Travel Routes and Transportation

cctv.com 08-30-2005 14:31

How to enter Tibet? 　By air, there are several routes are available now: Beijing-Lhasa, Shanghai-Lhasa, Chengdu -Lhasa , Xi'an-Lhasa, Xi'ning-Lhasa, Guangzhou-Lhasa, Chongqing-Lhasa, Kathmandu-Lhasa. By land, the possible routes are: Qinghai-Lhasa, Sichuan-Lhasa, Yunnan-Lhasa and Kathmandu-Lhasa. However, land transportation takes much longer time, and can be very tough, especially the Sichuan-Lhasa route. What are the routes for traveling to Tibet? 　A: People can go into Tibet either by air or overland. Currently there are direct flights to Lhasa from Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an, Xining and Beijing. The Chengdu-Lhasa route has two or three flights a day, more than any other route. The Xi'an-Lhasa route has a flight from either terminal every Wednesday and Sunday. The Chongqing-Lhasa route has a flight from either terminal every Tuesday and Friday. The Kathmandu-Lhasa route has a flight from either terminal every Tuesday and Saturday. There are buses from Lhasa's Gonggar Airport the city proper. The bus fare is 35 yauan. In addition, there are five overland routes. 　1) The asphalt Qinghai-Tibet Highway goes from Qinghai's Xining to Lhasa via Golmud and provides convenient travel. Along the way, travelers can see Qinghai Lake (China's largest saltwater lake), the snowcapped Kunlun Mountains, the Tuotuo River (upper reaches of the Yangtze River), the pass of the Tanggula Mountains, the northern Tibet prairie, and the hot springs of Yangbajain. For this route, travelers should first take a train to Xining, provincial capital of Qinghai, and then change for train to Golmud, where there are long-distance buses to Lhasa every day. The bus ride takes 30 hours. The bus fare ranges from 150 to 210 yuan for a hard seat or a sleeper. 　2) The Sichuan-Tibet Highway from Chengdu to Lhasa varies greatly in altitude. A traveler may experience four seasons within one day. It may snow heavily on the mountain. But be warm at its foot. For the most part, the highway is rugged and winding. During the rainy season, the mountainside often caves in, sending down mudslides that block the road. Therefor, when taking this route, extra time should be allowed. Scenic spots along the way include Mount Erlang, Luding Bridge, Kangding, the Jingsha River, Rawu Lake, Tangmai (known as the "black spot for mudslides"), and Nyingchi where on can experience four seasons in a day. The bus fare for this route is 525 yuan. 　3) If traveling along the Yunnan-Tibet Highway, one can see Mount Cang, Erhai Lake (Dali), the ancient city of Naxi (Lijiang), Shangrial (Zhongdian), and the Hengduan Mountains. In ancient times, merchants also traveled along this route. 　4) The Xinjiang-Tibet Highway from Yecheng to Lhasa has the highest altitude of all five routes. As this route is uninhabited, it is for the best part devoid of gas stations, communications, or conveniences, and the journey takes at least two weeks. However, scenery along the way is fantastic. Having no human habitation it is a veritable paradise for wildlife, where one can marvel at the sight of herds of wild Tibetan donkeys and Mongolian gazelles galloping and springing along the foot of mountains. Along the way is the Karakorum Mountains, the remains of the ancient Guge Kingdom, the sacred kangrinboqe Mountain, the sacred Mapam Yumco Lake, and the Sagya Monastery, which is the origin of the Variegated Sect. 　5) The Kathmandu-Lhasa Highway features splendid natural scenery and historical sites. Entering China at the port of Zham and going across the Friendship Bridge, one arrives at Tibet's Nyalam County. After passing through Tingri, travelers may see the magnificent Himalayas. Further on, they arrive at Xigaze, Tibet's second largest city, where they may visit the Zhaxi Lhunbo Monastery. From Xigaze, they can go further on to Gyangze and then eastward to Lhasa, or westward to Ngari via Yamzhog Yumco, one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet. Can I travel in Tibet by bus, if I really can't afford the car? Yes, but very limited, only Golmud (of Qinghai Province)-Lhasa. And this route is subject to change, not always available. What tour routes are now available for Tibet?What is the accommodation capacity of Tibet? 　A: In 2000, Tibet started to organize its tourist resources into one center, five areas, five arteries and three ring routes. At the center are the cultural and sightseeing tours around Lhasa. The five areas refer to the mountaineering and trekking area of western Tibet, the ecological tourist area of eastern Tibet, the sightseeing area around the Yalong River Valley, and the wildlife and prairie tourist area in northern Tibet. The five arteries include the Sichuan-Tibet route through Chengdu, Qamdo, Nyingchi and Lhasa, the Yunnnan Tibet route through Xiaguan, Mangkam and Qamdo, the Qinghai-Tibet route through Xining, Golmud, Nagqu and Lhasa, theSino-Nepalese route through Lhasa, Xigaze, Zham and Nepal, and the Xinjiang- Tibet route through Urumqi, Yecheng and Shiquanhe. The three ring routes refer to Lhasa-Nyingchi-Shannan-Lhasa, Lhasa-Xigaze-Ngari-Nagqu-Lhasa, and Lhasa-Nagqu-Qamdo-Nyingchi-Lhasa toure. All these programs, are open to tourists. Some are being expanded. 　Today, Tibet has more than 30 travel agencies of different categories and over 50 tourist hotels, including seven star-rated hotels. It has more than 400 tourist vehicles, and 3,000 or sp people working in the tourist industry. 　Tibet has affiliated hotels in Beijing, Chengdu and Xi'an and has set up travel agencies and offices in Hong Kong, Nepal, Beijing and Chengdu. Before 1978, there was no tourism in Tibet, but by the first half of 2000 a total of 185,000 domestic and international travelers had been to Tibet. Tourist spots in Tibet are sparsely distributed and out of way. How does one get over the transportation problem? 　A: The most convenient, time-saving and safest way to travel in Tibet is by chartered bus - the most common practice. Many hotels and inns offer this service, but it is also possible to arrange through local travel agencies. The price for a chartered bus changes seasonally. The charge for a standard foreign-made cross-country vehicle is generally 3-3.5 yuan per kilometer, while a deluxe model may cost 3.5-4.5 yuan per kilometer. A minibus with 20 seats cost 5.5-6.5 yuan per kilometer. And a 40-seat coach costs 7-8 yuan per kilometer. When venturing into remote or uninhabited areas, a logistic motor vehicle is necessary for replenishment of food, fuel and other necessities and for emergency support. I would like to travel by bus, what is the main highway that Tibet area, and what is the normal price for transportation fee? 　The main highways to Tibet are the Chengdu-Lhasa,2,330 kilometers long; the Xining-Golmud-Lhasa,1,907 kilometers long. The average elevation of theis highway is above 4,000 meters, running through the mountains of Kunlun and Tanggula;the Yecheng-Burang, 1,455 kilometers. This highway is the highest highway in the world, passing through five mountains above 5,000 meters high. The highest mountain is 6,035 meters above sea level; the Xiaguan- Markam,800 kilmetrs long;abd tge Lhasa-Zham Friendship Bridge-Kathmandu, 900 kilometers. Every day, two buses shuttle between germu and Lhasa. They start from germu at eight in the morning and arrive in Lhasa the next afternoon. The detailed information is listed as followings: 1.Chuang-Zhang Highway Departure Arrival Distance Price(RMB) Lhasa Gongbujiangda 279 140 Lhasa Bayi 633 155 Lhasa TongMai 550   Lhasa Zhamu 639   Lhasa Bangda 950   Lhasa RanMa 766   Lhasa Jiangda 1349   Lhasa Chamdu 1062   Lhasa River 1436   Lhasa Kathmandu 2415   2.Qing-Zhang Highway Departure Arrival Distance Price(RMB) Lhasa Naqu 326 82 Lhasa Dangxiong 162 46 Lhasa Anduo 464 102 Lhasa Yanshiping 653 152 Lhasa TuotuoRiver 745 182 Lhasa Germu 1165 262 Lhasa Xining 1947 332 Lhasa Lanzhou 2216 372 Lhasa Ningxia 2321 392 Lhasa Chengdu 3287 502 3.Lhasa to Tsedang Road Departure Arrival Distance Price(RMB) Lhasa Fengshui 68 10 Lhasa Qianjingwa   15 Lhasa Gongkar 104 17 Lhasa Jidexue   21 Lhasa Zhaweng 144 22 Lhasa Sanye 155 23 Lhasa Tsedang 191 35 4.Nepal-China friendship highway Departure Arrival Distance Price(RMB) Lhasa Qushui 68 10 Lhasa Nimu 83 20 Lhasa Renbu 126 27 Lhasa Shigatse 280 40 Lhasa Latse 437 70 Lhasa Tingri 572 88 Lhasa Shelamu 724 109 Lhasa Zhammu 754 113 Lhasa Gyantse 264 38 Lhasa Yadong 473 66 I would like to travel by air plane, would you please provide me with any information about flights and price? 　Lhasa airport (Gonga Airport) directly links with 5 cities: Chengdu, Chongqing, xian, Beijing, Kathmandu. Chengdu & KTM are chosen by most of the tourists as their entrance port to Tibet by flight. 　All the airlines to Tibet are helding by China South West Airlines with the plane of Boen. It is said there was no big air accident happened since the opening in 1956. Lhasa Gonga Airport is located in Gonga County in South East of Lhasa with 100km to Lhasa city. There is public bus for the passenger at the price of 35 Yuan (Rmb) Gonga Airport. Flight Schedule 2000 [Leave from Lhasa] Flight Number Airline Price Plane Model Date Take off Arrive Note First class Tourist class SZ4402 Lhasa-Chengdu F1800 Y1200 A340 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 09:40 11:25 3.26-10.28 SZ4406 Lhasa-Chengdu F1800 Y1200 B757 1,3,4,7 13:45 15:30 3.26-10.26 SZ4410 Lhasa-Chengdu F1800 Y1200 B757 7 09:35 12:05 3.26-10.26 SZ4111 Lhasa-Chengdu F1800 Y1200 B757 4 10:15 12:05 3.30-10.26 SZ4311 Lhasa-Chongqin F1950 Y1300 B757 2,6 14:20 16:25 3.28-10.28 SZ4218 Lhasa-Xining F1940 Y1290 B757 1,5 13:30 15:25 3.27-10.27 SZ4218 Lhasa-Xining F1980 Y1320 B757 1,5 13:30 17:15 3.27-10.27 SZ4811 Lhasa-Xi'an F1980 Y1320 B757 2,6 13:50 16:15 3.28-10.28 SZ4111 Lhasa-Beijing F2910 Y1940 B757 4 10:15 15:10 3.30-10.26 SZ4410 Lhasa-Changdu F950 Y630 B757 7 09:35 10:35 3.26-10.22 SZ4311 Lhasa-Guangzhou F3300 Y2000 B757 2,6 14:20 19:05 3.28-10.28 SZ4811 Lhasa-Shanghai F3320 Y2210 B757 2,6 13:50 18:45 3.28-10.28 SZ407 Lhasa-Kathemandu F3430 Y2290 B757 2,6 09:40 08:45 3.28-10.28 Flight Schedule 2000 [Arrive in Lhasa] Flight Number Airline Price Plane Model Date Take off Arrive Note First class Tourist class SZ4401 Chengdu-Lhasa F1800 Y1200 A340 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 06:40 08:40 3.26-10.28 SZ4405 Chengdu-Lhasa F1800 Y1200 B757 2,6,7 07:00 09:00 3.26-10.28 SZ4409 Chengdu-Lhasa F1800 Y1200 B757 4 07:10 09:40 3.30-10.26 SZ4112 Chengdu-Lhasa F1800 Y1200 B757 1,4 11:20 13:10 3.27-10.26 SZ4312 Chongqin-Lhasa F1950 Y1300 B757 2,6 11:20 13:40 3.28-10.28 SZ4217 Xining-Lhasa F1940 Y1290 B757 1,5 10:45 12:45 3.27-10.27 SZ4217 Xining-Lhasa F1980 Y1320 B757 1,5 09:15 12:45 3.27-10.27 SZ4812 Xi'an-Lhasa F1980 Y1320 B757 3,7 11:00 13:10 3.26-10.25 SZ4112 Beijing-Lhasa F2910 Y1940 B757 1,4 07:45 13:10 3.27-10.26 SZ4409 Changdu-Lhasa F950 Y630 B757 4 08:40 09:40 3.30-10.26 SZ4312 Guangzhou-Lhasa F3300 Y2000 B757 2,6 08:35 13:40 3.28-10.28 SZ4812 Shanghai-Lhasa F3320 Y2210 B757 3,7 07:50 13:10 3.26-10.25 SZ408 Kathemandu-Lhasa F3430 Y2290 B757 2,6 09:40 13:10 3.28-10.28

Editor:Wang Ping  Source: