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Ngari Gunsa Airport Guide: Exploring the Nearest Airport to Mount Kailash

August,22 2023 BY Sonam Tenphel 0 COMMENTS

To many people, Ngari is known for the sacred Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, which are the “Holy Mountain” and “Sacred Lake” for Tibetan Buddhists and Hindus. And Ngari Gunsa Airport is the nearest airport to both of them.

So where is the Ngari Gunsa Airport? Which cities offer flights to Ngari Gunsa Airport? And how can one transfer from the airport to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar? This article will answer these questions asked by many and offer practical advice on taking flights to Ngari and Mount Kailash.

Ngari Gunsa Airport Basic Facts: How Far is It from Mount Kailash?

Ngari Gunsa Airport, also known as Ali Kunsha Airport (simplified Chinese: 阿里昆莎机场), is located near Gunsa Village of Shiquanhe Town, Ngari Prefecture, western Tibet Autonomous Region. The aerial distance from the airport to Mount Kailash is 165 km.

Ngari Gunsa Airport in Western Tibet
Ngari Gunsa Airport is the nearest airport to Kailash and Manasarovar.

By road, Ngari Gunsa Airport is about 50 km south to downtown Shiquanhe, which is only a one-day bus drive (about 330 km) from the settlement of Darchen situated just north of Lake Manasarovar, facing Mount Kailash.

The airport, opened on 1 July 2010, is the fourth civil airport in Tibet, after Lhasa, Nyingchi and Qamdo airports, with NGQ the IATA code and ZUAL the ICAO code. Because of this, travelling to Mt.Kailash and Lake Manasarovar is much easier now.

Built at an elevation of 4274 meters above sea level, Ngari Gunsa Airport is the fourth highest airport in the world, the first three being Daocheng Yading Airport, Qamdo Bamda Airport and Kangding Airport.

It is provided with a runway of 4500 meters and a terminal of around 3900 square meters. Currently, the airport offers flights connecting Lhasa, Kashgar, Urumqi, Chengdu and Xi’an, and the major airlines that run these routes are China Eastern Airlines, Lucky Air and Tibet Airlines.

Ngari Gunsa Airport Flight Schedule: Which Cities Can Fly to Ngari?

Ngari Gunsa Airport is a dual-use military and civil airport. Due to its special geographical location, the airport only offers direct flights to three domestic cities, Lhasa in Tibet and Kashgar and Urumqi in Xinjiang (formerly known as Sinkiang). If you want to fly to Ngari from mainland China, you can first take a flight to the three cities and then transfer to Ngari.

Lhasa to Ngari Flight Schedule:

There are four daily direct flights from Lhasa to Ngari at present, operated by Tibet Airlines, which is about two hours.

Route Airline  Flight Code  Timetable  Duration  Frequency Price
Lhasa to Ngari Tibet Airlines TV6008 07:05-09:00 1 hrs 55mins Every day Above CNY 3190
Lhasa to Ngari Tibet Airlines TV9943 07:30-09:30 2 hrs Every day Above CNY 3190
Lhasa to Ngari Tibet Airlines TV9807 07:35-09:35 2 hrs Every day Above CNY 3190
Lhasa to Ngari Tibet Airlines TV9969 07:50-09:45 1 hrs 55mins Every day Above CNY 3190

Kashgar to Ngari Flight Schedule:

Direct flights from Kashgar to Ngari are available every Tuesday and Friday. It takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes on the way. Besides, there are occasional flights between Urumqi and Ngari, with a stopover in Kashgar City.

Route Airline  Flight Code  Timetable  Duration  Frequency Price
Kashgar to Ngari China Eastern Airlines MU2131 09:00-10:35 1 hrs 35mins Tue. Above CNY 1404
Kashgar to Ngari Lucky Airlines 8L9681 10:00-11:35 1 hrs 35mins Fri. Above CNY 1990

Urumqi to Ngari Flight Schedule (Stopover at Kashgar)

Occasional direct flights from Urumqi to Ngari depart on Friday, with a stopover at Kashgar on the way. And it normally takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes in total.

Route Airline  Flight Code  Timetable  Duration  Frequency Price
Urumqi to Ngari Lucky Airlines 8L9681 07:20-11:35 4 hrs 15 mins Fri. Above CNY 2590


(Please note that the flight schedule and prices listed above are for reference only. All prices are subject to change due to your preferred flight, class and traveling date.)

Lucky Air flight to Tibet
Lucky Air offers flights to Ngari, Tibet.

Besides, there are many connecting flights to Ngari from numerous major cities. It is recommended to choose Chengdu and Xi’an, which are the two closest cities to Ngari, and they offer flexible transferring options.

If you depart from Chengdu, you can first take a direct flight to Lhasa, then transfer to Ngari from Lhasa Gonggar Airport. The flights from Chengdu to Lhasa are the most frequent among all flights to the plateau from mainland China, taking only about 2 hours en route.

If you depart from Xi’an, you can opt for one of the nonstop flights from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport to Lhasa. The flights depart daily and take around 3 hours to reach the plateau. Afterward, you can transfer to Ngari Gunsa Airport from Lhasa.

Additionally, there are also connecting flights to Ngari from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou etc. You can choose the one that best suits your travel plan and route. If you are not sure about the flight schedules and routes, you can contact us for help.

What Documents to Obtain for Flights to Ngari and Mount Kailash Tour?

Travel documents are necessary if you want to fly to Ngari and further enjoy a Mount Kailash tour.

Tibet Travel Permit
A sample of Tibet Travel Permit

First, you have to apply for Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) for entry into Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Since bearing a TTP only allows you to travel in Lhasa, the provincial capital of Tibet, other permits are needed if you want to go to places outside Lhasa. For visiting Ngari, permits including the Aliens’ Travel Permit and Military Entry Permit are required.

Seems a bit troublesome? No worries. We have hassle-free services. You can join our classic Mount Kailash tour and our tour guide will apply for all the permits needed on your behalf. All you need to do is just sit back and enjoy.

How to Book Cheap Flights to Ngari Gunsa Airport?

The price of flights to Ngari Gunsa Airport varies depending on different travel seasons and your preferences. You can secure a lower price by periodically checking flight booking websites like Scanner and booking in advance. Additionally, connecting flights might be more economical than direct flights.

Expect flights from May to October to be pricier and more challenging to secure compared to other times of the year. This period is the best time to visit the Ngari area, especially during the Saga Dawa Festival from May to early June, when many pilgrims head to Lake Manasarovar and take Mt. Kailash Kora.

Mt.Kailash in Saga Dawa Festival
Local Tibetans and pilgrims are celebrating Saga Dawa Festival at Mt.Kailash.

How to Transfer from Ngari Gunsa Airport to Mount Kailash?

Travelling to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar from Ngari Gunsa Airport is a bit more troublesome since there is no shuttle bus between the two. Domestic travelers can rent a car or take a local minivan and follow the well-paved tar road to drive southwards for about 5 hours to Darchen, the village at the foot of Mount Kailash, approximately 250km from Gunsa Airport.

However, for international tourists who are not allowed to travel independently in Tibet, you must travel on a pre-arranged tour with a local agency and use a local car. Being the first and largest Tibetan local tour operator since 1984, we offer convenient airport shuttles as well as other services for our clients.

How to Avoid Altitude Sickness when Traveling to Ngari?

To avoid altitude sickness in Ngari, it’s recommended to take the overland tour rather than flying, regardless of the flight availability to Ngari. There are several reasons for this choice.

Firstly, the average altitude in Ngari is around 4500m. Since altitude sickness can occur as soon as the height surpasses 3000m, taking a plane to Ngari increases the likelihood of experiencing altitude sickness. With a plane, you will rapidly ascend to such high altitudes within a relatively short time from lower altitudes, creating an environment conducive to altitude sickness.

Another factor to consider is that if you travel to Ngari by air, you'll miss out on many experiences. Taking the overland trip enables you to relish the splendid pristine views of western Tibet throughout the journey.

On the Way to Mt.Kailash
Passing a golden desert on the way to Mt.Kailash

One of the most suggested small group tours to the Ngari area, traveling in a vehicle, is our 15 Days Kailash and Manasarovar Small Group Tour. During the 15 days, you’ll be able to enjoy all the classic sites in Lhasa and Everest Base Camp, apart from Mt.Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.

Tips for Avoiding Altitude Sickness on the Ngari Kailash Overland Trip:

1. Follow your doctor’s advice. Those who have heart disease, high blood pressure and other conditions are not advised to visit Ngari. Take prescribed medications as directed by your doctor.
2. Try not to shower on the first day. Daytime in Tibet may be warm but nighttime can be very chilly.
3. Try not to eat too much, drink alcohol or make strenuous movements. This may aggregate the symptoms of altitude sickness. Instead, drink plenty of water, have some good sleep and walk slowly.
4. When altitude sickness comes, tell your guide immediately. They will try their best to help you manage it.

All that said, you don’t need to over-worry about it. Our route and itinerary are carefully designed to get you acclimatized well before going to high-altitude places like Ngari. Plus, our local Tibetan guides and drivers are experienced in dealing with altitude sickness. Just follow their advice and you’re assured a comfortable and worry-free journey in Tibet.

Conclusion

Ngari preserves some of Tibet's most precious gems, serving as the abode of the sacred Mount Kailash. Thanks to the Ngari Gunsa Airport, travelers can now conveniently access this remote and enigmatic mysterious place in western Tibet.

However, it is highly recommended to take an overland tour to Ngari and Mount Kailash, thereby savoring the diverse highlights that Tibet has to offer. If you still have any questions about Ngari Gunsa Airport or traveling to Mount Kailash, please feel free to contact us or leave your comments below.

Sonam Tenphel

About the Author - Sonam Tenphel

With 20+ years of guide experience and tons of great reviews, Sonam Tenphel is one of the top-rated local Tibetan guides in our team. Polite, enthusiastic, and extremely attentive to every traveler’s needs, he is your best travel companion in Tibet and a walking dictionary of Tibetan culture and history.

Additionally, being a great photographer, Sonam helps you capture great Tibet travel moments and maximize your Tibet experiences like no other.

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