How to travel to Tibet from Shanghai, Shanghai Tibet Tour

How to Travel to Tibet from Shanghai - Planning Instructions

To plan a Tibet trip from Shanghai to Lhasa, you only have to follow three steps - 1. Directly take a flight to Shanghai, and spend some days to explore this energetic China metropolis; 2. Choose the right transportation to Tibet, flight or train? 3. Plan your itinerary in Tibet. Read carefully following instruction, then make your choice from our well-selected Shanghai Tibet tour packages. You can also try to use our easy customize tool to design your own trip in the bottom.

Top Shanghai Tibet Tours

>> 7 Days Classic Shanghai Tibet Highlights Tour

>> 8 Days Lifetime Tibet Train Tour from Shanghai

>> 11 Days Shanghai Lhasa Everest Impression Tour

1. How to plan your trip in Shanghai (top things to do you have in Shanghai)?

Traveling in Shanghai is like an adventure full of surprises. Why? All the people know Shanghai is the modern face of current China which is famous for its economy and fashion. But fewer people have experienced another side of Shanghai - traditional cultural existence. That's what we are going to take you to explore.

Shanghai city & surrounding brief exploration - 2~3 days

- 2 days: one full day to Yu Garden, Bazaar, Jinmao Tower, The Bund and Nanjing Road to look for the hidden tradition; a half day to visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center to see the future of Shanghai, also the Jade Buddha Temple to enjoy some peaceful time, after that, you can leave Shanghai for next destinations;

- 3 days: covering above 2 days' activities, the 3 days' trip will take an extra day to visit one of beautiful water town around Shanghai between Zhujiajiao Water Town and Fengjing Water Town.

Sidetrips to Suzhou, Hangzhou or Huangshan Mountain

- Shanghai + Suzhou: you can take high speed trail from Shanghai to Suzhou to have a full day of exploration of Suzhou's highlights, such as the quiet Lingering Garden and the Suzhou Museum, etc.

- Shanghai + Hangzhou: we advise you to stay 2 days in Hangzhou because Hangzhou is full of things to do. Spend one day exploring the West Lake and around, another day to visit Wuzhen, one of most beautiful water town in China.

- Shanghai + Huangshan: two days are needed to visit Huangshan from Shanghai. You will accommodate on the top of Huangshan Mountain one night to catch the breathtaking sunset and sunrise.

2. How to go to Tibet from Shanghai?

Train travel to Tibet – There is only one train to Lhasa every other day. Z164 departs from Shanghai Railway Station, and arrive at Lhasa Railway Station on the third day. The whole train journey is about 4373km taking about 48 hours. Check more about Shanghai Lhasa Train>

Flights to Tibet – There are usually 2 flights departing from Shanghai to Lhasa. One is operated by Tibet Air, and leaves Shanghai with stopover at Chengdu, and get to Lhasa. Another flight departs Shanghai, makes stopover at Xian, and arrive at Lhasa. So you'd better check the flight availability before your trip carefully. Check more about Shanghai Lhasa Flights>

We suggest you take morning flight to Tibet so that you have to time to acclimatize the high altitude and weather in Lhasa.

3. How to organize an itinerary in Tibet?

When planning a trip to Tibet, you have to reserve two days for arrival and departure, because whether the train journeys or the flights generally take longer time, and the schedules for train and flight are not as frequent as in large cities, like Beijing and Shanghai, and usually need to be booked very early before your trip in tourism peak season. The following are popular routes or tourist region and recommended length of trip:

Lhasa city tour – two days

Two days allow you to explore the most important cultural sights in Lhasa City.

>> 4 Days Holy City Tour

- Day 1: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street

- Day 2: Norbulingka Palace, Drepung Monastery, Sera Buddhism Debating

Namtso Lake – one or two days

Many travelers (especially photographers) enjoy the incredible natural beauty of Namtso Lake. You can visit Namtso Lake in one day or two days.

- One day: Enjoy a round trip between Lhasa and Namtso Lake.

>> 6 Days Holy Lake Namtso In-depth Private Tour

- Two days: You can spend more time appreciating beautiful Namtso Lake and what the great sunset.

Yamdrok Lake – one day

- One day: Drive to Kambala Pass to get a panoramic view of Yamdrok Lake and then go to the lake to enjoy a close sight.

>> 5 Days Lhasa and Yamdrok Holy Lake Tour

Gyantse and Shigatse – two or three days

- Two days trip: On day 1, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse via Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier. On day 2, drive from Shigatse to Lhasa after visiting Tashilhunpo Monastery. On route, you will visit Nimu Tunba. If your time allows, you can stay one night in Gyantse and travel its Pala Manor and Gyantse Dzong.

>> 6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Historical Tour

Mount Everest – four days

As the highest peak of the world, Mt. Everest is another top destination in Tibet attracting numerous mountaineers. Travelers can also get a close sight of Mount Everest.

- Four days trip: Day 1 from Lhasa to Shigatse, Day 2 from Shigatse to Mount Everest, Day 3 from Mount Everest back to Shigatse and Day 4 from Shigatse back to Lhasa

>> 8 Days Everest Base Camp Tour

Nyingchi region – three or four days

Great landscape is shaped in Nyingchi because of its characteristic geographic location and changeable climate. Here you can see forests, lakes, gorges, snow-covered peaks, etc. It needs 4 ~ 5 days to have a Nyingchi classic tour.

- Four days trip: On day 1, drive from Lhasa to Nyingchi. Visit Lulang Forest on day 2 and visit Basumtso Lake on day 3. On day 4, you can leave Nyingchi for Lhasa or take a lfight to Chengdu, Chongqing, etc. If you have another day, you can visit Rawo Lake and Midui Glacier.

>> 8 Days Tibet Dream Tour from Nyingchi to Lhasa

Shannan region – two days

It is recommended to spend 2 days at least to visit the essence of Shannan.

-Two days trip: On day 1, driving to Shannan from Lhasa or the airport directly and then visit Tibet’s first palace – Yumbulakang Palace. On day 2, visit Tibet’s first monastery – Samye Monastery and drive back to Lhasa after the sightseeing.

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

Ngari region – ten or more days

Ngari, in western Tibet, is a holy land for many Buddhist followers. Many travelers also visit Ngari to admire the wild nature. Its top attraction is Mount Kailash.

- You need to drive from Lhasa, via Gyantse, Shigatse, Lhatse, Saga, to Mount Kailash where you will spend three days. The whole trip takes 10 days at least.

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