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Shigatse Dingri Airport: The Closest Gateway to Everest Base Camp in Tibet, But Not Recommended
Shigatse Dingri Airport, also known as Shigatse Tingri Airport, is the second airport in Shigatse. Opened in 2023, Dingri Airport is now the closest airport to Everest Base Camp in Tibet, with a straight-line distance of only 52 kilometers.
However, the short distance to the Everest Base Camp means a high elevation. At 4,163 meters above sea level, Dingri Airport is one of the world's highest airports. The high risk of getting altitude sickness and limited flights make it not an ideal choice for getting to Everest Base Camp in Tibet.
Here, we share the ultimate guide to this small airport located at the foot of Mount Everest, along with useful tips for getting to Everest Base Camp by other means.
Where is Shigatse Dingri Airport? Just 52km from Everest Base Camp in Tibet
How to Fly to Shigatse Dingri Airport? Only One Weekly Flight
How to get to Everest Base Camp from Shigatse Dingri Airport?
Shigatse Dingri Airport or Peace Airport: Best Way to Fly to Everest in Tibet?
Beyond Flying, Other Ways to Everest Base Camp in Tibet?
Where is Shigatse Dingri Airport? Just 52km from Everest Base Camp in Tibet
Located at 4,163 meters above sea level, Shigatse Dingri Airport is one of the highest airports in the world. Situated at the foot of Mount Everest in Tingri County, it is about 220 kilometers from downtown Shigatse.
As the closest airport to Everest Base Camp in Tibet, the straight-line distance from Dingri Airport to Everest Base Camp is just about 52 kilometers. However, if you drive from Dingri Airport to the base camp, the total distance is around 240 kilometers, covering countless winding roads that cross the mountain passes.
Shigatse Dingri Airport.How to Fly to Shigatse Dingri Airport? Only One Weekly Flight
Shigatse Dingri Airport is a military and civilian airport, offering limited civilian flights weekly.
Recently, only one flight from Chengdu to Shigatse loads at Dingri Airport once a week on Wednesday. And the return flight from Dingri Airport to Chengdu also departs once a week, with a stopover in Lhasa.
Shgatse Dingri Airport Flight Schedule (2025 - 2026)
| Flight Route | Flight Number | Dep.-Arr. | Duration | Frequency |
| Chengdu - Shigatse (Dingri) | CA4431 | 06:15 - 08:55 | 2 hrs 40 mins | Wednesday |
| Shigatse (Dingri) - Chengdu | CA4432 | 09:35 - 13:55(Stopover in Lhasa with 45 mins) | 4 hrs 20 mins | Wednesday |
Please Note:
1. The above schedule is for reference only; please check the exact flight schedule while planning your flight journey.
2. Flights to Shigatse Dingri Airport are more frequent from May to October (tourist season), while off-season flights may be reduced or canceled. Please confirm the latest schedule before traveling.
3. Due to the complex climate at such a high altitude, flight delays and cancellations are common in Dingri Airport. It is better to recommend prepare a backup plan for your journey to Everest Base Camp.
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How to get to Everest Base Camp from Shigatse Dingri Airport?
The classic route to Everest Base Camp from Dingri Airport is to drive to Tashi Dzong Township, where you’ll transfer on an official eco-friendly bus to reach Everest Base Camp.
The entire journey from Dingri Airport to Everest Base Camp covers about 240 kilometers on well-paved roads. However, the winding mountain route takes around 5 to 6 hours.
Though it is a long journey, it is worthwhile as you will meet various unique landscapes all along the way to Everest Base Camp in Tibet.
First, you’ll cross the Gawula Pass, the only Everest viewpoint that offers breathtaking views of five Himalayan peaks over 8,000m above sea level, including Makalu (8,463m), Lhotse (8,516m), Everest (8,848.64m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), and Shishapangma (8,027m).
Then, you will continue along the famous 108-turn mountain road toward Everest Base Camp. Although it is a long nd winding journey, Mount Everest may unexpectedly come into view around a bend.
Finally, you will arrive at Everest Base Camp at around 5,000 meters above sea level. This is the highest point that ordinary tourists can reach directly by car without any trekking or climbing. Not far from the base camp is the Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery in the world, with an elevation of 5,154 meters.
Please Note:
As the journey from Dingri Airport to Everest Base Camp takes almost a day, it is not recommended to rush to the base camp just upon arrival. Having a good rest in Tingri before heading to the base camp is highly recommended for better adaptation to the high altitude.
Marvel at the Himalayas on the way from Dingri Airport to Everest Base Camp through Gawula Pass.Shigatse Dingri Airport or Peace Airport: Best Way to Fly to Everest in Tibet?
Shigatse Peace Airport, the first airport in Shigatse, is 41.5 kilometers away from downtown Shigatse. Before the Dingri Airport opened, it was the only airport for flying to Mount Everest in Tibet.
As the most important airport in central Tibet, the Shigatse Peace Airport offers scheduled flights from Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, and even Shanghai. It is more convenient to fly to Peace Airport rather than Dingri Airport.
| Airport | Shigatse Dingri Airport | Shigatse Peace Airport |
| Location | Tingri County | Samdruptse District (downtown Shigatse) |
| Altitude | 4,316 meters | 3,782 meters |
| Opened | 2022 | 2010 |
| Distance to Downtown Shigatse | 220 km(4 to 5 hours drive) | 10 km(20 minutes drive) |
| Distance to Everest Base Camp | 240 km(5 to 6 hours drive) | 350 km(7 to 8 hours drive) |
| Major Flight Routes | Chengdu, Lhasa | Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, Shanghai (seasonal) |
| Travel Advice | Best for tourists who are short in time to visit Everest with flexible schedule. | Best for travelers who want to explore Shigatse and Everest together. |
Please Note:
The flights to Shigatse, either Peace Airport or Dingri Airport, are limited and often affected by weather. Please double-check the flight schedule when planning your trip to Everest Base Camp or Shigatse.
Shigatse Peace Airport has long been the main airport in central Tibet.Beyond Flying, Other Ways to Everest Base Camp in Tibet?
For most tourists, the overland journey from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp is the most popular way to go. Generally, the Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour takes 8 days. Starting from Lhasa, you will travel westward to Shigatse with a visit to Yamdrok Lake and Gyantse Ancient Town en route. The highlight is the overnight stay at Everest Base Camp, where you may get a chance to enjoy the stunning sunset and sunrise from the top of the world.
You can also travel to Everest Base Camp in Tibet by overland from Kathmandu via the Gyirong border. But to better acclimatize to the high altitude after you enter Tibet from Nepal, it is suggested to stay overnight in Tingri instead of the Tent Hotel at Everest Base Camp or the Rongbuk Hotel.
For a fast journey, you can take a high-speed train from Lhasa to Shigatse. As the first high-speed rail in Tibet, the Lhasa to Shigatse train shortens the land journey from 3.5 hours to around 2 hours and 20 minutes. Every day, there are two pairs of bullet trains running between Lhasa and Shigatse.
The daily high-speed train from Lhasa to Shigatse makes the trip to Everest Base Camp much easier.
Don’t miss the epic overland trip from Lhasa to Everest, covering all the highlights en route.
More Travel Tips for Getting to Shigatse Dingri Airport
Since Shigatse Dingri Airport is one of the highest airports in the world, it is easy to get high altitude sickness upon arrival. To better avoid altitude sickness in Tibet and acclimatize to the high altitude, it is highly suggested to stay in Shigatse for a few days before heading to Everest Base Camp.
To board the flight to Tibet and visit the Everest Base Camp, you need to obtain the Tibet Travel Permit, as well as the Chinese Visa. The Tibet Travel Permit can only be applied for through a local travel agency that arranges the Tibet tour for you. You need to provide copies of your passport and your Chinese Visa. For those who can travel to China without a visa, no Chinese Visa is required for applying for the Tibet Travel Permit.
The best time to visit Everest Base Camp, whether by flight or overland, is spring and autumn. From April to early June and from September to October, the weather of Mount Everest is stable with clear views of the mountain peaks. Summer is the rainy season, and the heavy rainfall may cause heavy cloud and fog that covers the peak of Mount Everest.
A sample of Tibet Travel Permit.
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Conclusion
Shigatse Dingri Airport is the second airport in central Tibet and the closest gateway to Everest Base Camp in Tibet.
Due to the high altitude of over 4,000 meters, flights to Shigatse Dingri Airport are greatly affected by the weather. If you plan to fly to there directly, pay attention to altitude sickness
As the best Everest tour operator in Tibet, we at Tibet Vista are ready to arrange an unforgettable Everest Base Camp tour for you.
No matter whether you want to take a short journey by flight or experience the epic overland journey to Everest Base Camp, feel free to share your travel ideas with us. We will tailor the itinerary to your needs and make your dream journey a reality.
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