The easiest way to get into Tibet is to get booked through a Chinese travel agency that goes to Tibet. And by Chinese travel agency I mean a company actually located in China. The government there does not like Americans because of all the “Free tibet” talk and Richard Gere (I’m not kidding), but if it’s a Chinese agency that books the trip then it’s easier to get in. They can then get all the needed paperwork/visas.

Once you get into Tibet they will likely require you to travel with a paid guide. The guide’s job is most likely to make sure that you don’t start a protest or cause other “American style” trouble. However, my paid guide was pretty accommodating in going wherever I wanted, and she had no problem leaving at lunchtime if I told her I was going to rest at the hotel for a while. After a nap I was then free to be guide-less for the rest of the day.

Tibet is a fascinating place. So beautiful. And so misunderstood. I was surprised to find out that not everyone there was actually for a “Free Tibet”. Mostly just the monks who lost their control of the government and want it back.

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