Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For those travellers based in the Tibetan quarter of Lhasa, most of the major inner-Lhasa
sights are within fairly easy walking distance. For sights such as the Norbulingka over in
the west of town, it's better to jump in a taxi or rent a bicycle.
TO/FROM THE AIRPORT
Modern Gongkar airport is 66km from Lhasa, via the new expressway and Gālá Shān tun-
nel.
between 7.30am and 1pm from beside the CAAC building and are timed to meet flights.
From the airport, buses wait for flights outside the terminal building. Buy tickets on the
bus.
A taxi to the airport costs ¥200.
BICYCLE
Bicycles are a reasonably good way to get around Lhasa once you have acclimatised to the
altitude.
The
Dōngcuò International Youth Hostel
rents mountain bikes for ¥30 per day with a
Yak Hotel)
, which is a meeting place for long-distance Chinese cyclists.
Bicycle theft is a problem in Lhasa, so be sure to park your bike in designated areas. A
lock and chain are essential.
CITY BUSES
Buses (¥1) are frequent on Beijing Donglu, and if you need to get up to western Lhasa this
is the cheapest way to do it. That said, route maps are in Chinese only so if you aren't with
your guide it's easiest to just take an inexpensive taxi.
PEDICAB
There is no shortage of pedicabs plying the streets of Lhasa, but they require endless hag-
gling and are only really useful for short trips (around ¥5). At least most are Tibetan
owned.
Always
fix the price before getting in.
TAXI
Taxis charge a standard fare of ¥10 for the first 5km (then ¥2 per subsequent kilometre),
resulting in a ¥10 ride almost anywhere within the city.
