Located 52 km from Nyingchi City, Nyingchi Mainling Airport stands as the second most important tourism gateway in Tibet. With its lower altitude compared to other airports in the region, many travelers prefer flying into Nyingchi to kickstart their Tibet adventure. Sitting at an elevation of 2,949 meters above sea level, it offers a gentler transition to the high altitudes of Tibet.

Here, we'll explore more about this airport in eastern Tibet, which could be another great place to start your Tibet tour.

1. Nyingchi Mainling Airport is Popular among Asian Tourists for its Lower Altitude (2,949 meters)

With an average altitude of 4,500 m, adapting to the change in altitude can be a challenge for tourists in Tibet. Nyingchi Mainling Airport is a popular airport for tourists flying to Tibet due to its lower altitude. At 2,949 m, it is lower than Lhasa Gonggar Airport at 3,570 m and Shigatse Peace Airport at 3,782m.

Nyingchi Mainling Airport Location Map

Limiting sudden changes in altitude is one of the recommended ways to avoid altitude sickness. You can fly to Nyingchi Mainling Airport and spend some time touring local sites before heading to higher-elevation areas. This helps make for a safer and more comfortable trip in Tibet.

2. Flights from Chengdu to Nyingchi Mainling Airport Constitute a Major Route

Nyingchi Mainling Airport offers limited flight routes, with the majority being from Chengdu to Nyingchi. As a major transportation hub for southwest China, Chengdu has approximately six direct flights to Nyingchi every day.

Air China, Sichuan Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Tibet Airlines operate daily departures from Tianfu International Airport and Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu, with flights departing between approximately 7:00 AM and 10:30 AM.

Updated Flight Schedule From Chengdu to Nyingchi

Please Notice:
1. Chengdu has two airports: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU). When booking your flight tickets, please double-check the departure airport.
2. Ensure that you have obtained the Tibet Travel Permit before your departure. Without this permit, you will not be able to check in for your flight to Tibet.
3. The timetable above is provided for your reference only.

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3. More Direct Flights to Nyingchi Mainling Airport from Chongqing, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Xi’an

Besides flights from Chengdu to Nyingchi, there are also several direct flights from other major gateway cities such as Chongqing, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Xi’an. Most of these flights leave in the early morning and some of them are not daily. Please check the flight schedule in advance.

Chongqing to Nyingchi Flight Schedule:
Two direct flights are available daily from Chongqing to Nyingchi. Flight TV9983 departs from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport at 06:30 AM, arriving in Nyingchi at 09:10 AM. Meanwhile, Flight 3U8029 departs at 08:50 AM, reaching Nyingchi by 10:30 AM.

Additionally, South Airlines and West Airlines offer scheduled non-stop flights. West Airlines' Flight PN6211 departs at 06:00 AM, arriving in Nyingchi at 08:40 AM. Flight CZ2143 departs at 10:00 AM, reaching Nyingchi by 12:15 PM.

Beijing to Nyingchi Flight Schedule:
Flight CA4127 departs from Beijing Capital International Airport at 6:40 AM, arriving at Nyingchi Mainling Airport by 10:50 AM.

Guangzhou to Nyingchi Flight Schedule:
Please note that direct flights from Guangzhou to Nyingchi are not available daily. Flight CZ3477 departs at 06:55 AM from Guangzhou Baiyu International Airport, arriving in Nyingchi at 10:35 AM.

Xi’an to Nyingchi Flight Schedule:
Flight TV6055 departs from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport at 07:20 AM, reaching Nyingchi Mainling Airport by 09:55 AM.

Please Notice:
The above schedules are provided for your reference only. Please verify specific timings before your travel.

Tibet Airlines is one of the domestic airlines offering flights to Nyingchi.

4. How to arrange a Tibet tour from Nyingchi Mainling Airport?

Nyingchi, with the lowest altitude in Tibet, is a great starting point for a Tibet tour to gradually get used to the high altitude of the Tibet Plateau while marveling at its stunning landscapes. You can spend a few days there to visit attractions around.

It is suggested to spend 3 to 4 days visiting Nyingchi and its surroundings, including landmarks like Lulang Forest, Ranwu Lake, and the Midui Glacier. If you're planning a trip in early April, you can also partake in the Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival.

Following your visit to Nyingchi, you can proceed to Lhasa either via the well-paved Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway or by taking the high-speed train from Nyingchi to Lhasa, continuing your Tibet tour from the holy city.

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5. Recommended Attractions near Nyingchi Mainling Airport

Nyingchi is surrounded by incredible natural sites. From towering snow-capped mountain peaks to serene lakes, verdant forests, and pristine glaciers, this region offers an abundance of captivating sights for nature enthusiasts to explore and admire.

Lulang Forest
Lulang Forest is a typical plateau-mountain-meadow, regarded as a fairyland with a special breathtaking landscape in every season. There is a village named Lulang, recommended by Lonely Planet, It's basically a large village with lots of swamps and yaks against the very Swiss Alps mountains, which will remind you of Switzerland. The scenery is beautiful and there are lots of lookouts along the way where you can take photos. It is a golden opportunity to breathe fresh air and refresh your spirit.

Lulang Forest offers unique dense forest landscapes not found elsewhere in Tibet.

Basum Tso Lake
Basum Tso Lake, also known as Draksum-tso, is one of Tibet’s most famous scenic spots, about 90 km away from the county seat Gorlingka and 120 km away from Bayi Town. Draksum-tso, surrounded by 6000m snow-covered peaks, will offer you snow mountains, alpine lakes, natural falls, historic sites, ancient monasteries, and lots of animals, which is also a dreamland for photographers. The turquoise lake will reflect the surrounding mountains, forests, and blue sky as if you are traveling in a picturesque fairyland.

The stunning Basum Tso Lake (Draksum-tso) is one of the top attractions in Nyingchi.

Midui Glacier
Midui Glacier, reputed as one of the six most beautiful glaciers in China by China National Geography, is located in Midui Village, Yupu Town, Nyingchi. It is also the lowest glacier in the world. There is a very breathtaking landscape and you can do a short hike to very close the glacier. A well-constructed and maintained walking trail leads to a big observation platform from where the ice mountain’s glaciers which fall into a glacier lake can be viewed. The trail leads to areas of lush vegetation. If you are fond of photography, the landscape will surprise you.

Midui Glacier is one of the six most beautiful glaciers in China.

Mount Namcha Barwa
Namcha Barwa(7,782m) is the highest mountain in Nyingchi, standing inside the Great Bend of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. In the Tibetan language, it literally means “burning thunders”. Mount Namcha Barwa is reputed as the holy land by Bonismo, a Tibetan Buddhist. Although you can’t trek or climb in Namcha Barwa, it is still lucky for you to view the mountain in the distance at Mila Pass via G318 or Segyi La Pass. Surely, if we help manage a tour when you go to Lhasa from Nyingchi Airport, we will stop for a rest at Mila Pass, thus you can take some wonderful pictures.

You can admire the majestic Namcha Barwa Peak as part of their tour in Nyingchi.

After getting familiar with the schedules and flights to Nyingchi Mainling Airport, let's dive into some more details about this only tourist hub in eastern Tibet:

● Opened in 2006, Nyingchi Mainling Airport is the third airport in Tibet.

● Located in a winding valley of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, Nyingchi Airport is suggested to be one of the most challenging instrument approaches in the world.

● Surrounded by over 4000m high mountains enveloped by clouds and fogs throughout the year, it is known as 'the world's most difficult airport for planes to reach'.

● The flight path passes through a point where there is less than 4 km separating mountain ridges.

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Conclusion

If you're concerned about altitude sickness, consider beginning your Tibet tour by flying to Nyingchi. You can fly to Nyingchi directly from Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, Xi’an, and Guangzhou.

Not only does this region help you acclimate to the altitude, but it also boasts impressive natural attractions to explore. Taking a Tibet tour from Nyingchi to Lhasa allows you to experience the cultural and natural marvels of both eastern and central Tibet seamlessly.

Feel free to share your travel ideas with us. Our Tibet travel experts will help you arrange the smoothest journey from Nyingchi.