Driving to Tibet? It can cost your life!

The consumer's associations of eight provinces have made a joint announcement recently to discourage tourists from driving to Tibet in their own cars.

According to the announcement, the road conditions of highways to Tibet are not very good in some places due to the complicated geographical circumstances on the plateau. In addition, there is less oxygen on these high-elevation roads. It is a great challenge to the driver's health and driving skills to enter Tibet by car, but accidents that have taken place recently prove many self-driving tourists are unprepared with the difficulties and lack knowledge on how to survive on the plateau.

The consumer's associations advise travelers to consider safety as the top priority for trips to Tibet and avoid driving by themselves if possible. For self-drivers, they emphasize not entering wild fields and uninhabited areas, carrying maps, fresh water, electric torches and enough oxygen supplies and charging up mobile phones before departure to call for help if there is an accident.

Considering the tourist crowds in Tibet at present, the consumer's associations also suggest people book return tickets and accommodations in Tibet before setting off. A health check is recommended to ensure one can handle altitude sickness that happens to almost all visitors to Tibet.

(CRIENGLISH.com August 25, 2006)