Tibet's Five Airports: Gateway to Scenic Landscapes and Cultural Heritage

July,08 2024 BY Kham Sang 0 COMMENTS

For many international tourists, flying to Tibet has become an increasingly popular choice. With advancements in air travel and infrastructure, accessing Tibet by air has become more convenient and efficient.

Flying to Tibet also helps tourists manage altitude sickness. Direct flights to Tibet enable tourists to have enough rest and avoid fatigue caused by long overland journeys, lowering the risk of altitude-related health problems.

Tibet boasts five airports spread across five of its seven prefectures: Lhasa Gonggar Airport, Nyingchi Mainling Airport, Chamdo Bangda Airport, Shigatse Peach Airport , and Ngari Gunsa Airport.

Typically, tourists enter Tibet through Lhasa Gonggar Airport or Nyingchi Mainling Airport. So, let's start by introducing Lhasa Gonggar Airport.

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Lhasa Gonggar Airport: Your Gateway to Tibet

Lhasa Gonggar Airport serves as the primary air hub for entering and exiting Tibet, both domestically and internationally. Most tourists initially arrive at Lhasa Gonggar Airport before proceeding to Lhasa City via shuttle bus or taxi.

Located in Jiazhulin Town, Gonggar County, Shannan Prefecture, the airport is about 60 kilometers south of Lhasa city, at an altitude of approximately 3600 meters. Built to meet strict ICAO standards (grade 4E), the runway measures 4,000 meters in length and 45 meters in width.

This construction accommodates large aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus, with the apron capable of hosting up to five A340s or seven Boeing 757 aircraft. The airport features two terminals spanning 25,000 square meters in total and is equipped with four boarding bridges.

Shuttle Service: Travelers can avail themselves of a shuttle bus from the airport to Lhasa city at a cost of 30 Yuan per person. Alternatively, if the shuttle is missed, taxis or carpooling options are available for commuting to Lhasa city.

Tibet Vista Pickup Service: For added convenience, we offer a pickup service to ensure our customers' seamless transfer to Lhasa city, eliminating the need for public transportation. Pickup points include the Domestic Arrival Hall at Lhasa Airport. Feel free to contact us for details here.

Flight information:

Domestic Flight (Non-stop)	Flight Duration	Flight frequency	Flight Price
Chengdu✈Lhasa	App. 2.5 Hours	Hourly throughout the day	Around 200$
Chongqing✈Lhasa	App. 3 Hours	Multiple flights per day	Around 250$
Xi’an✈Lhasa	App. 3 Hours	Hourly throughout the day	Around 300$
Diqing✈Lhasa	App. 2 Hours	One Flight per day	Around 200$
Chamdo✈Lhasa	App. 1.5 Hours	Multiple flight in the morning	Around 300$
Beijing✈Lhasa	App. 4.5 Hours	Nearly 6 flights per day	Around 450$
Kunming✈Lhasa	App. 3 Hours	Multiple flights per day	Around 200$

Domestic Flight (Direct)	Flight Duration	Flight frequency	Flight Price
Guangzhou✈Lhasa	App. 6 Hours	3 flights per day	Around 300$
Shanghai✈Lhasa	App. 7.5 Hours	5 flights per day	Around 400$

At present, the only non-stop international flight operating in Tibet is the Lhasa to Kathmandu route, operated by Himalaya Airlines .

Flight Route	Flight Code	Airlines	Dep.	Arr.	Type	Schedule
Lhasa ✈ Kathmandu	H9775	Himalaya Airlines	13:15	12:35	319	Every Monday
Kathmandu ✈ Lhasa	H9774	Himalaya Airlines	8:30	12:05	319	Every Monday

4 Days Lhasa Impression Small Group Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa

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Shigatse Peace Airport: The airport closest to Mount Everest

Shigatse Peace Airport is a crucial aviation hub connecting travelers to the tranquil vistas of Tibet's Shigatse region. However, it exclusively operates domestic flights.

Shigatse Peace Airport is situated in Samzhubze, Shigatse, Tibet, approximately 50 kilometers from Shigatse City. The altitude of Peace Airport is around 3782 meters. The entire terminal covers an area of 4502 sq meters, with 5000 meters runway, made of concrete.

Besides, the airport arms with 3 aprons, built in line with ICAO standards C category, capable of handling airplanes for civil aviation such as Airbus A319 and Boeing 737.

Shuttle Service: Travelers can take a shuttle bus from the airport to Shigatse city for a fee of 30 Yuan per person. In case the shuttle is missed, taxis or carpooling options are also available for commuting to Shigatse city.

Flight information:

Domestic (Non-stop)	Flight Duration	Flight frequency	Flight Price
Chengdu ✈ Shigatse	App. 2.5 Hours	4 flights per day	Around 250$
Xi’an ✈ Shigatse	App. 3 Hours	1 to 3 flights per day	Around 350$
Chongqing✈Shigatse	App. 3 Hours	1 flight on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays	Around 200$

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

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Nyingchi Mainling Airport: The lowest altitude airport in Tibet

travel from mainling airport to bayi district

Due to Nyingchi's lower altitude, Mainling Airport is often preferred as the primary entry point into Tibet for gradual acclimatization. Located in winding valleys approximately 120km south of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, it offers an ideal starting point for travelers.

Mainling Airport, located 50km from Bayi County, Nyingchi's capital, sits at an altitude of 2949 meters. With modern infrastructure and advanced navigation systems, it ensures a smooth and safe air travel experience for visitors to Tibet's Nyingchi region.

However, due to its distinct topography, unpredictable weather, dense clouds, lush forests, and abundant precipitation, the flights only depart in the morning to avoid terrible turbulence.

Shuttle Service: Travelers can utilize a shuttle bus from the airport to the city for a fee of 25 Yuan per person. It's important to note that the bus operates only in the morning. In case the shuttle is missed, taxis is available for commuting to Bayi county.

Flight information:

Domestic Flight (Non-stop)	Flight Duration	Flight frequency	Flight Price
Chengdu✈Nyingchi	App. 2 Hours	Multiple Flights in the Morning	Around 250$
Chongqing✈Nyingchi	App. 2.5 Hours	5 Flights in the Morning	Around 250$
Xi’an✈Nyingchi	App.2.5 Hours	4 Flights in the Morning	Around 300$

Domestic Flight (Direct)	Flight Duration	Flight frequency	Flight Price
Guangzhou✈Nyingchi	App. 3.5 Hours	1 flight on /Mon/Wed/Fri	Around 300$
Beijing✈Nyingchi	App.4 Hours	1 flight everyday	Around 400$

10 Days Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival Small Group Tour with Everest Base Camp

Tour Route: Nyingchi - Bomi - Basom tso Lake - Lhasa - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

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Ngari Gunsa Airport：Entrance to Northwestern Tibet

Operational since July 1, 2010, Gunsa Airport serves as a crucial aerial gateway to Western Tibet. Situated southwest of Shiquanhe, near the Gar Tsangpo Valley, it ranks among the world's highest airports, offering essential air access to this historically and culturally significant region.

Gunsa Airport is situated southwest of Shiquanhe in Gar County, Ngari, Tibet, approximately 50 kilometers from Shiquanhe. The altitude of Gunsa airport is about 4274 meters.

The airport's runway spans 4500 meters in length and 60 meters in width, meeting the flying and landing requirements of aircraft like the Airbus A319, among others. The terminal covers an area of 3900 square meters.

Travelers have the option of taking a shuttle bus from the airport to the city for 25 Yuan per person. In case of missing the shuttle, taxis are also available for commuting to Shiquanhe Town.

Flight information:

Domestic Flight (Non-stop)	Flight Duration	Flight frequency	Flight Price
Lhasa✈Ngari	App. 2 Hours	Multiple flights in the morning	Around 400$
Kashgar✈Ngari	App. 1.5 Hours	1 flight on Every Tues and Fri	Around 300$
ürümqi✈Ngari	App. 4 Hours	Every Friday	Around 350$

15 Days Kailash and Manasarovar Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - E.B.C - Saga - Kailash Trek - Darchen - Lake Manasarovar - Saga - Gyirong - Tingri - Lhasa

Price from USD2069 p.p

Chamdo Bangda Airport: The highest airport in China

Bangda Airport, Tibet's highest civil aviation airport, faces extreme conditions with temperatures averaging minus 2.9 Celsius, reaching as low as minus 42 Celsius, plus 2-meter permafrost and severe turbulence up to 30 meters per second, making it a challenging environment for pilots.

Bangda Airport is located in Baxoi County, Chamdo, Tibet, about 130 kilometers from Chamdo City, at an altitude of approximately 4334 meters. Positioned on the renowned Bangda grassland in eastern Tibet, it boasts a 5km runway.

Flight delays or cancellations are common in Chamdo due to unstable weather conditions, while some travelers may experience symptoms of altitude sickness such as shortness of breath and headaches due to the high altitude.

Shuttle Service: Travelers usually take a 60 Yuan shuttle bus from the airport to Chamdo city, or opt for a taxi if they miss the shuttle. However, taxi rides from Bangda Airport to Chamdo city cost around 500 Yuan due to the 130km distance.

Flight information:

Domestic Flight (Non-stop)	Flight Duration	Flight frequency	Flight Price
Chengdu✈Chamdo	App. 1.5 Hours	Multiple flights in the morning	Around 200$
Chongqing✈Chamdo	App. 2 Hours	Multiple flights in the morning	Around 200$
Lhasa✈Chamdo	App. 1 Hour	Multiple flights in the morning	Around 300$

In summary, the five airports in Tibet serve essential roles in facilitating travel and connectivity within the region. Lhasa Gonggar Airport is the primary entry point for domestic and international travelers, while Shigatse Peace Airport connects visitors to the Shigatse region.

Mainling Airport in Nyingchi offers a lower-altitude entry point, Gunsa Airport provides access to Western Tibet, and Bangda Airport stands as the highest civil aviation airport. Together, they enable access to Tibet's diverse landscapes and cultural heritage.

To book air ticket to Tibet or inquire the latest flight schedule, please feel free to contact our pro travel consultants to ensure you a seamless journey in Tibet.