If Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng were born today, this valiant king would never have the heart to let his beloved wife plod thousands of miles and trudge for several months from Chang’an (ancient Xi’an) to Lhasa to marry him. Today, convenient airlines and railways have greatly shortened the distance. Both domestic and overseas travelers can easily get access to Lhasa by air, train or coach. In the city, a public transportation system with all the economical buses, taxis, rental cars, pedicabs and bicycles is in full play. Follow TOC to get more detailed information about the transportation of Lhasa.
To & From Lhasa
Aviation
Opened in 1965, Lhasa Gonggar Airport is situated 65 miles south of Lhasa, sending airlines from the 4000-meter high plateau to the outside world. Covering an area of 10,684 square meters, the architecture of the passenger terminal is featured with distinctive Tibetan style. Presently, it has overall 12 air routes, with the inter-province airplanes linking Lhasa to major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Xi’an, Chongqing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Xining, Kunming, Diqing and Chamdo and the international airline connecting Lhasa with Katmandu and Nepal. Among them, Lhasa-Chengdu line is the hotest, flying 20 flights every week.
Besides, airport shuttles are available here to benefit passengers a lot. It takes about 1 hour for passengers to get to the downtown area of Lhasa by shuttles and CNY 35 per person is charged for luxury buses and CNY 25 per person for ordinary ones. The buses terminate at CAAC Hotel east to Potala Place. The pick-up spot in the city is at CAAC Office on Niangre Road in the city center. Besides, buses from Shigatse and Tsetang to Lhasa also stop at the airport. Travelers can also charter a taxi at the airport. Normally the fare will fluctuate around CNY 100.
Consultation Tel: 0891--6246465
Ticket Booking Tel: 0891--6833446; 0891—6822393 (at night)
Railway
Many people once regarded the road leading to Tibet was impossible to take, even as hard as "the way to Heaven". Yet Qinghai-Tibet Railway has turned "the impossible" into a reality. With a total length of 1,956 km (around 1,215 miles), it is made up of two sections. The first section, starting from Xining and ending in Golmud within Qinghai Province, was put into use in 1984. The second section connecting Golmud with Lhasa started its career in 2006. Qinghai-Tibet Railway has conquered three severe challenges of perennial frost, high elevation as well as fragile ecosystem and become a wonder as the highest railway in the world.
Lhasa Railway station is located at the south bank of Lhasa River. Opening in 2006, it is the biggest railway station along Qinghai-Tibet Railway. With simple designs and bright colors, it goes well with natural environment and adapts finely with Tibetan architectural culture. It now provides train services to many major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Lanzhou, Xining, Chongqing, Chengdu etc. Many breathtaking sceneries are dotted along the railway, providing travelers with a wonderful vision feast. Oxygen respirations are offered on the trains considering passengers may suffer from altitude sickness.
Ticket Booking Tel: 0891-6756991
How to get there: take bus No. 86, 89, 91
Long-distance Buses or Coaches
There are now five highways stretching into Tibet: Sichuan-Tibet Highway, Qinghai-Tibet Highway, Xinjiang-Tibet Highway, Yunnan-Tibet Highway and China-Nepal Highway. Among them, Qinghai-Tibet Highway is of the best condition and opens to traffic all the year around. China-Nepal Highway is another main line often traveled, being a preferable method for travelers to get to Nepal from Lhasa. Lhasa Coach Station is installed at the intersection of Minzu Road and Jinshan Middle Road, providing coaches to Qamdo, Chengdu, Shigatse, Jiangzi and Golmud etc. The coaches differ in types. Common coaches with hard seats and luxury coaches with soft sleepers charge in different ways.
Consultation Tel: 0891-6824469
In & Around Lhasa
City Bus
Convenient minibuses and jeeps with fixed routes go to the main tourist spots of Lhasa, and most of them start from Tibet Medical Hospital in front of the Square of Jokhang Temple. Since there are no bus stops, just wave your hand anywhere on streets and a bus or jeep will stop in front of you. They invariably charge CNY 2/ per person and generally work from late morning till early night due to the temperatures. When taking a bus, you need to make sure of the bus route prior boarding.
Bus No. 1 and 2 pass through Luobulin Fortress to Lhasa Coach Station
Bus No. 3 and 5 stop at Drepung Monastery
Bus No.4 gets to Sera Monastery
Taxi
It is astounding that over 1,500 taxis are running around the little city of Lhasa. As long as you are within the urban area, they will operate the fixed charge of CNY 10. However, longer distances will cost more. In these conditions, you need to negotiate prices with drivers beforehand. Normally, a single journey to Drepung Monastery will cost around CNY 20, and to Sera City CNY 15. A whole day rental will be CNY 200-300.
Rental Car
The bus network cannot cover all the scenic areas. Those beyond the reach need smart rental cars to work out. Many of Lhasa’s automobile companies and travel agencies have cars for hire. The expense goes in conformity with the number of days and the kilometer computation. Such being the case, cars for long distances that extend out of the urban area will charge an additional 50% expense for a returning fee.
Pedicab
Pedicab is a distinguished and interesting vehicle in Lhasa, and is favored by a lot of travelers. Every pedicab can only accommodate two persons and charges CNY 3-5 during the daytime and CNY 1-2 at night. It is an ideal way to learn the local conditions and customs, very convenient and comfortable.
Bicycle
In many hotels and hostels along Barkhor Street, there are shops for bicycle rental. Usually the fee is CNY 2 per hour and CNY 20 per day, 1.5 times of these amounts for mountain bikes. This will be another pleasure for you to dig the local ethnic culture and enjoy attractive sceneries.
Editor's words:
In every July and August, especially around Sour Milk Festival or the Shoton Festival (at the end of the sixth month or at the beginning of seventh month in Tibetan calendar), air tickets are hard to get. Normally, air tickets are available at the CAAC Ticket Office 5-7 days in advance, so it is advisable to book fight tickets at the CAAC Ticket Office at Niangre Road and timely consult them (Tel: 0891-6833446).
Please choose a proper method in and around the city according to your health condition. Take care of yourself and wish you a smooth and enjoyable journey!
---TOP---
