China Guide
Tibet
Arrival
From Lhasa, public buses run to Shigatse from the bus station (¥65), and there are also minibuses (¥40) from Beijing Dong Lu, just east of the Yak Hotel. Public buses terminate at the bus station on Shanghai Lu, returning to Lhasa from here early in the morning (8am & 9am). Minibuses to and from Gyantse run until around 4pm.
Moving on towards Nepal
If you are heading independently to the border with Nepal, you can get a minibus to Tingri (10hr) at 8am, and arrange onward transport from there. There is also a daily 8.30am bus service to Lhatse (4hr) buses for Sakya (4hr) leave from outside the Dechen Phodrang at 8.30am.
For every trip, you'll need a permit, a document that costs ¥150 and is easily obtained, with only half an hour's wait, at the FIT office on Zhufeng Lu (daily 9am–5.30pm, 
0892/8991189).