Located in eastern Tibet, Nyingchi is another popular gateway city to the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. With an airport, a train station, and highways connecting to other regions of the mainland of China, it is convenient to get to Nyingchi nowadays.

Here, we’ll introduce all possible transportation options to Nyingchi and help you arrange a seamless journey to Nyingchi, Tibet in 2025.

Direct Flights to Nyingchi: The Fastest and Most Convenient Way (2 to 4 Hours)

Nyingchi Mainling Airport is the only airport for tourism in eastern Tibet and the second-busiest airport in Tibet. It offers non-stop flights to Nyingchi from Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, and Beijing, making it possible and convenient to enter eastern Tibet directly from the mainland of China.

Nyingchi Mainling Airport, with an altitude of 2,949m, is the lowest airport in Tibet Autonomous Region.

Chengdu to Nyingchi Flight Schedule for 2025

Currently, there are 5 direct flights flying from Chengdu to Nyingchi every day, making Chengdu the most convenient gateway to Nyingchi by air. The Chengdu to Nyingchi flight takes no more than 2.5 hours and costs around USD 254 per person for an economy ticket.

There are two airports in Chengdu: one is the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (16km from downtown), and the other is the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (over 60km away). When you book a flight from Chengdu to Nyingchi, be sure to check your departure airport.

Chongqing to Nyingchi Flight Schedule for 2025

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport runs two daily flights to Nyingchi every day. It takes around 2.5 hours and costs as much as USD 262 for an economy ticket depending on the time of year.

Xi’an to Nyingchi Flight Schedule for 2025

From Xi’an Xianyang International Airport, there are one to two direct flights a day to Nyingchi, which are offered by Sichuan Airlines and Tibet Airlines. The flight time from Xi’an to Nyingchi is around 3 hours and costs roughly around USD 280 for an economy ticket.

Beijing to Nyingchi Flight Schedule for 2025

There is only one direct flight from Beijing to Nyingchi, which departs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from Beijing Capital International Airport. It takes around 4 hours and 10 minutes to travel from Beijing to Nyingchi by air. The ticket price is around USD 440 for an economy ticket.

Notice: All flight schedules and prices are for reference only. Please verify the details of your specific travel date when planning your travel to Nyingchi.

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Chengdu to Nyingchi Overland: A Scenic Journey via Sichuan-Tibet Highway (5 to 6 Days)

Besides the convenient flight, another popular way to get to Nyingchi is traveling along the famous Sichuan-Tibet Highway (G318 National Highway) from Chengdu.

The Chengdu to Nyingchi overland route takes you out of the Sichuan Basin, up into the mountains of the Tibetan Plateau, pass through the northern end of the Hengduan Mountains, and on into the eastern end of the mighty Himalayas and the Nyechen Tanglha Mountains. You will appreciate the stunning natural beauty of the most scenic highway to Tibet and experience the seamless blend of breathtaking landscapes with vibrant ethnic villages along the way.

The road distance from Chengdu to Nyingchi is 1,679 kilometers. You will pass through the picturesque western Sichuan, where Kham Tibetan is inhabited, with stunning snow mountains, vast grassland, crystal lakes, and lush forests. You can also visit the famous Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve, where the last ‘Shangri-la’ is, at the east edge of the Tibetan Plateau. With visits to scenic spots along the way, the Chengdu to Nyingchi overland journey generally takes 5 to 7 days.

You can visit Daocheng Yading on an overland journey from Chengdu to Nyingchi.

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Kunming to Nyingchi Overland: An Epic Journey via Yunnan-Tibet Highway (7 to 8 Days)

Another overland route to Nyingchi is via the Yunnan-Tibet Highway. From Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, the road heads north through the Hengduan Mountains, skirting along its eastern edge, and finally reaches Nyingchi, following the same route of the Sichuan Tibet Highway from Markam.

The overland route from Kunming to Nyingchi covers 1,826 kilometers and takes you through several towns that are worth a stop, including Lijiang and Shangri-La (Diqing). Generally, it takes 7 days or more to drive from Kunming to Nyingchi via the Yunna-Tibet Highway with scenic travel en route.

Yunna-Tibet Highway passes by Shangri-La Ganden Sumtseling Monastery.

Lhasa to Nyingchi by Train: The First High-Speed Rail in Tibet (3.5 to 4.5 Hours)

The Lhasa-Nyingchi High-speed rail, a section of the Sichuan-Tibet railway, has operated since 2021. It is the first high-speed rail in Tibet, offering great convenience for both local Tibetans and tourists transferring between the two major cities of Tibet.

Nowadays, a pair of bullet trains runs between Lhasa and Nyingchi every day. It takes around 3.5 hours to complete the 436-kilometer rail journey.

On board the Lhasa to Nyingchi train, there are three types of tickets. The prices, from low to high, are as follows: the second-class seat at 129 CNY, the first-class seat at 206 CNY, and the business seat at 452 CNY.

Lhasa to Nyingchi train is the first high-speed train in Tibet.

Lhasa to Nyingchi by Land: Scenic Driving via Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway (4 Hours)

The Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway is a fast and scenic way to get from Lhasa to Nyingchi, which reduces the travel from the previous 8 to 10 hours to around 4 to 5 hours.

The road is a two-way, four-lane asphalt expressway, which has a designed speed of up to 80 kilometers per hour. As well as plenty of amazing scenery along the route, the expressway climbs up to the crest of the high Mila Mountain Pass, at more than 5,000 meters, before dropping down into the beautiful Niyang River Valley to enter Nyingchi City.

A birdview of Lhasa Nyingchi Expressway.

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Getting Around Nyingchi: Easy Travel with Packaged Tours

Located in the southeast of Tibet, Nyingchi is a land of stunning scenery, expansive landscapes, and amazing sights. You may meet the towering Namjabarwa Peak at the east edge of the Himalayas or appreciate the green waters of Basum Tso Lake, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. In spring, you will be amazed by the pink ocean of peach blossoms in the valley, while in summer, you will enjoy the endless greenery of Lulang Forest.

The major attractions in Nyingchi are widely distributed and usually require driving to visit. Since overseas tourists can not travel independently in Tibet, the most convenient way is to book a Tibet Nyingchi tour with us. You will be led by a professional local tour guide and take an air-conditioned and comfortable vehicle to explore Nyingchi.

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Necessary Travel Documents for Getting to Nyingchi

Both a Chinese Visa and a Tibet Travel Permit are required for getting to Nyingchi from the mainland of China. The Tibet Travel Permit can only be obtained by a registered local tour operator after booking a local trip. Also, an Alien’s Travel Permit is required for visiting Basum Tso Lake and Bomi County in Nyingchi.

As the best-known Tibet local travel agency, we at Tibet Vista offer hassle-free Nyingchi tours for different travel lengths and travel themes. Once you book a Nyingchi tour with us, simply provide the scanned copies of your passport and Chinese Visa. We will do the rest for you and guarantee all necessary local travel documents for you.

Notice: If you enjoy a 15-day or 30-day visa-free stay in China, you can simply apply for the Tibet Travel Permit with your passport after booking a tour with us. Otherwise, you need to apply for a Chinese Visa before applying for the Tibet Permit.

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More Insider Tips for Smooth Travel to Nyingchi, Tibet

If you are concerned about altitude sickness in Tibet, you can start your Tibet tour from Nyingchi. Situated on the southeastern edge of the Tibetan plateau, Nyingchi is actually much lower than the central and western areas of Tibet, with altitudes ranging from 3,000 meters down to as low as 1,400 meters. It is an ideal place to acclimatize first before heading to Lhasa (3,650m) and prevent altitude sickness.

Due to the limited number of flights to Nyingchi, please book your air tickets in advance, especially in peak season during the Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival (Late March to early April) and the summer holiday (June to August).

Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit Nyingchi, as the weather is at its optimum for travel into the area with warm temperatures and little rainfall. Summer is the monsoon season and the weather in Nyingchi can get very wet. If you want to witness Namcha Barwa and visit the glaciers, it is suggested to visit Nyingchi in winter.

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Conclusion

Nyingchi, the second popular gateway to Tibet after Lhasa, can be easily reached by flight and highway from other regions of the mainland of China. Within Tibet, there are also high-speed trains and a well-paved expressway connecting Lhasa and Nyingchi.

The rich natural attractions in Nyingchi are primarily located along the G318 National Highway. Our well-arranged Nyingchi tour will take you to the best of these sights with a local tour guide, an experienced local driver, and a comfortable vehicle according to your group size.

Whether you want to experience the Peach Blossom Festival in Nyingchi this spring, or looking for an overland journey through eastern Tibet, we ensure you a seamless travel experience for a lifetime.