How to Get to Tibet from Malaysia? Take Flight or Train?

Nowadays, traveling from Malaysia to Tibet is easier than ever. While there are no direct trains or flights between Malaysia and Tibet, it’s simple to connect via mainland China or Nepal. Even better, Malaysian passport holders can now enjoy a 30-day visa-free stay in China, making your journey to Tibet even more convenient.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to travel from Malaysia to Tibet in details. You’ll learn about the best travel routes, what documents you need, and tips to make your trip easy and stress-free. Get inspired for your next journey from Malaysia to Tibet!

Is There a Direct Flight or Train from Malaysia to Tibet? No, Connecting is Required

Currently, there are no direct flights or trains from Malaysia to Tibet. Located in the southwest of China, Tibet is about 3,200 kilometers from Malaysia by air line distance. Due to its remote location on the Tibetan Plateau, you can only reach Tibet by first travelling through mainland China or Nepal.

This means you will need a connection along the way. Firstly, fly from Malaysia to a gateway city, such as Chengdu, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai or Kathmandu. Then, from there, you can either take a direct fight or board the scenic Tibet train to Lhasa.

While it might sound complicated, the journey is actually quite smooth. Malaysia offers many daily direct flights to these gateway cities, especially from Kuala Lumpur. And you can enjoy an immersive experience along the way.

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Malaysia to Tibet via Chengdu: The Most Popular Route with Frequent Flights

Chengdu is the most popular gateway city to Tibet, not only for Malaysian tourists but for travelers from all around the world. It located close to Tibet and offer the most frequent flights to Lhasa. You can also spend a day or two exploring this charm city, including visiting the famous giant pandas.

At present, there are four direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu daily. Operated by Air Asia, Batik Air, Air China and Sichuan Airlines, these flights generally take around 4 hours and 40 minutes. Ticket prices start from as low as US$75 per person.

From Chengdu, there are mainly two ways to get to Tibet: by train or by air. Flying from Chengdu to Lhasa is extremely convenient, with over 20 flights departing daily. These flights takes only about 2 hours, and a one-way economy ticket costs from around US$68 per person.

Besides, the train from Chengdu to Lhasa departs every other day at 21:11 pm and takes about 34.5 hours to reach Lhasa Railway Station. This is a scenic route that offers spectacular scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. A soft sleeper berth costs ¥997.5, while a hard sleeper berth is ¥627.5 per person.

Malaysia to Tibet via Guangzhou: Easy Access to South China

Guangzhou is a major city in southern China, and also a convenient gateway to Tibet, with both flights and trains available to Lhasa. Thanks to its proximity to Malaysia, it is well connected by air.

You can easily catch direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Guangzhou, which departs over 10 times every day. Operated by airlines like China Southern Airlines and AirAsia, these flights take about 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Once you’re in Guangzhou, you can either take a train or flight to Lhasa. There are two daily flights from Guangzhou to Lhasa, with a total travel time of about 5 hours and 45 minutes. You will expect a short layover in either Diqing or Chongqing along the way.

The train from Guangzhou to Lhasa leaves at 9:15 in the morning every day. After spending around 53 hours onboard, you will arrive at Lhasa Railway Station at around 14:17 on the third day. While this option takes more time, it offers a rewarding journey with various breathtaking scenery along the way.

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Malaysia to Tibet via Beijing or Shanghai: Convenient Transfer Available

If you are planning to enter Tibet via either Beijing or Shanghai, you’ll find both cities offer convenient and well-connected transfer options.

From Kuala Lumpur, you can directly fly to either Beijing or Shanghai. There are three direct daily flights to Beijing, taking around 6 hours and 20 minutes, with prices starting from US$110 per person. For Shanghai, you can choose from one of four daily direct flights, which take around 5.5 hours and cost from only US$107 per person.

Once in Beijing, you can fly to Lhasa with three direct flights available daily. The flights from Beijing to Lhasa take around 4 hours 15 minutes and start from around US$106 per person. Alternatively, you can take the train from Beijing to Lhasa, which departs at 19:53 every evening and takes about 40 hours to reach Lhasa Railway Station.

From Shanghai to Lhasa, the flight takes about 7 hours and 40 minutes, with a stopover in Xi’an, and costs from around US$120 per person. You can also board the direct train from Shanghai to Lhasa, which departs daily at 18:33. The journey takes about 45 hours, offering a unique railway experience with scenic views along the way.

Malaysia to Tibet via Kathmandu: Travel across the Himalayas

Traveling from Malaysia to Tibet via Kathmandu, Nepal is also a popular choice and offers a unique experience. Located on either side of the Himalayas, Tibet and Nepal are well-connected with each other by both flights and overland routes.

Currently, there are seven daily direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kathmandu. These flights generally take around 4 hours and 45 minutes to reach Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, with prices starting from as low as US$80 per person.

Once in Nepal, you can choose to fly to Lhasa or travel overland across the Gyirong border. Flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa depart every Monday, Wednesday, Tuesday and Friday, and take about 1 hour and 20 minutes. If the weather permits, you will be lucky to see the summit view of Mount Everest during the flight.

While for tourists entering Tibet from Nepal, the overland journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa via Gyirong is most recommended. This exciting and epic adventure takes you to venture into the heart of Tibet and allows you to visit various landmarks like Everest Base Camp, Yamdrok Lake, Potala Palace etc. The journey usually takes about 8 days, with three days in Lhasa for sightseeing.

What Documents are Required to Visit Tibet from Malaysia? Chinese Visa Free Now

One of the good news for Malaysian tourists is that you no longer need a Chinese Visa to enter China at present. This visa-free policy is valid through the end of 2025, and as long as you hold a Malaysian passport, you can visit China for up to 30 days during this period.

In this case, you only need to obtain the Tibet Travel Permit before entering Tibet. The permit cannot be applied for individually, but we can help you obtain it through a simple process. The application normally takes 15 days, so please make sure to contact us in advance.

Besides, you may also need other documents, if you plan to visit more remote places in Tibet, like Everest Base Camp and Mount Kailash. These documents include Alien’s Travel Permit, Military Permit etc. But no worries - we will take care of all these travel documents for you as long as you book your Malaysia Tibet tour with us.

We offer one-stop service to ensure you a worry-free journey to Tibet!

Conclusion

Travelling from Malaysia to Tibet is convenient and easy, even although there are no direct flights or trains. You can choose to travel via popular gateway cities like Chengdu, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai or Kathmandu. These cities are well-connected to Malaysia by air, and offer both direct trains, flights or overland routes to Lhasa.

To ensure a smooth travel experience, it is recommended to book your Malaysia Tibet tour with us. We will take care of everything, including Tibet Travel Permit application, flight or train booking, transportation, etc. If you still have any ideas or questions about traveling from Malaysia to Tibet, feel free to contact us anytime.