China has temporarily suspended the issuance of electronic border-management passes for Shigatse, Tibet, following a major landslide in the Gyirong border area on August 26. The suspension took effect at midnight on August 28, 2026, and no reopening date has been announced.
The announcement was issued by the National Immigration Administration after the landslide occurred on the Nepal side of the Gyirong border area. The disaster caused casualties and missing people, while roads and communications were disrupted and the risk of further secondary disasters remained.
For travelers, one point is especially important: this is a temporary restriction affecting access to the Shigatse electronic border-management area. It does not mean that Tibet is generally closed to foreign travelers.
Tibet Travel Update at a Glance
| Question | Current situation |
|---|---|
| Is Tibet closed to foreign travelers? | No |
| Are Shigatse electronic border-management passes being issued? | Temporarily suspended |
| When did the suspension begin? | August 28, 2026 |
| Is there a reopening date? | Not announced |
| Can travelers with existing passes enter the affected area? | They are advised not to enter for now |
| Does this automatically cancel every Tibet tour? | No |
What happened at Gyirong Port?
Gyirong Port is one of the main land routes between Nepal and Tibet. It is particularly important for travelers planning a Kathmandu–Tibet tour, including trips continuing toward Lhasa, Shigatse or Everest Base Camp.
According to the National Immigration Administration, the issuance of electronic border-management passes for the Shigatse electronic border-management area has been temporarily suspended from 00:00 on August 28.
Travelers who already hold an electronic border-management pass covering the area have also been advised not to travel there for the time being.
The announcement does not give a date for resuming pass issuance.
Does this mean foreign tourists cannot travel to Tibet?
No.
The current restriction is specific to the affected border-management area. It should not be interpreted as a general closure of Tibet to foreign travelers.
For travelers entering Tibet from Chinese Mainland cities, the announcement does not by itself mean that a normal Lhasa itinerary has been suspended.
The situation is different for travelers planning to enter Tibet from Kathmandu through Gyirong Port, because their route depends on conditions at the border and access to the affected area.
What should travelers with a Kathmandu–Tibet itinerary do?
If your trip is coming up soon, do not assume that Gyirong will reopen by your travel date.
Instead, check these three things together:
- Whether Gyirong Port and the affected border area have reopened
- Whether your Tibet Travel Permit and other required documents match your route
- Whether your flights, hotels and other bookings can still be changed
If you already have a Kathmandu–Lhasa itinerary, check the latest border situation before changing flights or canceling the entire trip.
If you have some flexibility, another entry route may be possible depending on the current regulations and your nationality. Any alternative should be confirmed before you make non-refundable changes to your travel plans.
What about Everest Base Camp?
Everest Base Camp is in Shigatse, so travelers with Everest on their itinerary should check their specific route rather than simply searching for whether “Tibet is open.”
A restriction affecting a particular border-management area does not automatically mean that every tourist route in Shigatse is closed.
The practical question is:
Does the current restriction affect your specific route and destination?
That is something your travel planner should check against the latest permit and access information.
What TibetTrip is watching
For now, the main confirmed point is straightforward:
The issuance of electronic border-management passes for the Shigatse area has been temporarily suspended, and travelers holding such passes are advised not to enter the affected area until further notice.
There is currently no official reopening date.
At TibetTrip, I will continue to follow official announcements and update this page when there is a confirmed change.
If you are planning a Kathmandu–Tibet trip, Gyirong border crossing, Everest Base Camp tour or another itinerary involving Shigatse, send us your travel date and route. We can help you check what the latest restriction means for your specific plans before you make changes to your flights or bookings.
Official source: National Immigration Administration of China, August 28, 2026.