How to Travel to Tibet from South Korea

Tibet attracts Korean tourists with its sacred Buddhist sites, magnificent scenery and unique culture. Whether it is a pilgrimage to the Jokhang Temple, exploring Mount Everest or experiencing the highland customs, this mysterious land is a destination that Korean travelers yearn for. Understanding how to travel from South Korea to Tibet will make your journey smoother.

Currently, there are no direct flights from Korea to Tibet, and you can reach Lhasa via major cities in mainland China, such as Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, which offer both flights and trains to Lhasa. In addition, if your travel plans include Nepal, you may consider getting to Lhasa first and then traveling overland through Shigatse and Tingri to cross the Gyirong border into Nepal.

Important notification: Korean tourists can enjoy a 30-day visa-free policy for China, which is valid until December 31, 2025.

Required Documents

To travel to Tibet, you will need a Tibet Travel Permit. You can find a reputable Lhasa-based travel agency online, such as Great Tibet Tour, which will help you obtain the permit after you book a Tibet tour. Additionally, your Tibet travel agency can provide supporting documents, such as a travel invitation letter and itinerary, to assist you in applying for a China visa.

Please note that the processing time for the Tibet Travel Permit varies depending on your destination. If you are traveling to Ngari (to visit Mt.Kailash), it takes about one month to obtain the permit, whereas to Shigatse (to visit Everest Base Camp), it requires 10 days. Therefore, it is essential to book your tour in advance to allow sufficient time for permit applications.

Once you obtain your China visa, you can fly to a major gateway city such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Chengdu, and then take a flight or train to Lhasa.

If you choose to fly to Tibet, you're advised to stay at least one night in a local hotel before departure to collect the original copy of your Tibet Travel Permit, as airlines require the physical document for boarding. Please take this into account when planning your trip.

South Korea to Tibet via China

The most common routes involve flying from Seoul to major Chinese gateway cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Chengdu, followed by a flight or train journey to Lhasa.

Seoul-Beijing-Lhasa

Take a flight from Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Daxing International Airport (PKX). Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, Air China, China Southern Airlines all have flights operating this route, the flight time is about 2 - 2.5 hours, and the fare is about KRW112k.

After arriving in Beijing, you can fly to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA). Air China and Tibet Airlines have direct flights, the flight time is about 4 - 5 hours, and the fare is about KRW660k.

You can also choose to take the Z21 train from Beijing to Lhasa, which takes about 40 hours and 34 minutes, and the soft sleeper ticket price is about KRW238k. The train departs from Beijing in the evening and arrives in Lhasa at noon on the third day. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. On the other hand, taking the train can help you gradually acclimate to the high-altitude environment.

Seoul-Shanghai-Lhasa

You can take a direct flight from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). There are many direct flights from Incheon International Airport to Shanghai. Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Spring Airlines, Eastar Airlines all have routes from South Korea to Shanghai. The flight time is about 2-2.5 hours, and the ticket price is about KRW118k.

After arriving in Shanghai, you can fly from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA) via Xi'an, with a total flight time of about 8 hours, or from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport via Kunming, with a total flight time of about 9 hours. The ticket price is about KRW471k.

You can also take the train from Shanghai to Lhasa. Z164 departs from Shanghai Railway Station every day, which takes 46 hours and 44 minutes, and the soft sleeper ticket price is about KRW263k. The train departs from Shanghai in the evening and arrives in Lhasa in the afternoon of the third day.

Seoul-Guangzhou-Lhasa

You can take a direct flight from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, and China Southern Airlines have routes from South Korea to Guangzhou. The flight time is about 3.5-4 hours and the ticket price is about KRW135k.

After arriving in Guangzhou, you can fly from Guangzhou to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA) via Shangri-La or Chongqing. The total time is about 6 hours and the ticket price is about KRW425k.

You can also take a train from Guangzhou to Lhasa. Train Z265 departs from Guangzhou Railway Station every morning and arrives in Lhasa in the afternoon of the third day. The soft sleeper ticket price is about KRW306k and the entire journey takes 54 hours and 39 minutes. This is the longest train journey to Lhasa. Therefore, it is not recommended for families with children or elderly people.

Seoul-Chengdu-Lhasa

You can take a direct flight from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU). The flight time is about 4 hours and the ticket price is about KRW320k.

After arriving in Chengdu, you can fly from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) or Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA). The total journey time is about 2.5 hours and the full ticket price is about KRW539k. There are often discounted tickets as for more than ten flights departing for Lhasa every day.  Due to the relatively short flight time, it is the best gateway city for most travelers entering Tibet.

You can also take a train from Chengdu to Lhasa. Z322 is the only train from Chengdu to Lhasa, but it only runs every other day. If you need to know the details, please contact us for the train departure schedule. The soft sleeper ticket price is about KRW208k, and the entire journey takes about 37 hours and 16 minutes.

South Korea to Tibet via Nepal

Mainland China is the best choice for going to Tibet. It is not recommended to fly from South Korea to Kathmandu and then to Tibet, as mainland China is much closer to South Korea than Nepal. But if Kathmandu is on your tour plan, you can go to Lhasa from China, then fly to Kathmandu or cross the Gyirong border to Nepal by land.

There are direct flights from Lhasa to Kathmandu every week, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The total flight time is 1.5 hours, and the ticket price is about KRW850k.

Going to Nepal from Lhasa via Gyirong Port is also a good choice. You will cross high mountain passes, vast grasslands, sparkling high-altitude lakes and numerous Buddhist temples. You will visit Everest Base Camp to admire the majestic figure of Mount Everest, then pass the Gyirong border, and finally arrive in Kathmandu.

Conlusion

With multiple routes through Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, reaching Tibet from South Korea is convenient. The 30-day visa-free policy for China (until Dec 31, 2025) simplifies travel, though a Tibet Travel Permit is still required. Booking through a trusted Tibet travel agency ensures a hassle-free journey.