Chengdu to Lhasa Flight

Chengdu, known as the "land of abundance," is the city with the most daily flights to Tibet, offering affordable and convenient options for travelers. The Chengdu to Lhasa (LXA) flight route covers 1262.9 kilometers (784 miles) and takes 2.5 hours. Currently, there are two airports in Chengdu, one is Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) and the other is Tianfu International Airport (TFU).

When you fly to Lhasa, remember to check in as early as possible and choose a left window position. During the flight, you will cross the Tibetan Plateau and overlook the well-known places in western Sichuan and Tibet, such as Gongga Mountain, Meili Snow Mountain, Nyainqentanglha, Yarlung Zangbo, the Himalayas, etc. 

Why Choose the Chengdu to Lhasa Flight?

Chengdu is the political, economic and cultural center of southwest China and an important city in the Yangtze River valley. Its airport connects to the world's 30 busiest airports. There are many reasons why Chengdu is your best choice when going to Tibet, and here are some of these reasons:

• First, it's convenient and affordable. Chengdu offers one of the shortest flights to Tibet, taking 2.5 hours or less. And Chengdu offers many flight options to Lhasa every day. On average, there are around 12-17 daily flights to Tibet from Chengdu. So, you will have flexible choices of flight schedules as well as cheaper fares.
• Second, there are a myriad of international flights to Chengdu from cities like Los Angeles, Vancouver, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Doha, Bangkok, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney, and many more. Also, as a transport hub, there are many flights coming from other domestic cities of China, like Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Kunming, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Xi'an, etc.
• Lastly, Chengdu is a thriving city that is also known for being a tourist destination on its own. You can enjoy tasty food, ancient buildings, and traditional cultures, as well as visit lovely pandas. So, if you choose it as your gateway to Tibet, you may allow a day or two to tour the different tourist destinations in Chengdu. 

Chengdu to Lhasa Flight Schedule

Here are some flights at various times for your reference. More flights are available, and you can check the airlines’ official websites or contact us for up-to-date details.

Chengdu to Lhasa Flights

Lhasa to Chengdu Flights

Note:

During peak season (July–September), discounts are limited (~30% off). In the shoulder season (April–June, October), discounts average 50%, and in the low season, up to 70%. Early morning or late evening flights are often cheaper, and booking 1–2 months in advance may bring additional savings.

Necessary Permits

When you exchange your boarding pass and go through the airport security check, the airport staff will check your Tibet entry permit, so please make sure you have prepared the permit before taking the plane. To get a Tibet travel permit, you need to sign up with a reliable Tibet travel agency first. Then, you should send a photocopy or scanned copy of your passport and China visa to this agency. Afterward, this agency will apply for a Tibet Travel Permit on your behalf at the Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa. Once this permit is issued, your agency will send it to you by post. The process usually takes up to 10 working days, so please book earlier.

Airports in Chengdu

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (IATA: CTU, ICAO: ZUUU) is located in Shuangliu District, southwest of downtown Chengdu, about 16 kilometers from the city center. It is one of China’s eight regional hub airports and serves as an aviation hub for passenger and cargo distribution in inland China. The airport has two terminals, T1 and T2. Sichuan Airlines and all international/Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan flights operate from Terminal T1, while all other flights operate from Terminal T2. The two terminals are about a ten-minute walk apart. There is also a shuttle bus between T1 and T2 every five minutes, operating from 6:00 AM to 12:40 AM.

Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (IATA: TFU, ICAO: ZUTF) is located in Jianyang City, Chengdu, Sichuan Province (within the Eastern Chengdu New District), about 50 kilometers from downtown Chengdu and 50 kilometers northwest of Shuangliu Airport. It is a 4F-level international airport and the main hub of the Chengdu international aviation network, handling domestic and long-haul international flights. Tianfu Airport also has two terminals: T1, used for international flights and some domestic flights, and T2, mainly for domestic flights. There is a shuttle bus between T1 and T2, operating every 10–30 minutes, 24 hours a day.

Lhasa Gonggar International Airport

Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA) is 62 kilometers from Lhasa and is located in Gonggar County, Shannan Prefecture. It is situated 11,710 ft above sea level, and only Boeing 747 and Airbus A340 can land at this airport.

This airport is serviced only by one international flight from Kathmandu. During peak season, there are four daily direct flights that fly the Kathmandu-Lhasa air route. These flights are operated by Himalayan Airlines.

Besides Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA), there are three other airports in Tibet that receive flights from Chengdu:

• Shigatse Peace Airport (RKZ) – Located about 46 km from Shigatse City, the second-largest city in Tibet.
• Nyingchi Mainling Airport (LZY) – Situated in the Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley, known for its challenging approach and scenic surroundings.
• Qamdo Bamda Airport (BPX) – Located near Bamda village, approximately a 2.5-hour drive from Qamdo city.

>>See more about Lhasa Airport

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal time to visit Tibet?

The recommended season for traveling to Tibet by plane is from April to October. The other months are more often very cold with heavy snowfall. Moreover, during these months, flights are more frequent, giving you more flight options at hand.

Tibet is also of high altitude. So, you will need some time to acclimate yourself to its weather. It's highly suggested that you go for an early flight to give your body more time to adjust to Tibet’s high-altitude weather during the day.

Is there any direct international flight to Tibet?

There is no direct international flight to Tibet currently. In the past, there was a flight coming from Kathmandu, Nepal but it has not yet resumed. It takes one and a half hours to reach Lhasa Gonggar Airport from Kathmandu. During peak travel season, there are around two daily flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa.

Are there tourist sites in Chengdu?

There are many natural, historical and cultural sites in Chengdu. You can visit Mount Qingcheng,  which is an important Taoist center in China. You can also visit the Dujianyan Irrigation System, known for being the oldest existing irrigation project in China. You should also never miss the Giant Panda Center, covering around 9,245 sq. miles. You can also visit the Kuanzhai Ancient Streets of the Qing Dynasty, as well as the Jinli Pedestrian Street.

Are there other Airports in Tibet that have flights coming from Chengdu?

Tibet basically has 4 airports aside from Lhasa Gonggar Airport. These airports are Shigatse Peace Airport (RKZ), Nyingchi Mainling Airport (LZY), Qamdo Banda Airport (BPX), and Ngari Gunsa Airport (NGQ). Yet, only the Shigatse, Nyingchi, and Qamdo airports have flights from and to Chengdu.

Shigatse Peace Airport is around 46 km from Shigatse City, which is the second-largest city in Tibet. The Nyingchi Mainling Airport is located in the Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley. It is known as one of the most difficult airports to reach for an aircraft. The Qamdo Bamda Airport is situated in Bamda village. It is a 2.5-hour drive from Qamdo, the country seat.

Conclusion

Chengdu is the most convenient gateway to Tibet, offering multiple daily flights to Lhasa and other airports like Shigatse, Nyingchi, and Qamdo. With its rich culture, delicious food, and vibrant attractions, Chengdu is worth a short visit before your Tibetan adventure. Plan ahead, book early, and secure your Tibet Travel Permit to enjoy a smooth and unforgettable journey.