How to Travel from Yunnan to Tibet 2024/2025

Why Travel Yunnan and Tibet

·High-altitude Landscape: Both Yunan and Tibet are situated in high plateaus, so you can get an awe-inspiring sight of the uniquely-shaped snow peaks or holy mountains, impressive ice glaciers, forest park, breathtaking gorges, etc.

·Diverse Culture: Yunnan is a colorful Kingdom of minority nationalities and each of them has its own tradition, culture and cuisine. Tibet is a Buddhist land with many Buddhist architectures, holy mountains, sacred lakes and pilgrimage sites. You will get a lot interesting knowledge by visiting them.

·Close Distance & Convenient Transportation: Yunnan is just adjacent to Tibet. It is very easy to get to Tibet from some cities of Yunnan, like Kunming, Lijiang and Shangri-La by flight.

How to Transfer between Yunnan and Tibet

Currently, taking flight is the only way to transfer between Yunnan and Tibet for foreign travelers. Before your Yunnan trip, you can get to Yunnan from some cities in China easily, like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xian, etc.

How to Get to Yunnan

Flights and high speed trains are usually to top chosen transportation means to Yunnan. Among the14 airports serving passengers in Yunnan, Kunming Airport and Lijiang Airport are most frequently used from Yunnan arrival and departure because they operate more flights than other airports. As the provincial capital of Yunnan, Kunming can be reached by daily frequently flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Hangzhou. There are also about 2~6 flights respectively departing from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xian, Guangzhou, Guiyang, Chongqing and Hanghzou to Lijiang. Dali is also linked with Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xian, Changsha, Chongqing, etc. by flights. Shangri-La can be arrived by flights Chengdu and Chongqing.

High speed train is not only a transportation means but a fashionable travel way in China. It is also feasible to travel to Yunnan by high speed trains from Chengdu (about 6.5 hours), Chongqing (about 5 hours), Guilin (about 4 hours), Guiyang (about 2.5 hours), Guangzhou (about 6.5~9 hours), etc.

Yunnan Tibet Flights

At present, there are about 4 nonstop flights running from Yunnan to Tibet, including 2 flights from Kunming, 1 flight from Lijiang and 1 flight from Shangri-La. All of the flight will land on Lhasa Gonggar Airport. Within 3 hours, you can get to Lhasa from these cities. Below flight schedule is for reference only.

Flight No.	Departure -- Arrival		Duration	Frequency	Plane	Ticket(Full Price)
3U8817 Sichuan Airlines	07:30 Kunming Airport	11:50 Gonggar Airport	4h 20m	SMTWTFS	Airbus A319	2260 ￥ Economy Class
MU5939 Eastern Airlines	08:25 Kunming Airport	12:40 Gonggar Airport	4h 15m	SMTWTFS	Boeing 737	2260 ￥ Economy Class
MU9731 Eastern Airlines	15:15 Kunming Airport	18:15 Gonggar Airport	3h	SMTWTFS	Boeing 737	2260 ￥ Economy Class
TV9894 Tibet Airlines	20:15 Kunming Airport	18:15 Gonggar Airport	3h	SMTWTFS	Airbus A319	2260 ￥ Economy Class
3U8817 Sichuan Airlines	09:40 Lijiang Airport	11:50 Gonggar Airport	2h 1m	SMTWTFS	Airbus A319	1610 ￥ Economy Class
MU5939 Eastern Airlines	10:35 Diqing Airport	12:40 Gonggar Airport	2h 5m	SMTWTFS	Boeing 737	1380 ￥ Economy Class

Where to Visit in Yunnan and Tibet

As big tourist provinces, Yunnan and Tibet both have many places to visit. No matter you are interested in ethnic groups, primitive nature, Buddhist sites, cultural relics, wild trekking or local featured activities, your ambitions can be fulfilled in Yunnan and Tibet

Top Destinations in Yunnan

Kunming – The City of Eternal Spring

Kunming is known as Spring City in that the climate in is always warm. Traveling Kunming in every several season, you are able to see the warm sunrise, transparent sky, fresh flowers and green trees. Among Kunming’s large number of attractive sights, Stone Forest and Dongchuan Red Land are the most spectacular ones. Stone Forest is the oldest karst landscape formed in 270 million years ago. The scenic area covers stone forest, waterfalls and karst caves and so on. Dongchuan Red Land is reputed as the paradise for photographer because it is rich in dreamy colors. For a stroll in Kunming city, you can pay a short visit to Western Hill, Green Lake, Dianchi Lake, etc.

Dali – Romantic City

With a long history of over 1,600 years, Dali once was the capital of the Bai Kingdom Nanzhaoguo and the Kingdom of Dali. Bai ancestors have thrived here since the 4th century. Now you can still explore a lot about Bai culture, including Bai’s architecture, Bai’s tie-dyeing with pattern, Bai’s traditional food, etc. Visiting Dali Old Town and Shaxi Old Town allows you to explore the history, culture and old life of Dali. There are old towers, streets, temples, museums, shops, etc. The Cangshan Monutain and Erhai Lake are two hot attractions for a romantic experience. The landmark Three Pagodas is also a must in Dali. They were built in order to guard Dali against different natural disasters, like floods and earthquakes. The Bai nationality lived and thrived here.

Lijiang – One China’s Four Greatest Ancient City

Located between Dali and Shangri-La, Lijiang is a popular tourist destination as well as a good transfer hub. Lijiang Old Town, listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is an ancient town of Naxi ethnic group. It is also one of China’s Four Best-preserved Ancient City together with Pingyao Ancient City, Langhzou Ancient City and Huizhou Ancient City. In Lijiang Old Town, you can enjoy many historic site and some interesting stores and bars. Lijiang also has fantastic natural landscapes, including Jade Dragon Snow Mountain – Natural Alpine Zoo & Botanical Gar and Present Glacier Museum, Lugu Lake – Home to the Matriarchal Tribe as well as Tiger Leaping Gorge – the world’s most breathtaking trekking site.

Shangri-La – Earthly Paradise

Shangri-La is a mysterious land described in James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon as an earthly paradise. There are time-honored Tibetan monasteries, villages and ancient towns to discover. Travelers can find a real Shangri-La here. Visiting the 1300-year-old Dukezong Old Town, you can enjoy the authentic Tibet dwellings, great prayer halls and winding lanes. You can also visit Yunnan’s largest monastery – Ganden Sumtseling Monastery. There are a number of temples to walk around and a great view over the town to admire. Don’t miss Pudacuo National Park which is an amazing highland nature reserve. The most beautiful parts in the park are Bitahai Lake and Shuduhu Lake.

Top Destinations in Tibet

Lhasa – Holy City in Tibet

Lhasa is known as the Holy City and has some of the most important Buddhist sites. Potala Palace, once the winter palace of Dalai Lamas, represents Tibetan Buddhism and core position in the administration of Tibet. The architecture made up of Red Palace and Whit Palace is magnificent. Jokhang Temple is the spiritual of Tibet. It houses the life-size statue of Shyakyamuni at the age of 6. Sera Monastery is recommended as well, because you can see scripture-debating – a interest Buddhist activity. There are also many other sacred monasteries with significant importance, like repung Monastery, Ganden Monastery, Ramoche Temple, etc.

>> 4 Days Holy City Tour

Gyantse – City of Hero

Gyantse is a small town belonging to Shigatse prefecture. It is also a famed historical and cultural place with a lot to see. It gets a name of Hero City because the soldiers and Tibetan people have fought with the invaders to guard their homeland for a long time in 1904. Gyantse Dzong is the heroic history of the rise and decline of Gyantse. At the foot of Gyzntse Dzong stands Palcho Monastery which is a featured monastery housing three sects of Sakyapa, Kadmpa and Glugpa together. The Kumbum Stypa in Palcho Monastery exhibits many sculptures, murals and other Tibtan art. Other attractions like Pala Manor and Karola Glacier are also worth-seeing.

>> 7 Days Tibet Discovery Tour

Shigatse – Where Adventure Starts

Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet, situated about 250km southwest from Lhasa. Its landmark must be the majestic Tashilhunpo Monastery – residence of Panchen Lamas. This monastery enjoys a traditional Tibetan monastic style with well-lined halls, chapels, stupas and other structures. Shigatse also acts as a perfect gateway city to Mount Everest – the highest peak in the world. You can drive about 8 hours from Shigatse City to Rongbuk Monastery where you can get a perfect view of Mount Everest. If you are a luck dog, you will see incredible sunrise, sunset and starry sky over Mount Everest.

>> 6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Historical Tour

>> 8 Days Everest Base Camp Tour

Other Destinations in Tibet

Besides, there are still many other destinations with charming nature and culture to admire, including Namtso Lake, Ngari, Nyingchi, Shannan, etc. All of them enjoys their own beauty and charm.

>> 5 Days Holy Lake Namtso Tour

>> 13 Days Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar Trekking Private Tour

>> 7 Days Classic Lhasa Nyingchi Discovery

>> 6 Days Tibetan Buddhism Tour (Lhasa & Tsedang)

How to Plan a Yunnan Tibet Tour

Usually, a classic Yunnan Tibet tour takes 10~12 days. You can start your journey from Kunming where you can spend 1 day touring Stone Forest, then take a flight to Lijiang and stay there 1~2 days to visit Lijaing Ancient Town and Jade Dragon Mountain. Next, transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La for its highlighting attractions (Ganden Sumtseling Monastery and Pudacuo National Park). After sightseeing, fly from Shangri-La to Lhasa. In Lhasa City, you can spend 2~3 days exploring the landmarks like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, etc. If you have more time, you can travel to Shigatse, Mount Everest and Mount Kailash or cross the Nepal-Tibet border to reach Kathmandu.

>> 10 Days Yunnan Tibet Highlights Tour

>> 12 Days Lijiang Shangri-la Tibet Essence Tour

Necessary Permits for a Yunnan Tibet Tour(Dont Worry! We Will Obtain All the Permits For You)

Tibet Entry Permit

Tibet Entry Permit is foremost and compulsory for foreign passport holders to enter Tibet. Issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau, it is also called TTB permit. Without the permit, you can’t board your flight to Tibet or train to Tibet, also will not be able to get other permits to continue to travel Tibet further. Learn more >

Tibet Border Pass

If you aim to visit some remote destinations, like Mount Everest, Mount Kailash, Manasarovar Lake…located in the border area between Tibet and other countries, You need to prepare Tibet Border Pass. Issued by Tibet Armed Police Border Corps, it can’t be applied by travelers individually, neither. You need to contact a Tibet travel agency like Tibet Discovery to apply it. Learn more >

Alien Travel Permit

When foreign travelers travel beyond Lhasa to other prefectures in Tibet, such as Shigatse, Shannan, Ngari, one has to have an Alien Travel Permit. The Lhasa to Kathmandu Cycling passes Shannan and Shigatse Prefectures. So the Alien Travel Permit is required. This permit can be applied after arrival in Tibet. Your tour guide will take you original passport and Chinese visa to apply for the permit. It usually takes only about 30 minutes to get the permit. Learn more >

Chinese Visa

If you want to travel to China, you have to obtain a Chinese Visa first. The Chinese Visa will also be used to apply for Tibet travel permits before your trip. If you travel from Nepal instead of Yunnan, you need to prepare Tibet Group Visa.Learn more >

Tibet Entry Permit

Tibet Border Pass

Tips for Yunnan Tibet Travel

Independent Travel Not Allowed

In order to protect the fragile environment and local culture, all non-native passport holders need to use the travel service from an authorized agency, like Tibet Discovery. Tour itinerary and services can be tailor-made.

High Altitude Sickness

Both Yunan and Tibet are highland area, so you need to pay special attention to high altitude sickness before and in your travel time. To make sure a comfortable journey, you are suggested a full t physical examination before traveling to Yunnan and Tibet. In addition, you are suggested to travel from Kunming, to Lijiang, Shangri-La, Lhasa, Shigatse and Mount Everest, so you can acclimatize yourself with high altitude gradually. It’s also important to keep yourself warm all the time and prevent from catching a cold.

Packing and Wearing Ideas

A large backpack and a smaller carry-on bag are recommended, and you can put your documents and valuables in your carry-on bag. You need bring warm clothing, needed medicine, and other stuffs like sunscreen cream, hats water bottle, gloves, rain gears, solar flashlight etc. It is advisable to dress in layers (both thin and thick jackets) that you can easily add or remove as the temperature changes frequently. Don’t forget your camera, and you will lots of scenes to record.