Traveling from Chengdu to Kathmandu offers you a lifetime experience across the mighty Himalayas. If you are planning your Chengdu to Kathmandu tour and racking your brains for the best travel routes to maximize your tour experience, we’ve got you covered!

In this tutorial, we will walk you through the 3 best ways to travel from Chengdu to Kathmandu by flight and road. So, you can decide the best travel route and make the most of your Chengdu to Kathmandu tour.

How Far Is Chengdu from Kathmandu? The Location Map of Chengdu and Kathmandu

Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province in the southwest of China. The city is in the Red Basin, with fertile plains and rolling hills. Most famous for its giant pandas and spicy cuisine, Chengdu is a fascinating city with over 2,000 years of history.

By straight-line distance, Chengdu to Kathmandu is around 1,848km away. Overland, the twisting road stretches for 2,850 km, passing through Tibet before turning southwest to Nepal.

Chengdu to Kathmandu straight distance on map.

As the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu is the largest city. Located in the eponymous valley in the central part of the country, it’s at a modest elevation of 1,400 meters. The terraced fields and lush greenery of the Kathmandu Valley are surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas.

Vibrant and oxygen-rich Kathmandu Valley.

Travel from Chengdu to Kathmandu by Flight: Effortless Ways to Traverse Himalayas

For all their beauty, the Himalayas can take a lot of work to get to. Flying from Chengdu to Kathmandu is not only faster, it gives an amazing bird’s eye view of the mountains, including Mount Everest, during the flight. There is no easier way to cross the Himalayas and no view quite like that from above.

Two airlines, Air China and Sichuan Airlines, fly direct from Chengdu to Kathmandu. Flights leave from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport and take 3h 10m to 3h 25m to arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. Tickets cost around 282 USD.

Flights: Chengdu to Kathmandu

Break Chengdu to Kathmandu Journey into Two Legs: Tibet Train/Flight to Lhasa & Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland

Traveling from Chengdu to Kathmandu passes through a wide section of Tibet. If you’re not pressed for time, it’s an excellent opportunity to break the trip into two legs. Here is a feasible Chengdu to Kathmandu travel plan for you.

Travel from Chengdu to Lhasa by flight or Tibet Train

Flying from Chengdu to Lhasa is very convenient. There are more than 20 non-stop flights daily from both Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport. It takes around 2.5 hours to fly, and tickets start from 250 USD.

Taking the train from Chengdu allows you to enjoy the renowned Qinghai-Tibet railway. It’s a scenic adventure across the Tibetan Plateau on the world’s highest train. Train Z322 departs every other day at 21:11. It takes 34.5 hours to get to Lhasa, with over 20 hours on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. A ticket for a hard sleeper berth costs 627.5 CNY (89 USD). For greater comfort and privacy on the journey, you can get a soft sleeper berth for 997.5 CNY (140.5 USD).

Travel overland from Lhasa to Kathmandu

Traveling overland from Lhasa to Kathmandu is a 7-day epic journey with a close-up experience of the Himalayas. You’ll get a chance to acclimatize to the high altitude with three days in Lhasa to see famous sites like Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.

The tour then heads west to Shigatse and explores local villages around holy Lake Yamdrok. Spending the night at Everest Base Camp is one of the main highlights. The sunrise over the peak of the soaring mountain is an unforgettable site. Finally, on the descent to the Gyirong Valley, you’ll pass by Mount Shishabangma and watch the rugged alpine terrain transform into vibrant forests and grasslands.

7 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Small Group Tour

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

Price from USD989 p.p

There is no better way to see the majesty of Tibet and the Himalayas than traveling overland through the whole region. From the train, there are endless landscapes of grasslands, valleys, and alpine lakes. Then stunning views from high-altitude passes like Gawula Pass (5,198m) where the five highest peaks of the Himalayas can be seen lined up.

Travel Overland from Chengdu to Kathmandu via G318 Hwy and Friendship Hwy: Ultimate Choice for Avid Overlanders

The ultimate overland trip is driving the whole journey from Chengdu to Kathmandu along Highway G318 and the Friendship Highway to Nepal. If you’re not in a hurry, combine our 7 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Small Group with the 7 Days Chengdu to Lhasa World-Class Overland Tour for an adventure you can’t experience anywhere else.

7 Days World-class Overland Route: Chengdu to Lhasa via G318 Highway

Tour Route: Chengdu - Xinduqiao - Litang - Batang - Zogang - Ranwu - Nyingchi - Lhasa

Price from USD1780 p.p

It combines all the iconic sites of Lhasa and the natural wonders of the Himalayan region with the scenery of the Chengdu Plains and eastern Tibet. In Sichuan Province, there are sights like Mount Siguniang and the serene villages around Xinduqiao. The Maoya Prairie is home to wildlife grasslands like cattle, sheep, antelopes, and yellow ducks.

Sichuan-Tibet overland trip scenery.

The eastern Tibet area of Zogong is full of spectacular canyons, major rivers, and mountains like Mount Lawu and Mount Dongda. Midui Glacier is the most beautiful in China and the lowest glacier in the world. The last stretch before Lhasa is from Nyingchi, with stops at Tsozong Gompa Temple and Basum Tso Lake.

Don’t Miss Out the Best Months to Travel from Chengdu to Kathmandu

April. May, September, and October are the best months for overland travel from Chengdu to Kathmandu. These months have warm and dry weather with perfect road conditions.

During the summer months, Tibet and Nepal experience the monsoon season. Roads can be slippery, and the final section from the border to Kathmandu can be very muddy. The rain leads to overcast skies and can bring fog that obscures the visibility of the mountain peaks.

Summer is also the peak tourist season in Tibet. Many domestic tourists travel there during summer holidays making popular sites crowded. Prices for accommodations, tours, and food are the highest at this time.

Visit Potala Palace in summer.

Winter is the least expensive time to go. It is possible to travel overland through Tibet during winter, but it can be slow going through some high-altitude sections when conditions are icy. Visibility is unmatched during the winter months, and the snow-covered landscapes can be enchanting.

Visiting during Tibetan festivals can add to your cultural experience. Losar, Tibetan New Year, is one of the most important festivals of the year. Usually taking place in February or early March, it is a festive time when homes are decorated with butter lamps, and families gather for festive meals.

Shoton Festival, also known as the Yogurt Festival, takes place at Drepung Monastery in Lhasa. In 2025, it falls on August 23rd. Large thangka religious paintings are displayed, and religious processions take place. Onlookers can enjoy snacks and local delicacies while watching.

Visit Drepung Monastery during Shoton Fesitival in summer.

Tashilhunpo Thangka Festival in Shigatse takes place at Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama. The central part of the three-day festival is the unveiling of a large, intricate scroll painting depicting scenes from Buddhist scriptures. In 2025, it will take place on July 11th.

Nyingchi has a Peach Blossom Festival to celebrate the natural beauty of spring, which can be best experienced during an overland trip. The landscapes transform into a vibrant display of pink and white peach blossoms. Visitors can enjoy cultural performances and lots of local snacks. The Peach Blossom Festival is at the end of March or the beginning of April.

Travel Formalities You Need for Chengdu to Kathmandu by Flight and Road

Permits and travel documents are essential for a smooth trip. Before entering mainland China, you will need to get a Chinese tourist visa if you are not from one of the visa-exempt countries. A 30-day, single-entry tourist visa is easy to obtain from the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate.

International travelers going to Tibet need to obtain a Tibet Travel Permit. It is applied for after receiving the Chinese tourist visa. The process takes 7-14 working days, but we recommend starting at least 20 days in advance. Our tour package includes the service of applying for the travel permit on your behalf.

A Sample of Tibet Travel Permit.

Traveling outside of Lhasa requires additional permits. Visiting Nyingchi and Shigatse requires the Alien’s Travel Permit, and the Everest and border regions need the Military Area Entry Permit and Foreign Affairs Permit. These can be applied for after your arrival, and we handle the process as part of our tour package.

Traveling with us, a reputable, local Tibet travel agency, will ensure you have a worry-free trip. We can secure your Tibet Travel permits and have the local expertise to take care of all the details on the ground. From hotel booking to local restaurant recommendations, we’ll make sure you have the best trip possible.

Conclusion

Chengdu to Kathmandu is an incredible journey offering sights and experiences you can’t find anywhere else in the world. Whether you fly, take the train or travel overland, you’ll get unforgettable views of Everest and the Himalayas. Check out our overland small-group tour packages to learn more about this trip, or contact us to book your tour today.