While going to Tibet with babies or toddlers might sound difficult, or even impossible, it is not!
Take it from the people who did it - going to Tibet with children as little as 5 months and 2.5 years is doable, and has been an amazing journey for the whole family. The children enjoyed the countryside and the interactions with friendly and curious locals.
Here are some tips on how you can make it a smooth, hassle-free and memorable journey for everyone.
1. Take necessary precautions to avoid altitude sickness
Altitude sickness is the main concern when it comes to visiting Tibet. The province is situated in the Tibetan Plateau that has an average elevation of 4500m above sea level. Lhasa itself is at 3600m, which is not an altitude that you can ignore.
However, it does not mean you cannot do it altogether - as long as you follow the necessary precautions to prevent altitude sickness - traveling up to 4000m does not carry significant risks. Here's what worked for our family:
- Take your time to acclimatize before getting to Tibet
- Remind your children (and yourself) to drink plenty of water
- Avoid strenuous exercise upon arrival
- Plan for extra rest days at the beginning of your trip
- Consider spending 2-3 days in Xining (2275m) before continuing to Tibet
Remember to always take your own personal situation and health into account and not ignore any worrying symptoms. The hospital in Lhasa has necessary equipment for anyone needing oxygen treatment, so in case you need, don't be afraid to ask your travel agent to assist you during a visit.
Mild altitude sickness, if experienced, goes away on its own after descending to lower altitude, so be prepared to change your travel plans when necessary.
2. Take the Qinghai-Tibet railway
The best way to acclimatize is to arrive by train. The Qinghai-Tibet railway starts in Xining. Situated above 2000m, Xining is a great place to stay for a few days to allow slow acclimatization - it is also a great place to sample some delicious foods in its Muslim quarter.
From Xining, you can take a day trip to Qinghai Lake (3260m), the largest lake in China. It is easily accessible and is surrounded by all necessary tourist amenities such as toilets and food venues. It is a great way to test your acclimatization. The best way to get there is to hire a car with a driver, that can be arranged by Tibet Vista.
Taking a train is a magical experience. It is a sleeper train, with berths decorated in Tibetan style. The journey from Xining takes around 22 hours - sounds long but it goes in the blink of an eye when you stare at the beautiful views along the way! The restaurant on the train is also an unmissable occasion to eat a proper meal and pass the time - although the majority of locals will take advantage of the hot water available for free on the train.
I recommend taking a train that departs in the evening - this will allow you to make the most of the supreme views once the train reaches the higher elevation and sparsely populated Tibetan Plateau.
The train tickets can be arranged by the travel agent, so no need to be worried whether or not you will get them.
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3. Book a private tour
When traveling with small children (especially babies and toddlers) you need to keep your travel plans as flexible as possible. I would highly recommend arranging a private tour. This way, in case you do experience any complications along the way, you can change your travel plans easier.
A private tour can be custom-made for you, so you can avoid tourist attractions that might be boring or difficult to appreciate for your children and focus on what you actually want to do.
We chose Tibet Vista as they specialize in custom tours targeted for individual traveler's needs. You can read more about choosing the right Tibet travel agent for independent travellers.
When booking your tour, ask about:
- Family-friendly accommodation options
- Shorter sightseeing days with breaks
- Alternative activities if children get tired
- Availability of child safety seats in vehicles
- Access to medical facilities along your route
Contact me for an exclusive 5% discount with Tibe Vista!
4. Remember that less is more
This rule is true in life, and is true when it comes to travel, especially with small children. To truly appreciate a place, you need to spend a few days there. And when it comes to children, they need more time to get over the initial inhibitions and changes in their routine.
Make sure you don't over-plan everything - focus on 2-3 places you want to see and spend a few days in each of them. This way maybe you don't see everything there is to see, but you will create lasting happy memories for the whole family.
Our recommended pace with young children:
- At least 3-4 days in Lhasa before exploring further
- No more than one major activity per day
- Plan for afternoon naps/quiet time at your accommodation
- Build in free days with no scheduled activities
5. Experience the real Tibet
The truth is, children cannot appreciate things like beautiful landscape, cultural landmarks and unique architecture in the same way adults do. What they do appreciate is meeting friendly, interesting people, trying local foods, playing with other children and seeing animals that they have not seen before.
All of this and more can be discovered in Tibet, especially in the countryside. You don't have to venture far into the wild to experience a visit in a Tibetan home. We had a chance to stay in a homestay near Lhasa, that required only a 1.5-hour drive and being there you could not tell there is a city anywhere in sight!
Surrounded by high, green mountains, greeted by friendly locals, with plenty of yaks roaming around the village - staying there was a memory we cherish and one of the highlights of our trip to Tibet, and China in general.
Child-friendly activities that worked well for us:
- Visiting Potala Palace
- Strolling around Lhasa (doesn't require a guide)
- Homestay in a village
- Visiting a local kindergarten (facilitated by our tour operator)
Practical Tips for Families
What to Pack
- Sun protection (the UV is intense at high altitude)
- Layers of clothing for temperature changes
- Familiar snacks from home
- Basic medical supplies including children's medications
- Comfort items that help maintain your child's routine
Health Considerations
- Consider a train instead of flying to ease in the altitude
- Consult your paediatrician before the trip
- Consider travel insurance that covers high-altitude destinations
- Keep activities light for the first few days
- Watch children closely for signs of altitude sickness
Final thoughts
I hope these tips will make planning your trip easier and let you believe that Tibet is not out of reach for anyone - even families that travel with small children. With a little bit of preparation, you can have a real memorable experience that you and your children will remember in the years to come!
Have you considered traveling to Tibet with your family? What concerns do you have? Let me know in the comments below!
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Magda Sawyer
Magda Sawyer
Magda Sawyer
3.Book a private tour
When traveling with small children (especially babies and toddlers) you need to keep your travel plans as flexible as possible. I would highly recommend arranging a private tour. This way, in a case you do experience any complications along the way, you can change your travel plans easier.
A private tour can be custom made for you, so you can avoid tourist attractions that might be boring or difficult to appreciate for your children and focus on what you actually want to do.
We chose Tibet Vista as they specialize in custom tours targeted for individual traveller's needs:
Magda
4.Remember that less is more
This rule is true in life, and is true when it comes to travel, especially with small children. To truly appreciate a place, you need to spend few days there. And when it comes to children, they need more time to get over the initial inhibitions and changes in their routine.
Make sure you don't over plan everything - focus on 2-3 places you want to see and spend few days in each of them. This way maybe you don't see everything there is to see, but you will create lasting happy memories for the whole family.
5.Experience the real Tibet
The truth is, children cannot appreciate things like beautiful landscape, cultural landmarks and unique architecture. What they do appreciate is meeting friendly, interesting people, trying local foods, playing with other children and seeing animals that they have not seen before.
All of this and more can be discovered in Tibet, especially in the countryside. You don't have to venture far into the wild to experience a visit in a Tibetan home. We had a chance to stay in a homestay near Lhasa, that required only a 1.5hour drive and being there you could not tell there is a city anywhere in sight!
Surrounded by high, green mountains, greeted by friendly locals, with plenty of yaks roaming around the village - staying there was a memory we cherish and one of the highlights of our trip to Tibet, and China in general.
Final thoughts
I hope those tips will make planning your trip easier and let you believe that Tibet is not out of reach for anyone - even families that travel with small children. With a little bit of preparation you can have a real memorable experience that you and your children will remember in the years to come!
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