Chongqing Tibet Tour

The distance from Chongqing to Tibet depends on your destination in Tibet. The distance from Chongqing to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, is about 2,200 km by air and approximately 3,030 km by train via the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Direct flights from Chongqing to Lhasa usually take around 2.5 hours, while the train journey takes about 33.5 hours. Despite the long distance, Chongqing is one of the most convenient gateways to Tibet, with frequent flights and regular train services to Lhasa.

When visiting Chongqing, numerous attractions showcase the city's rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes.

Hongya Cave: It’s known for its traditional stilted buildings and a beautiful riverside view, especially at night. The illumination of the buildings against the river creates a stunning spectacle that has made it a top destination for photographers and visitors alike.
Ciqikou Ancient Town: A well-preserved ancient town dating back to the Song Dynasty, offering a glimpse into Chongqing's history and traditional culture. You can find unique souvenirs and street snacks there.
Chaotianmen Square: It's a significant landmark and a symbol of Chongqing's ancient past. You can enjoy the panoramic views of the confluence of the Jialing River and the Yangtze River, which is a spectacular sight, especially during the day when you can see the two rivers meeting with different water colors.

The Tibet train from Chongqing to Lhasa offers beautiful views along the way.

Yangtze River: The train passes along the Yangtze River, offering glimpses of China's longest river and the surrounding lush landscapes.
Loess Plateau: After entering Gansu, you can see the Loess Plateau. The scenery is basically desolate and without green plants. In some areas, there are farming scenes, neat terraces, dotted trees, and scattered houses, which also make the scenery more diverse.
Delingha: The Delingha area offers a unique blend of diverse landscapes, including lakes, deserts, and mountains. On the train, you may catch sight of a serene blue lake surrounded by red rocks and colorful hills.
Kekexili: Situated in the northwest part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it’s one of the largest and highest nature reserves in China, home to many rare species such as snow leopards, Tibetan antelope, and wild yaks.
Cuona Lake: It’s the world’s highest freshwater lake and the closest lake to the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, with clear and green waters against the blue sky and the mountains beyond.

To visit Tibet from Chongqing, travelers typically need the following permits:
Tibet Travel Permit: This permit is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) and is required for all foreigners visiting Tibet.
Aliens' Travel Permit: Tourists venturing into partially restricted areas, such as Ngari Prefecture, need to obtain the Aliens’ Travel Permit through a Tibet Travel Agency (like Tibet Horizon).
Military Area Entry Permit: Travelers traveling along G318 Highway or visiting Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash need to apply for a Military Area Entry Permit.
Provisional Driving License: Travelers joining a self-driving trip in Tibet need to apply for a provisional driving license.

Our Tibet tour packages include the Tibet Travel Permit and all the necessary Tibet travel documents. If you book with us, we’ll help apply for the permits needed to ensure a smooth and worry-free Chongqing Tibet tour.

In Chongqing, a great metropolis of south-central China, the climate is temperate, with hot and humid summers. In summer, the temperature during the daytime can reach over 35°C. While Chongqing has mild winters, Tibet’s winters are relatively cold with occasional snowfalls. Taking Chongqing and Tibet’s climates into consideration, the best time to visit Tibet from Chongqing is generally from April to June and from September to October. During these months, the weather is relatively stable, with less rainfall, clear skies and mild temperatures, making it ideal for enjoying the stunning views in Chongqing and Tibet. Also, you can experience the grand Saga Dawa Festival in May. In summer, the weather may be rainy, but tourists can witness the celebration of Shoton Festival. Although winter in Tibet is relatively cold compared with that in Chongqing, it is not as cold as you might think. During this period, you can enjoy a lower cost of transportation and accommodation and feel less crowded as there are fewer tourists. Also, Losar, the Tibetan New Year, often falls in February or March.

Major Tibetan cities like Lhasa, Shigatse, and Nyingchi offer more diverse options from 3-to 5-star hotels to local guesthouses. They provide basic to luxury facilities, all ensuring a comfortable stay. For travelers on private tours, you can choose according to your standards. However, in remote areas like Everest Base Camp and Mt. Kailash, only cozy tents and guesthouses are available.

Chongqing is famous for its delicious food, featuring a distinctive spicy and numbing flavor. You can discover rich and diversified dishes in Chongqing, such as hotpot, pickled cabbage head, cold mung bean noodles, and Chongqing small noodles. Then, moving to Tibet, you can find unique Tibetan and Nepali cuisines there. Tibetan dishes include yak hotpot, sweet tea, butter tea, roasted pig, tsampa, and barley wine. Nepali dishes feature chicken masala and various curries. You can find specialties of other Tibetan prefectures and cities, such as stone pot chicken, a specialty of Nyingchi. You can also find Indian dishes and Western-style dishes in Lhasa.

Traveling on the Tibet Plateau with an average altitude of over 4,000 meters, it’s common for some tourists to experience altitude sickness. The symptoms of altitude sickness can include headache, nausea, and dizziness.

To minimize the effect of high altitude, it is important to allow time to acclimate to the high altitude and to take precautions to prevent altitude sickness. You should drink plenty of water, eat light meals, and avoid alcohol or caffeine. It is also recommended to take a slow path in the first two days after entering Tibet, avoiding strenuous activities like running.

If you feel uncomfortable, tell your guide. We have prepared oxygen tanks in our vehicles. You can inhale oxygen and take medication when necessary. If symptoms of altitude sickness persist or worsen, we’ll help transfer you to the hotel or hospital to seek medical attention immediately.