Where to Stay in Tibet & How to Choose Hotels

Tibet can be a tricky place to find the right hotel, especially for foreign visitors. There aren’t that many options, the star ratings don’t always match what you might expect in other Chinese cities, and the high altitude can make things a bit more complicated. 

In this guide, we’ll share practical tips and recommendations to help you pick the best place to stay without any stress.

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• How to Choose Hotels in Tibet
• Stay in Lhasa
• Stay in Shigatse
• Stay in Nyingchi
• How Much Do Tibet Hotels Cost?

How to Choose Hotels in Tibet

Choose Higher Rating Hotels

When booking hotels in Tibet, it's best to aim for higher star ratings. In Lhasa, Shigatse, and Nyingchi, you'll find a wider selection of star-rated hotels and some international chains. 

However, a four-star hotel in Tibet may feel closer to a three-star in Beijing, Shanghai or other Chinese major cities. If you're looking for better service and facilities, it's safer to choose a five-star option.

Choose Hotels Licensed for Foreign Guests

Not all hotels in Tibet are licensed to host foreign travelers. Always double-check the hotel description or call ahead to confirm. International chains are usually reliable choices. 

Although staying in a temple or monastery sounds like a special experience, they are not available for foreign visitors.

In remote pilgrimage areas such as Everest Base Camp or Mount Kailash, some monasteries run very simple guesthouses that international travelers can stay in. However, it's difficult for you to book accommodation online, but if you travel with us, we can make the arrangements for you. Our tours cover hotel bookings and can also be fully tailor-made to your needs.

Tibetan-style Hotels are Unique Yet May Not Fit All

You can find more options in Lhasa and Nyingchi if you want to experience Tibetan-style boutique hotels.

Tibetan-style hotels are very unique and full of character, but they do come with some drawbacks. Many are housed in century-old buildings, so some lack elevators and have older facilities. In winter, there may be no central heating, only electric blankets. Some hotels are tucked away in narrow alleys, requiring a short walk to reach them.

If you prefer comforts or want to avoid extra walking at high altitude, these hotels may not suit you. But if you enjoy authentic, unique stays and can handle these inconveniences, a Tibetan-style hotel can be a memorable experience.

Choose Hotels with Good Oxygen System

Most hotels in Tibet have oxygen systems because of the high altitude, but the quality varies. Good facilities help you sleep better and ease altitude sickness. If you're especially concerned, look for hotels that offer in-room nasal oxygen equipment for extra comfort.

Choose a Central Location

A convenient location also makes a big difference, as it saves you from long drives to the main attractions.

Choosing a central location is usually a safe bet, as many of the best hotels are found there. For example, in Lhasa, staying near Barkhor Street close to the Potala Palace is ideal, while in Shigatse, the area near Tashilhunpo Monastery works well. Below, we’ll provide more detailed recommendations for the best locations in Tibet’s main tourist cities.

Stay in Lhasa – Comfort and Potala Palace Views

Lhasa is the most developed city in Tibet, with the best facilities and the widest range of accommodation. You’ll find everything from five-star hotels to youth hostels. Besides visiting the Potala Palace with crowds of tourists during the day, you can also admire its peaceful night view directly from your hotel room if you stay in the right area.

We suggest staying around Barkhor Street/Jokhang Temple or Potala Palace Square area for culture, food, and walking distance to major sights. Some hotels here also offer Potala views. Our recommended hotels are St. Regis Lhasa Resort (5-star, most luxurious, prime location) and Thangka Hotel (4-star, good value, Tibetan style).

St. Regis Lhasa Resort

Norbulingka area is quieter, with good mid-to-high-end hotels, also not far from the city center in a 15 mins drive. We recommend Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa (5-star, free 24-hour oxygen bar, Potala views, modern luxury with Tibetan touches).

Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa

If you want to stay in some Tibetan-style boutique hotels, we recommend Songtsam Choskyi Linka (4-star, stunning views of Potala, slightly outside the center), and House of Shambhala (4-star, authentic Tibetan style, rooftop restaurant, no elevator).

Songtsam Choskyi Linka

Stay in Shigatse – Gateway to Everest

If you're heading to Everest Base Camp, Gyirong border, Mount Kailash, or even Nepal, Shigatse is the best stopover city. Accommodation standards here are lower than in Lhasa, but you can still find a few reliable hotels.

We recommend to stay in Sangzhuzi District, the downtown area, for convenient dining, shopping, and transport. Recommended hotels are Hilton Shigatse (5-star, good location, best luxury hotel in Shigatse), Atour Hotel Shigatse Pedestrian Street (4-star, reliable chain hotel, views of Tashilhunpo Monastery and Shigatse Dzong), and Shiga Yangcha Hotel (or Tashi Choeta Hotel, 3-star, more like a homestay, warm-hearted staffs).

Tashilhunpo Monastery is also in this area. If you want to visit more conveniently, You can also choose to stay near Tashilhunpo Monastery. We recommend Qomo Langzong Hotel (4-star, Tibetan-style, 5 minutes' drive to Tashilhunpo Monastery).

Qomo Langzong Hotel

Accommodation at Everest Base Camp (EBC)

Near EBC, choices are very limited. Conditions are extremely basic, so it's best to manage expectations.

If your body adjusts well to the altitude and you want the full experience of watching Everest up close (including sunrise, sunset, and the starry night sky), staying inside EBC at Rongbuk Tent Guesthouse is the best choice. 

Rooms are simple, with basic facilities and private toilet. It is warmer and offers more privacy than the shared tent hotels. However, there are no showers, and washing is strongly discouraged due to the cold and high altitude.

If you are worried about altitude sickness, find it hard to sleep at night inside EBC, or simply want better facilities, it’s wiser to stay in Tingri County. 

The most comfortable option here is Pingcuo Kangsang Everest Oxygen Hotel (4-star) in Tashizong Town, about a 40-minute drive from EBC. It provides underfloor heating, diffusion oxygen supply, and free nasal oxygen, offering much more comfort and safety for rest compared with EBC guesthouses.

Stay in Nyingchi – Forests and River Views

If you enjoy natural scenery but find high altitudes challenging, Nyingchi is one of the most comfortable places to stay in Tibet. With an average elevation of about 3,000 meters (9,800 feet), it is much lower than Lhasa and Shigatse.

Accommodation in Nyingchi is mainly concentrated in these areas:

1. Nyingchi City Center: The best value for money, with many dining and shopping options. Convenient for most attractions and the best place to stay during peach blossom season.

We recommend Hilton Linzhi Resort (5-star, best international chain hotel in Nyingchi, great facilities and location), and Pingcuo Kangsang Garden Hotel (4-star, good value and location, quiet).

Hilton Linzhi Resort

2. Lulang Town: Known as "the Switzerland of the East", surrounded by forests and snow-capped mountains. A peaceful choice for those who love a quiet, alpine feel.

We recommend Hengda Hotel (5-star, Tibetan-style lakeside resort, luxurious but remote, about 1.5 hours from the airport), and Artel Poly Linzhi (5-star, stylish and scenic, but pricey).

Hengda Hotel

3. Bomi County: Famous for Rawok Lake, Laigu Glacier, and peach blossom valleys. Hotels are fewer and more expensive due to the remoteness. We recommend Pingcuo Kangsang Resort Hotel (4-star, new and clean, the best option in Bomi).

For both comfort and experience, we suggest staying in Nyingchi City or Lulang Town.

How Much Do Tibet Hotels Cost?

Most 4-star hotels in Tibet cost about RMB 400–600 (USD 55–85 / SGD 75–115) per night, while 5-star hotels range from RMB 700–1,200 (USD 95–165 / SGD 130–220). 

During peak season, rooms sell out quickly and prices can rise by up to 50%. In more remote areas, accommodation is often more expensive due to limited supply. We recommend booking about 3 months in advance with us to secure your preferred hotel and the best rates.

Explore Tibet from Comfortable Hotels with China Highlights

If you are planning a tour to Tibet and are concerned about the accommodation, we at China Highlights can help you arrange a hotel to best fit your interests and requirements. See our popular customizable Tibet itineraries below for inspiration.

• 17-Days Beijing, Xian, Tibet, Chengdu, Guilin, and Hong Kong Tour
• 13-Days Beijing–Xi'an–Lhasa-Shanghai Private Tour
• 11-Day Overland Trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu
• 10-Days Beijing-Lhasa-Shanghai
• More Tibet tours

Our tours can be easily tailor-made to suit you, no matter whether you want to adjust the itinerary or change hotels.