Tibet Travel Guide From Hong Kong border crossings, Document, Transport
Over the year year, number of traveler from Hong Kong to Tibet is increasing rapidly. Tourist from Hong Kong enjoy the fascinating scenery and the unique Tibetan culture. Tibet has become a popular tourist destination in Hong Kong.
Many Hong Kong friends often ask the same questions online and on the phone. Do Hong Kong residents need to apply for an admission letter to enter Tibet? Do I have to apply for a border pass? Where can I apply for a border pass? What are the regulations for Hong Kong residents to travel to Tibet? Can Hong Kong residents travel to Tibet in a group? or Hong Kong people’s other document on Tibet tourism etc.,
For Hong Kong tourists who have not visited Tibet for the first time, there are too many things to consider! Here, we have collected some of the most frequently asked questions by friends in Hong Kong to say.
These are you must do before entering Tibet, so you can enjoy the Tibet travel without any problems.
What documents do Hong Kong residents need to prepare for their first trip to Tibet?
Hong Kong residents need to apply for a home visit permit within the validity period. The full name of the returned pass is the “Hong Kong–Macao Mainland Travel Permit.” 港澳居民来往内地通行证

When entering Lhasa or registers relevant procedures at the hotel reception, and reports to the public security organs, you need to show your Home return Pass.
It is also important to know that Hong Kong residents, like mainland residents, must apply for the Tibet Border Pass, also known as the Tibet Frontier Pass, in order to enter certain areas of Tibet. For Hong Kong, it must be handled by a local travel agency in Tibet. For example, to travel to the Mount Everest area, one needs to apply for a transit permit; otherwise, Hong Kong residents will not be able to reach Mount Everest.
Tourists from Macau and Hong Kong cannot go to the Lhamo Lhatso. According to the current policy, both Hong Kong residents and Macao tourists can travel in Tibet the same as mainland residents. There are no restrictions. The Roof of the World invites Hong Kong residents to travel to Tibet.
How to apply for Home Return Pass from Hong Kong or Macao traveler?
Hong Kong residents can travel to Tibet without extra documents. Hong Kong travelers entering Tibet and returning to other cities in the Mainland are the same, except the Hong Kong and Macao resident need a Valid Home return permit to enter the mainland.
According to the latest travel policy, foreigners, Taiwanese people, and Chinese with foreign nationality abroad need to apply for a letter of entry to Tibet.
Border Pass for Hong Kong Travelers
Hong Kong people don’t need to apply for Tibet Travel Permit, which does not mean that they do not need to apply for any other travel document in Tibet. The travel policy is the same for Hong Konger or Macau and mainland resident. If you want to go Everest Base Camp or Ngari area, you need to apply for a border Pass, which can not be handled in Hong Kong. After your arrived in Lhasa, you need to be led by a travel agent to handle it at the Lhasa Border Police Office.
Not all areas of Tibet need to apply for border Passes, so before joining the group, you should inform the specific place of travel in advance.
Here are some of the frequently asked questions of Hong Kong guests traveling to Tibet:
- Can Hong Kong people travel freely in Tibet?
A: Hong Kong people can travel freely in Tibet, such as by chartered car. - Can Hong Kong people choose their own hotel in Tibet?
A: Hong Kong people can choose different levels of hotels according to their needs, such as youth hostels, three-star hotels, four-star hotels, or five-star hotels. - Hong Kong people can take the Sichuan-Tibet line into Tibet?
A: Hong Kong people can charter their own car to take the Sichuan-Tibet Line. The Sichuan-Tibet Line is the most beautiful scenic avenue, and every year many people choose this route into Tibet.
How to get from Hong Kong to Tibet – Transportation Guide
From Hong Kong to Lhasa, there is no direct train. If you want to leave Hong Kong and want to experience Tibet train travel, you can take the Z264 train from the nearest Guangzhou station to Lhasa. Other cities that connect trains to Tibet include Chengdu, Chongqing, Xining, Beijing, Shanghai, etc. Traveler can go to the above cities, then take the train to Tibet.
The most convenient way to travel from Hong Kong to Lhasa by plane, Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Hong Kong to Lhasa (Tibet). Flights from Hong Kong to Lhasa are usually operated in destinations such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, and Kunming.
If time is tight, you can choose a flight departing from Hong Kong. From Hong Kong to Shenzhen, and then from Shenzhen to Lhasa. There are two direct flights to Lhasa every day. As there is no direct flight from Guangzhou to Lhasa, it is not recommended to fly from Guangzhou. However, if you want to experience the fun of Tibet by train, you can choose the Tibet train from Guangzhou.
If you have plenty of time, it is recommended to start from Hong Kong to Chengdu, Xining, and other places. They are not only a convenient means of transportation to Tibet but also many tourist resources such as Jiuzhaigou in Chengdu and Qinghai Lake in Xining, which can add value to your time.