Received the draft itinerary today and will make some modifications, before we agree to the trip.
From the agent in Thailand (itinerary and dates not included for obvious reasons):
I have just got feedback from our colleague in China and found that there are no restrictions about the number of tourists and nationality currently. So, it’s OK for 2 persons travel to Tibet.
About the train to Lhasa, we would suggest that you are better fly from Bangkok to Beijing and then taking a train (soft sleeper) to Lhasa directly, which takes about 1day+20hours.It will be more convenience and interesting than flight to Xining + Train to Lhasa.We have experienced from many of our clients enjoyed the landscape with the train Beijing – Lhasa and it will be a different experience to cross from the modern city to the original Tibetan area.
As you mentioned to stay in Lhasa for 8D/7N, but after one overnight stay in Beijing and almost two days on the train, the exact duration in Lhasa will be 6D/5N (See the outline below).According to our experience, most of the clients would like a 3-4 days in Lhasa and then go to the other city to have a visit inside the Tibet.
Next post about our trip; unless there are complications, will be a thread on Tibet.