Tibet Transportation

In the past time, Tibet is a remote place because of the bad transportation condition. Transportation condition in Tibet has changed greatly since the liberation in 1951 when pack animals were the main mode of transportation in the region. Now highways and airlines are connecting it to other regions of China.

By Air
The aviation has been launched to link Tibet. Nowadays, there are regular flights flying to and fro between Lhasa and many cities.

There are three airports in Tibet while Gonggar airport connects Lhasa, hence Tibet, with Chengdu, Xian, Beijing, Chongqing, and even Katmandu and Hong Kong. There is no air route within Tibet at present. Traveling by air into Tibet will surely brings visitors unique and thrilling experience. Just imagine that you are above the world highest snow and cloud clad peaks! However, since planes travel fast and there is little time for acclimatization.

By Train

Qinghai-Tibet Railway, which is the longest and highest railway built atop a plateau, is China's first railroad to Tibet. It is not only a landmark achievement in Chinese engineering and design, but a modern wonder in the world railway history.

This miraculous sky railway, which runs across the 'roof of the world', is not only making Tibet step into a flourishing future in open stance, but also bringing new developing space to Tibet and richer life to Tibetans.

Sichuan-Tibet Highway is the longest, 2413 kilometers (1496 miles) long, built in 1950 and opened for traffic in 1954. The climate along the road presents beautiful scenery ranging from spring to winter. However, the road condition is not good.

Xinjiang-Tibet Highway runs 1,455 kilometers from Yecheng in Xinjiang tto Tibet. The sightseeing along the way including about five mountains which are at the altitude more that 5,000 meter about the sea level. A spectacular view of Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarova overwhelm travelers while traveling along the road.

Yunnan-Tibet Highway spans 800 kilometers (492 miles) to reach Markham, a less beaten track by travelers.

Chinese-Nepalese Highway is another main road traveled often. It stretches 900 kilometers (558 miles) from Kathmandu to reach Shigatse and Lhasa.

Transportation within Tibet
The transportation center in Tibet is the provincial capital – Lhasa. Because there is no flight for transfer you from one city to another in Tibet area. The best vehicle to travel around this land is a car or a jeep. Every year, the local government invests a lot of money in developing and maintaining the roads in Tibet.

Mt. Everest - The newly completed road between Lhasa and Shigatse is very good. If take the old road to Shigate via Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, Nangkazi and Gyantse, there will be 90km more and there is speed limit. The road from Tingri to Rongbuk Monastery has been repaired and maintained. Now we can drive to the monastery with no problem. The entrance shall be paid at Tingri. The construction works between Nyalam and Zhangmu is close to end but there is still limit for passing through.

Nagri (Ali) - Roads in the Nagri perfection are usually not so good and the condition there is also complicated. The most difficult part shall be the road to Zada. The Northern route is comparatively better than the southern route. The recent good news is that the reconstruction works at the road between Bagar and Shiquanhe has been completed. In this area, there is no regular fuel station so good preparation shall be made in advance. Maintenance of the road from Bagar to Pulan (about 70km) will be completed soon. And the 500km from Bangongtso Lake to Yecheng is a none-residence area and it will be hard to get vehicle repaired or fuled there.