Travel Tips for a Lhasa Trip

Altitude Sickness

Lhasa is 3,650 meters above sea level. The air is so thin that the chances of getting altitude sickness are high. Thus, people prone to altitude sickness should bring oxygen bags, drugs for altitude sickness, and medicines for diarrhea and headache with them. In consideration of the intense polar radiation, high SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and sunbonnets are necessary. In addition, bring enough clothes to accommodate both day and nighttime temperatures.

The first time you set foot on the plateau, don’t walk too fast and avoid physically exerting yourself. Excessive eating and drinking is a big no-no in that it will just add to the burden on your digestive organs. Cut down the amount of alcohol and cigarettes, eat more vitamin-rich foods, stay hydrated, be sure to keep warm, and avoid taking showers frequently so as not to catch a cold.

Don’t inhale oxygen from your oxygen bags at the start and try your best to adapt to the thin air all by yourself; otherwise, you will rely too heavily on it. If you show any symptoms of a cold such as coughing or fever, take medicine and see a doctor immediately since this can easily develop into pulmonary emphysema. The best option is to retreat to the lower elevations.

Medicines for Reliving Altitude Sickness

Rhodiola (take at least 10 days in advance), Plateau-Safety Capsules (take after you arrive in Tibet), American ginseng, Nuodikang Capsules (take at least 3 days in advance), Bufferin (for altitude sickness-related headaches), Suxiao Jiuxin Pills (avoid overdosing), Danshen Pills (for cardiovascular diseases), glucose liquid, etc.