Tibet Airport
- by Ghita
- Last Updated: 2023-01-25
What is the best way to travel to Tibet? For foreign travelers, flying to Tibet is a much better option, not only faster but also cost-effective, since the train tickets have to be booked in advance and overland has to be accompanied by a local guide & vehicle. There're 5 major airports in Tibet, namely, Lhasa Gonngar Airport, Nyingchi Mainling Airport, Shigatse Peace Airport, Qamdo Bangda Airport, and Ngari Gunsa Airport. For tourists who travel to Tibet by air, it's necessary to know the general info of airports in Tibet so as to find a better airport that meets your demand.
Domestic Flights
Since there are no direct long-haul flights to Lhasa, travelers usually have a stopover in mainland China, to receive their original Tibet Travel Permit, then carry it on to fly to Lhasa. In China, there are non-stop flights connecting Lhasa with Chengdu, Chongqing, Diqing(Shangrila), Xining, and Xian, while direct flights connecting Lhasa with Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou make stops at Chengdu, Chongqing, Diqing or Xian. Flying from Chengdu will be most convenient, as more than 15 flights leaving Chengdu for Lhasa. Besides, direct flights from other cities often go through Chengdu.
Flight Route | Duration | One Way per Person |
Chengdu ↔ Lhasa | 2h 30m | CNY 1680 |
Chongqing ↔ Lhasa | 2h 20m | CNY 1890 |
Beijing ↔ Lhasa | 5h 30m | CNY 3260 |
Shanghai ↔ Lhasa | 5h 30m | CNY 3340 |
Xian ↔ Lhasa | 3h 10m | CNY 2280 |
Xining ↔ Lhasa | 2h30m | CNY 1850 |
Diqin (=Shangrila) ↔ Lhasa | 2h | CNY 1570 |
Guangzhou ↔ Lhasa | 5h20m | CNY 2690 |
International Flight
There is only one international airline getting to Tibet - Kathmandu to Lhasa Flight. Travelers often arrive at Kathmandu and then transfer to Lhasa, but departures are limited.
Flight Route | Duration | One Way per Person |
Kathmandu ↔ Lhasa | 1h20m | Changeable |
Tibet Airport List
Presently, there are five main airports in Tibet. Among those five airports, Lhasa Gonngar International Airport is the most significant airport in Tibet and Qamdo Bangda Airport is the highest airport in Tibet. Although Nyingchi Mainling Airport is the lowest airport in Tibet, it is more difficult to fly than any other airports in Tibet. In addition, there are another two important airports in Tibet-- Shigatse Peace Airport and Ngari Gunsa Airport.
Lhasa Gonngar International Airport
As a 4E level Airport with a runway of 4000m long and 45m wide, Lhasa Gonggar Airport can be used for taking-off and landing of Boeing 747, Airbus and other large aircraft which make it the first choice for the majority of the tourists.
Airport Code: LXA
Airport Altitude: 3600m
How far from the downtown: around 60km’s drive from the airport to Lhasa city
>>See more about Lhasa Gonggar Airport
Nyingchi Mainling Airport
Nyingchi Airport may become many tourists' first stop in Tibet because its altitude is less than 3,000 meters, allowing visitors to acclimatize themselves gradually to higher altitudes.
Airport Code: LZY
Airport Altitude: 2949m
How far from the downtown: around 50kms' drive to Bayi County, the capital of Nyingchi County.
Shigatse Peace Airport
As the fifth civil airport in Tibet, Shigatse Peace Airport serves both for civilian and military use. The airport, located in Jiangdong Village, 43km away from Shigatse downtown is an important link between Tibet and Chengdu, a metropolis in the south-west of China. Meanwhile, built near the world's tallest peak Mount Everest, it is much more convenient for tourists to fly to Shigatse to visit Mt. Everest, Tashilhunpo Monastery and many other famous spots than taking a train.
Airport Code: RKZ
Airport Altitude: 3782m
How far from the downtown: around 50km's drive to Shigatse City.
Qamdo Bangda Airport
Airport Code: BPC
Airport Altitude: 4334m
How far from the downtown: around 130km's drive to Chamdo City.
>>See more about Qamdo Bangda Airport
Ngari Gunsa Airport
Farthest from Lhasa among all Tibetan prefectures, Ngari is difficult for tourists to get to due to long-distance and poor road conditions. Before the airport, Ngari was linked to Lhasa only by road and it took 3 days to cover the 1,600-km route. Luckily, Ngari now is easily accessible. It will take only one and a half hours to reach Ngari from Lhasa. What’s more, Ngari Airport will make less-than-4-hour traffic possible from Chengdu to Ngari.
Airport Code: NGQ
Airport Altitude: 4274m
How far from the downtown: around 50km'drive to Shiquanhe.
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