You generally need to join a tour to go to Tibet these days.

You could try www.gogosc.com/ in Chengdu for permits.

For Guilin to Shanghai, try elong.net or ctrip.com

Try China Southern Airlines for Guilin->Shanghai ticket.

The ticket price is only 450 RMB or 65% off on September 17th.

http://www.csair.com

Like many Chinese websites, their website supports IE browser only.

We used Hainan Airlines and booked here in New York where they have an office. Their rates were reasonable. Website: http://www.hnair.com/hnairweben/index.aspx Also, check out cheapoair.com where you can book flights with a starting point other than the

U.S. Their rates aren't necessarily cheaper but you may find an airline you've never heard of. You don't have too many choices domestically in China unless you use an agent there and we found that they doubled train and flight prices. Avoid China Air if you can; it has a bad safety record. Air China, on the other hand, which we flew, is fine. I don't know when you're traveling but if you're doing it in summer, I would book ahead.

P.S. One more site we used: http://www.elong.net/

When are you travelling?

Yes, you most probably need an agent in Beijing to get the Beijing -- Lhasa ticket and TTB permit.

I doubt there're direct Lhasa -- Guilin flights... are there?

You might want to email me directly at ellyse99@yahoo.com -- put "TripAdvisor" and your own username (eg holidaytimenc) in the subject line, thanks.