Thanks to the development of local transportation, getting to Tibet from Singapore is much more convenient now. You can travel to Tibet by air, train, or overland from Singapore through either the mainland of China or Nepal.

Let’s check the details on how to travel from Singapore to Tibet and choose your preferred way for your once-in-a-lifetime journey to Tibet.

How far is Tibet from Singapore?

Singapore, located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia, is about 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles) from Tibet. Tibet Autonomous Region is situated on the Tibetan Plateau in the southwestern part of China.

Consider what kind of travel experience you’re looking for - whether by flight, train, or overland - since each option offers a unique way to experience Tibet.

Traveling from Singapore to Tibet via the Mainland of China and Nepal

How to fly to Tibet from Singapore?

Recently, there is no direct flight from Singapore to Tibet. If you want to fly to Tibet from Singapore, you’ll need to take connecting flights to Tibet via the mainland of China or Kathmandu, Nepal.

It is convenient to fly from Singapore to a major Chinese city, such as Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, or Xi’an, where you can catch a direct flight to Lhasa. Chengdu is the popular gateway city for tourists from Singapore to Tibet, because Chengdu offers the most frequent non-stop flights to Lhasa, with the shortest flight duration of about 2.5 hours. Additionally, Chengdu is a popular tourist destination in China, famous for its lovely giant pandas, delicious Sichuan cuisine, and the leisurely pace of life enjoyed by the locals.

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Besides flying to Tibet from Singapore via the mainland of China, you can fly from Singapore to Kathmandu (Nepal) first, and then take a flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. As the only international flight to Tibet, the Kathmandu to Lhasa flight will take you over the majestic Himalayas. You can enjoy breathtaking views of the world’s highest mountain range from above.

However, since the direct flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa are not daily, be sure to check flight availability and schedules in advance.

While taking a flight to Tibet, you will enjoy stunning views of snow-capped mountains stretching across the horizon from above.

How to experience the train to Tibet from Singapore?

For those who want to experience the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Tibet, the only option is to take a Tibet train from one of the gateway cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou, and Xining. Most of the cities offer one train daily to Lhasa. Only the Chengdu to Lhasa train and the Chongqing to Lhasa train depart every other day. Please check the Tibet train schedule while planning your journey to Tibet.

Since most trains to Tibet take about two nights onboard, if you’re short on time, it’s advisable to travel to Xining and board the train from there. The Xining to Lhasa train is the shortest route to Tibet, taking approximately 20 to 21 hours. This option allows you to spend just one night on the train, making it a more time-efficient choice for your Tibet train trip.

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How to travel overland to Tibet from Singapore?

For a more adventurous experience, you can travel to Tibet overland. Among the five highways to Tibet, the routes from Sichuan, Yunnan, and Nepal are the most recommended for tourists coming from Singapore.

The Sichuan-Tibet highway offers the most beautiful landscapes to Tibet. Starting by flying from Singapore to Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan Province, you will travel through the Chengdu Plain westwards along the G318 Highway, crossing the Henduan Mountains, and enter the Tibetan Plateau from eastern Tibet. As the most popular highway route to Tibet, it offers breathtaking vistas, including dramatic mountains, serene high-altitude lakes, and unique Tibetan cultures in various Tibetan-inhabited areas of Sichuan and Tibet.

Generally, the classic Chengdu to Lhasa overland journey takes 7 to 10 days. You can extend the trip to 12 or 15 days by including deeper explorations of en-route destinations, such as the Daocheng Yading Scenic Area. Also, you can spend a few days in Chengdu before heading to Lhasa by land.

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Another scenic route to Tibet is from Yunnan to Lhasa, along the Yunnan-Tibet Highway. Yunnan Province is famous for its nice weather, vibrant ethnic minorities, and the stunning old towns of Lijiang and Dali. You can fly from Singapore to Kunming and then visit Dali Ancient Town and the Old Town of Lijiang along the way. From Lijiang, you will follow the way to the Tiger Leaping Gorge and join the G318 Sichuan-Tibet Highway route at Mangkang. The Yunnan Tibet Overland journey takes around two weeks to travel along the 1,930 kilometers from Kunming to Lhasa.

The winding road of the Yunnan-Tibet Highway from Kunming to Lhasa.

Taking an overland journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa is also a popular overland route to Tibet. Following the famous Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway, you will cross the Himalayas from Nepal to the Tibetan Plateau, witnessing diverse landscapes on both sides of the Himalayas and experiencing the rich cultures of Nepal and Tibet along the way. The epic Kathmandu to Lhasa overland journey takes 8 days, allowing ample time to acclimatize to the high altitude of the Tibetan Plateau, highlighted by a one-night stay at Everest Base Camp for an up-close view of the mountain peak.

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Each of these overland routes to Tibet requires careful planning. We, at Tibet Vista, provide hassle-free Tibet overland tour packages, ensuring your Tibet Travel Permit and all essential local documents, so you can focus on enjoying a safe and memorable adventure designed just for you.

Required Travel Documents for Visiting Tibet from Singapore

A Tibet Travel Permit is essential for all Tibet tours. Signed by the Tibet Tourism Bureau, the Tibet Travel Permit can be only applied through a local travel agency that provides Tibet tour services for you. This means you need to book a Tibet tour in advance, whether a scheduled group tour or a tailored private tour.

Generally speaking, once you book a Tibet tour, you need to provide scanned copies of your passport and a Chinese Visa to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit.

According to the latest visa-free policy, Singapore passport holders can travel to China without a Chinese Visa for up to 30 days.

Therefore, if you travel to Tibet with a Singapore passport, you can simply apply for your Tibet Travel Permit using just a scanned copy of your passport (no Chinese Visa required).

However, other non-Singaporean foreign tourists still need to apply for a Chinese Visa in order to obtain the Tibet Travel Permit.

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More Health and Safety Tips for Getting to Tibet from Singapore

It’s important to move slowly upon your arrival in Lhasa. Since the average altitude of Singapore is only 15 meters, while the altitude of Lhasa is 3,650 meters above sea level, the large altitude difference makes it easy for tourists from Singapore to get altitude sickness. Therefore, you must avoid strenuous movement after arriving in Lhasa. It is recommended to rest well in the hotel on the day of arrival to give your body enough time to adapt to the altitude increase in Tibet.

Many Singaporean tourists prefer entering Tibet from Nyingchi instead of Lhasa because Nyingchi’s lower altitude makes it easier to acclimatize. Located at 2,800 meters above sea level, downtown Nyingchi offers a great starting point. You can take spend a few days there visiting nearby attractions before heading to Lhasa, which helps with acclimatization.

A recommended travel plan is to fly from Singapore to Chengdu, and then take a flight from Chengdu to Nyingchi. After a Nyingchi tour, you can reach Lhasa either by driving along the scenic Lalin Freeway or by taking a high-speed train.

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Due to the thin air and intense UV rays on the Tibetan Plateau, it is essential to take proper sun protection measures. Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses are necessary. Lightweight, long-sleeved clothing can provide additional coverage while keeping you cool. Remember to stay hydrated, as altitude can dehydrate you faster.

Last but not least, avoid catching a cold before you travel from Singapore to Tibet. Due to the lack of oxygen on the Tibetan Plateau, a cold can worsen the functional hypoxia of multiple organs. If you catch a cold while at high altitude, it may lead to high-altitude pulmonary edema, which can be quite dangerous.

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Conclusion

Although Singapore and Tibet are quite far apart, getting to Tibet from Singapore is surprisingly easy nowadays. You can enter Tibet either from the mainland of China or Kathmandu, Nepal. Whether you prefer a convenient flight, an exciting overland trip, or the lifetime Qinghai-Tibet Railway, there are plenty of options for you to choose from.

No matter which way you choose to travel from Singapore to Tibet, we, at Tibet Vista, are always ready to help you arrange your Tibet tour with the guaranteed Tibet Travel Permit and a tailored travel itinerary according to your journey. Just feel free to share your travel ideas with us, and we will make your dream trip to Tibet come true!