Compared to the Nepal side, the Tibetan side offers more accessible places to enjoy stunning views of Mount Everest. Tibet’s Everest Base Camp is the best place to see the mountain up close, with a well-paved road leading directly to the camp. In addition, there are several other spots, such as Gawula Pass, which offers panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best places to see Mount Everest in Tibet - from the famous Everest Base Camp to hidden viewpoints like Dinggye Xilin Viewpoint. You’ll also discover the best tour itinerary to cover all these top viewing spots. Read on and get inspired for your next Mount Everest adventure!

Everest Base Camp (5000m): The Closest Place to See Mount Everest Up Close

Tibet’s Everest Base Camp (EBC) is by far the closest place for tourists to witness the towering Mount Everest up close. Located just 19 kilometers from the mountain itself, EBC lies within the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve, in Tingri County, Shigatse Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Standing at an altitude of 5,000 meters, the Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan side offers unobstructed views of the mountain’s majestic north face. Unlike the Nepal side, where trekkers often see Everest from a distance, the Tibetan side allows you to drive directly to the base camp, making it more accessible for those not keen on long treks.

Here, the huge white pyramid peak of Everest stands tall before you, creating a feeling that is both humbling and exhilarating. At sunrise and sunset, you can see the sun light up the summit, while the sky behind glows with soft orange and violet hues. On clear nights, you also have the chance to witness a breathtaking starry sky.

For the clearest views of Mount Everest, it is recommended to visit Everest Base Camp in spring or autumn, particularly from May to June and September to November. Summer is the rainy season, though showers usually occur in the late afternoon or evening. Winter is colder, but it also offers many clear days with excellent visibility of the mountain.

Join our most popular Lhasa and EBC tour for a smooth experience!

Rongbuk Monastery (5154m): A Scared View from the World’s Highest Temple

Rongbuk Monastery is the highest monastery in the world, located just 4 kilometers from Everest Base Camp. Sitting at an elevation of 5,154 meters, it offers panoramic views of Mount Everest from a moderate distance. You can capture impressive photos of the peak with the monastery and its pagoda in the foreground.

The monastery is more than just a scenic viewpoint - it is also a place of deep spiritual significance. Founded in 1902, it belongs to the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism, with both monks and nuns living and meditating together in the monastery. The combination of natural majesty and spiritual serenity makes this viewpoint truly unique.

Gawula Pass (5198m): A Panoramic View of Five Himalayan Peaks

While traveling through Tingri County on your way to Rongbuk Monastery and Everest Base Camp, you will pass through Gawula Pass. At nearly 5,200 meters above sea level, Gawula Pass offers an unbeatable 180-degree panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range.

Here, you can see five of the world’s highest peaks, each towering above 8,000 meters: Makalu (8,463 meters, the 5th highest mountain in the world), Lhotse (8,516 meters, the 4th highest), Mount Everest (8,844 meters, the highest), Cho Oyu (8,210 meters, the 6th highest), and Shishapangma (8,012 meters, the 14th highest).

Colorful Tibetan prayer flags flutter in the wind here, adding to the breathtaking scenery. Taking a photo with the majestic Himalayas and the vibrant flags in the background could easily become the picture of a lifetime.

You will get the amazing Himalayan views when traveling overland from Lhasa to EBC.

Gyatso La Mountain Pass (5280m): A Distance Yet Impressive Glimpse of Everest

While heading to Mount Everest during your Tibet tour, you’ll likely pass through the Gyatso La Mountain Pass. Located between Lhatse and Tingri, this high-altitude pass sits at around 5,280 meters and is crossed by the famous Friendship Highway.

From the pass, you’ll enjoy a distant yet stunning view of Mount Everest. If you're coming from Lhasa, this might be your first glimpse of the world’s highest peak. You'll easily recognize it, as Everest rises far above the surrounding mountains visible from this spot.

Dinggye Xilin Viewpoint (5271m): Discover the Unique Eastern Face of Mount Everest

While most tourists are familiar with the more well-known Everest viewpoints, the Dinggye Xilin Viewpoint remains relatively undiscovered and less visited. Located between Tingri and Sakya along the G219 Highway, this spot offers a rare opportunity to see the eastern face of Mount Everest - an angle not visible from the traditional route.

In addition to Everest, you can also catch a glimpse of Mount Lhotse from here. The viewpoint also offers sweeping views of the beautiful wetland landscape that stretches across the foothills of Mount Everest.

Want to Cover All These Viewpoints in One Trip? Take the 8-Day Lhasa to Everest Overland Tour

If you want to experience all the major Everest viewpoints in Tibet, the 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp overland tour is perfect for you! This route not only allows for a gradual altitude ascent but also includes some of Tibet’s most iconic sights beyond Mount Everest.

The journey begins in Lhasa (3,650 meters), where you’ll explore the city’s famous landmarks, such as the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street, while acclimating to the high altitude. From there, you’ll travel to Shigatse via the scenic Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s three holiest lakes, and the breathtaking Karola Glacier.

As you continue from Shigatse toward Everest Base Camp, your first major stop is the Gyatso La Pass, where you’ll catch your first glimpse of Mount Everest. You’ll then head to Gawula Pass, which offers a panoramic view of the towering peaks of the Himalayas.

Finally, you’ll arrive at Everest Base Camp itself, where you can admire the majestic mountain up close and witness a spectacular sunrise or sunset over the world’s highest summit.

Before departing Everest Base Camp, you’ll visit Rongbuk Monastery, another excellent spot for viewing Everest. On your return journey to Shigatse via Dinggye, you’ll have one last chance to take in views of the mountain before heading back to Lhasa, where your unforgettable adventure concludes.

This tour is the most recommended itinerary for first-time visitors to Tibet. When you travel with us, we’ll handle all necessary permits, provide expert local Tibetan guides, experienced drivers, quality vehicles, and comfortable accommodations - ensuring a safe and worry-free experience.

The 8-day Lhasa to EBC tour allows you to see Everest from four different viewpoints.

Bonus: Fly between Kathmandu and Lhasa for a Bird’s-Eye View of Mount Everest

For an unforgettable aerial view of Mount Everest, consider taking a flight between Kathmandu and Lhasa. Operated by Himalaya Airlines, this flight departs four times a week in both directions and takes only about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

On clear days, you will have the chance to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Himalayan peaks, including Mount Everest. The key is to sit on the right side of the plane when flying from Kathmandu to Lhasa, or on the left side on the return flight.

If you plan to enter Tibet from Nepal, you can fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa, and then take an overland tour from Lhasa back to Kathmandu. This way, you can combine two unique perspectives - one from the sky and one from the road.

Conclusion

There are several places to see Mount Everest from the Tibetan side. From the iconic Everest Base Camp and Rongbuk Monastery to Gawula Pass and Gyatso La Pass, each viewpoint offers its own unique sights of the world’s highest peak. Combining all these viewpoints in one Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour is an excellent choice.

As a leading tour operator with over a dozen years of experience, we are here to make your Mount Everest journey smooth and worry-free. We offer a one-stop service that includes the Tibet Travel Permit, local Tibetan guides, and more. Feel free to contact us or book your tour today for a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Tibet!