Lhasa Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Lhasa.
Healthcare System
Lhasa's healthcare system is less developed than eastern Chinese cities, with limited facilities equipped to handle serious medical emergencies. The People's Hospital of Tibet Autonomous Region is the main facility, but serious conditions often require medical evacuation to Chengdu or other major cities.
Hospitals
The People's Hospital of Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区人民医院) on Linkuo North Road is the primary hospital for serious issues. The Lhasa City People's Hospital offers basic care. Some hotels have medical staff or oxygen available. Private clinics exist but quality varies. For serious emergencies, evacuation to Chengdu (2-hour flight) is often necessary.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are available throughout Lhasa, including near Barkhor Street and major hotels. Many common medications are available without prescription, but bring essential medications from home as specific brands may not be available. Altitude sickness medication (acetazolamide/Diamox) can be purchased locally. Pharmacists rarely speak English.
Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance with high-altitude coverage (above 3,500m) and medical evacuation is essential and may be checked during permit application. Standard policies often exclude high-altitude activities.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring a complete supply of prescription medications in original packaging with doctor's letter
- Ensure insurance explicitly covers altitudes above 3,500 meters and medical evacuation costs (can exceed $50,000)
- Carry oxygen canisters from your hotel for emergency use
- Have your hotel or guide accompany you to medical facilities for translation
- Download offline translation apps as internet may be restricted or slow
- Bring basic first aid supplies as quality varies in local pharmacies
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
75% of travelers experience some symptoms of altitude sickness including headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Severe cases can develop into life-threatening HACE or HAPE.
Pickpocketing and bag snatching are relatively uncommon but can occur in crowded tourist areas, particularly targeting distracted visitors.
Traveling without proper permits or straying from approved itineraries can result in detention, fines, deportation, and future visa denials. Permits can be suddenly revoked during sensitive periods.
Strong UV radiation due to high altitude, rapid temperature changes between day and night (can vary 20°C), sudden weather changes, and dry air causing dehydration and skin issues.
Traveler's diarrhea and food poisoning can occur, particularly dangerous at high altitude where dehydration worsens altitude sickness. Tap water is not safe to drink.
Discussing sensitive political topics, photographing military or police installations, or participating in protests can lead to detention, interrogation, or deportation. Surveillance is extensive.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Individuals dressed as monks approach tourists asking for donations for monastery repairs or blessings, then become aggressive when small amounts are offered or provide fake blessed items at inflated prices.
Tour operators add unexpected fees, charge for 'mandatory' activities not in the original itinerary, or pressure tourists to purchase expensive optional tours once already in Lhasa.
Vendors sell mass-produced items as authentic antiques or handmade Tibetan crafts at inflated prices, claiming special religious significance or age.
Hotels, shops, or drivers sell small oxygen canisters at extremely inflated prices to tourists experiencing altitude sickness symptoms, sometimes 10x normal cost.
After tourists take photos with locals in traditional dress or with yaks, aggressive demands for payment are made, sometimes claiming damage or demanding excessive fees.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
Altitude Acclimatization
- Arrive by train from Xining rather than flying if possible for gradual acclimatization
- Plan no strenuous activities for first 48 hours; rest and hydrate
- Sleep with head elevated and consider supplemental oxygen at night
- Recognize serious symptoms: severe headache unrelieved by medication, confusion, difficulty breathing at rest, coughing pink frothy fluid - descend immediately
- Don't ascend to sleep at higher elevations if experiencing symptoms
- Avoid sleeping pills which can suppress breathing
Documentation and Permits
- Carry multiple copies of passport, Chinese visa, Tibet Travel Permit, and other permits at all times
- Store digital copies in cloud storage and email to yourself
- Never travel without your assigned guide in Tibet
- Understand permits can be revoked suddenly during sensitive periods with no refunds
- Apply for permits minimum 20 days before travel through licensed tour operator
- Be aware certain areas require additional permits (Alien's Travel Permit, Military Permit)
Communication and Internet
- Internet is heavily restricted and monitored; many websites and apps blocked including Google, Facebook, WhatsApp
- VPN use is technically illegal but commonly used; download and test before arriving in China
- VPN connections may be unstable or blocked entirely during sensitive periods
- Purchase Chinese SIM card but expect limited connectivity
- Download offline maps (Maps.me), translation apps, and important documents before arrival
- Inform family of limited communication ability in advance
Cultural Sensitivity
- Walk clockwise around monasteries, stupas, and prayer wheels following Buddhist tradition
- Remove hat and sunglasses before entering temples; no photography inside unless permitted
- Don't touch religious artifacts, murals, or statues; don't point feet toward Buddha images
- Dress modestly at religious sites (cover shoulders and knees)
- Don't step over prayer items or religious texts
- Ask permission before photographing monks or pilgrims
- Avoid discussing sensitive political topics including Dalai Lama and Tibetan independence
Money and Payments
- Carry sufficient cash (Chinese Yuan/RMB) as cards not widely accepted outside major hotels
- ATMs available but can be unreliable; withdraw cash before arriving if possible
- WeChat Pay and Alipay dominant but require Chinese bank account to set up
- Small denominations useful for markets and small purchases
- Bargain at markets (start at 40-50% of asking price)
- Keep receipts for significant purchases
Transportation Safety
- Use only licensed taxis or arranged transportation through your tour operator
- Independent travel and car rental not permitted for foreign tourists
- Wear seatbelts when available (not always standard in older vehicles)
- Be prepared for long drives on mountain roads with hairpin turns
- Motion sickness medication recommended for mountain travel
- Verify your tour includes appropriate vehicle type for group size and luggage
Accommodation Safety
- Book accommodations through your tour operator as required
- Verify hotel has oxygen supply and know how to access it
- Check room heating system works (essential in winter)
- Keep room well-ventilated to prevent carbon monoxide issues from heating
- Store valuables in room safe or with hotel reception
- Know emergency exits and evacuation procedures
- Keep emergency contact numbers and hotel address in Chinese
Health Precautions
- Get comprehensive health check-up before traveling; not recommended for those with heart conditions, respiratory issues, or high blood pressure
- Bring complete medication supply plus extra in case of delays
- Pack comprehensive first aid kit including altitude sickness medication, pain relievers, anti-diarrheal, antibiotics, bandages
- Avoid alcohol for first 48 hours and limit thereafter
- Eat light meals initially; heavy food harder to digest at altitude
- Wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer
- Consider hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations before travel
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Lhasa is generally safe for women travelers, including solo female travelers, with violent crime and sexual assault being rare. The mandatory tour guide requirement means women are rarely alone in unfamiliar situations. Harassment is uncommon, and local culture is generally respectful. However, the same precautions advised for any destination apply, and women should be particularly aware of their surroundings in crowded areas.
- Solo female travel is safe but you'll be accompanied by a mandatory tour guide anyway
- Dress modestly, especially at religious sites (covering shoulders and knees shows respect and reduces unwanted attention)
- Harassment is rare but ignore catcalls or unwanted attention and walk confidently away
- Use hotel taxis or arranged transportation rather than hailing random taxis
- Keep hotel room locked and use door chain/security latch
- Be cautious accepting drinks from strangers in hotel bars
- Sanitary products available in pharmacies and supermarkets but bring preferred brands
- Women's restrooms can be basic squat toilets; carry tissue and hand sanitizer
- Join women traveler groups online for shared experiences and advice
- Trust instincts and don't feel obligated to be polite if uncomfortable
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is legal in China (decriminalized in 1997, removed from mental illness classification in 2001), but same-sex marriage and civil unions are not recognized. No specific anti-discrimination laws protect LGBTQ+ individuals. Public displays of affection (heterosexual or homosexual) are generally uncommon in Tibetan culture.
- Exercise discretion with public displays of affection regardless of orientation
- No LGBTQ+ venues, events, or visible community exists in Lhasa
- Book hotel rooms as 'friends' if traveling as same-sex couple; most hotels won't question twin bed requests
- Be aware that VPN restrictions limit access to LGBTQ+ apps and resources
- Avoid discussing LGBTQ+ rights or politics as this can be considered sensitive topic
- Major international hotels in Lhasa are generally more understanding and discreet
- Chinese social media and dating apps are monitored; use caution
- Consider Tibet's conservative culture when deciding on visibility; prioritize personal safety
- Connect with LGBTQ+ travel groups before arrival for current information and support
- Understand that rural areas and religious sites are more conservative than the city
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is absolutely essential for Lhasa due to the serious risk of altitude sickness requiring expensive medical evacuation, limited local medical facilities, the possibility of sudden permit revocations with no refunds, and potential trip interruptions. Medical evacuation from Lhasa can cost $50,000-100,000 USD. Most standard travel insurance policies exclude high-altitude destinations above 3,000-3,500 meters, so specialized coverage is required.
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