China won't allow foreign tourists in Tibet again until further notice

Tour operators find alternative Buddhist destinations when Tibet travel permits are withheld from tourists. Photo by Dennis Jarvis.

China has once again stopped issuing travel permits for foreign visitors to Tibet, according to several tour operators.

“Right now, China is not allowing anybody in,” said Will Weber, co-founder and co-director of Journeys International, which has been bringing travelers to Tibet since 1986.

In recent months, China had made obtaining a permit for travel to Tibet more stringent by requiring that people travel in a group of five or more, and all be of the same nationality.