With an elevation of 4,274 meters, Ngari Gunsa Airport is the fourth-highest airport in the world. 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 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, the Closest Airport to Kailash and Manasarovar

Ngari Gunsa Airport (NGQ), also known as Ali Kunsha Airport, is a pivotal aviation hub located in the remote prefecture of Ngari in China's Tibet Autonomous Region. It boasts a terminal building spanning approximately 4,000 square meters and is capable of handling up to four flights and 300 passengers per hour during peak times, with an annual throughput capacity planned for 120,000 passengers. Constructed between May 2007 and July 2010, this airport has significantly transformed transportation in the region, offering faster and more convenient access to Ngari's stunning landscapes and cultural treasures. It is the closest airport to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.

Ngari Gunsa Airport

The airport is approximately 43.27 kilometers (or 50 km by road) away from the downtown area of Shiquanhe. And here are some ways to get to downtown from Ngari Gunsa Airport:

Airport Shuttle Bus: There is an airport shuttle bus that heads to Shiquanhe Town from the airport. This is a convenient option for travelers who prefer public transportation.
Renting a Car/Hiring a Taxi: Renting a car or hiring a taxi is a viable option. The journey by road typically takes around 1 hour and the price is normally $23, depending on traffic and road conditions.
Private Car Transfer: Foreign visitors cannot travel independently in Tibet, and if you book Ngari tour packages with Tibet Horizon, you can enjoy our private car transfer services from the airport to Shiquanhe Town or directly to your hotel for free. In this case, when you arrive in Ngari, our tour guide will meet you at the exit. We prioritize punctuality, ensuring that you reach your destination on time. This is often the most hassle-free option as everything is arranged for you.

Ngari Gunsa Airport Flight Schedule and Ticket Price

The airport only provides direct flights to three local cities: Lhasa in Tibet, and Urumqi as well as Kashgar in Xinjiang due to its unique geographic location. But it provide connecting flights to many cities in Chinese Mainland like Chengdu and Xi’an. Here is Ngari flight schedule only for your reference, you can ask our travel consultant for a detailed airfare, schedule, and book Ngari flight tickets for you.

Travel Documents Needed for Flights to Ngari

There are some necessary permits you need to apply for to fly to Ngari and visit Mt. Kailash or other attractions in Ngari prefecture. If you want to trek around Kailash and Manasarovar, please contact us to know more about documents you need.

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 and Lake Manasarovar 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, Lake Manasarovar, Guge Kingdom.

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.

Top FAQs about Ngari Gunsa Airport

How to book my Ngari flight tickets?

Flight tickets to Ngari can be booked at online websites, such as Booking.com, Expedia, Ctrip, Qunar, etc. As a better option, you can 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 has a range of Tibet tour packages 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 the flight to Ngari?

Ensure you arrive at your departure 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 a few 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 Mount Kailash or Lake Manasarovar from Ngari Gunsa Airport?

Ngari Gunsa Airport is the nearest airport to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, 209 km from Kailash and 235 km from Manasarovar. The most common way to reach Manasarovar and Kailash from Ngari Gunsa Airport is by car. It takes approximately 4 to 5 hours of driving to Darchen which is situated between Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. And then take a bus drive from Darchen to Mount Kailash or Lake Manasarovar. In addition, Tibet Horizon provides car transfer services from the airport directly to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. If you want more details or have some questions about planning your Mount Kailash tour, feel free to contact us for inquiries.

How to avoid altitude sickness when flying to Ngari?

Altitude sickness is a major concern, as you will be traveling at altitudes well above 5,000 meters several times during the trip. 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

Thanks to the Ngari Gunsa Airport, you can now conveniently access the sacred Mount Kailash and enigmatic Lake Manasarovar in western Tibet. Thus, taking a flight to Ngari is strongly advised in order to enjoy the natural beauty of Tibet. If you have any questions about Ngari Gunsa Airport or traveling to Mount Kailash, please feel free to contact us or leave your comments below.