Travellers in Shanghai who want to take a trip to Tibet this month need only pay half the usual price as travel agencies are promoting special nine-day package tours to the world's highest tourist destination，Youth Daily reported today。

Trips to Lhasa, Shigatse and Namtso cities declined to 3,499 yuan (US$457) instead of the usual price of around 7,000 yuan, the report said.

The drop in the travel cost is the result of cheaper airline tickets to Tibet because more airline companies have opened routes to Tibet and joined the competition for the tourism market, the report said.

Four travel agencies in Shanghai teamed up with Sichuan Airlines Co to offer this special package tour, which helped reduce the cost of hotel lodging and also air tickets, the report said.

However, tourists registered for the tour will receive fewer services during the trip and accommodation standards will be lower than on the usual trips, the report said.

Tibetan tourism enters its annual golden period starting next month and costs to the destination are expected to rise again, the report said.

Intending travelers need to be wary of doing business with unqualified travel agencies who offer even cheaper tours.

Those who suffer from heart disease and high blood pressure are advised not to take the Tibet trip and others are advised to have physical check-up at hospitals before they start the journey, the report said.