Traveling from Lhasa to Nyingchi is easy, with various options available for tourists. This guide offers detailed insights into each option, like overland routes and train travel. Whether you're looking for adventure, comfort, or convenience, this article will help you find useful tips to plan your journey.

Where is Nyingchi in Tibet? How Far is Nyingchi from Lhasa?

The prefecture-level city of Nyingchi lies to the east of Lhasa, in the lower southeastern area of the Tibetan plateau. A distance of roughly 419 kilometers from Lhasa, Nyingchi is noted for its stunning landscapes, beautiful lush scenery, and alpine views.

Bordered to the west by Lhasa and Shannan, to the north by Nagqu and Chamdo, and to the east by Sichuan Province, Nyingchi lies at the foot of the eastern Himalayas, and is provided with the most outstanding views you could ever imagine.

Lhasa to Nyingchi by Overland: The Classic Route following the Scenic New Expressway

Traveling from Lhasa to Nyingchi by overland is the best option for travelers to this area of the plateau. The route to Nyingchi from Lhasa follows the new Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway, a faster multi-lane highway that has replaced the former highway. The expressway has reduced driving time from 8 hours to around 5 hours, covering the vast 400-kilometer distance.

The road passes through several amazing locations along its length, the first of which is the famous Mila Mountain. No longer does the road head up over the Mila Mountain Pass, but instead drills its way through the mountain to emerge on the other side. Cutting 5.27 kilometers through the mountain, the tunnel lies at an altitude of 5,013 meters, making it the highest highway tunnel in China.

Known in Tibet as Draksum Tso, the Basum Tso Lake is another amazing sight on the route to Nyingchi from Lhasa. Located at an altitude of around 3,700 meters, this unique lake is renowned as one of the most beautiful in eastern Tibet. Surrounded by stunning mountains, and the subject of dozens of mythical stories and legends, the lake is also the site of Tashi Island, home to the Tso Dzong, a Nyingmapa chapel in Tibetan Buddhism.

For tourists traveling to Nyingchi from Lhasa for the first time, the overland route is the best option to take. This modern route offers a swift and picturesque passage through Tibet's stunning landscape, making it the ideal choice for adventurers seeking both efficiency and breathtaking views.

Lhasa to Nyingchi by Train: Faster Bullet Train Shortens the Travel Duration

Since the completion of the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway, the train journey from Lhasa to Nyingchi offers a faster way for tourists to travel between the two cities. It is a wonderful journey of remarkable experience, covering a distance of approximately 402 kilometers through some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in Tibet.

There are two trains departing from Lhasa to Nyingchi every day, namely Train No. Z8901 and Train No. C881. Respectively departing at 8:40 AM and 11:40 AM, the trains take about 4 hours to reach Nyingchi Railway Station. On the way, they pass through small towns and villages, including Gonggar and Bayi, providing passengers with stunning views of the snow-capped mountains, glaciers, deep valleys, and lush green forests.

For Train No. Z8901, there are hard seats, hard sleepers, and soft sleepers, similar to those on Tibet trains. On the Lhasa to Nyingchi bullet train C881, there are second class, first class, and business class seats. Second class is the most economical, with open seating. First class offers more comfortable seating arrangements, and business class has private compartments. You can choose the option that best suits your needs and budget.

Lhasa to Nyingchi by Flight: Air Travel to the Lowest Airport in Tibet

While there is an airport in Nyingchi - the Nyingchi Mainling Airport - there are currently no direct flights scheduled from Lhasa to Nyingchi. If you want to take a flight to Nyingchi, you will need to first fly from Lhasa to one of the cities in mainland China. In total, you can expect it to take around 10 hours to travel to Nyingchi via mainland China, which is twice the time of the normal drive, and around 20 times more costly.

However, if you intend to take a flight to Nyingchi and are willing to travel to mainland China to do so, there are direct flights from Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, etc. From Chengdu, there are 6 daily flights departing between around 6:45 and 10:30 in the morning, which take around 2 hours and 15 minutes to reach Nyingchi’s Mainling Airport.

From Chongqing, there are 3 flights every day departing between around 6:00 and 8:30 am, taking around 2 hours and 20 minutes to 2 hours and 40 minutes. From Xi’an, there are 2 daily flights departing between around 6:35 and 7:20 and landing in Nyingchi between around 9:10 and 09:55.

One important point to note is that Nyingchi Mainling Airport is situated in a mountain valley at an altitude of 2,949 meters, surrounded by peaks. Despite being the lowest airport in Tibet, it is challenging to access due to its location. The airport frequently experiences cloud cover and fog throughout much of the year, and, on average, flights operate for only about 100 days annually. Therefore, it is advisable to double-check before planning a flight to Nyingchi Mainling Airport.

Lhasa to Nyingchi by Bike: More Challenging for Adventure Tourists

With the road from Lhasa to Nyingchi being a decent highway, cycling becomes an option for reaching the prefecture, although you'll need to be quite fit to manage the lengthy 400-kilometer journey. Typically, the trip spans around four days, with numerous towns and villages along the route where you can stop for meals or simply to rest and take in the scenery.

However, since independent travel is not permitted for international tourists in Tibet, you must be part of a booked tour with a registered travel agency that will provide your guide and support vehicle. We can organize this for you, turning your dream of cycling along the Tibetan plateau into reality.

The road from Lhasa to Nyingchi offers plenty of hostels and guesthouses along the way, providing various accommodation options to suit your needs. Additionally, there are eateries along the route, but if Tibetan and Sichuan cuisines aren't to your liking, consider bringing some packaged foods with you.

What Permits are Needed to Visit Nyingchi in Tibet?

Nyingchi is located within the Tibet Autonomous Region, so you'll need the same travel documents as other places in Tibet, plus a few more than if you were going to Lhasa. The main permit you need is the Tibet Travel Permit, which you must have to enter Tibet and travel around Lhasa.

For a trip to Nyingchi, you'll also need the Alien’s Travel Permit and Military Permit. The Alien’s Travel Permit is required for international tourists to visit “restricted” or “non-open” areas in Tibet, like Basum Tso and Bomi in Nyingchi. The Military Permit is necessary if you plan to visit military-sensitive regions in Tibet, including the whole Nyingchi Prefecture.

We'll take care of all the permits you need for visiting Nyingchi once you've booked your tour with us. Just remember, you can't apply for permits on your own or without booking a tour in advance. We'll handle everything to make sure your trip goes smoothly.

Conclusion

Getting to Nyingchi from Lhasa offers several options: overland, by train, or even cycling. Simply choose the one that suits your preferences and schedule best. As your trusted Tibet tour guide, we're here to make your Lhasa and Nyingchi tour smooth and worry-free, including sorting out all the necessary travel documents. Feel free to contact us with any questions you have!