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Current park time · GMT+8 Wed, Oct 28, 2026, 13:35 Shown in the park’s local time (Beijing Time, GMT+8). Please confirm your visit date accordingly to avoid choosing the wrong date or time slot.
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The permit is usually declared together with your entry dates and route; submit once your plans are fixed and allow ample processing time.Foreign travellers need a Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet; the Everest, Ngari, Yadong and Zhangmu directions also require a border pass.During peak periods volumes are high and processing may take longer; for trips close to departure choose express and confirm acceptance in advance.

Home / Travel Guide / Chengdu to Lhasa: flights, trains and permits

Chengdu to Lhasa: flights, trains and permits

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ChengduBy airBy trainConnections 52 views 2026-10-28 08:53:47

By air

Chengdu has many daily flights to Lhasa; a morning departure lands around 10 am, about two and a half hours. Arriving early leaves the rest of the day for rest and acclimatisation.

By train

Train Z322 leaves Chengdu in the evening and reaches Lhasa on the third morning, about 36 hours. It does not run every day, and soft sleeper berths are limited in peak season, so book early.

Why Chengdu is popular

Chengdu is the main gateway for both flights and the Sichuan-Tibet road, and it is also where many travellers sort out permits and vehicle arrangements before heading west.

Documents

Foreign travellers need the Tibet Travel Permit; travellers continuing into border areas need a border pass as well. Apply through the receiving service and allow several working days.

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FAQ

Is altitude sickness milder if I fly or if I take the train?
Each has trade-offs. Flying is quick and lets you rest at your hotel soon after arrival, with easy access to medical care. Overland travel climbs gradually, which in theory helps acclimatisation, but long rough drives and high passes are exhausting and can trigger symptoms. Choose according to your time and fitness.
How long does it take to reach Lhasa from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu?
By air: roughly four to six hours from Beijing, about eight hours from Shanghai including the stop, about six hours from Guangzhou and two and a half hours from Chengdu. By train: about 40 hours from Beijing, 47 from Shanghai, 52 from Guangzhou and 36 from Chengdu. Schedules change, so confirm when booking.
Are there health requirements for travelling to Tibet?
The plateau is high in altitude; travellers with heart disease, severe hypertension, respiratory conditions or who are pregnant should consult a doctor before departure. Rest well on the first day, avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol, and drink plenty of water.
Who should not travel to Tibet?
People with serious heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe asthma or other serious respiratory conditions should not travel to the plateau, and travellers who are pregnant should consult a doctor before departure. A significant cold should be cured before setting out.
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