Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan Province in the southwest of China, is one of the most popular gateway cities to enter Tibet. Thanks for the close destination, with a straight distance of 1,342 kilometers, Chengdu offers 4 ways to get to Lhasa.

Here, we are going to tell you the different travel distances and durations from Chengdu to Lhasa for different and help you find the best way to visit Tibet from Chengdu.

1. Chengdu to Lhasa Flight Distance: 1,261 km / 2.5 Hours Direct Flights

The flight distance from Chengdu to Lhasa is merely 1,261 kilometers. With a flight time of just 2.5 hours, the Chengdu to Lhasa flight is one of the easiest routes to take.

Beautiful landscape when taking Chengdu to Lhasa flight.

As one of the most popular flight departure locations to Tibet, Chengdu offers the most frequent direct flights daily for Lhasa Gonggar International Airport. During peak season, there are nearly 30 direct flights available, and even in the low season, there are around a dozen daily flights.

Because both Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport have flights to Lhasa, please double-check the departure airport while taking a flight from Chengdu to Lhasa.

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2. Chengdu to Lhasa Railway Distance via the Qinghai-Tibet Railway: 3,070 km / 36 Hours

The Chengdu to Lhasa train takes around 36 hours to complete the 3,070-kilometer train journey to Tibet via the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, which includes the renowned 1,956-kilometer stretch of the same railway.

Currently, it is the only way to travel from Chengdu to Lhasa by train. You’ll travel up from Chengdu to Lanzhou, and then turn west to head to Xining, the start of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. From there, you’ll head over two high mountain ranges, the Kunlun Mountains and the Tanggula Mountains, which fringe the northern edge of the higher plateau of Tibet. Once over the Tanggula Mountains, it is a journey down over the vast grassland of Tibet to Lhasa.

The Chengdu to Lhasa train departs every other day from Chengdu and costs from 627.5 RMB for a hard sleeper berth and from 997.5 RMB dollars for a soft sleeper berth, which is the first-class option on board.

While planning a Chengdu to Lhasa train tour, you need to check the train schedule in advance, in case there is no train departing on your scheduled day.

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3. Chengdu to Lhasa Railway Distance via the Sichuan-Tibet Railway: 2,100km / 13 Hours

Besides the classic Chengdu to Lhasa train route via Xining, a new direct railway route from Chengdu to Lhasa will be available in the near future. The total length of the new Sichuan-Tibet railway is set to be around 2,100 kilometers.

Once the new route is completed, the travel duration from Chengdu to Lhasa by train will be reduced from over 36 hours to just 13 hours. This should also lower the cost of train tickets, as the new route will cover only about two-thirds of the current distance.

While it is still under construction, a huge section of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway has already been completed, connecting Lhasa with Nyingchi and Chengdu with Kangding. The hardest stretch of the tracks, in the higher mountains to the east of Nyingchi, is still being built, but is expected to be completed by 2025.

Chengdu to Lhasa railway is still under construction.

4. Chengdu to Lhasa Overland Distance via the G318 Highway: 2,149 km

Though it is a longer and much more costly option, the Chengdu to Lhasa overland journey via the G318 National Highway is the most beautiful travel route to Tibet. A distance by road of 2,149 kilometers, the southern route of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, also known as the G318 National Highway to Tibet, is one of the most stunning roads in the world, traveling up and down the mountains of the Hengduan Mountain Range, and cutting through some of Nyingchi’s most stunning scenery.

The road condition of G318 from Chengdu to Lhasa.

The beautiful scenery along the G318 National Highway from Chengdu to Lhasa includes the beauty of the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, and Minya Konka, the famous Snow Mountain in Sichuan Province. You can also experience the unique Kham Tibetan culture in the areas around Danba, Kangding, Xinduqiao, and Litang.

The southern route of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway offers good road conditions, making it suitable for travel by car, bike, or motorcycle. Generally, the Chengdu to Lhasa overland tour takes 7 days by car while the cycling tour, following the same route, takes over 20 days.

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5. Chengdu to Lhasa Overland Distance via the G317 Highway: 2,412 km

The northern route of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, via the G317 National Highway, is the longest route from Chengdu to Lhasa, with a distance of around 2,412 kilometers.

It takes around one week to drive from Chengdu to Lhasa along the northern route via the G317 Highway. Unlike the scenic southern route to Tibet, the northern route from Chengdu to Lhasa passes through the Kham Tibetan inhabited areas in both Sichuan Province and the Tibetan Autonomous Region, offering a richer cultural experience.

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6. How to Choose the Best Way to Travel from Chengdu to Lhasa?

Taking a flight from Chengdu to Lhasa is the most time- and money-effective way to travel from Chengdu to Lhasa. The over 1,200 kilometers journey can be done in 2.5 hours from 200 US dollars. If you are in a hurry or are short on time, it is the perfect option for you.

If you prefer to experience the legendary Qinghai-Tibet Railway from Chengdu to Lhasa, please pay attention to the train schedule as the Chengdu-Lhasa train doesn’t depart daily. If there is no train on the date you plan to travel, you can fly directly from Chengdu to Xining, and then take a train from Xining to Lhasa. This way you can save time and see the most essential part of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

The longer the distance, the more time and travel costs will be spent. Traveling from Chengdu to Lhasa by road is no doubt the most expensive way to go. If you have enough time and budget, then it is worthwhile to choose to enter Tibet by overland. Starting from Chengdu and heading west, you will cross the Hengduan Mountains from the flat Chengdu Plain to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, through snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands. Along the way, you'll journey through various Tibetan areas and enjoy diverse breathtaking scenery. These experiences are truly invaluable.

Traveling from Chengdu to Lhasa by bike is a lifetime adventure through the scenic G318 Highway.

Conclusion

Due to its close proximity to Tibet, Chengdu is always a popular gateway city for trips to Tibet. The short flight from Chengdu to Lhasa takes only 2.5 hours and operates with the most frequent daily schedule.

By land, the journey from Chengdu to Lhasa spans over 2,100 kilometers by highway and about 3,070 kilometers by railway via Xining. A new train route will soon cut down the railway distance to 2,100 kilometers once the new Sichuan-Tibet Railway is completed.

Currently, two highways connecting Chengdu and Lhasa: the G318 National Highway and the G317 National Highway. The road journey can be done either by car or bike. However, the more days you spend en route the higher travel cost will occur.

You can choose the best way to travel from Chengdu to Lhasa based on your schedule and budget. No matter which way you choose, we ensure that you receive the necessary Tibet Permit on time after booking your Chengdu Tibet tour with us.

Feel free to share your travel ideas with us. Our local travel expert will help you arrange the best trip to Tibet.