Altitude sickness insurance for tourists to Tibet Autonomous Region was introduced on May 22.

The insurance covers compensation for accidents and medical bills related to altitude-related diseases, as well as funeral expenses for applicants, said Wang Songping, deputy head of the region's tourism bureau.

Tourists arriving in Tibet can pay 50 yuan ($7.88) or 100 yuan ($15.76) each for a valid period of 15 days with a maximum compensation of 100,000 yuan ($15,768) or 200,000 yuan ($31,536) respectively in case of severe altitude sickness.

According to Wang, the largest risk for people visiting Tibet is altitude sickness. Related diseases, such as swelling to the lungs or brain, may be life-threatening, but these problems were not covered by previous travel insurance categories.

The altitude sickness insurance package, designed and initiated by the Tibet branch of the China Life Insurance Co., aims to ensure the health of tourists so they can visit the region without fear, he added.