What is the best way to travel to Tibet?

Not sure what the BEST way is. I had to get a visa to China, and then once in China go to Beijing (or Chengdu) to get permission to go to the TAR. You can’t fly to Lhasa without official permission to enter the TAR.

I hear that there is a railway from Beijing now, but you’ll have to think through the complex ethical questions. Some people think that the train is causing too heavy an influx of tourists and migrants, and it’s having a bad impact on the TAR. Others think that the train is good for the economy. So you’ll have to decide about all of that yourself. Certainly the train will be cheaper than the flights…

Another great alternative is to explore the Tibetan communities and spaces outside of the heavy surveillance of the TAR. There are many Tibetan communities and beautiful Tibetan monasteries and sites bordering the actual TAR. Check around Litang…