Tibet Transport
Edition HistoryEdit Introduction:
View 9 photos, or upload your photo.
Transportation condition in Tibet has changed greatly recently. Now highways, airlines and railway are connecting it to the other regions of China.
Edition HistoryEdit Air:
Planes is by far the most convenient way to get to Tibet. There are currently two airports in the region with the Gongga Airport in Lhasa most useful to travelers. Gongga Airport has regular service to/from Chengdu, Xian, Beijing, Chongqing, and even Katmandu and Hong Kong.
Gongga Airport to downtown Lhasa: 1.5 - 2 hours ride by airport bus. Ticket price: 35 yuan.
There is no air route within Tibet ar present. Traveling by air to Tibet is the fastest and most comfortable way to move to the Roof of the World. However, there is little time for acclimatization.
Lhasa air ticket office: 0891-6833446
Edition HistoryEdit Train:
The opening of the Qinghai-Tibet railway is a historical move for Tibet transportation which ended the situation of Tibet being one of the most inaccessible regions in China. Now train service link the Roof of the Wolrd to other parts of China. There are currently six train serivices to/from TIbet which include: Beijing-Lhasa, shanghai-Lhasa, Guangzhou-Lhasa, Lanzhou/xian-Lhasa, Chengdu/Chongqing-Lhasa and Xining/Golmud-Lhasa.
Trains running on the Qinghai-Tibet railway have been specially equipped for highland traveling. The railway uses sealed, oxygenated cars to cope with the thin air and high-tech cooling to keep the frozen track bed stable.
To protect the pure natural environment along the track, the cars were installed with environment-friendly toilets, wastewater deposit tank and garbage treatment facilities.
Scenery on the way features alpine lakes. snow-capped mountains, vast grassland, deserts.
Tips on Tibet train travel
1. You need to show copyies of your passport and Tibet entry permit when buying ticket
2. One passenger can only purchage one ticket
Edition HistoryEdit Bus:
There are 5 highways stretching into Tibet: Sichuan-Tibet Highway, Qinghai-Tibet Highway, Xinjiang-Tibet Highway, Yunnan-Tibet Highway, and China-Nepal Highway.
Sichuan-Tibet Highway (Chengdu- Lhasa)
Brief Introduction
The 2,413-kilometer-long Sichuan-Tibet Highway starts from Chengdu of Sichuan on the east and ends at Lhasa of Tibet on the west. The construction of the highway began in April 1950, and on December 25,1954, it was open. The road stretches into Lhasa passing Ya'an, Garze, Chamdo. Sichuan-Tibet highway traverses 14 high mountains which average 4,000-5000 meters (Erlang Mtn,Zheduo Mtn and Hengduan Mtn), spans dozens of famous rivers (Daduhe River, Jinshajiang River, Lantsang River, Nujiang River), crosses primeval forest and numerous dangerous sections. It has fine views along the line, with unique customs. You can enjoy the magnificent and changeable scenery ranging from warm spring to cold and snowing winter, which makes you intoxicated. This climate will be changing in front of you, just like being in the paradise, and you may think "days in heaven, but years on the earth". A car trip may cost you 8—10 days.
Highway Route
In Tibet, the highway traverses Jinshajiang River Bridge—Gyamda——Chamdo——Bangdag——Baxoi——Bome——Nyingchi——Gongbo Gyamda——Maizhokungka——Lhasa.
Southern Route: 2,1 59 kilometers
Lhasa<—68km—>Maizhokungka<—206km—>Gongbo Gyamda<—127km—>Bayi<—19km—>Nyingchi<—127km—>Tongmai<—89km—>Bome <—129km—>Ra'og<—90km—>Baxoi<—94km—>Bamda<—107km—> Zogang<—158km—> Markam<—71km—>ZuBalong<—36km—>Batang<—165km—>Litang<—143km—>Yajiang<—74km—>Xinduqiao
Xinduqiao<—75km—>Kangding<—49km—>Luding<—168km—>Ya'an<—139km—>Chengdu
Northern Route: 2,412 kilometers
Lhasa<—87km—>Yangbajain<—75km—>Damxung<—164km—>Nagqu<—136km—> Baqên<—225km—>Denqen<—248km—>Chamdo<—228km—>Gyamda<—85km—>
Jinshajiang River Bridge<—24km—>Dege<—112km—>Manegange<—95km—> Garze<—97km—>Luhuo<—72km—>Damfu<—68km—>Baimai<—77km—>Tanpa<—55km—>Xiaojam
Xiaojam<—43km—>Dawei<—148km—>Wolong<—83km—>Dujiangyan<—54km—>Chengdu
Qinghai-Tibet Highway (Xining-Ge'ermu-Lhasa)
Being one of the highest highways in the world, Qinghai-Tibet highway starts from Xining, Qinghai Province. The highway crosses four mountains, namely Kunlun Mountain (4,700 meters), Fenghuo Mountain (4,800 meters), Tangula Mountain ( 5,150 meters at the mountain pass), and Nyainqentanglha Mountain. It spans three rivers, Tongtian River, Tuotuo River and Chuma'er River, averaging 4,500 meters. The Tibetan part of the highway is 544 km, and traverses the Changtang Plain in the north, and converges with the Sichuan-Tibet Highway in Lhasa.
The highway was first built in 1950 to support the Chinese People's Liberation Army when they marched into Tibet peacefully, and was open on December 25, 1954.
Qinghai-Tibet Highway is 1,160-km (720 miles) long, and is the main state secondary road, with the roadbed being 10-meter wide, and an incline of less than 7%. The speed limit of drive is 60 km per hour.
If the tourists choose to enter Tibet by way of Qinghai, they can first take bus from Xining to Golmud, where they adapt themselves to the plateau climate and then starts for Tibet. Most of the vehicles start from Golmud for Tibet. There are several regular buses shuttling between Golmud and Lhasa. But if you want to look around the plateau, you'd better rent a vehicle for the travel.
Highway Route
2412kmLhasa<—87km—>Yangbajain<—75km—>Damxung<—164km—>Nagqu<—138km—>Amdo<—89km—>Tangula Mountain<—100km—>Yanshiping<—91km—>Tuotuo Riverside<—150km—> Wudaoliang<—269km—> Golmud<—484km—> Caka <—196km—> Daotang River<—103km—>Garze
How to get there
Long-distance coaches, which depart from the Long distance Bus Station, ply in Damxung, Lhasa, Sog county, Golmud, etc. Because of the developed transportation network, there are more vehicles in this part of the highway than in other highways stretching into Tibet, and the traffic is not limited by the climate of different seasons. It is likely to get a hitchhiking if you wait at dusk at the parking lots of the bus station inn or just at the roadside.
Best time for tourists
May to September is the best time for tourists. It is the typical climate of plateau lands along the Qinghai-Tibet highway. The rapes bloom vigorously in from July to August, making the place a "Tibetan Yangtze Delta in spring". Rainfall may ruin the travel a little.
Tips
1. The altitude is high in Wodaoliang and Tangula pass and it is chilly there and snows often. Enough winter clothing should be prepared. Medicines against altitude reaction, such as Rhodiola rosea, should also be taken with you. If you are not definitely confident about your physical condition, to take some bottled oxygen along is advisable. "Huoli Oxygen", a kind of bottled oxygen, can be bought in Xining or Golmud. Price: RMB 20 yuan.
2. Avoid any strenuous exercises when the bus passes through the Tangula pass and lets off all the passengers for them to have a rest. Some tourists who come to the Plateau for the first time may not feel any altitude reaction because they are too excited. If they skip and jump at the pass, they will suffer from shock because their hearts are over-loaded suddenly. Because the journey is mostly spent on the vehicle, enough solid food and drinking water should be prepared.
Xinjiang-Tibet Highway (Yecheng-Burang)
Xinjiang-Tibet Highway (Yecheng-Burang) is also called the national highway 219, with a total distance of 2,743 km. It is the highway with the highest altitude in the world. The highway starts from Yecheng, a city in southern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, passes by Gar county in Tibet and reaches Shiquanhe town, which is located in Ngari prefecture, Tibet, then the highway winds south to Burang county, where China borders India and Nepal. The highway turns east to converge with the China-Nepal Highway, and then extends to Xigaze and finally stretches into Lhasa. On its way the highway winds its way among several mountains, five of which soaring more than 5000 meters (16400 feet) high above the sea level. Among them the highest is Jieshan Daban Mountain, which is at an altitude of 6,035 meters. When you cross over the mountains, you can sense the grandness as you see the great mountains dwarf the surrounding ones. And it is easy to appreciate the spectacular view of the heavenly holy mountain Kailash, which is also called the "center of the world", and to feel the overwhelming charm of the holy lake Manasarovar.
Distance
2743km Yecheng<—69km—> Pusa<—88km—> Kudidaban<—83km—> Mazadaban<—339km—> Sweet Water Sea<—110km—> Jieshandaban<—177km—> Duomaping<—143km—> Rutog County <—87km—> Shiquanhe town<—331km—> Parga <—334km—> Zhongba<—145km—> Saga<—293km—> Lhaze <—157km—> Xigaze<—337km—> Lhasa
The best tourist season
May to early July or September to October is the best time for tourists. July to September is the rainy season, when the road condition becomes worse. If you choose to start the travel from the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway, there are two best seasons. One is from end of May to beginning of June, when the snow has melted, but the rainy season hasn't begun. The second is September, when the rainy season is over, but it hasn't begun to snow in most places. When it is October, it snows in many places in Ngari prefecture.
Tips on transportation
Yecheng-Shiquanhe: the two places are 1,100 km from each other, and it takes 3 days bus ride. Buses ply between them irregularly. It is possible to hitchhike a truck at the Bus Station of Yecheng or Shiquanhe, or sometimes possible to hitchhike a military vehicle.
Shiquanhe-Burang: 1,741 km from each other, and it takes a 2 days bus ride. If you transfer to visit Zada, another 280 km and 1 more day's bus ride is necessary. Then take a bus to Burang from Zada(443 km). Because Burang is an important town of frontier trade, there are many vehicle passing by, it is convenient to hitchhike a truck or a military vehicle.
Shiquanhe-Lhasa: 1,741 km from each other and it's a 6 days' ride. But no bus service is available. And not many vehicles pass by, so it takes some time to find a vehicle to hitchhike.
Tips
1. The Xinjiang-Tibet Highway will be blocked by snow in winter and spring and it's impossible to travel. The best time to drive is from May to the middle of October. The climate in the trip is terrible and food and accommodation condition is not good, either. Clothes to guard against the coldness should be prepared. Medicines against ailments and illness (medicine to stop diarrhea, diminish inflammation, and to treat the cold) according to the physical conditions of the tourists themselves should also be prepared. All people will have altitude reaction on Jieshandaban Mountain, so tourists are advised to take some medicines and oxygen.
2. Room and board conditions are not good along the highway. So it's advisable to take some solid food and sleeping bag. Vegetables are short along the road, so some vitamin pills should be taken.
☆If the tourists want to trek in Tibet, many bridle paths, pilgrims' byways and ferries can be chosen (make necessary consultations to the locals or just follow the pilgrims).
Yunnan-Tibet High Way (Xiaguan-Makam)
(It is also known as Dian-Zang Road as Dian is the abbreviation for Yunnan Province and Zang is for Tibet)
Dian-Zang Road was built and opened to traffic in 1974. It starts from Xiaguan of Yunnan in the south, traverses Jianchuan, Zhongdian and Dechen to Zhikang of Tibet in the north and covers a distance of 714 km. It joins the south part of Sichuan-Tibet Road in the north. Among the four roads leading into Tibet, it's the highest above sea level, which is a less beaten track by travelers. This highway was built along the "Tea-Horse Ancient Road" which the businessmen and tourists frequented in the ancient times. The whole road runs through the China-Burma Basin and the Hengduan Mountain Range with the highest point—the pass of Hongla Snow Mountain at 4,300 meters above sea level. The road leads through spectacular landscape, with thick forests and mild and humid climate on the way. As the Hengduan Mountain Range is cut by Lantsang River and Jinsha River with many high mountains and deep valleys, and the road goes up and down in elevations through the mountains and valleys, you can experience different kinds of climates and landscapes on the way.
Route
Kunming (397 km)-Xiaguan (14 km)-Dali (166km)-Lijiang(145km)-Zhongdian (152 km)-Deqen (103 km)-Yanjing (1ll km)-Makam (359 km)-Baxio (450 km)-Nyingchi (420 km)-Lhasa .
The best season
August to October is the best season for driving on Dian-Zang Road.
Transportation guide
There is no bus to Tibet and the shuttle buses only reach Diqin in the Diqin Tibet Autonomous Prefecture, tourists to Lhasa have to ask a lift by passing-by trucks here. Or you can take a coach bus at Kunming Bus Station to Xiaguan, then from Xiaguan to Zhongdian where there is a regular bus to Diqin every two days, and then try to get a lift to Makam. Since there are fewer vehicles from Diqin to Makam, you'd better take a bus to Yanjing and the lifts from Yanjing to Makam are easy to find.
Tips
1.Visitors coming to the plateau for the first time are advised to start taking medicine a fortnight before arrival to prevent altitude sickness. Medicine capsules called Gao Yuan An have an instant effect. It's also a good idea to reduce your exercise and rest as much as possible until you have adapted to the plateau.
2. Warm clothing, including a weatherproof coat, will be needed even in summer.
3. Tibet is one of the last few "Pure Lands" in the world. Please help to protect the natural environment and don't discard your waste, especially batteries. Don't harm the wild plants or animals.
Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway (Lhasa--Zhangmu Friendship Bridge—Kathmandu)
The Friendship Highway starts from the capital of Nepal—Kathmandu, traverses Hangmu Friendship Bridge( SinoNepal Friendship Bridge) at Kodari to Neyalamu County in Tibet and crosses Shigatse-- the second largest city of Tibet to the capital of Tibet—Lhasa. It covers a distance of more than 900 km. After entering the border at Zhangmu, passing Neyalamu and Tingri, enjoying the grand Himalayas and driving another 75 km, you'll reach Lhase. Lhasa is in the east while passing Samsang, Zhongba or Cuoqing and Gaize ,in the west is Ali. Most tourists will choose Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway and Qinghai—Tibet Road as the main road into Tibet.
Route:
Lhasa(337km)—Shigatse(157km)—Lhaze(75)—Xegar(NewTingri)(60km)—OldTingri—Neyalamu(30km)—Zhangmu Friendship Bridge(Kathmandu)
The best season
Influenced by the south-east monsoon and north-west cold current, the climate in the area of Mt. Everest is changeable. The best season for trekking and climbing is from early March to late May, or from early September to late August, when it is warmer. Starting from Lhasa, driving along Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway, traversing Gyantse and Shigatse to Xegar (New Tingri) (which will take a car two days to cover the 670km), then driving down the simple-built highway about 110 km, you'll reach the end of Rongbuk glacier—Rongbuk Monastery which is on the north side of Mt. Everest.
Transportation guide
The road from Chusul to Shigatse is poor bituminous road. From Shigatse, the road is paved with small stones and it's impassible for cars to get into Jiatsuo La Mountain in raining seasons.
Tips
1. For those who first come to the plateau, it's advisable to take certain medicine half a month in advance. There is a capsule for mountain sickness which is called "Gao Yuan An" and it can produce instant effect. Before you adapt to the plateau, you'd better exercise less. Besides, you should take heavy coats with you even in summer.
2. Tibet is one of the last few "Pure Lands" in the world. Please help to protect the natural environment; Don't discard your waste; Don't do something harmful to the wild plants or animals.
