How to Travel in Tibet from Singapore

If you are looking to travel from Singapore to Tibet, you have two primary options: either travel through mainland China to reach Tibet or go from Kathmandu in Nepal to Lhasa. Despite the initial intimidation factor, this process is straightforward and hassle-free for Singaporean travellers. Since Singaporeans can enter China without a visa for a restricted period, travelling is much simpler than one might assume. Simply decide on your preferred mode of transportation and contact us to reserve your Tibet expedition.

Two options exist for travelling from Singapore to Tibet.

The first option involves travelling to China and then proceeding to Lhasa by either plane or train. Popular cities for tourists to stop in include Chengdu, Beijing, Xian and Shanghai.

Alternatively, you can opt to travel to Tibet via Nepal. This involves flying from Singapore to Kathmandu and crossing the border via land at the Kyirong border or taking a flight.

Singapore Changi Airport

Singapore Changi Airport is the best airport in the world. It has a huge indoor pool, a vertical garden and a Michelin-worthy restaurant. Distributed over four nodes arranged in a “U” shape. As a melting pot of Chinese, Indian, Malay and Western cultures, Singapore is one of the world’s greatest food cities. Changi Airport has its own cinema in Terminal 3, full of comfortable cinema seats and an ever-changing program of the latest Hollywood films and independent films. The best of all? It is free and open 24 hours a day.

From Singapore to Tibet via Chengdu

If you choose to fly from Singapore to Tibet, the most convenient route is via Chengdu. There are five direct flights daily from Singapore Changi Airport to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. It takes approximately 4.5 hours. You can also stay in the city for a day or two to meet the famous giant panda.

Once in Chengdu, you can travel to Lhasa by plane or train. While taking a plane is quicker, it does not offer scenic views of the Tibetan plateau. There are 14 direct flights daily from Chengdu to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport.

The trip from Chengdu to Lhasa is a short one, taking just over two hours. There are typically 14 non-stop flights to Lhasa available each day.

The Train from Chengdu to Lhasa departs every other day. The Z322 (21:37-09:55) lasted 36 hours and 18 minutes. It is recommended that tourists who need to take the train from Chengdu to Lhasa check with their travel consultant in advance if they need to book a train ticket.

The train, however, is a popular option for those wishing to travel to the Tibetan capital. The Chengdu-Lhasa train covers a distance of approximately 3,070 km, passing through Lanzhou and Xining before reaching the plateau. The train leaves in the evening and arrives in Lhasa early in the afternoon on the third day of the trip. Choosing a sleeper car is the best option for Singapore tourists, with soft sleepers being more expensive than hard sleepers.

From Singapore to Tibet via Beijing or Shanghai.

If you wish to access Tibet through Beijing or Shanghai, there are over a dozen flights from Singapore to Beijing and Shanghai. The flight duration to Beijing is approximately 6 hours, costing approximately US$ 300 per person. On the other hand, the flight duration to Shanghai is about 5 hours, costing around US$ 168 per person.

Singapore Beijing Flight

Singapore Shanghai Flight

Lhasa can be reached via daily flights from Beijing and Shanghai. However, the Shanghai-Lhasa route only has an indirect flight via Xi’an. The flight duration to Lhasa from Shanghai is approximately 7 hours and 55 minutes, with a one-hour stopover in Xi’an. The one-way economy class ticket from Shanghai to Lhasa generally costs around US$ 426 per person.

The flight from Shanghai is not a direct flight but stops at Xi’an. While a flight from Shanghai takes approximately 7 hours and 55 minutes, and a two-hour transit in Xi’an

The train route from Shanghai to Lhasa is the second longest, covering a distance of 4,373 kilometres in 46-47 hours. This train departs from Shanghai every night and reaches Lhasa before noon on the third day. The train offers soft and hard sleeper bunks, costing around US$ 118 per person.

The flights from Beijing to Lhasa are available twice a day, with a flight duration of around 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Trains from Beijing or Shanghai to Lhasa are yet another option.

Both Beijing and Shanghai serve as the gateway cities to Tibet’s famous trains. Shanghai to Lhasa Train is the second longest, covering a distance of 4,373 kilometres in 46-47 hours. The train departs from Shanghai every night and reaches Lhasa before noon on the third day. The train offers soft and hard sleeper bunks, costing around US$ 118 to US$ 188 per person.

The flights from Beijing to Lhasa are available twice a day, with a flight duration of around 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Trains depart from Beijing to the capital of the Tibetan plateau every day, covering a distance of approximately 3,757 km. The train journey takes about 41-42 hours to cross China, passing through six provinces. The train departs from Beijing in the evening and arrives in Lhasa in the afternoon on the third day.

Trains depart from Beijing to the capital of the Tibetan plateau every day, covering a distance of approximately 3,757 km. The train journey takes about 41-42 hours to cross China, passing through six provinces. The train departs from Beijing in the evening and arrives in Lhasa in the afternoon on the third day.

Travelling from Singapore to Lhasa, Tibet via Guangzhou

Flying from Guangzhou to Lhasa offers a quicker option for travellers with tight schedules or those who prefer not to take a long train journey. There are direct flights available from Guangzhou to Lhasa. The flight departs at 8:10 and arrives at Lhasa Gongga Airport after a total flight time of 5 hours and 55 minutes, with a stopover in Chongqing.

There is only one flight a day from Guangzhou to Lhasa, and China Southern Airlines CZ3463 (08: 25-14: 30) departs from Baiyun International Airport T2.

For railway enthusiasts seeking the ultimate Tibetan train experience, the z264 train (return train z266), also known as the Guangdong Lhasa train, is the perfect choice. This train journey covers a distance of 4,980 kilometres, making it the longest train route in Tibet, China. The train departs at 11:45 and arrives in Lhasa at 16:19, after a bumpy ride lasting 52 hours and 34 minutes. The cost of a soft sleeper ticket is 1468 yuan, while a hard sleeper ticket is 865 yuan. Due to the long duration of the journey, it is not recommended for children and the elderly.

The train from Guangzhou to Lhasa departs every day, Z264 (11: 45-16: 19), which lasts 52 hours and 34 minutes. Since there is only one train per day, it is difficult to buy tickets during the tourist season. Check with your travel consultant in advance 

Travelling from Singapore to Tibet through Kathmandu

Nepal can be done by taking advantage of connecting flights with attractive discounts. Many of these flights have a layover in New Delhi before proceeding to Nepal. Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport offers approximately 37 flights daily, with economy class fares sometimes starting from as low as US$285. The flight duration is typically around 7 hours and 10 minutes.

Kathmandu is the only country with a direct flight to Lhasa, a flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa costs about US$ 300.The flight time is relatively short, the journey of 600 km takes about an hour. There are two direct flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa, CA408 (12: 10-16:00) and 3U8720 (11:30-15: 10).

From Nepal to Tibet Road trip

The journey from Nepal to Lhasa will be made via Krirong Port. This port serves as the sole entry point between Nepal and Tibet. During the trip, tourists can relish the breathtaking sight of the Himalayan Mountains and Mount Everest.

Once the itinerary for the Tibet trip is finalized, it is essential to select the optimal season for the journey. The travel agency will take care of the remaining travel arrangements.

Processing of Travel Documents for Singaporeans to Enter Tibet

Singaporean citizens require a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) to enter Tibet. This permit can only be obtained through a travel agency in Tibet and cannot be obtained independently. In addition, a Chinese visa is also required, which can be obtained through the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in Singapore. It is recommended to apply for the TTP at least one month prior to the intended travel date. It is also important to note that certain areas in Tibet may require additional permits, such as the Alien’s Travel Permit or the Military Permit.

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