Asia Travel News Commentary, Reviews, and Insights

News agencies are reporting that China officials have verbally ordered Tibetan tour agencies not to accept foreign tourists beginning in advance of the March 14 anniversary of the 2008 pre-Olympic crackdown during which Chinese government forces killed. Read the article in the UK’s Gaurdian here:

Guardian Article on the Closure of Tibet

This closure marks the fourth year in a row that China has closed the country to foreign tourists in March to avoid witnesses to any demonstrations that may occur during this time. These closures are never announced in advance or even to foreign agencies who arrange travel to China and Tibet. They seem to be symptoms of China’s political paranoia over it’s occupation of Tibet.

For the third year in a row, China has quit issuing permits to enter Tibet as of March 8th and supposedly until April 10th, 2010. Once again, no reason was given. Once again, the decision was made without prior notice. Once again, nameless, faceless Chinese officials have shown no regard for the businesses and individuals traveling to Tibet or to the businesses and individuals in Tibet whose livelihood relies on international tourism. This closure also affects Nepalese businesses as many visitors to Tibet come via Nepal.

The only reason a closure like this occurs is to keep the eyes of the world away from any abuses the Chinese will inflict on the population if protests occur.

China could solve its Tibet problems by addressing the needs of the Tibetan people and showing respect for the Dalai Lama, rather than vilifying him. But  they’ve backed themselves into a face-losing corner and won’t be able to get out for decades. It will take a Chinese leader with the courage and vision of a Gorbachev to even begin to resolve their problems. How long does the world have to wait for that leader?

Closures like this have forced Red Lantern Journeys to quit spending marketing money on China and Tibet. Since just before the Olympics in Beijing, random closures and reduced demand have made China a less intriguing place to visit for Canadians and Americans.

Although China hasn’t made an official announcement, probably because they want to avoid publicity, Red Lantern Journeys’ Tibet, Nepal, and China partners have been letting us know that Tibet permits are not being granted for travel in March. From what we can tell, this affects entry to Tibet from both China and Nepal.

The reason? March is the 50th anniversary of the Dalai Lamai leaving Tibet to escape the Chinese invasion. It’s also the 1 year anniversary of the Tibet riots prior to the Olympics last year. China seems to be taking preemptive action in anticipation of needing to crackdown on any new protests. They don’t want tourist using their digital cameras and camera phones to take photos and video of anything that could look bad.

I hope the closure of Tibet will be brief. From what we can tell, it’s only March that is planned for now.  However if protests and uprisings occur, expect China to close Tibet for as long as they deem necessary.

While the US-based airlines have begun charging for checked luggage, Asia-based airlines have not yet gone to the that extreme. However, the local airlines may have more restrictive luggage allowances for their domestic flights than the internationial flights you take to and from the US to get there. The most typical restriction on domestic flights in Asia is 20 Kilograms (44 lbs.) per person, compared to a 2-bag, 32 kg. (70 lbs.) for international flights to get to Asian gateway cities from the US and Canada.

Here’s a breakdown of the domestic luggage allowances for different airlines in Asia:

China:

All Domestic Airlines

Carry-on baggage
The maximum Carry-on baggage allowance for each economy class passenger is 5kg. First class passengers can have 2 pieces of carry on luggage. All other passengers can carry on only one piece. The size may not exceed 20x40x55cm. Carry on baggage in excess of the limit is subject to an excess baggage fee and must be carried as checked baggage.

Check-in Baggage
Adults and children are entitled to a free checked baggage allowance of 40kg, for first class, 30kg, for business class, and 20kg, for economy class while traveling on domestic airlines in China. No free baggage allowance is granted to infants. Groups traveling together are able to combine their baggage allowance if they check in together.

SE Asia:

Thai Airways (luggage restrictions)

Checked Baggage:
Economy Class passengers:           20 kg. (44 lbs.)
Royal Executive Class passengers: 30 kg. (66 lbs.)
Royal First Class passengers:         40 kg. (88 lbs.)

Royal Orchid Plus Gold Card members are entitled to check an additional 20 kg. (44 lbs.). Royal Orchid Plus Silver Card members can check an additional 10 kg. (22 lbs.) of luggage.

Infants (not occupying a seat) are allowed 10 kg. (22 lbs.) excluding one fully-collapsible child stroller, pushchair, or infant-carrying basket.

Cabin Baggage: Maximum weight is 7 Kg. (15.4 lbs).

Bangkok Air (and Siem Reap Airways) (luggage restrctions)
Checked Baggage: Maximum weight is 20 kg. for adult and child / 10 kg. for an infant
Cabin Baggage: Maximum weight is 5 kg. (11 lbs).

Vietnam Airlines (luggage restrictions)
Checked Baggage:
Business Class: maximum 30 kg. of checked baggage (number of bags isn’t regulated).
Economy Class: maximum 20 kg. of checked baggage (number of bags isn’t regulated).

Cabin Baggage: 1 piece, 7 Kg. (15.4 lbs) in economy class; 2 pieces, 7 kg. (15.4 lbs) each piece.

Bhutan:

Druk Air
Checked Baggage:
Economy: maximum 20 Kg. (44 lbs) subject to 2 suitcase-sized pieces per passenger.
Executive: maximum 30 Kg. (66 lbs) subject to 2 suitcase-sized pieces per passenger.

Cabin Baggage: 1 bag, the weight of which is included in the overall weight restrictions.

India

Jet AirwaysChecked Baggage:
Economy: 25 kg. (55 lbs) per person, largest bag no more than 32 Kg. (70.4 lbs)
Premiere: 35 kg. (77 lbs) per person, largest bag no more than 32 Kg. (70.4 lbs)

Cabin Baggage:
1 hand bag, 7 kg. (15 lbs.), plus 1 laptop bag or purse

Kingfisher Airlines

Checked Baggage:
Kingfisher First: 35 kg/77 lb
Kingfisher Class: 25 kg/55 lb
Kingfisher Red: 15 kg/33 lb

Cabin Baggage:
1 hand bag, 7 kg. (15 lbs.), plus 1 laptop bag or purse

Indian Airlines

Myanmar

All domestic airlines:
Maximum Baggage Allowance: 20 Kg. (44 lbs) per person

Following the riots and demonstrations, China promised to open Tibet by May 1st. They finally got around to it on June 24th, 2008, three days after the Olympic Torch was carried through the empty streets of Lhasa. Although Chinese tourists have been allowed to travel since April, the extended ban on travel there has no doubt hurt the local economy. China is more strict about their travel rules. It used to be that a tourist could travel around on their own a bit once they got into Tibet. Now you need to be accompanied by a guide on an itinerary arranged by a travel agent and deviations won’t go over well.

China’s leaders don’t seem to understand the West; but the West doesn’t understand China either. Typical Chinese people are extremely proud of their country and believe that Tibet is historically part of it. It’s not just the government…Note that since the Tibet riots, many Chinese on instant messenger programs like Yahoo and MSN started using a symbol of solidarity, like an “I Heart China” symbol next to their name. It’s a reaction to the negative press about China that they see around the world. I believe that nationalism taken to an extreme is usually bad. It’s fine to be proud of your country, but not at the expense of other countries or even your own citizens. The Chinese government doesn’t seem to get that.

If You Travel to Tibet
There are only two ways to get into Tibet–either via Nepal or China. My general travel recommendation for Tibet is that trekkers going to Mt. Kailash or Mt. Everest Base Camp should go via Nepal. You’ll be able to hire much better Sherpa guides with better equipment and cooks than you can get in Tibet. For cultural tours, going through either China or Nepal is ok. If you do go, take a lot of photos of the hundreds of ruins of destroyed monasteries and encroaching Chinese culture. Send me some and I’ll post them here.