Lhasa Gonngar International Airport

With an elevation of 3569.5 meters, Lhasa Gonggar Airport is one of the highest airports in the world, and is a 4E class civilian airport serving Lhasa, the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region. It was built in 1965 and put in operation in 1968, becoming the first airport in Tibet. The airport is provided with a runway of 4800 meters . The airport is located in the southwest of Lhasa, built in the wide valley of Yarlung Tsangpo River (also called the Brahmaputra River), it can provide the launching and landing of Boeing 747, Airbus A340 and other Large Aircrafts. Lhasa Gonggar Airport is 97 kilometers from Lhasa Urban Area.

Basic Information

Chinese Name	拉萨贡嘎国际机场
English Name	Lhasa Gonggar International Airport
IATA Code	LXA
CIAO Code	ZULS
The Date for Being Open to Air Traffic	in 1968
Airfield Grade	4E
Airport Type	Civil Transport Airport
Address	Gonggar County, Shannan City, Tibet
Runway Length	4800 meters
Passenger Flow	4,000,000
Altitude	3569 meters

Domestic Services

Airlines	Destinations
Tibet Airlines(TV)	Ngari, Beijing/Capital, Qamdo, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dazhou, Diqing, Gannan, Golmud(Stopover in Xining), Harbin(Stopover in Lanzhou), Hangzhou, Kunming, Lanzhou, Nyingchi, Mianyang, Nanchang(Stopover in Mianyang), Nanchong, Nanjing, Qingdao, Shanghai/Hongqiao, Shenzhen, Shenyang, Shijiazhuang, Tianjin, Wanzhou, Wuhan, Xi’an, Xining, Yibin, Yushu
Air China(CA)	Ngawa, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing
Sichuan Airlines	Chengdu, Chongqing, Gannan, Hangzhou, Kunming, Lijiang, Mianyang, Urumqi, Xi’an, Xining
China Eastern Airlines(MU)	Changsha(Stop over in Chengdu), Chengdu, Diqing, Kunming, Shanghai/Hongqiao, Xi’an, Yushu
West Air	Chongqing, Zhengzhou
Lucky Air	Kangding, Chengdu
Xiamen Airlines	Chongqing, Fuzhou, Xiamen
China Southern Airlines	Chongqing, Guangzhou
Chongqing Airlines	Chongqing

International Services

Airlines	Destination
Air China(CA), Sichuan Airlines	Kathmandu

Location Lhasa Gonggar International Airport

Lhasa Gonggar International Airport is the head of Tibet Airport, located in Jiazhulin Town, Gonggar County, Shannan City, Tibet Autonomous region. The airfield grade is 4E, and it belongs to plateau airport. In the valley along the southern bank of the Yarlung Zangbo River, there are several diverging rivers in the north (similar to Shigatse Peace Airport), with mountains on both sides (similar to Nyingchi Mainling Airport). The name of the airport is Lhasa, located in Gonggar County, you can call it Lhasa Airport, Gonggar Airport or Lhasa Gonggar International Airport.

In 2015, Lhasa Gonggar International Airport completed 28,000 take-offs and landings, with a passenger throughput of 2.91 million, ranking 48th in China; 25,000 tons in cargo and postal throughput, ranking 45th in China. In 2017, the passenger throughput increased from 3 million to 9 million, after replacement and extension.

Airport Transportation

Airport Shuttle Bus

1. Airport-Urban Area: The airport shuttle bus departs from Gonggar Airport to Civil aviation administration(in the east gate of Potala palace). Departure time is flexible.

2. Urban Area-Airport: Bus departs from Aviatic Hotel in Niangre South Road to Gonggar Airport, the time is 06:30, 07:40, 08:00, 08:30, 09:00-13:00(every 60 minutes), 13:00-14:30(every 30 minutes), 17:00, 17:30, 19:30. It is suggested to reserve 2.5 hours before the departure of the flight.

3. Ticket Price: 30 yuan.

Taxi

Taxis are easily available in the urban area of Lhasa. so you can also take taxi to the airport.

Surrounding Attractions

At the altitude of 3658 meters, Lhasa is the holy land of Tibetan Buddhism, also famed as ‘the Sunshine City’ for its annual sunshine time. Lhasa is not only the capital city of Tibet Autonomous Prefecture, but also the political, economical, cultural and regional center of Tibet. With azure sky and clear water, fresh air and warm sunshine, Lhasa is a popular destination attracting tourists from all over the world.

1. Potala Palace布达拉宫

As the landmark of Lhasa, Potala Palace can be regarded as the most inposing and magnificent palace at the highest altitude in the world, which is the most brilliant symbol of Tibetan culture. As the historic ensemble of Lhasa, Potala Palace, together with the exceptional Jokhang Temple(大昭寺) and Norbulingka(罗布林卡) is the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. Jokhang Temple大昭寺

Jokhang Temple (or Jokhang Monastery) is the spiritual center of Tibet and the holiest destination for all Tibetan pilgrims. It is is listed in the World Cultural Heritages with Potala Palace and Norbulingka. Situated at the heart of the old town of Lhasa and surrounded by Barkhor Street, this four storied building, built in the 7th century by Songtsan Gambo, with roofs covered with gilded bronze tiles, demonstrates a combination of the architectural style of Han, Tibetan, India and Nepal, as well as a Mandala world outlook of Buddhism.

3. Namtso Lake纳木错湖

Namtso Lake is the largest lake in Tibet, the second largest salt water lake in China, and the world’s highest lake. It is located between Damxung County of Lhasa and Baingoin County of Nagqu City. In the Tibetan language, “Namtso Lake” means “Heavenly Lake”. The lake surface is at 4,740 meters above sea level, measuring about 70 kilometers long and 30 kilometers broad, with a surface area of 1,920 square kilometers.