Although tourism is one of the "pillar industries" designated by the Tibetan authorities to speed up development in the area, travel in Tibet is still complicated. The nature of your travelling experience in Tibet will depend on a variety of factors. These include current political conditions, the officials you encounter and points of entry. The following notes describe some of the basic rules and regulations regarding which areas of Tibet you may visit, and how to get there.

As a result of these factors the easiest way to visit Tibet may be to join a tour group. This could be more expensive, and usually means that your itinerary will be pre-planned and restricted.

However, it is possible most of the time to travel in Tibet as an individual, although this could prove to be quite complicated, requiring extra time and patience to reach the country and to arrange any excursions outside the main towns.

Bear in mind that you could place individual Tibetans at great risk if you ask sensitive questions or stay with them. If you are found by police carrying confidential documents, making political statements or taking pictures of sensitive places or events you may suffer very little, but will place any Tibetans that you have talked to or met in very real danger. Always seek permission if you wish to take pictures of monasteries.