Starting your Tibet tour by flying to Nyingchi from Chengdu is a unique route with some attractive advantages. The lower elevations of southeastern Tibet are home to beautiful forests, mountains, and rivers, and they’re easier to adapt to than the higher regions of Tibet. It’s an easy travel route with many flight options. Here, we show you how to travel from Chengdu to Nyingchi by air.

Why Choose to Fly to Tibet via Nyingchi?

Firstly, Flying to Tibet via Nyingchi allows you to experience some of the region's most stunning natural wonders. Known as “the Switzerland of Tibet”, Nyingchi boasts lush forests, snow-capped mountains, and pristine rivers.

Bayi Town, the center of Nyingchi city, provides easy access to places like the legendary Lulang Forest. This forest is one of the best spots to view Mount Namjagbarwa (7,782m), the highest peak in the region. Other must-see sites include the Niyang River, Draksum-tso, and Midui Glacier, one of the most beautiful glaciers in China.

Besides, Nyingchi's average elevation of around 3,000 meters makes it one of the lower regions in Tibet, which is advantageous for travelers from lower-elevation areas. Starting your Tibet tour in Nyingchi allows for easier acclimatization to the altitude.

Additionally, getting to Nyingchi is convenient from Chengdu. Chengdu is a major transportation hub with direct connections to cities in North America, Europe, Australia, and all over China. From Chengdu, multiple flights are available daily to Nyingchi Mainling Airport. The flight only takes around 2 hours and lands you in the heart of the beautiful region.

Chengdu to Nyingchi Flight Schedule: 2024/2025 Updates

Currently, there are 7 non-stop flights from Chengdu to Nyingchi every day during the peak season. These flights are operated by major airlines in China, including Air China, Sichuan Airlines, and Tibet Airlines. All flights depart in the morning between 6:45 and 9:30, from either Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport or Chengdu Tianfu International Airport.

Flights from Chengdu to Nyingchi

Dep. – Arr.	Flight No.	Airline	Frequency
06:45 – 08:50	CA2539	Air China	Every Day
06:55 - 09:00	3U8627	Sichuan Airlines	Every Day
07:25 – 09:20	TV9847	Tibet Airlines	Every Day
07:35 – 09:45	CA2533	Air China	Every Day
07:40 – 10:00	3U6673	Sichuan Airlines	Every Day
09:30 – 11:25	TV9987	Tibet Airlines	Tue, Thu, Sat
10:30 – 12:40	3U8629	Sichuan Airlines	Every Day

On the return trip, there are also 7 flights from Nyingchi to Chengdu every day. These flights depart from Nyingchi Mainling Airport between 10:00 and 13:25 and take around 2 hours to reach Chengdu.

Flights from Nyingchi to Chengdu

Dep. – Arr.	Flight No.	Airline	Frequency
10:00 – 11:40	TV9848	Tibet Airlines	Every Day
10:00 – 12:00	3U8628	Sichuan Airlines	Every Day
10:40 – 12:40	CA2534	Air China	Every Day
10:45 – 12:45	3U6674	Sichuan Airlines	Every Day
11:40 – 13:40	CA2540	Air China	Every Day
12:05 – 13:55	TV9988	Tibet Airlines	Tue, Thu, Sat
14:00 – 16:10	3U8630	Sichuan Airlines	Every Day

How to Book the Flight from Chengdu to Nyingchi? Can I Get a Cheap Discount?

To book your Chengdu to Nyingchi flight, it’s best to start planning in advance in order to secure a reasonable price on the tickets. You can check airline websites directly, but better prices are often available on online travel platforms such as Ctrip, Expedia, Skyscanner, and Google Flights.

Booking early is often the best strategy for a good discount. Before buying your ticket, you can sign up for price tracking notifications to be informed of discounts or promotions. Choosing the right time to go also helps. During summer and national holidays in China, domestic tourism to Tibet surges, often causing prices to rise. Traveling during the shoulder seasons in spring and autumn can be less expensive and still allow you to enjoy good weather on the trip.

If you have trouble booking your Chengdu to Nyingchi flight, you can contact us for professional assistance. We will do our best to help you find a flight that suits your schedule and preferences.

What Documents to Prepare to Take the Chengdu to Nyingchi Flight?

Before arriving in Chengdu, you will need a Chinese Tourist Visa, which can be obtained at the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate. The processing time is usually four working days. Additionally, tourists from countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Spain can currently enjoy visa-free entry.

International tourists visiting Tibet need to obtain a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP). The TTP is applied for after obtaining a tourist visa and requires a pre-booked tour with a local Tibet Travel Agency. The processing time for the TTP is at least 8-9 working days, and it is applied for on your behalf by the travel agency.

Our tour service includes a 100% guarantee of successfully obtaining the Tibet Travel Permit for you. After the permit is issued, it will be delivered to your address in Chengdu before your flight.

Where is Chengdu Airport and How to Get There for Boarding?

Chengdu has two airports offering flights to Nyingchi. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, located about 16 km southwest of downtown Chengdu, has 3-4 daily flights to Nyingchi. A taxi ride from central areas like Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street to the airport costs about 50 CNY and takes around 35 minutes, depending on traffic. You can also reach the airport via Line 10 of the Chengdu Metro, with connections from key locations including Chengdu East Railway Station and Chengdu South Railway Station.

Tianfu International Airport, which has 3 daily flights to Nyingchi, is situated 51 km southeast of downtown Chengdu. Metro Line 18 connects this airport to Chengdu South Railway Station, with a travel time of around 50 minutes. By taxi, it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the downtown area, costing around 194 CNY.

Additionally, there are airport bus lines operating between the two airports, departing every 30 minutes throughout the day. The fare for these buses ranges from 15 to 25 CNY.

Where is Nyingchi Airport and How to Get to Downtown After Arrival?

Nyingchi Mainling Airport is 52 km from Nyingchi City. It is connected to Bayi Town by the Airport Expressway and G318 National Road. It takes around 45 minutes to reach the city.

Shuttle buses and taxis are available. Bus tickets cost 25 CNY. Buses leave irregularly, departing for Bayi Town only when full. Taxis are a more convenient option and cost around 150 CNY. If you book your Nyingchi Tibet tour with us, you can enjoy our free airport pickup service.

How to Get to Lhasa from Nyingchi?

The best ways to get to Lhasa from Nyinchi are by bullet train or overland by road. The train journey to Lhasa covers a distance of 400 km and takes around 4 hours. Traveling at a top speed of 160 km/h, the modern trails are comfortable and allow you to see the vast, changing landscapes. Train tickets cost between 129 and 452 CNY for the fastest C series trains.

Lhasa and Nyingchi are also connected by a modern, multi-lane highway. The 400 km Lhasa-Nyingchi expressway takes around 5 hours to drive and passes through amazing locations. Along the journey, you can see the famous Mila Mountain, Draksum Tso, and Basum Tso Lakes etc.

Conclusion

Traveling from Chengdu to Nyingchi by air is convenient. You can choose from one of the 7 non-stop flights and easily fly there to explore the beautiful scenery of the region. We can assist you in obtaining the required Tibet Travel Permit for your smooth journey and even help you book the flight. If you have any questions about flying from Chengdu to Nyingchi, feel free to contact us or book your Tibet tour with us now.