If you plan to start your Tibet trip from Nyingchi, Nyingchi Mainling Airport will be the first stop on your journey. This article will introduce Linzhi Mainling Airport’s flight information, the surrounding traffic, and other useful information to help you plan your Tibet trip easily.

Nyingchi Mainling Airport, the Lowest Airport in Tibet

Nyingchi Mainling Airport, also called Linzhi Airport, is located at the Yarlung Zangbo River valley in Miling County, Linzhi City. The construction of Nyingchi Airport started in October 2003 and was put into operation on September 1, 2006. At an altitude of 2949 meters, Nyingchi Mainling Airport is the lowest airport in Tibet. Thus, entering Tibet from Nyingchi allows you to adapt to the plateau environment gradually and alleviate the altitude sickness symptoms. As the second largest airport after Lhasa Gonggar Airport, Nyingchi Mainling Airport is an important gateway to Tibet, connecting flights to many cities and providing great convenience for your traveling.

Nyingchi Mainling Airport

Nyingchi Mainling Airport Flight Schedule and Ticket Price

Currently, Mainling Airport does not have any international flights, but there are direct flights to Nyingchi from many cities in China, such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an, Beijing, and so on. Please feel free to contact us for more details and to book Nyingchi flights for you.

Travel Documents Needed for Flights to Linzhi Milin Airport

There are some essential documents that you will need when you fly to Nyingchi. You can choose us to handle all the documents you need directly.

Chinese Via: 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 and this is a prerequisite for obtaining other necessary permits for travel within China.

Tibet Travel Permit: Tibet Travel Permit is a necessary document for traveling to Tibet, without which you will not be able to travel by train or plane to Tibet. It should be obtained through a local Tibetan tour agency like Tibet Horizon since individual applications are not accepted by the 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 like Basumtso Lake, Bomi, Ranwu Lake, etc.

Top FAQs about Ningchi Mainling Airport

How to book my Nyingchi flight tickets?

Airline tickets to Nyingchi can be booked from platforms such as Booking.com, Expedia, Ctrip, Qunar, etc, or check the airline's official website for relevant airfare information. And Tibet Horizons offers ticket ordering services. You can tell us your travel time and we will book your tickets in advance at a favorable price. Furthermore, we meticulously craft a selection of Nyingchi tour packages to guarantee an exceptional and gratifying travel experience.

How to board the flight to Nyingchi?

Make sure you arrive at your departure airport with plenty of time to spare, usually two hours before departure, and bring all the documents you need to fly to Nyingchi.

When you arrive at the airport, find your airline's check-in counter. You need to present your passport with your Tibet Travel Permit, and they will give you a boarding pass with your flight number, boarding time, boarding gate, destination, and seat number. If you need to check your luggage, you should do it when you check-in.

Next, pass the security check and wait for your plane. Please pay attention to airport announcements and updates so that you do not 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 Nyingchi Mainling Airport.

How to get to my hotel from Nyingchi Mainling Airport?

Nyingchi Mainling Airport is located in Miling County, about 45 km to the downtown and the drive takes about 1 hour. To reach the city center from the airport, you can choose from several transport options:

Airport Shuttle bus: The airport bus to the city center takes about 55 minutes and costs $4. The bus travels along the airport highway and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.
Taxi: Taxis start at $1.5, which is relatively expensive, and in general, a taxi from the airport to the city costs between $4-7.
Travel agency pick-up service: Foreign visitors cannot travel independently in Tibet, and if you have booked a Tibet Tour with us, we can provide you with a free airport shuttle bus service. Upon your arrival, our guide and driver will meet you at the airport exit and escort you to your hotel in Nyingchi. Please contact us for more detailed information about this service.

What to see on the Nyingchi Tour?

Covering an area of 15 square km, Lulang Forest is characterized by diverse flora, including vibrant shrubs, spruce, and pine trees. It offers an idyllic setting for photography, relaxation, and enjoyment of the natural environment.

Midui Glacier is widely regarded as the most aesthetically pleasing glacier in China. You will have the opportunity to observe the glacier in close proximity, from its top to its bottom, which extends between 700 and 800 meters in length.

Basumtso Lake is a beautiful small holy lake of Tibetan Buddhism. The lake is situated in a pristine natural environment, surrounded by luxuriant tropical forests. The turquoise waters reflect the surrounding mountains, forests, and blue sky, creating an idyllic setting.

How to get to Lhasa from Nyingchi Mainling Airport?

The distance from Nyingchi Mainling Airport to Lhasa is 443 km and the drive takes about 4-5 hours. If there are stops on the way, it will take longer. If you wish to travel quickly to Lhasa after arriving in Nyingchi, you can choose to take the train. The train from Nyingchi to Lhasa departs daily at 12:00 and arrives in Lhasa at 15:42. The price of a second-class seat is $19 and a first-class seat is $29. You can also enjoy the scenery along the way through the train.

Conclusion

The relatively low altitude of the Nyingchi will facilitate gradual acclimatization to the high-altitude environment and numerous natural attractions are available for exploration. Furthermore, Nyingchi is convenient to travel to Lhasa, offering the opportunity to experience the distinctive cultural and natural marvels of eastern and central Tibet. This journey will undoubtedly enhance the enriching and memorable experience of a trip to Tibet. If you still have questions about Nyingchi Mainling Airport or your trip to Tibet, please feel free to contact us.