Product info
Tibet eSIM plans
| Unlimited data · 5 days | $17.99 | Buy eSIM |
| Ohayu recommendsUnlimited data · 10 days | $33.99 | Buy eSIM |
| Unlimited data · 15 days | $41.99 | Buy eSIM |
| 3GB prepaid eSIM · 15 days | $10.49$3.50 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 5GB prepaid eSIM · 30 days | $14.79$2.96 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 10GB prepaid eSIM · 30 days | $24.99$2.50 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 20GB prepaid eSIM · 30 days | $38.99$1.95 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 50GB prepaid eSIM · 30 days | $83.99$1.68 / GB | Buy eSIM |
You can install your eSIM before the trip and activate it when you arrive in China. Validity starts after eSIM activation.
Plan details
How much mobile data you need
What's the best eSIM for Tibet?
Lhasa only – 3 GB
Maps, translation, photographs.
Lhasa to Shigatse – 5 GB
A week with gaps between towns.
Tibet plus onward China – 20 GB
Overland or flight out to Chengdu.
Longer stay – Unlimited
Tethering from a hotel in Lhasa.
Coverage and network
Permits first, then coverage
China mobile networks
Two things surprise people about Tibet. The first is that you cannot travel here independently as a foreign passport holder - a permit and an organised tour with a licensed guide are mandatory. The second is that once you are in, coverage is far better than expected: Lhasa is a normal modern Chinese network, and there are even base stations on Everest. (Speedtest by Ookla, June 2026)
Speedtest Global Index · Mobile · China · June 2026
Download
179.33 Mbps
Upload
27.28 Mbps
Latency
32 ms
Global rank
#12 of 98
What to expect
- Lhasa, Shigatse, Nyingchi: Solid 4G and 5G. Urban Tibet is an ordinary Chinese network experience, not a frontier one.
- Everest Base Camp: The north-side Tibetan camps have coverage. China Mobile and Huawei built base stations at 5,300 m, 5,800 m and 6,500 m in 2020, so the old advice that EBC is a dead zone is out of date. Treat it as variable and seasonal rather than guaranteed.
- Between the towns: This is where it goes. High passes above roughly 4,000 m and the valleys between settlements have long gaps. Mount Kailash and the Ngari far west are effectively without service.
- China Mobile has the widest reach here: More so than elsewhere in the country. A connection that lands on Unicom will underperform once you leave Lhasa.
Tibet and the mainland
The plan covers mainland China, so it keeps working on the train or flight out to Chengdu, Xi'an or Beijing.
How to install eSIM
Connected in 3 steps
- 01
Buy before you fly
Choose your data plan before your trip.
- 02
Download & install
Log in to your account, tap your eSIM, and follow the on-screen instructions.
- 03
Land & activate
Activate when you arrive in China. Turn on roaming for the eSIM and it connects to a local network.
Before you buy, make sure your phone supports eSIM — see Ohayu compatible devices list or dial *#06#. It's a free request to your phone's settings. If you see the EID number — your phone is eSIM-compatible.
Arriving in Tibet
Airport Wi-Fi at Lhasa
We could not verify a published free Wi-Fi network at Lhasa Gonggar, and reports suggest access needs a Chinese number. Install before you leave home rather than counting on the terminal.
Side by side
Tibet eSIM Comparison
Indicative comparison based on publicly listed China plans as of August 2026. Competitor pricing and policies change - check their sites for current terms.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to visit Tibet?
Yes, and this is the part that stops trips. Every non-Chinese passport holder needs a Tibet Travel Permit from the Tibet Tourism Bureau to enter the region, by air or by rail. You cannot apply for it yourself - only a licensed agency can, and it takes roughly two to three weeks. Independent travel is not permitted: you need a pre-arranged itinerary and a licensed guide with you.
Beyond Lhasa you also need an Alien's Travel Permit, arranged by your guide after arrival, and areas like Mount Kailash additionally require a military permit. Journalists, diplomats and government officials cannot use the tourist route at all. Permit issuance has historically been suspended around late February and March in most years, so confirm current availability with an agency before booking flights.
Is there mobile coverage in Tibet, and at Everest Base Camp?
Better than most people expect. Lhasa, Shigatse and Nyingchi have solid 4G and 5G. The north-side Everest Base Camp has had coverage since China Mobile and Huawei installed base stations at 5,300 m, 5,800 m and 6,500 m in 2020, so the old "no signal at EBC" advice is outdated - though treat it as variable rather than certain. The genuine gaps are the high passes between towns, and Kailash and the far west, which have essentially nothing.
Can I buy a local SIM in Lhasa?
You can, with your passport scanned for real-name registration like anywhere in China, though your guide will usually be the one steering you to a counter. An Ohayu plan skips it - no Chinese number is issued, so there is nothing to register.
Is the internet more restricted in Tibet than the rest of China?
The mainland blocks apply in full - Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and the rest are unreachable without a VPN, exactly as in Beijing or Shanghai. On top of that, Tibet is monitored and censored more heavily than the national average, and localised mobile and internet restrictions have been imposed in Tibetan areas in the past, generally around protests or sensitive anniversaries and usually without notice. Assume your connection is monitored, and be aware that posting politically sensitive material about the region has had consequences for residents.
eSIM not working in Tibet?
Between towns or on a high pass there may genuinely be nothing in range. If you look connected but apps hang, that is the firewall - baidu.com will load, the rest will not. If even that fails, check the phone is using the Ohayu line for data with roaming on, then toggle Airplane mode. Chat and support@ohayu.com are open 24/7.
