Lijiang Lhasa Flights - Route, Schedule, Fares, Permit, Ticket Booking 2024

Why Take Flight to Lhasa from Lijiang

Lijiang Lhasa Flights Schedules

There are up to 12 flights from Lijiang to Lhasa occasionally, while most of them are connecting flights, only 1 direct flight operated by Sichuan Airlines running every day. It takes about 2h 15mins flying to Lhasa from Lijiang without any stop. On the average, if you take the morning plane in Lijiang, you will arrive in Lhasa before midday, so you will have enough time for rest and acclimation to high altitude sickness.

Lijiang to Lhasa Flight Timetable

The Sichuan Airlines provides only 1 non-stop flight to Lhasa from Lijiang. The 3U8817 flight takes off in the morning, not early but spare sufficient time for your sleep, packing and transportation to the Sanyi Airport. And have a perfect timing for your lunch after you landed.

Important Notice: 1) Above flight schedules and fares are only for reference, please contact us to catch up on the latest information. But we usually will keep them updated; 2) The airlines companies usually will cut down the flight schedules during winter and spring seasons. There may be no daily flight in some months.

Our top Yunnan Tibet tours:

☞ 10 Days Yunnan Tibet Highlights Tour

☞ 12 Days Lijiang Shangri-la Tibet Essence Tour

About Lijiang Sanyi International Airport

Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (LJG - 丽江三义国际机场) is the second largest and the third international airport in Yunnan Province. Located in the South Lijiang City at an elevation of 2,243 m, the airport was completed in 1995 and had two reconstructions and expansions before. Late last year, the third expansion with new terminal, parking area and airport facilities officially started.

According to reports in April 2019, the Lijiang Airport has navigation cities up to 50, including 47 domestic cities and 3 international destinations. Flights from Lijiang to Beijing, Lhasa, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xian, Lanzhou etc. are available. Connecting flights to South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and other overseas countries have to transfer in main hub airports in cities like Chengdu and Shanghai.

Besides, Lijiang has many short distance flights to Kunming and Sipsongpanna every day.

About Lhasa Gonggar International Airport

Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA - 拉萨贡嘎国际机场) is the largest and most important airport in Tibet Autonomous Region. In 2016, the airport has greeted more than 3 million passengers, most of whom are travelers, including thousands of foreigner travelers. The airport is about 62 kilometers (39 mi) southwest of the city in Gonggar County of Shannan. The airport is one of the highest airports in the world with an elevation of 3,570 meters (11,710 ft). Airbus A340 and Boeing 757 aircrafts are allowed to park in the airport.

International Flights to Lhasa

So far, there is only one international air line connecting Lhasa: Kathmandu – Lhasa. During summer days, there are daily direct flights operated, sometimes two flights and sometimes just one flight. Only Air China and Sichuan Airlines are operating the Kathmandu - Lhasa flights. To take a flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa, one will need a Group Visa, Tibet Travel Permit and Tibet Border Pass.

Domestic Flights to Lhasa

Lhasa Gonggar Airport is well connected to many cities in China, including Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xian, Kunming, Chongqing, Xining, Shangri-La, etc. Among all these cities, Chengdu is the most popular hub for taking flights/off Tibet. There are more than 20 flights flying between Chengdu and Lhasa each day. Xian also operates about 4~6 flights to Lhasa each day.

Flights from Lijiang to Other Prefectures in Tibet

Currently, there is no direct flight between Lijiang and Shigatse, Nyingchi, Qamdo, Ngari and Shannan prefectures. If you want to tour the above destinations in Tibet, you have to take the connecting flights which will transfer in Chengdu or Chongqing Airport. Generally those transfer flights are about to get to Lhasa the next day.

Take Flights to Tibet from Other Cities in Yunnan Province

Tibet Travel Permit and Flight Travel

Useful Notes on Tibet Flight Travel

1. Necessary documents required to take a flight to/off Tibet

- Chinese Visa is always needed no matter you are taking a flight or a train to Tibet. The office man in the airport will check your Chinese visa when your go to board the plane.

- The passport will be needed for many situations: booking flight ticket, checking in flight, checking in hotel, checking in the Border Station in Tibet, etc. Make sure your passport is valid and original.

- Original Tibet Travel Permit will be checked when you board your plane at the airports.

2. How to book flight ticket?

The flight ticket can be booked at online websites, such as Booking.com, Expedia, Ctrip, Qunar, etc. You can also buy the ticket from the airports in China or flight resellers. You are also welcomed to let us book your flight. We are always keeping up with the latest flight news and usually can book the ticket at a cheaper price. During summer and autumn, it is usually difficult to book the flights to Lhasa. While using our booking service, we will not only book the ticket, but also arrange a valuable tour package.

3. When is the best time to fly to Tibet?

Generally speaking, months from April to October are recommended for traveling in Tibet. Other months are usually very cold, and possibly have heavy snow, especially in regions like Mount Everest, Mount Kailash, Namtso Lake, etc. The flights schedules are also more frequent during April to October. During December to March, the airline companies will cut down the flight schedules, usually from daily weekly, even to none. But top cities like Chengdu and Xian still operate daily flights during the shoulder season. It is recommended to take the morning flight so that you can get to Lhasa before late afternoon, and have enough time to acclimatize yourself to the altitude and thin air in Lhasa. The morning flights also cut down the risk that your flights would be delayed or canceled.

4. Apart from Lijiang, where can I also take a flight to Tibet?

Apart from Lijiang, you can also fly to Tibet from Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Kunming, Shangri-La, etc.

5. International flights to Lhasa

So far, there is only one international air line connecting Lhasa: Kathmandu – Lhasa. During summer days, there are daily direct flights operated, sometimes two flights and sometimes just one flight. Only Air China and Sichuan Airlines are operating the Kathmandu - Lhasa flights. To take a flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa, one will need a a Group Visa, Tibet Travel Permit and Tibet Border Pass.

6. What else airport I can fly to except for Lhasa Gonggar International Airport?

Tibet has five airports in total. Besides Lhasa Gonggar Airport, you can also take a flight to Shigatse, Nyingchi, Ngari and Qamdo. But only certain cities in China operate flights to these smaller cities.

- Shigatse - there is daily flight flying between Chengdu and Shigatse each day. The airport name is Shigatse Peace Airport, which is about 46km from Shigatse city.

- Nyingchi - Chengdu usually offers 4 morning flights to Nyingchi Mainling Airport. While its neighboring city Chongqing also has 3 morning flights to Nyingchi each day. If you travel from Nyingchi to Lhasa, you are recommended to take a flight to Nyingchi firstly from Chengdu or Chongqing. It is also available to fly out Tibet directly from Nyingchi.

- Qamdo - Both Chongqing and Chengdu operate a daily flight to Qamdo in Tibet. But there are few travelers have chosen this line because Qamdo is not a popular tourist destination in Tibet.

- Ngari - Urumqi (capital of Xinjiang) offers a daily direct flight to Ngari with a stop at Kashgar on every Tuesday and Friday. Taking this flight, passengers need Military Permit and Border Pass as well as Tibet Travel Permit.

7. The regulation on the luggage allowance on the plane

Luggage Type	First Class	Business Class	Economy Class	Allowed Baggage Size
Allowed Carry-on Baggage	5kg * 2 pieces	5kg	5kg	55cm/20cm/40cm(L/B/H)
Allowed Checked-in Baggage	40kg	30kg	20kg	100cm/60cm/40cm(L/B/H)

8. Will my kids get a discounted flight ticket?

Kids aging 2 to 12 years old (including 12) will get a discount of 50% of the full price of the flight fare. If an adult take a flight to Lhasa from Beijing with a child aging at 10 and the full price for the economy class is 3260 CNY, the ticket fare for the child is 1630 CNY. The child also doesn’t have to pay for Airport Construction Fee while the adult has to. Infant under 2 years old only has to pay 10% of the full price, but the separate seat is not provided.

9. How do I collect (receive) the flight ticket?

Since most flight tickets are booked online, so firstly you will receive an e-ticket. You will change it to a paper ticket when you check in your flight at a counter in the airport.