The Urumqi Ngari flight via Kashgar is the only direct flight connecting Urumqi City and Ali Prefecture. It takes only 4 hours and 15 minutes to travel from Urumqi to Ngari, which saves a lot of time and money compared to complicated connecting flights. After appreciating ethnic architecture and natural scenery in Urumqi, you can fly directly to Ngari for its stunning landscape.

Urumqi Diwopu International Airport

Urumqi Diwopu International Airport is located in Diwopu, a suburb of Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, 16.8 kilometers from downtown Urumqi. The airport is one of China's major hubs and gateway cities to Central and West Asia and Europe. There are three terminals in total, and you will need to arrive at Terminal 1 to board your flight to Ngari. There are many ways to get to the airport, such as the subway, buses, and taxis.

Metro Line 1 - most recommended: There is only one subway line open in Urumqi at the moment. You can take Metro Line 1 to the airport. The time and cost vary depending on where you get on the subway, but it can take up to an hour and won't cost more than $1.
Bus - a convenient way: Both the 27 and 51 buses can reach the airport, take about an hour and a half, and cost $0.2. If you want to get more of a view of the city, this is a good option.
Taxi - a feasible option: The airport is located 18 kilometers northwest of Urumqi and a cab ride will take about half an hour and cost close to $7. To save your time and energy, you can choose this way of traveling.

Urumqi Diwopu International Airport

Ngari Gunsa Airport

Ali Gunsa Airport is located at an altitude of 4,274 meters, southwest of the town of Shiquan River in Ngari Prefecture, which is known as the “Roof of the World’s Roof”. Situated in the northern part of Mapam Yumco, it’s only 5 hours drive (about 330 kilometers) from Kailash. Thus, it is much easier for you to visit Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Lake.

Urumqi Ngari Flights

Ngari Airport in Ngari only offers direct flights to Lhasa, Urumqi, Kashgar, and Xi'an. For those wishing to travel from Beijing, Chengdu, or other cities to Ngari, you shall change the plane at Lhasa. However, a direct flight from Urumqi to Ngari provides an alternative to the lengthy connecting flights. Furthermore, it offers the opportunity to appreciate the distinctive landscapes of Xinjiang.

Urumqi to Ngari Flight Schedule and Ticket Price

There is a daily direct flight from Urumqi to Ngari, departing at 7:20. Please note that the plane will make a 40-minute stopover in Kashgar and arrive in Ngari at 11:35. You can also choose from two other flights from Urumqi to Ngari via connection in Lhasa and Kashgar. Please note that connecting flights via Kashgar are only available every Monday. Below is the flight schedule, if you need more detailed information, please feel free to contact us.

Ngari to Urumqi Flights Schedule and Ticket Price

There is a daily direct flight from Ngari to Urumqi. It takes off at 12:15, with a 50-minute stopover in Kashgar, arriving in Urumqi at 17:00. In addition to the direct flight, there are two connecting flights via Lhasa and Kashgar every Tuesday. Below is the flight schedule for your reference. If needed, you can also contact us to book the tickets for you.

Travel Documents Needed for Urumqi to Ngari Flight

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 is the must paper to visit some special sites in Tibet. During your Kailash tour, your tour guide will help you apply for it in the local Public Security of Lhasa. It normally takes around 1-2hours.

Military Permit: Visiting Ngari (Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, Guge Kingdom, and so on), only the Tibet Travel Permit and Aliens’ Travel Permit are not enough, and a Military Permit is also a must. Military Permit is issued by the Military Office in Lhasa, and can only be obtained by the travel agency.

We can offer you a one-stop Tibet permit application service. You can join one of our Ngari tours to visit Kailash and Manasarovar, and we will apply for the required documents on your behalf. Then, all you need to do is enjoy your trip to Tibet.

Top FAQs about Flights between Urumqi and Ngari

How to book my Urumqi to Ngari flight tickets?

You can book your Urumqi to Ngari flight on the airline’s official websites or travel platforms, like Expedia, Ctrip, etc. And Tibet Horizon is the best assistant to help you, we can book your tickets in advance at a favorable price and arrange the perfect Xinjiang to Tibet trip for you.

How to board Urumqi to Ngari flight?

Make sure you arrive at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport with plenty of time to spare, usually two hours before departure, and bring all the documents you need to fly to Ngari.

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.

After a flight journey of about 4 hours, you will reach Ngari.

How to get to Kailash from Ngari Gunsa Airport

Ngari Gunsa Airport is 200km (about 4.5 hours driving) away from Darchen, the starting point of the pilgrimage to Mount Kailash. Since the transportation of Nagari is still under construction, there are no trains or shuttle buses at present. Domestic tourists can rent a car to get there. However, since foreign tourists are not allowed to travel alone in Tibet, you must use vehicles arranged by local travel agencies on pre-arranged tour routes. As a professional local travel agency in Tibet, we will arrange a comfortable vehicle, an experienced driver, and a local Tibet guide to serve you throughout your Tibet Tour.

When is the best time to visit Kailash?

The best time to go to Kailash is from April to October, especially in September and October, with more sunny days, since there is a rainy period from June to August. Even though, you should keep an eye on the weather conditions before you go and during your visit time. Remember do not let your skin be exposed outside or you’ll easily get burnt by intensive solar irradiation. Please note the temperatures at daytime and night also vary a lot, and it is advisable to bring an extra layer to keep warm at night and comfortable shoes to hike.

What else to see besides Kailash?

There are many famous attractions nearby Kailash, such as Manasarovar Lake, Guge Kingdom, Lake Rakshastal, and so on.

Manasarovar Lake is located at the southern foot of Kailash. As one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, Manasarovar is the highest freshwater lake with an elevation of 4590 meters, meaning eternal and invincible jade lake in Tibet. Here originate four great rivers, and one of the sacred pilgrimage destinations.

Guge Kingdom has a long history of over 700 years and it created a spectacular civilization and then disappeared mysteriously. The site of Guge Kingdom is located in western Ngari Prefecture, about 6 hours’ driving distance to Kailash and Manasarovar Lake.

Lake Rakshastal is close to the holy Manasarovar Lake. It’s quiet and barren, and some people call it “ghost lake”. Standing on the lakeside, you can see some small reddish islands in the blue water and the Mountain Kailash not far off.

Conclusion

Urumqi to Ngari flight travel guide covers every detail you need to know for flying from Urumqi to Ngari, including flight schedules, ticket prices, travel documents, and more. Our professional and friendly team is always ready to help if you have any questions or need assistance during your preparation for your Tibet trip. We are committed to making your trip to Tibet from Urumqi smooth and enjoyable!