Packing list for Tibet, travel insurance for Tibet and taking your belongings

What to take to Tibet: brief

To pack and check

• Documents and money: a passport valid for at least another 6 months and a valid Chinese visa depending on your nationality. Additionally, you need a Tibet Travel Permit, which can only be arranged through a recognized travel agency. Check the latest information, if independent travel is permitted for foreign travelers. Bring multiple paper and digital copies of your passport, visa, and permits. The Chinese yuan (CNY/RMB) is the official currency. You can withdraw cash in Lhasa and a few larger towns, but outside of these areas, cash is important.
• Clothing: a good layering system. During the day, the sun can feel warm, while it cools down considerably in the evening and at night (even in summer). A warm fleece, down jacket, or windproof jacket and thermal clothing are recommended if you are traveling outside of the summer, but sometimes even in the summer. Covered shoulders and long trousers or skirts are mandatory for monastery visits.
• Shoes: sturdy hiking boots with good grip. Comfortable shoes are important due to the altitude and the many monasteries, stairs, and hikes. Flip-flops are handy for accommodations.
• Personal care and hygiene: sunscreen with a very high protection factor (SPF 50+) and lip balm. Due to the high altitude, UV radiation is extremely strong and the air is very dry.
• Packing and protection: a rain cover for your backpack. The rainy season is relatively mild, but showers can occur.
• Sleeping and sleeping: a sleeping bag liner can be pleasant at simple guesthouses.
• Medicine and travel first-aid kit: a comprehensive first-aid kit with ORS, painkillers, blister plasters, and personal medication. Discuss with a doctor before departure whether medication for altitude sickness (such as acetazolamide) is advisable.
• Outdoors and handy items: a reusable water bottle with a filter, sunglasses with good UV protection, a warm hat, gloves, and a cap or sun hat.
• Technology and equipment: a universal adapter for the same sockets as China (types A, C, and I). Also, a good power bank (batteries drain quickly due to the cold) and a headlamp for unlit guesthouses.

To consider

• Hiking pole.
• Something for dry eyes and a nasal spray or ointment for the dry air.
• Thermos for hot tea.
• Buff or scarf for dust and wind.
• Small gifts for local families or guides are not necessary, but are sometimes appreciated.

Absolutely do not bring

• Photos, books, images, etc. of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan flag, or politically sensitive literature about human rights in Tibet (this includes Lonely Planets which may contain “wrong” things).
• Satellite phones (including emergency devices for hiking).
• Drones.
• Also, do not take natural materials out of the area. This is also prohibited.

Are there mosquitoes in Tibet?

• Due to the high altitude (often above 3,500 meters), mosquitoes are hardly a problem in Tibet.
• You may only occasionally encounter mosquitoes in a few lower valleys and during the hottest summer months. For most travelers, mosquito repellent is not necessary.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Tibet?

• No. Due to the cool climate and high altitude, sandflies do not pose a problem for travelers.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Tibet?

• Yes, but you probably won't need them.
• In Lhasa, mosquito repellents are available in limited quantities at larger stores and pharmacies, but due to the low number of mosquitoes, most travelers hardly use them.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Tibet, or bring it to Tibet?

• No, Tibet falls under Chinese law, and China has very strict drug laws.
• Cannabis, and other drugs, are prohibited. Possession, use, sale, and import can lead to very severe penalties. In addition, regular drug checks take place, such as urine and hair follicle tests, and whether you smoked in Tibet, China, or another country, if it is positive, you will be immediately fined and punished.