Travel By Bicycle

In Tibet, distances are huge, many of the roads are not well-paved, all gasoline must be trucked in, and long trips to remote areas can be expensive. Travelers can travel by bus on local or long-distance routes, hire vehicles for small or large groups, arrange landcruiser trips through travel agents in Lhasa, hire or buy bicycles, or bring their own bikes with them. There are no air routes within Tibet.

Touring Tibet by bicycle is becoming increasingly popular. Bicycles can be transported as baggage on CAAC flights or brought in from other places. Within Tibet, they can be carried on the luggage racks of local buses.
Mountain bikes are ideal for Tibet's rough, stony roads. Good pannier systems are essential for carrying camping and survival gear, food, fuel, spare parts (especially derailleurs, spokes and freewheels) and tools.
Chinese bicycles with thick 28-inch tyres and rod brakes can be hired in several places in Lhasa and Tsedang, including most hotels. You must leave security you passport or a deposit equal to the current cost of a new bike. Some holes have some newer, lighter bicycles with 26-inch wheels, or even smaller, including some with ladies' frames, but these are not as strong as the bigger ones.
An alternative to renting is to buy a bicycle. There are bicycle shops along Beijing Lu and bikes can also be bought in the second-hand bike market. If you buy a new bike, get a shop receipt and retain it.