As an enthusiast of Tibet travel, recently I personally have been asked and seen many comments on travel blogs concerning is it possible to get Tibet Travel Permit to tour Tibet in Sept. People differed in their opinions and the controversy stared brewing bigger online.

Rumors can be categorized as follows:

"All foreign tourists have to depart from Tibet before Sept.3."

"The issue of Tibet Travel Permit will be temporarily suspended in Sept."

"Foreign tourists are forbidden to travel to Tibet during Sept. 3-12 as the celebration of the 50th anniversary of founding of Tibet Autonomous Region is scheduled to be held during that time."

As rumors became widespread, I reached one of the well-established online Tibet Tour Operators Tibet Travel Permit and Tibet Tourism Bureau for confirmation. Catherine, the market manager of Tibet Vista, said that " No official statement or notice has ever been issued as to the stop of issuing Tibet Travel Permit for foreign tourists in early Sept."

To make sure the rumor is false, later I telephoned the news department of Tibet Tourism Bureau and the feedback made me rest-assured. The news officer told me the same,"Tibet Tourism Bureau never released any public announcement saying it's impossible for foreign tourists to get Tibet Travel Permit in Sept." "Never trust the grapevine news spread on the official media like individual travel blogs, or forums. All you need to do is to find a reliable travel agency to handle the Tibet Travel Permit application."

Tips: Only foreign tourists who both have Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel Permit can be allowed to travel in Tibet. Meanwhile, he or she must travel with a guide.

All the previously accepted tours are schedule to proceed as planned. Yet due to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of founding of Tibet Autonomous Region, some of the attractions may be visited in a different order.

For all those who remain baffled and want to travel to Tibet in Sept, I recommend Tibet Vista, a trustworthy Tibet Tour Operator. Its official website is www.tibettravel.org and its E-mail: inquiry@tibettravel.org, Tel: 86-28-85552138