Tibet Transportation
Non-Chinese passport holders (including those of Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and other countries) must have an
Alien's Travel Permit as well as a valid passport and a visa to enter Tibet. A visa can be obtained from the local
Chinese consulate in foreign countries. Since the government encourages group tours to Tibet the permit is issued
only to tour groups traveling with a Chinese tour operator. Usually travel agencies can facilitate the application
process. A permit for Tibet usually costs several hundred RMB (Chinese Yuan).
Transportation condition in Tibet has changed greatly since the liberation in 1951 when packs of animals were the
main mode of transportation in the region. Now highways and airlines are connecting it to other regions of China.
Modern transportation ended the history of backward means of transportation in Tibet. Please read below for more
information about arrival into and departure from Tibet, as well as different means of getting around the city.
Getting To Tibet
Getting Around Tibet
Getting Around Lhasa
Map of Tibet
Planes and Airport
Planes are by far the fastest means to move to the Roof of the World. There are two airports in Tibet,
namely Gongga airport and Bangda airport. Lhasa Gongga Airport was open to traffic in 1956. While Gonggar
airport connects Lhasa with Chengdu, Xian, Beijing, Chongqing, and even Kathmandu and Hong Kong, traveling
by air into Tibet will surely brings visitors a unique and thrilling experience. Just imagine that you
are above the world highest snow and cloud clad peaks! However, since planes travel fast, there is
little time for acclimatization.
Train
Since July 1st, 2006, the Tibet Railway has been open to traffic. Tibet Railway is a landmark achievement in Chinese
engineering and design, and in the process, creating world railway history. As the Railway to Tibet is of great
significance both to the Chinese and world railway history, and offers a new means for tourists to visit mysterious Tibet.
The Tibet Railway extends 1,956 kilometers from Xining, Qinghai Province to Lhasa, Tibet and is the world's longest
railroad built atop a plateau. The Golmud-Lhasa section, constructed in 2001 extends 1,142 kilometers with the highest
elevation being some 5,072 meters above sea level at Tanggula Range making it also the highest railway in the world.
Great forethought, ingenuity and creativity overcame the engineering difficulties during construction, the design of the
train itself, and the efforts made to protect the environment, flora and fauna.
Scenes Along The Railway
As the Tibet Railway traverse three mountain ranges and via many rivers and lakes, the sceneries along the Railway to
the Roof of the World are marvelous and majestic. With 45 stations along the route offer visitors picturesque sceneries
and impressive vistas among which nine are designated as sightseeing stations and have special sightseeing platforms.
Famous sights including the Kunlun and Tanggula mountain ranges, Qinghai Lake, Kekexili and Tuotuo River, Grassland and
so on, together with the rare wild animals will reward each tourist with lifelong unforgettable memories.
1. Mountain Yuzhun
The first sightseeing station in the Golmud-Lhasa section of the Tibet Railway is Mount Yuzhu. With an altitude
of 6,178 above the sea level, Mount Yuzhu is the main peak of Kunlun Mountain and a place favored by lovers of
mountaineering. Standing on the sightseeing platform, one can admire the snow-covered Mount Yuzhu and glacier even in
summer.
Looking towards the southwest, Kekexili - the unmanned area - where over 100 rivers flow is worthy of appreciation.
Other scenes such as jokul, gorge, stone forest, and saline can be seen from here. Reputed as the 'Kingdom of Animals',
some rare wild animals such as Tibetan antelope, yak, etc. are often visible.
2. Chumaer River
At Chumaer River station, visitors can see Chunaer River known as the central area of the Tibet antelope migration
routes. Standing 2,565 meters (8,415 feet) long and 78 bridge holes, Chumaer River Bridge was built for wild animals
to pass below. To the north, the majestic Qingshui River Bridge, the longest railroad bridge that also has animals'
migration routes can be seen. Animals such as Tibetan antelope, wild donkey, and wild yak often appear near the bridges
especially during the summer (June, July, and August).
3. Tuotuo River
Springing from the main peak of Tanggula Range, Tuotuo River is where Yangtze River begins. Standing on the sightseeing
platform here, the clear Tuotuo River, Highway Bridge 273 meters long over the river, and the first bridge of Yangtze
River - Railroad Bridge of Tuotuo River - are easily seen and worth a visit.
4. Buqiangge
Buqiangge railway station at an altitude of 4,823 meters (15,824 feet) is a place rich in plateau meadows, grasslands,
and jokul.
5. Tanggula
With an altitude of 5,068 meters (16,627 feet), Tanggula Station is the highest railway station above sea level in the
world. Looking to the west from the station, one will become intoxicated with the charismatic scenery of Tanggula
Mountain covered with snow all the year around. Also, the vast plains, lakes, Tanggula River and glacier are within
one's sight.
6. Cuona Lake
Covering an area of over 400 square kilometers, Cuona Lake is regarded as the highest freshwater lake in the world.
Like Namtso Lake in Tibet, Cuona Lake means 'Heavenly Lake' to the Tibetans. Numerous believers often come all the way
to worship this holy lake. The water here is crystal clear with fish jumping freely. Together with the boundless plains
and clear sky, the scenery surrounding Cuona Lake are of great beauty, attracting cranes, mandarin ducks, swans and other
wild animals. Around the lake is the famous Qiangtang Nature Reserve where Tibetan yak, donkey, snow leopard and so on
live. Cuona Lake is the nearest lake to Tibet Railway with the nearest shore only tens of meters distant, so passengers
can enjoy the serenity of the lake with great ease.
7. Nakchu
The Nakchu railway station stands on the Qiangtang Plain which is one of the five biggest pastures in China. From the
station, splendid vistas include the clear blue sky, lakes, plains, flocks of wild birds and the magnificent jokul are all
within the passengers' vision. The Qiangtang Plain has a great reputation, and every year in August, the Nakchu Horse
race is held here which attracts numerous people.
8. Damxung
Damxung means 'the selected fine place' in Tibetan language. As it is 60 kilometers from Lhasa, and is called 'the
north gate of Lhasa'. Medicinal plants and wild animals are numerous, including plants like lotus flowers, caladiums,
and animals like Tibetan antelope, hares, argali, foxes, and lynx. People living in this mountainous region have come
to regard the horse as an indispensable ally, assisting them in all aspects of their daily lives. Grand horse races
are held in Damxung in August each year, lasting five to fifteen days. Nowadays, the race has expanded into a larger
Native Games, including Tibetan style weight lifting, tug-of-war, and archery. It is a place where one can feel the
friendliness and hospitality of the Tibetan people. It is also the fire-gathering place for the Asian Sports Meeting.
Damxung railway station is regarded as the most characteristic Tibetan style architecture along the Tibetan railway.
9. Yangpachen
Shuttling in the fast train to Tibet, one will be surprised to see some hot gases rise from the earth through natural
outlets when arriving at Yangpachen, over 90 kilometers away from Lhasa. It is a place rich in earth heat resources and
hot springs. The hottest namma in China and the largest earth heat power plant are situated here. As the hot spring
contains sulphated hydrogen that has a beneficial effect on many chronic diseases, many tourists come here to enjoy the
therapeutic and medicinal hot water.
Because it is comparatively cold in the morning, heated gases issue from the earth, creating peculiar and spectacular
scenes. With jokul and the glacier located to each side of Yangpachen, bathing in the hot spring is a special enjoyment,
particularly in winter.
City to City Bus
There was no highway in Tibet before the liberation of Tibet. In the beginning of 1950, the People's Army of Liberation
marched into Tibet. The soldiers joined in the construction of Sichuan-Tibet and Qinghai-Tibet highways (4360km in total
length), which turned over a new leaf of transportation in Tibet. After the completion of Tibet-Sichuan and Qinghai-Tibet
highways, a trunk highway network has been established in Tibet including Yunnan-Tibet, Xinjiang -Tibet, Sino-Nepal
highways. Over 100 highway transformation projects have been launched. 2000-kilometer-long pitch highway has been
constructed. A highway network with Lhasa City at the core has taken shape. The total highway traffic mileage attains
24,808 km. There are five highways stretching into Tibet.
Sichuan-Tibet Highway
Sichuan-Tibet Highway is the longest, 2413 kilometers (1496 miles) long, built in 1950 and opened for traffic in
1954. The roads ply the uneven terrain over 14 mountains which average 4000-5000 meters (13120-16400 feet) high,
and over a dozen of famous rivers such as Lantsang River (Mekong). The climate along the road presents beautiful
scenery ranging from spring to winter. However, the road condition is not good.
Qinghai-Tibet Highway
This highway starts from Golmud of Qinghai, the only road providing bus service among the five highways and the
main road to travel Tibet. 1160 kilometers (720 miles) long and averaging 4000 meters (13120 feet) high, along
Kunlun Mountains and vast grassland, which amaze people living in modern civilization, the bituminous road is the
best road leading to Tibet.
Xinjiang-Tibet Highway
This highway starts from Yecheng in Xinjiang. It runs 1455 kilometers (902 miles), winding its way among fives
mountains soaring more than 5000 meters (16400 feet) high above the sea level. A spectacular view of Mount Kailash
and Lake Manasarova overwhelm travelers while traveling along the road.
Yunnan-Tibet Highway
This highway spans 800 kilometers (492 miles) to reach Markham, a less beaten track by travelers.
Chinese-Nepalese Highway
Chinese-Nepalese Highway is another main road traveled often. It stretches 900 kilometers (558 miles) from Kathmandu
to reach Shigatse and Lhasa. Among the five highways, only Qinghai-Tibet Highway and Chinese-Nepalese Highway are open
to foreigners at present. Inside Tibet, there are now regular buses shuttling between major towns.
Travel Tips:
Since Tibet is such a mountainous area at such a great altitude, it is prone to sudden and extreme changes in weather. Many safety aspects must be prepared for prior to travel departure to Tibet.
Train
With 45 train stations in all, Lhasa and Tanggula stations are of the most charismatic, though all the stations blend the
local architecture styles with the modern construction techniques. Lhasa Railway Station with its main colours of white and
red is a typical traditional Tibetan style building and faces the famous Potala Palace. With an altitude of 5,068 meters
(16,627 feet), and stands at the foot of Tanggular Mountain, Tanggula Station is the highest railway station in the world.
It is also one of the nine major sightseeing stations from where visitors can appreciate the mignificent scene of the
permanently snow covered Tanggula Mountain.
Public Minibuses
In Lhasa minibuses are the main transportation, charging RMB 2 per person.
Jeeps
The conditions of minor roads are only passable by jeeps.
Taxi
It is easy to hire a taxi which is painted verdurous and silver. The fare is RMB 10 no matter where the destination is
within the city.
Pedicabs
Pedicabs are unique vehicles to look around the highest city in the world.
Bicycle
Bikes can be easily hired at Lhasa at most hostels.
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