As the world’s most mysterious place and the holy land for Buddhist culture, Tibet attracted a great number of tourists at home and abroad including Singaporeans. Taking a flight to Tibet is a popular way for Singaporeans when planning a trip to Tibet.
In recent years, because of the visa-free privileged status, Singaporeans are accorded by the Chinese government to stay 15-days in China. This Visa-free Policy encouraged Singaporeans to travel to mainland China, as well as Tibet.
How to Reach Tibet From Singapore?
There are two viable routes to Tibet from Singapore. First, you can reach Tibet via mainland China, and you can also reach Tibet via Kathmandu, Nepal. Each of these routes provides great highlights and a travel experience.
Singapore-Tibet via Mainland China
At the onset, it is good to note that there is no direct flight to Tibet from Singapore. So, your best option is to board a flight to any strategically located Chinese inland cities like Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou. These inland cities have direct or non-stop flights from Singapore Changi Airport. Moreover, from any of these inland cities, you can board a flight to Tibet. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Singapore to Lhasa via Chengdu(Recommended)
Chengdu is a metropolis in the southwest of China. It’s one of the best choices for you because the flights from Singapore to Chengdu run more than 10 times a day. The airline distance between Changi Airport(SIN) and Shuangliu Airport(CTU) is 2,010 miles(3,235 kilometers). There are two ways of flying to Chengdu. One is to take a direct flight from Changi Airport to Shuangliu Airport, which costs about US$450 for each person. Another way is to choose a connecting flight that can be made through Hong Kong and saves the cost of at least US$50.
And there’re multiple choices of flights from Chengdu to Lhasa. Chengdu to Lhasa flight takes about 2 hours 30 minutes and the cost is about US$240. Besides Lhasa, you can also fly from Chengdu to other major prefectures in Tibet, such as Nyingchi, Shigatse, and Qamdo.
So if you’re taking a flight to Lhasa via Chengdu, the total cost for a one-way flight is about US$690.
>> See more about Chengdu to Lhasa flight
Alternatively, you also can take a train from Chengdu to Lhasa, which takes 36 hours and costs US$200 for a soft-sleeper ticket. Along the way, you can view the breathtaking scenery of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.
>> See more about Chengdu to Lhasa train
2. Singapore to Lhasa via Chongqing
Chongqing is a vital transportation hub in southwest China, not far away from Tibet. It’s also easily accessible from Singapore Changi Airpot(SIN) to Chongqing Jiangbei Airport(CKG) as there are at least two direct flights each day. The airline distance between Changi Airport and Jiangbei Airport is 1,967 miles (3,166 km). You can reach Chongqing in about 4 hours and 15 minutes from Singapore. The cost of a Singapore-Chongqing economy flight ticket is only US$420 for each person.
And, there are also at least 9 non-stop daily flights to Tibet from Chongqing. So, you will have plenty of flight options to Tibet. Chongqing to Lhasa flight takes about 3 hours and the cost is about US$200.
So if you are taking a flight to Lhasa via Chongqing, the total cost for a one-way flight is about US$620.
>> See more about Chongqing to Lhasa flight
Alternatively, you also can take a train from Chongqing to Lhasa, which takes 36 hours and costs US$210 for a soft-sleeper ticket.
>> See more about Chongqing to Lhasa train
3. Singapore to Lhasa via Beijing/Shanghai
As the top 2 metropolis cities in China, Beijing and Shanghai definitely are the major cities for tourists to fly to Tibet. It takes around six hours and costs approximately US$520 for you to fly to either Beijing or Shanghai.
Taking a direct flight from Beijing to Lhasa takes 4 hours 35 mins and costs US$330; taking a direct/connecting flight from Shanghai to Lhasa takes 7 to 9 hours and costs also about US$330.
So if you are taking a flight to Lhasa via Beijing/Shanghai, the total cost for a one-way flight is about US$850.
>> See more about Beijing to Lhasa flight
>> See more about Shanghai to Lhasa flight
With the Qinghai-Tibet Railway putting into service, you can also take trains to Lhasa. Taking a train from Beijing to Lhasa takes about 41 hours and costs US$300 for a soft sleeper ticket. However, it is much longer for taking a train from Shanghai to Lhasa which is about 48 hours and costs US$320 for a soft sleeper ticket.
4. Singapore to Lhasa via Guangzhou
Guangzhou is a coastal metropolitan area in Southeast China. It is easily accessible from Singapore and is just 1,632.58 miles (2,627.38 kilometers) away from Singapore. From Singapore Changi Airport(SIN), you can reach Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport(CAN) within 4 hours of flight. The cost of an economy ticket for this flight is around $450.
The flight from Guangzhou to Lhasa takes 6 to 9 hours of a flight and costs about $340 because Guangzhou is located on the eastern seaboard of China. This flight covers a distance of 1,429.28 miles (2,316 kilometers). At present, there are around 5 flights that service the Guangzhou-Lhasa route.
So if you’re taking a flight to Lhasa via Guangzhou, the total cost for a one-way flight is about US$790.
Alternatively, you also can take a train from Guangzhou to Lhasa, which is the longest Tibet train journey taking 53 hours and costing US$307 for a soft-sleeper ticket.
Singapore-Tibet via Kathmandu
Flying from Singapore to Nepal and then to Lhasa is also available. However, there’s no direct flight from Singapore Changi Airport(SIN) to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport(KTM), which means, you can only take the connecting flight to Kathmandu via transit in Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok or Delhi. For this flight route, it usually takes about US$720, plus the flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa US$220, it costs US$940 for one-way flights from Changi to Lhasa via Kathmandu. Obviously, it’s more expensive than the 1st option. The greatest advantage of this flight tour is that it gives you a chance to see the great aerial views of Mt. Everest as you will pass over it and it is advisable to choose your seats on the left side of the plane to enjoy the summit of Mt. Everest.
And one more thing, if you are intending to get to Tibet from Kathmandu, Nepal, then a China Group Visa is required. Please book your Tibet tours first then get the invitation letter for the document. Your Tibet Travel Agency will handle all the things for you.
Documentary Requirements for Singaporean Citizens
Nationals of Singapore can enter China visa-free and can stay for up to 15 days without applying for a visa. This unilateral visa exemption means that Singapore citizens only need to obtain a Tibet travel permit to enter Tibet. If you want to stay longer, you need to apply for a Chinese visa.
Tibet Entry Permit
Even if you are a Singaporean citizen, a Tibet Entry Permit is always required once you travel to Tibet. It will be checked at the train station/airport, as well as the attractions in Tibet. Only with the Tibet Entry Permit, you can then check in at a hotel. Since independent travel to Tibet is prohibited, travelers can’t apply for the entry permit on their own. It only can be applied through a registered Tibet Travel Agency with the scan of travelers’ passports and China visas. And all your travel itineraries, hotels, vehicles, tour guide, etc. should be pre-arranged and record on your entry permit. Therefore choosing a reliable local Travel Agency is extremely important.
China Visa
Singaporean citizens are allowed to enter China without a visa for a maximum period of 15 days. However, for a long journey to Tibet, A China Visa is also demanded to apply for Tibet Entry Permit without which you are not able to enter Tibet.
