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Lhasa Gonggar Airport

Airport Code: LXA

Location:

It is located in Gonggar County, Shannan Region, Tibet, about 62 kilometers (38.5 miles) south of Lhasa, at the south bank of the grand Yarlong Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River.

Brief intro:

The total area (containing old and new terminal building) reaches about 25,000 square meters (6.2 acres). The hall for seeing off passengers is on the first floor of the new terminal building, together with the ticket office, sortation office of baggage and departure lounge for long haul flights. Departure lounge and shops can be found on the second floor. Four loading bridges will lead passengers here to their airplane.

Lhasa Gonggar Airport is one of the civil airports with the highest altitude (about 3,600 meters) in the world. As Damxung Airport was completed in 1956, Tibet, former forbidden zone for airway, was opened to the world. In 1965, Lhasa terminal station was established and Beijing – Chengdu – Lhasa flight first unveiled the mysterious 'third pole of the earth'.

Lhasa Gonggar Airport

Airlines

Air China (CA), China Southern Airlines (CZ), China Eastern Airlines (MU), Sichuan Airlines (3U), Tibet Airlines (TV), West Air (PN), Xiamen Airlines (MF), Lucky Air (8L)

Lhasa Flights

At present, the airport operates 40 more air routes every week to both domestic and international cities. Hereinafter is the list: (listed in alphabetical order)

Domestic Cities: Beijing, Chamdo, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dazhou, Diqing, Fuzhou, Golmud, Guangzhou, Guiyang, Hangzhou, Kangding, Kunming, Lanzhou, Lijiang, Mianyang, Nanchong, Nanjing, Nanning, Ngari, Nyingchi, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Taiyuan, Tianjin, Xiahe, Xiamen, Xi'an, Xining, Yushu, Zhengzhou

International City: Kathmandu

Transportation

Shuttle Bus
Passengers can take airport shuttle bus to the downtown area from the airport. The buses are catchable between 05:40 and 14:30 every 30 minutes. The duration is about an hour. The ticket price is CNY 30 per person. The hotline is +86 0891-6827727.

In addition, it takes CNY100 to travel between the airport and Shigatse by shuttle bus; it takes CNY50 to travel between the airport and Shannan.

How to get to Polata Palace from Gonggar Airport

Airport Shuttle Bus
Take airport shuttle bus to Civil Aviation Ticket Office first, and then walk about 5 minutes to Polata Palace.

Taxi
Passengers can take a taxi from the airport to Potala Palace. It takes about 45 minutes and costs CNY 130-150 per person.
Lhasa Gonggar Airport

Chartered Bus
Passengers can also go to the Polata Palace by chartered bus. It may cost around CNY 250. The chartered bus can usually accommodate 4 passengers.

Facilities and Services

Cell phone Charging Stations: Travelers can find the cell charging stations on the second floor of terminal building.

VIP Room: VIP room is provided on the second floor of terminal building. TVs, computers, and free drink are available there.

Service Number

Airport Inquiry: +86 0891-6182220

- Last modified on Mar. 12, 2018 -

Questions & Answers on Lhasa Gonggar Airport

Asked by Jonathan Ong from SINGAPORE | Mar. 11, 2018 17:18

Can I join a group tour in Tibet and extend to stay a couple of days on my own?

Answers (1)

Answered by Kyle from GERMANY | Mar. 12, 2018 01:49

Oh, you must enter and exit Tibet on particular days, and it is disallowed to extend your stay there.

Asked by Sam Brown from UNITED KINGDOM | Jul. 28, 2015 02:36

Do Chinese airways block flights to Lhasa when Tibet AR is closed?

Answers (3)

Answered by Fenny from USA | Jul. 28, 2015 04:00

That area won't be closed and the flights would operate as usual. Foreign tourists still need to have Tibet Travel Permit and join a tour package through a travel agency for a tour there.

Answered by Sam from UNITED KINGDOM | Jul. 28, 2015 04:35

I understand that the flights will go ahead as normal, my question is will tourists still be able to wrongly buy flights online even if Chinese government has closed TAR to tourist?

I have bought a flight from China Southern Airlines which I cannot use as Tibet permit is not available in September. Why did the airline sell this?

Answered by Richard from USA | Jul. 28, 2015 19:48

Yes,Tibet Travel Permit is not available in September. You are suggested to cancel the ticket and get your money back. If the flight is a domestic one, the airline may serve Chinese most, without considering the permit thing for foreigners. Their fault!

Asked by Amardeep Sharan from INDIA | Jun. 01, 2015 02:35

I want information about any Air charter operator in Lhasa Gonggar Airport and any Ground Handling

Answers (2)

Answered by Lara from GERMANY | Jun. 01, 2015 22:11

Oh, I cannot find some relevant information about air charter in this airport. You can contact 0891-6216465 to consult the airport directly.

Answered by Amardeep Sharan from INDIA | Jun. 03, 2015 23:42

Dear Lara,

Getting pleasure to meet you and thank you very much for this information. I am Amardeep from Delhi (India).

Amardeep
sharan_amardeep

yahoo.in

Asked by gino ronelli from USA | Jan. 18, 2014 12:11

i have sleep apnia. is it safe to fly into lhasa and stay 3 days.

Answers (1)

Answered by Mary from UNITED KINGDOM | Jan. 18, 2014 21:58

For your security, it is not suggested to go. The low oxygen may aggravate your illness.
In my opinion, you can go to see your doctor to consult.