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Current park time · GMT+8 Wed, Oct 28, 2026, 13:42 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.

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Beijing to Lhasa: flights, trains and timing

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BeijingBy airBy trainTransport 50 views 2026-10-28 08:53:47
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By air

There are several daily flights from Beijing to Lhasa, with the earliest leaving in the morning and reaching Lhasa around midday — roughly four and a half to six hours. Fares are higher than trains but the time saved helps with acclimatisation.

By train

Train Z21 leaves Beijing in the evening and reaches Lhasa around midday on the third day, about 40 hours. A hard sleeper costs around 1,100 yuan; the scenery through the Qinghai-Tibet plateau is the highlight.

Which to choose

If your time is limited, fly. If you want the plateau scenery and a gradual climb, take the train and keep the first day in Lhasa light.

Documents

Foreign travellers need the Tibet Travel Permit arranged in advance through the receiving service; a border pass is needed separately if the itinerary enters border areas.

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Tibet Travel Permit (Standard)
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Standard Tibet Travel Permit processing for foreign travellers. Submit documents and pay online, a coordinator follows up on review and declaration, and the permit is delivered electronically.
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Tibet Travel Permit (Express)
Tibet Permit

Tibet Travel Permit (Express)

Express Tibet Travel Permit processing for trips confirmed close to departure, using priority acceptance and declaration to shorten the cycle; material requirements are unchanged.
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For itineraries entering border directions such as Everest, Ngari, Yadong or Zhangmu, the permit and border pass are declared and processed together.
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Tibet Travel Permit (Group)
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Group processing for ten or more travellers on the same dates and itinerary, with a complete name list submitted for a single declaration.
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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.
How should I spend my first day in Lhasa?
Take it easy: no strenuous activity on arrival, avoid a chill after bathing, skip alcohol, drink plenty of water and eat lightly. Save gentle city sightseeing for the second day and increase activity gradually.
How does the overland route from Lhasa to Kathmandu work?
Exit through the Gyirong port: drive from Lhasa to Gyirong town, cross the suspension bridge into Nepal and get an entry stamp at the immigration office about 1.5 km from the border, then take a country bus from the nearby town the next morning — about seven hours to Kathmandu. A valid passport and Nepali visa usually mean no separate border pass is needed.
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