City in Tibet, China
Lhasa for solo travelers
Is Lhasa good for solo travel?
Tibet's capital of monasteries, pilgrims and the Potala Palace at 3,650 m. A powerful trip, but foreigners need a permit and a guided tour, altitude is a real risk and the area is tightly monitored.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Rare |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Safe for solo women on tours. Locals are reserved and respectful; dress modestly at monasteries. |
How to meet people in Lhasa
Group or private tours arranged by licensed agencies, hostel dorms for the permit-group trips, and teahouses. Independent travel isn't allowed, so solo travelers usually join a small group.
Good things to do alone
- Circle the Jokhang with pilgrims on the Barkhor kora
- Tour the Potala Palace on a booked time slot
- Visit Drepung or Sera Monastery for debate sessions
- Drink sweet milk tea in a Tibetan teahouse
- Spend day one resting to acclimatize
Where to stay in Lhasa
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Barkhor and Jokhang (Tibetan Quarter) | Pilgrim circuit, guesthouses and Tibetan food |
| Beijing Road area | Hotels, restaurants and shops near the center |
Solo travel across China
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | 5/5 | Limited |
| Beijing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Shanghai | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Xi'an | 4/5 | Limited |
| Chongqing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hangzhou | 4/5 | Limited |
| Yangshuo | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lijiang | 4/5 | Limited |
| Xiamen | 4/5 | Limited |
| Dali | 4/5 | Limited |
| Huangshan | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kunming | 4/5 | Limited |
| Qingdao | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nanjing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Changsha | 4/5 | Limited |
| Pingyao | 4/5 | Rare |
| Dunhuang | 4/5 | Rare |
| Guilin | 3/5 | Limited |
| Shenzhen | 3/5 | Limited |
| Guangzhou | 3/5 | Limited |
| Zhangjiajie | 3/5 | Rare |
| Suzhou | 3/5 | Limited |
| Harbin | 3/5 | Limited |
| Sanya | 3/5 | Limited |
| Lhasa | 3/5 | Rare |
| Shangri-La | 3/5 | Rare |
| Jiuzhaigou | 3/5 | Rare |
| Kashgar | 3/5 | Rare |
| Wuhan | 3/5 | Limited |
| Tianjin | 3/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Lhasa good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). Tibet's capital of monasteries, pilgrims and the Potala Palace at 3,650 m.
How do you meet people in Lhasa?
Group or private tours arranged by licensed agencies, hostel dorms for the permit-group trips, and teahouses. Independent travel isn't allowed, so solo travelers usually join a small group. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Lhasa?
Rare.
Is Lhasa safe for solo female travelers?
Safe for solo women on tours. Locals are reserved and respectful; dress modestly at monasteries.
More about Lhasa
Going to Lhasa solo?
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Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.