At first glance, sharing the Himalayan mountain range makes Tibet and Nepal seem like they might be very similar. While the two regions share a long border, and have many strong connections, there are some major differences that make each a distinct destination with a unique experience to offer. Have a look at how Tibet and Nepal compare.

How Close are Tibet and Nepal? The Location Map of Tibet and Nepal

Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China are neighboring regions located in the Himalayas. Tibet is located in the southwestern part of China on the high-elevation Tibetan Plateau. Nepal is a landlocked country mostly in the Himalayas, bordering India to the south and China to the north.

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The Location Map of Tibet and Nepal

The two regions have shared some of the same influences on the development of their culture and environment, but also have many differences. Tibet has an overall colder and drier climate due to its high elevation. Nepal is a land of drastic differences in altitude, leading to a range of climate regions that stretch from alpine to tropical zones.

7 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Small Group Tour

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

Price from USD989 p.p

Does Tibet Share a Border with Nepal? The Border Map of Tibet and Nepal

Tibet and Nepal share a very long border that stretches across approximately 1,414 km along the southern edge of Tibet and the northern border of Nepal. The two regions share many crossing points along to border that are used for both trade and tourism.

Gyirong Port, located in the Gyirong County of Tibet, is an essential crossing for overland travel between Lhasa, the provincial capital of Tibet, and the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. Offering the nearest access to Mount Everest and the Himalayas, Gyirong Port and nearby Rasuwa Port are important gateways for travelers wishing to explore the Himalayan region.

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The Border Map of Tibet and Nepal

Zhangmu Port is another significant border crossing point. Located near the Friendship Bridge, which spans the Bhote Koshi River, it connects Zhangmu in Tibet with Kodari in Nepal. The port was severely damaged by an earthquake in 2015 but was reopened in 2019 to freight transport, but is still closed to tourists.

Is Mount Everest in Tibet or Nepal? Map of Mt Everest in Tibet and Nepal

The majestic Mt. Everest stretches across Tibet and Nepal, with its summit positioned right on the border: the northern face within Tibet and the southern face in Nepal. There are two Everest Base Camps on both sides. The northern one (5200m) is in Tibet, whereas the southern one (5364m) is located in Nepal.

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Map of Mount Everest in Tibet and Nepal

Compared to the Everest Base Camp in Nepal, the base camp in Tibet offers tourists a grand panorama of Mt. Everest's summit and its entire north ridge without any other mountains obstructing the view.

Moreover, when traveling to the south Everest Base Camp in Nepal, tourists can enjoy scenic trekking, as it is the sole route leading to the south Everest Base Camp. In contrast, tourists visiting the north Everest Base Camp in Tibet can choose between trekking and taking a tour bus to reach their destination.

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour

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

Price from USD949 p.p

Map of Main Tourist Attractions in Tibet and Nepal

In addition to Mount Everest, Tibet and Nepal have a wide range of tourist attractions related to the unique culture and environment of each region.

Main Tourist Attractions in Tibet:

● Potala Palace (Lhasa): A UNESCO World Heritage Site and an iconic symbol of both Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism. It is a stunning example of Tibetan architecture and culture.
● Jokhang Temple (Lhasa): Another UNESCO site, Jokhang Temple, is a spiritual center and an important pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists.
● Sera Monastery (Lhasa): An important monastery that offers a chance to watch the monk debates.
● Namtso Lake: One of Tibet's most famous and breathtaking lakes, surrounded by majestic mountains.
● Yamdrok Lake: A turquoise lake set amidst the Himalayas, offering stunning views.
● Mount Kailash: A sacred and remote mountain. Pilgrims travel here for the Kailash kora, an important spiritual journey undertaken as a circumambulation of the mountain.
● Rongbuk Monastery: The highest monastery in the world, offering panoramic views of Mount Everest.

Map of Main Tourist Attractions in Tibet

Main Tourist Attractions in Nepal:

● Kathmandu Valley: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the valley is home to numerous ancient temples, stupas, and palaces, including Monkey Temple and Pashupatinath Temple.
● Pokhara: A picturesque city with stunning views of the Annapurna and Machapuchare mountains, and the serene Phewa Lake.
● Chitwan National Park: Famous for wildlife safaris and a chance to see rhinos, tigers, elephants, and various bird species.
● Lumbini: The birthplace of Lord Buddha, a significant pilgrimage site with monasteries and historical ruins.
● Annapurna Circuit: A renowned trekking circuit that takes you through diverse landscapes, including lush valleys and high mountain passes.
● Bhaktapur Durbar Square: Another UNESCO site, this square showcases traditional Newari architecture and is a cultural hub.
● Gosaikunda: A sacred alpine lake and a popular trekking destination.

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Map of Main Tourist Attractions in Nepal

Map of Getting to Tibet from Nepal

Going to Tibet from Nepal is a popular choice for tourists not traveling to mainland China first. And so far there are two ways to have a Kathmandu to Lhasa journey.

Kathmandu to Lhasa by Air

The most popular way to travel to Tibet from Nepal is a direct flight to Lhasa from Kathmandu. Flying from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu to Gonggar International Airport in Lhasa takes around 90 minutes, and costs approximately 350 USD. It is also possible to connect through a city in mainland China, but the direct flight is faster and more convenient.

Kathmandu to Lhasa by Overland

Overland travel to Tibet from Nepal offers a scenic journey through breathtaking landscapes. Starting from Kathmandu, the route usually follows the Friendship Highway, crossing the border at Gyirong Port and continuing to Lhasa.

The trip takes between 5-8 days giving visitors a chance to acclimatize along the slow climb while seeing incredible views of the Himalayas, valleys, and Tibetan Plateau.

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Map of Lhasa to Kathmandu by Flight and Overland

Tourist Map of a Classic Tibet and Nepal Trip

Popular packages offer great overland tour experiences for visiting Tibet and Nepal, such as our 7-day Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Small Group Tour.

The tour starts in Lhasa, where you’ll spend a few days exploring the city and visiting important landmarks such as the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. From Lhasa, the tour moves on to Shigatse, passing by the Karola Glacier and stopping to visit the famous Palcho Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum.

After staying overnight in Shigatse, you’ll visit Tashilhunpo Monastery before heading to Everest Base Camp. After soaking in the view of the mountain, including the beautiful sunrise on the following day, the tour drives from EBC to the Gyirong border, with stunning views of Mt. Shishapangma and the Pekutso Lake along the way. Finally, it’s on to Kathmandu where you’ll have a smooth transfer before the tour comes to an end.

Tourist Map of 7-Day Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour

It’s also possible to start from Kathmandu with tours such as our 8-day Overland Adventure from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Spending the first day traveling from Kathmandu to the Sino-Nepal border area, you will pass through Langtang National Park, getting to see the deep gorges and snow-capped mountains along the way. Then, passing into China, the first stop is Gyirong to visit Paba Temple.

The next day, it is on to Everest Base Camp and visiting the world's highest Monastery, Rongbuk Monastery. From there, the rest of the tour is a reverse of the 7 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour. You’ll see the amazing sites in Shigatse, cultural treasures in Lhasa, and all the beautiful landscapes along the way.

7 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Small Group Tour

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

Price from USD989 p.p

The Best Choice is to Travel to Tibet and Nepal Together

While distinct, Tibet and Nepal are also deeply connected in geography, culture, and history. The people from both areas have developed in the shadows of the Himalayas and adapted to the unique climate and landscape of their surroundings. Visiting Tibet and Nepal together is a way to see how this has given rise to two unique cultures.

Both areas being remote, our Tibet Nepal Tours are designed to take visitors on a sweeping journey through the Himalayan region of both Tibet and Nepal. These overland adventures are a convenient way to experience the diversity of nature and people there.

Conclusion

Sharing Mount Everest, Tibet and Nepal are often connected in people’s minds, but the distinct nature of each region shouldn’t be forgotten. Being so close together and offering a variety of experiences, visiting Tibet and Nepal together is an amazing adventure. Contact us or check out our tour information to find out more about how you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the Himalayan region.