From Nepal, there are two main ways to reach Tibet: by road or by air. In this guide, you’ll learn step by step how to make the journey and what travel documents are required.
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Nepal to Tibet by Road
Traveling overland from Nepal to Tibet is the most popular choice for visitors who want to fully enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural experiences along the route.
Road travel between Nepal and Tibet remains highly dependent on weather. Every year, from July to October, heavy monsoon rains often bring landslides and road damage, making overland journeys more difficult and less reliable.
Also, it involves long, bumpy rides of 15–20 hours, with an overnight stop near the crossing ports.
When planning your journey, current road conditions and border policies are decisive. Booking with us ensures that we monitor port openings, road safety, and any policy changes, adjusting your route to guarantee a safe and smooth trip.
Which Port to Choose
There are two main border crossing ports currently used for road travel: Gyirong (吉隆) Port and Zhangmu (樟木) Port.
Gyirong Border Gyirong (吉隆) Port is the most commonly used crossing for international travelers. It’s approximately 130 km from Kathmandu to Gyirong, taking around 7-9 hours, then 800 km/12 hours from Gyirong to Lhasa, usually requiring an overnight stop in Shigatse.
But the road to the Gyirong Port may be affected during the rainy season (July to October).
From August to September 2025, Gyirong Port was temporarily closed due to flooding, we suggest choosing Zhangmu Port or fly to Lhasa during this period.
Zhangmu (樟木) Port is about 100 km (4–5 hrs) from Kathmandu to Zhangmu, then roughly 800 km (12 hrs) to Lhasa. Road conditions are usually better than Gyirong, but some sections remain affected by past earthquakes, with risks of landslides or temporary closures.
It offers a shorter and generally easier route compared with Gyirong, but it is more restricted and mainly limited to Chinese and Nepali citizens. However, it may open to foreign travelers when Gyirong Port is temporarily unavailable.
In August 2025, Zhangmu Port has reopened for international travelers, allowing entry and exit to Tibet.
Tips:
- Foreign visitors are not allowed to drive into Tibet on their own. For both safety and policy reasons, all trips must be organized through a licensed travel agency, with a local guide and driver accompanying the journey.
- Since the route gradually climbs from Nepal’s low valleys into Tibet’s high plateau, altitude sickness can be a concern. To make the journey safer and more comfortable, our vehicles are equipped with oxygen bottles, and our drivers and travel advisors are always ready to assist if you feel unwell during the ascent.
How to Cross the Border
We will arrange a private car and a driver to take you to the border. The driver can speak simple English.
It is recommended to depart from your hotel in Kathmandu at 4 a.m. You would arrive at the Chinese port at about 3 p.m. in Beijing time (China is 2 hours faster than Nepal).
During stops at police checkpoints, the driver typically provides a small paper containing his details and possibly copies of your visa (although this is not confirmed). To be on the safe side, it would be advisable to prepare at least 5 copies of your Chinese visa in advance.
Upon reaching the Nepal Immigration Office, you will be greeted by a "border guide" who will assist you throughout the transfer process. They will help you get your passports stamped and escort you to the nearby bridge. At this point, you bid farewell to your driver, and your baggage will be checked by Nepal Immigration.
After the thorough check at Nepal Immigration, you will proceed to walk along a pleasant road for approximately 200 meters to reach China's bridge. There, you will await the arrival of your Tibet tour guide. Once the guide arrives, you will be granted permission to enter the Chinese Immigration Office.
Once the Tibet tour guide provides you with the Tibet permit and all necessary documentation, your immigration process will commence.
You will be required to present your Tibet Permit, China Visa, and phones, and have your baggage inspected before being allowed to enter China. During the immigration check, you may be asked a few additional questions, but rest assured that the staff is friendly and helpful.
After all the procedures are successfully completed, you will start your journey in Tibet.
Nepal to Tibet by Air
Flying is the fastest and most comfortable way to reach Tibet. Compared with the long and bumpy overland journey, flights save time, offer a smoother experience, and are less affected by weather.
On clear days, you may even enjoy stunning views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest, from the plane window.
From Kathmandu to Lhasa, the direct flights takes only about 1 hour 20 minutes, and there are four flights per week. There’s also one weekly direct flight from Pokhara to Lhasa.
If these schedules don’t work for you, you can choose a connecting flight via Chengdu, which takes longer and often involves layovers of 10 hours or more.
Documents Required to Enter Tibet from Nepal
Whether you choose to enter Tibet from Nepal by road or by air, the required documents remain the same: a valid China visa and a Tibet Travel Permit (also called the Tibet Entry Permit). These are somehow different from traveling from a Mainland China city to Tibet.
1. China Visa Requirements
Based on current policy, it requires 4 people in a group to apply for a China Visa and an interview is needed at China's Embassy in Kathmandu.
Travelers are required to apply for a China visa in Nepal if they are traveling to Tibet from Nepal. A visa obtained in your resident country or any other country will not be considered valid for this purpose. 10-year China visas are also not available.
Generally, a visa will be issued in 4 working days. This means that you would need at least 4 working days in Nepal when scheduling your trip. Our travel advisor will skillfully integrate this timeframe into your travel plans to ensure that your trip and visa acquisition go smoothly.
Tip: If you hold a passport from a visa-free country (such as Singapore, Malaysia, France, Germany, or Italy) entering Tibet from Nepal has become simpler. You now only need a Tibet Travel Permit without applying for a group visa.
What to do to apply for a China visa in Nepal:
1) Submit your passport along with two passport-sized photocopies (the photos should follow Chinese visa photo rules) of yourself taken within the last six months (the electronic version of the photo had better be ready as well).
2) Upon arriving in Kathmandu, contact the local agent provided for assistance. The representative will collect your passport, photos (including electronic version), and flight ticket or paid reservation and provide you with a visa application form that you need to fill up.
3) The visa agent will make an appointment for your interview at China's Embassy. Usually, the appointment is scheduled for 1 or 2 days after your arrival. It is advisable to arrange the interview on Day 3. Your local tour guide & driver will provide transfers for you to the Embassy. Your guide will also manage the sightseeing as per the schedule of the visit to the embassy.
4) You will attend the interview with one/two/three other individuals, as a group of four is required to apply for a China Visa. This will not cause any trouble during the visa process. Please be assured that we have successfully undergone this procedure before.
5) During the visa procedure, you will not have your passport with you. Instead, you could get passport copies prepared (or may receive proof or paper stating that your passport is being processed for visa application). The copies (or proof) allow you to travel around and take flights.
The China visa processing time is approximately 3-4 days. Once approved, it will be delivered to your hotel.
2. Tibet Entry Permit
The Tibet Permit will be handled on the Tibet side, and you do not need to take any action in this regard. The local tour guide will bring the original permit to the Gyrong Border or Lhasa’s airport to meet you and present it to customs authorities.
3.Documents Check Process
While the required documents are the same, the inspection process differs depending on how you enter Tibet:
- By Road (via Gyirong or Zhangmu): You may need to show your passport, China visa, and copy of Tibet Travel Permit multiple times at security checkpoints along the way.
- By Air (Kathmandu–Lhasa flight): Your documents are checked once at the airport before boarding. A color copy of the Tibet Travel Permit is OK while you’re flying from Kathmandu.
Hassle-Free Tour with China Highlights
China Highlights can help arrange your Tibet and Nepal tours, Tibet permits, and group visas from Nepal. Feel free to contact us. All our tours can be customized.
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