Travel to Tibet from Malaysia: A Complete Travel Guide

With more and more Malaysian travellers travel to China every year, an increasing number of Malaysian travellers are seeking for a more in-depth destination such as Tibet. However, many Malaysian travellers feel overwhelmed by Tibet’s different cultures, customs, and local regulations. To help Malaysian travellers travel to Tibet from Malaysia, here is a completed travel guide shared by Tibet Travel Expert of Tibet Ctrip Travel Service Team.

Where Is Tibet?
Name: Tibet Autonomous Region, referred to as Tibet
Location: on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in the frontier of the southwestern region of the People’s Republic of China, also bordering India, Nepal, Burma and Bhutan
Capital: Lhasa.
Area: 474,300 square inches
International telephone area code: +86
ISO code: TIB
Population: 3.18 million (December 2014)
Currency: RMB

When to Travel to Tibet from Malaysia

There is no absolute answer for it. In theory, Malaysian travelers can travel to Tibet from Malaysia though out of the year, except in March when Tibet is closed for foreigners. Tibet is on a high altitude plateau, with much of the country experiencing permafrost throughout the year. For the largely clear, azure skies May and October are generally considered the finest months for travelling in Tibet. However, it is possible to visit most areas of the country any time between April and November and despite the altitude it is surprisingly warm during these months. Between December and March it gets extremely cold and snowy, which although picturesque, can prevent flights from entering the country and makes much of Tibet’s mountainous landscape inaccessible.

Tibet Climate Guide for Malaysian Traveler’s Reference

How to Apply for a Chinese Visa for Malaysian Travelers

Do Malaysian nationals need a Chinese visa? All foreigners, including Malaysian passport holders, are required to obtain a visa to travel to mainland China. So you have to prepare the necessary documents and submitted your application to Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Malaysia.

The requirements of china visa for Malaysian citizens: You may apply for L-Visa as a tourist, which allows you a stay of maximum 30 days in China. The required documents include valid passport, a fully complicated visa application form and recently-taken passport size photograph, proof of finances, confirmed round-trip air ticket booking, proof of hotel reservation, etc.

Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Kuala Lumpur
Address: Level 5 & 6, Hampshire Place Office, Jalan Mayang Sari, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Business Hours: Monday-Friday (except Public Holidays). Closed on Saturdays, Sundays.
Submission of applications: 9:00 to 15:00.
Payment and collection: 9:00 to 16:00.
Tel: +60-3-2176 8888
Fax: +60-3-2161 2234
E-mail: klcentre@visaforchina.org

Visa Office in Penang
Address: Ground Floor,17 Lebuh Bishop,10200 Georgetown,Pulau Pinang
Business Hours: Monday-Friday (except Public Holidays). Closed on Saturdays, Sundays.
Submission of applications: 9:00 to 15:00.
Payment and collection: 9:00 to 16:00.
Tel: +60-3-2176 0888
Fax: +60-4-2519 785
E-mail: penangcentre@visaforchina.org

How to Get to Tibet from Malaysia

There is no direct flight to Tibet from Malaysia. For your tour to Tibet from Malaysia, the entry cities can be not restricted to the main hubs like Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou, as direct flights have connected Malaysia with over 20 cities in China, which are provincial capitals, transportation hubs or top tourist destinations in all parts of China. So now you have more choices on the gateway cities and travel routes. After your arrival in a city of China, you can either take flight or train to Tibet.

You may fly directly to Chengdu to stay several days with giant pandas. Or if your interest lies in natural scenery, make your way by non-stop flights to Guilin from Kuala Lumpur for surreal Karst landscape, and proceed on your vacation to Tibet.

Non-stop Flights to China from Malaysia

Currently there are direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Malaysia to Beijing, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Xiamen, Chongqing, Xian, and other cities, operated by Singapore Airlines, Air China, China Southern Airline, Scoot, Xiamen Airline and some other airlines. The air journey is around 4 to 6 hours.

Notes: The air route and flight schedule are for reference only. Please check the official website of each airline for the accurate information and the airfares.

Tibet Travel Tips and Advice

To plan your trip to Tibet from Malaysia, you also need guidance for the preparation and tips when traveling in China.

► What to Pack: Bring with passport, China visa and other required documents, the contact list with your hotel info and contact number of local guides, suitable clothes for different seasons, etc.

► How to use phone & access internet in Tibet & China: follow our guidance, you can use mobile phone and access internet (but no Facebook, Instagram, etc) when traveling in China

► Accommodation in Tibet: general speaking Tibet has lower standard with accommodation rates, especially outside of Lhasa, the capital city.

► Travel in Tibet & China by plane: When taking China domestic flights, you are supposed to know the luggage allowance and restrictions in advance. There are also tips if you are traveling with kid or baby.

► Tibet Trains: unlike other trains in China, Tibet related trains are extremely difficult to book. We, like most travel agents, charges an extra service fee for Tibet train booking. And the Tibet train total fee will be no cheaper than flight. To confirm a agency at least one month and a half prior train ride is highly suggested.