't overstay your Chinese visa.

The other option is to fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa but this has to be booked as part of an organised tour and then you have to stay with this tour until you leave Tibet. Doesn't work well if you want to do things on your own.

The overland trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu via Gyantse, Shigatse and Everest Base Camp is highly recommended. It's not easy travel but one of the best trips you'll ever do. It's called the Friendship Highway but that's very optimistic. Don't expect any road that can be crossed with anything less than a 4x4.

You can do the same trip from Kathmandu to Lhasa but this involves gaining some serious altitude. 4000m in a day which will give you guaranteed altitude sickness. It's much more fun to descend 4000m in a day than go up it. After the hardness of Tibet, Nepal will feel like a breath of fresh air.