Located in Ngari Prefecture, Mount Kailash is known as the “Holy Mountain” and is a dream destination for many tourists from home and abroad. Kashgar, as an important trading post and strategic location on the ancient Silk Road, is a good starting point for Xinjiang Tibet flight. The flight time from Kashigar to Ngari is about 1 hour and 35 minutes for direct flights. After proper preparation with Tibet Horizon, you can immerse yourself in the natural beauty and cultural experience along the journey.

Airports in Xinjiang

Since there is no high-speed train operating in Kashgar currently, taking a flight is the most efficient way to reach Kashgar. There are 2 airports in Kashgar Region and Kashgar Laining International Airport is the most frequently used one.

Kashgar Laining International Airport

Kashgar Laining International Airport is the second largest airport in Xinjiang and the westernmost international airport in China. Located in the north of Yinbin Avenue, Kashgar City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, it’s about 10 kilometers from the city center. Kashgar International Airport offers a quick access to the airport shuttle bus, public bus, and taxi.

Shuttle Bus - convenient: There are 4 shuttle buses connecting the airport and some hotels near Kashgar downtown. The fare is just around $1.
Public Bus - economical: Public bus is available for you from downtown to Kashgar Airport and vice versa with a duration of 1 hour. The ticket price is about $0.3.
Taxi - fast but expensive: Usually, it takes 11 minutes and costs about $4 to call a taxi from downtown to the airport.

Shache Yarkand Airport

Located in Zirefuxiati Village of Zirefuxiati Tajik Township, Shache Yarkand Airport (QSZ) is an airport serving Shache County. It operates flights to Ngari, Kashgar, Urumqi, Aksu, etc. With over 3,000 years of history, Shache was a transport crossroad of great military importance on the ancient Silk Road. It was also the location of Yarkand Khanate, one of the 36 western kingdoms in the Han Dynasty and the ancient capital of Yerqiang Kingdom during the Ming Dynasty. So, if you fly to Ngari from Kashgar with a transition in Shache, it’s a nice chance for you to have a sightseeing here.

Ngari Gunsa Airport

Located in the southwest of Shiquanhe Town, Ngari Gunsa Airport (NGQ) serves as a dual-use military and civil airport. With an elevation of 4,274 meters, Ngari Gunsa Airport is the fourth highest airport in the world. Ngari is a remote area in west Tibet and southwest Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, bordered by Shigatse to the southeast and Xinjiang to the north. With a landform full of peaks, gorges, soil forests, lakes, and volcanoes, Ngari is really hard to develop a perfect transportation system. Even so, you can reach Ngari and get a close sight of Mount Kailash much easier with the construction of the airport. Currently, the airport offers flights connecting Kashgar, Lhasa, Urumqi, Chengdu, and Xi’an. Thanks to Ngari Gunsa Airport, travelling to Mount Kailash is much easier now.

Ngari Gunsa Airport

Kashgar Ngari Flight

To start the awesome Xinjiang Tibet tour, you can get non-stop flights directly from Kashgar to Ngari or take a connecting flight that transits through Shache Yarkand Airport.

Kashgar to Ngari Flight Schedule and Ticket Price

At present, there are 3 direct flights available every week from Kashgar to Ngari. The duration is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Meanwhile, there is 1 connecting flight available per week, taking about 4 hours and 10 minutes flying to Ngari from Kashgar. Here is the Kashgar to Ngari flight schedule for your reference, you can ask our travel consultant for a detailed airfare, schedule, and book Kashgar to Ngari flight tickets for you.

Ngari to Kashgar Flight Schedule and Ticket Price

On the return trip, there are also 3 direct flights available per week. It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to get to Kashgar from Ngari. The following flight schedule may be changed due to practical situations, please contact us for the newest and detailed information.

Documents Required When Flying to Ngari from Kashgar

Tibet Travel Permit

Tibet Travel Permit, also known as Tibet Visa or Tibet Entry Permit, is an indispensable travel permit for international tourists to enter Tibet. It should be obtained through a local Tibetan tour agency like Tibet Horizon since individual applications are not accepted by Tibet Tourism Bureau. With our help, you will get the Tibet Travel Permit without going through any troublesome application procedure.

Aliens’ Travel Permit

Aliens’ Travel Permit, also known as PSB Permit, is issued by Tibet Public Security Bureau. It is a specific document required for travelers who wish to visit certain areas within the Tibet Autonomous Region that are not typically open to foreign tourists. And to visit Mount Kailash requires Aliens’ Travel Permit. It can only be obtained through a licensed travel agency like Tibet Horizon by submitting the necessary documents including the destinations, travel dates, and tourists’ information.

Military Area Entry Permit

Military Area Entry Permit is a special travel document required for foreign travelers and Taiwan compatriots who wish to visit specific areas in Tibet that are considered sensitive due to their proximity to military zones, including Mount Kailash. This permit is issued by the Military Affairs Office in Lhasa, Tibet, and is necessary for accessing certain destinations that are not typically open to the public. You need to apply for this permit through a local travel agency.

Chinese Visa

A Chinese Visa is an official document issued by Chinese diplomatic missions, consular posts, or other authorized institutions abroad, allowing foreign tourists to visit China. All foreign tourists, except those exempt based on bilateral agreements or regulations, are required to apply for a Chinese Visa to travel to China, including Tibet. This is a prerequisite for obtaining other necessary permits for travel within China, such as the Tibet Travel Permit.

FAQs about Flights between Kashgar and Ngari

How to book my Kashgar Ngari flight ticket?

You can book your Kashgar to Ngari flight on the airline’s official websites or travel platforms, like Expedia, Ctrip, etc. You are also highly welcome to let Tibet Horizon book your flight tickets. We are always keeping up with the latest flight news and usually can book the ticket at a cheaper price. Besides that, our user-friendly platform allows you to effortlessly book your flight from Kashgar to Ngari, with a range of Xinjiang Tibet tour options tailored to suit your preferences. Whether you are eager to immerse yourself in Tibet’s breathtaking landscapes or pursue an efficient and effective business travel experience, we’ve got you covered.

How to board Kashgar to Ngari flight?

Ensure you arrive at Kashgar Laining International Airport with plenty of time to spare, typically two hours before departure, with all the documents needed for flying to Ngari.

Upon your arrival at the airport, find the check-in counter for your airline. You need to show your passport together with your Tibet Travel Permit to the clerk, and they will give you a boarding pass that shows the flight number, boarding time, boarding gate, destination, and seat number. If you have baggage to check, this should also be done during check-in.

Next, go through the security check and wait for your plane. Pay attention to the airport announcements or the latest updates on the screen so you don't miss your boarding time.

When boarding, you should show your boarding pass and the Tibet Travel Permit to the attendant at the boarding gate and find your assigned seat on the plane.

Then, after 3 hours in the air, your plane will touch down at Ngari Gunsa Airport. Stay calm and listen for instructions from the announcements as you disembark.

How to get to my hotel from Ngari Gunsa Airport?

Upon reaching Ngari Gunsa Airport, please follow the directions to the baggage claim area to retrieve your checked luggage. If you book your Tibet tour with us, you can enjoy our shuttle service between your hotel and the airport for free. In this case, when you arrive in Ngari, our tour guide will meet you at the exit and transfer you to the reserved hotel. We prioritize punctuality, ensuring that you reach your destination on time.

How to get to Mount Kailash from Ngari Gunsa Airport?

Ngari Gunsa Airport is the nearest airport to Mount Kailash. By road, you can get to downtown Shiquanhe which is about 50 km south to Ngari Gunsa Airport. And then take a one-day bus drive from Darchen which is situated north of Lake Manasarovar to Mount Kailash. If you want more details or have some questions about planning your Mount Kailash tour, feel free to contact us for inquiries.

Should I worry about high altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness is a major concern, as you will be traveling at altitudes well above 5,000 meters several times during the trip. It is super important to plan well and get used to the high altitude of Mount Kailash slowly. Here are some useful tips on how to alleviate altitude sickness.

Move slowly and steadily. Do not get too excited and do not ascend too fast on the way, since the symptoms of altitude sickness will get worse once you get stressed out.
Drink enough water. As dehydration may be caused by sweating due to the dry and cold air in the high mountains, you should bring water and drink it regularly. This easy but crucial practice keeps the body hydrated, helping the body cope with the challenges of the tour.
Bring the necessary medicines. When visiting Tibet, you should attach importance to minor ailments since they can be easily transformed into serious sicknesses. Therefore, it’s recommended to bring some painkillers, medicines for colds and carsickness, multivitamins, etc.

Conclusion

Traveling from Kashgar in Xinjiang to Kailash in Ngari by air offers a convenient and scenic route for you to embark on a memorable adventure to the sacred mountain. With proper planning of the available flight options, ground transportation arrangements, and potential travel challenges, you can not only focus on appreciating natural scenery but also deeply engage with the unique Tibetan culture and traditions. Whenever you have any questions or need assistance during the preparation for a journey to Tibet, our professional and friendly team is always ready to help. Tibet Horizon wishes you a smooth and delightful trip!