Tibet Tours by Where You're Starting From

Chengdu is the most popular gateway to Tibet, with more daily nonstop flights to Lhasa than any other city and a direct scenic train on the Qinghai–Tibet Railway.

Beijing connects to Lhasa by the famous direct train Z21 across the Qinghai–Tibet Railway and by nonstop flight, making it a convenient gateway if you are starting your China trip in the capital.

Xi'an pairs naturally with Tibet on a Silk Road itinerary, offering nonstop flights to Lhasa and the direct train Z165 on the Qinghai–Tibet Railway.

Shanghai reaches Tibet by a roughly four-hour nonstop flight to Lhasa and by the long direct train Z164, with the permit and guided tour arranged before you leave the coast.

Chongqing offers a short nonstop flight to Lhasa and the direct train Z223 on the Qinghai–Tibet Railway, making it a convenient southwestern gateway to Tibet.

Xining is the starting point of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway, where the scenic ~21-hour plateau train to Lhasa begins, with nonstop flights available too.

Hong Kong reaches Tibet by a one-stop flight through a mainland hub such as Chengdu, or by high-speed rail to a gateway city and onward, with the permit and guided tour arranged in advance.

Guangzhou connects to Tibet by a direct flight to Lhasa with a brief stop and by the Z264 train, China's longest single rail journey, with the permit and guided tour arranged before you travel.

How travelers based in Shenzhen can reach Tibet, with realistic flight connections through other Chinese cities, train options, and the Tibet Travel Permit we arrange for foreign passport holders.

Kunming is a classic gateway to Tibet with direct flights to Lhasa; here is how travelers based in Yunnan can plan the trip, plus the Tibet Travel Permit we arrange for foreign passport holders.

A practical guide to reaching Tibet by the scenic Qinghai-Tibet Railway from Xining, the start of the line, covering the train journey, the Tibet Travel Permit, and recommended guided itineraries.

Kathmandu is the gateway to Tibet from Nepal, with a short ~1.5-hour Himalayan flight to Lhasa or a dramatic overland crossing via the Gyirong border, both requiring a special Group Visa and guided tour.

A practical guide for American travelers on routing through mainland China to Lhasa, sorting the China visa and Tibet Travel Permit, and choosing a guided tour.

A clear guide for British travelers on connecting through a mainland China hub to Lhasa, arranging the China visa and Tibet Travel Permit, and picking a guided tour.

A practical guide for Canadian travelers on routing through a mainland China gateway to Lhasa, sorting the China visa and Tibet Travel Permit, and choosing a guided tour.

A practical guide for Australian travelers on connecting through a mainland China hub to Lhasa, arranging the China visa and Tibet Travel Permit, and choosing a guided tour.

A practical guide for Singapore-based travelers on routing through a mainland China gateway to Lhasa, arranging the China visa and Tibet Travel Permit, and choosing a guided tour.

A practical guide for Indian travelers planning a Tibet tour, covering flight routes, the China visa and Tibet Travel Permit, the Mount Kailash pilgrimage, and the nationality-specific permit steps Indian passport holders should confirm in advance.

Everything Malaysian travelers need to plan a Tibet tour, from one-stop flight connections through mainland China to the China visa and Tibet Travel Permit we arrange for your guided trip.

A clear, practical guide for German travelers planning a Tibet tour, including connecting flights through mainland China, the China visa and Tibet Travel Permit, and recommended guided itineraries.

A practical guide for French travelers planning a Tibet tour, covering connecting flights through mainland China, the visa-free entry rules, the Tibet Travel Permit, and recommended guided itineraries.

A clear, practical guide for Dutch travelers planning a Tibet tour, including connecting flights through mainland China, the visa-free entry rules, the Tibet Travel Permit, and recommended guided itineraries.

A practical guide for Japanese travelers planning a Tibet tour, covering convenient flights through mainland China, the visa-free entry rules, the Tibet Travel Permit, and recommended guided itineraries.

A practical guide for Thai travelers planning a Tibet tour, covering connecting flights through mainland China, the mutual visa-free arrangement, the Tibet Travel Permit, and recommended guided itineraries.

A practical guide for travelers heading to Tibet from Nepal, covering the direct Kathmandu-Lhasa flight, the classic overland crossing at Gyirong, the China Group Visa, and recommended guided itineraries.