How to Get to Tibet and Back
International Flights
Ex Kathmandu:Air China operates the only international flight between Lhasa and Kathmandu on Saturdays and Tuesdays and as the tourist season slows in Tibet during winter, the flight remains suspended from November till the end of March. This is approximately one hour long Trans Himalayan flight rewarding you with the views of Mount Everest and other majestic 8 thousanders. If you choose to fly from Kathmandu, you are required to process with your Chinese visa in Kathmandu. More information on visa formalities starting journey via Kathmandu.
Ex Hong Kong:Hong Kong does not have direct flight to Lhasa but its nearest Chinese city Guagzhou operates two flights a week to and out of Lhasa. So, you can first fly to Guagzhou and connect to fly to Lhasa. Hong Kong is also connected by air with Chengdu in Sichuan Province and from the latter, there are everyday 2 or 3 flights being operated to Lhasa.
Ex Bangkok:You can fly to Lhasa via Chengdu. You can arrange the same day connection or you can choose to stay a day or two in Chengdu exploring the Panda Reserve and other highlights.
Internal Flights:Tibet’s capital city Lhasa is connected by air with Chinese mainland cities like: Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xining, Chamdo, Xian, Zhongdian and Guangzhou.
By 4 WD Jeeps!4 WD drive trip to Tibet is a great experience for adventure travel enthusiasts. Of course, it demands good physical fitness level, mental preparedness to encounter any difficulties, flexibility and compromise to facilities and services, more time and may be more money too. But you will be definitely compensated by the great views, incomparably beautiful landscapes, local culture and traditions.
There are 5 routes for 4 WD Overland adventures to Lhasa:
- Kathmandu to Lhasa (952km).
- Sichuan (Chengdu) to Lhasa: 2159 kilometers to 2407 km.
- Yunnan (Kunming) to Lhasa: 2317 kilometers.
- Qinghai (Xining) to Lhasa: 1947 kilometers.
- Xinjiang (Yecheng) to Lhasa: 2743 kilometers.
Now you can travel to Tibet by train from major cities of China such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Lanzhou, Chengdu, Guanzhou and Xining. The 1972 km segment of the railway line that connects Xining of Qinghai with Lhasa is the highest railroad on earth.
