How to Get to Tibet from Philippines?
For tourists from the Philippines to Tibet, since the Philippines faces the South China Sea, most probably your planes will be taking off from the international airports of Manila or Cebu. So your best option would be to travel to Tibet via mainland China. Alternatively, you can also travel to Tibet via Kathmandu, Nepal but there's no direct flight to Kathmandu.
Philippines to Tibet via Mainland China
There are three recommended cities that Filipino can choose as your entry cities in mainland China from the Philippines. These cities are Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai which have direct flights from your country.
Philippines to China
Manila to Beijing(MNL-BEK)
| Airlines | Dep. - Arr. | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air China CA180 | 06:25 AM - 10:50 AM | 4h 25m | Economy Class USD350 |
| Philippine Airlines | 06:55 AM - 11:55 AM | 5h | Economy Class USD280 |
Manila to Shanghai(MNL-PVG)
| Airlines | Dep. - Arr. | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| China Eastern | 06:55 AM - 11:00 AM | 4h 5m | Economy Class USD180 |
| Philippine Airlines | 10:50 AM - 02:30 PM | 3h 40m+1 | Economy Class USD180 |
Manila to Guangzhou(MNL-CAN)
| Airlines | Dep. - Arr. | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| China Southern Airlines | 05:35 AM - 08:25 AM | 2h 50m | Economy Class USD162 |
| China Southern Airlines | 08:20 AM - 10:50 AM | 2h 30m | Economy Class USD162 |
| China Southern Airlines | 11:55 AM - 02:25 PM | 2h 30m | Economy Class USD177 |
Mainland China to Tibet
Your route from mainland China to Tibet will depend on your chosen city of entry to mainland China. You can choose from any of the above-mentioned cities that have direct flights to Lhasa.
Beijing-Lhasa Route
If you choose Beijing as your entry point to mainland China, you will have two options to reach Lhasa from Beijing.
You can take a direct flight to Lhasa Gonggar Airport(LXA) at Beijing Captial International Airport(BEK) for its efficiency and comfort. The economy seats usually cost around CNY 3260/USD 465. >>See more about Beijing to Lhasa flights
Alternatively, you can also travel to Lhasa from Beijing by train to enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and acclimate to the high altitude. The train, Z21 takes around 41 hours to reach Lhasa. You are recommended to choose a soft sleeper which usually costs CNY 1,200/USD171 each as it's a long journey. >>See more about Beijing to Lhasa train
Shanghai-Lhasa Route
If you choose Shanghai as your entry point to mainland China, you will have two options to reach Lhasa from Shanghai.
You can take connecting flights to Lhasa Gonggar Airport(LXA) at either Shanghai Pudong International Airport(PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport(SHA) for its efficiency and comfort. The economy seats usually cost around CNY3351/USD478. >>See more about Shanghai to Lhasa flights
Alternatively, you can also travel to Lhasa from Shanghai by train to enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the way and acclimate to the high altitude better. The train Z164 takes about 44 hours and 33 minutes to reach Lhasa. You are recommended to choose a soft sleeper which usually costs CNY 1300/USD186 each as it's a long journey. >>See more about Shanghai to Lhasa train
Guangzhou-Lhasa Route
If you choose Guangzhou as your gateway to mainland China, you can also travel either by train or by plane to Lhasa.
You can take connecting flights to Lhasa Gonggar Airport(LXA) at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport(CAN) for its efficiency and comfort. The economy seats usually cost around CNY3647/USD521. >>See more about Guangzhou to Lhasa flights
Alternatively, you can also travel to Lhasa from Guangzhou by train to enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the way and acclimate to the high altitude better. The train Z264 takes around 53 hours and 53 minutes to reach Lhasa. You are recommended to choose a soft sleeper which usually costs CNY 1468/USD 210 each as it's a long journey. >>See more about Guangzhou to Lhasa train
Necessary Travel Documents
Filipino are generally required to have a China Visa before you can enter China. To apply for a Chinese Visa, you need to secure the service of an invitation letter and tourist contract from a Chinese Travel Agency. As a Tibet Travel Agency, Great Tibet Tour can also help you provide such supporting documents for your Chinese Visa.
And Filipinos are also required to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet. Please note that individual travelers are not allowed to apply for the permit on your own, but to entrust a Tibet travel agency to obtain it for you by booking a Tibet tour prior.
Philippines to Tibet via Nepal
Another viable route that you can take to travel from the Philippines to Tibet is via Nepal.
Philippines to Nepal
There are no direct flights from the Philippines to Nepal so you need to take connecting flights to reach Kathmandu, which takes more than 10 hours with at least one stopover. But the cost is relatively higher and time is longer. Unless you have a travel plan to Nepal, you'd better fly to mainland China first.
Manila to Kathmandu(MNL-KTM)
| Airlines | Dep. - Arr. | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| China Southern | 11:55 AM - 10:55 PM | 13h 15m | Economy Class USD316 |
| Thai Airlines | 12:55 PM - 11:25 PM | 12h 45m+1 | Economy Class USD370 |
| Malaysia Airlines | 12:50 PM - 10:30 PM | 11h 55m | Economy Class USD441 |
| Singapore Airlines | 2:15 PM - 9:45 PM | 9h 45m | Economy Class USD562 |
Nepal to Tibet
Upon arriving at Kathmandu, you have two options to reach Tibet: either by an overland route from Kathmandu to Lhasa or by plane from Kathmandu to Lhasa, Tibet.
By Land
It would usually take around 7 days to complete the overland route from Kathmandu, Nepal to Lhasa, Tibet, along Friendship Highway. You can shorten or lengthen this trip, depending on your stopovers and destinations along the way. In this overland trip, you will see Mount Everest and will get the chance to visit other Tibetan cities like Shigatse and Gyantse.
By Plane
From Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), you can board a flight to Lhasa’s Gonggar International Airport. There are three flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa per week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or vice versa.
Necessary Travel Documents
Nepali Visa on Arrival is available for Filipino citizens. So you can obtain your Nepali visa at Tribhuvan International Airport. Althernatively, you also can your Nepali visa in advance from a Nepalese embassy or consulate.
From Nepal to Tibet, no matter by land or by plane, you will be required a China Group Visa instead of a China visa, as well as a Tibet travel permit. Currently Chinese embassy in Kathmandu requires 4 participants to issue one GROUP visa. If there are less than 4 people from you, the group visa cannot be issued. In addtion, you need to wait at least 3 working days for your China group visa.
Conclusion
Filipinos can journey to Tibet via mainaland China or Nepal. We suggest you go through mainland China Tibet. In this case, you need first secure a Chinese tourist visa and a Tibet Travel Permit through authorized agencies. Once settled, you can immerse yourself in Tibet's profound cultural heritage, visiting iconic sites like the Potala Palace and exploring its breathtaking natural landscapes.