Shigatse Transportation

Subsequent development has greatly improved the transportation of Shigatse. Shigatse is considered the second traffic center of Tibet after Lhasa. The China-Nepal Highway connects Lhasa with it and then stretches into Nepal. With the 318 National Highway, Lhasa-Purang Highway and Shigatse-Yadong Highway running through, Shigatse has extensive and efficient network of highways. Therefore, the transportation in Shigatse is relatively convenient in Lhasa. 

How to Get in Shigatse

It's easy for travelers to transfer to Shigatse no matter you prefer a flight journey, a driving adventure or a train ride, and even a long-distance bus tour within Tibet. Most travelers have chosen to go to Shigatse from Lhasa because Lhasa is usually the starting destination of a Tibet tour. From Lhasa, travelers can take a train to Shigatse which costs only about 3 hours. Currently driving is the most popular with travelers because there are many beautiful attractions they can visit on the way, such as Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Palcho Monastery, etc.

By Air

With the accession of local airlines Tibet Airlines after 2013, there are more flights at Shigatse airport. The network of Shigatse flight routes has been further expanded, and the capacity of local aviation routes has been enhanced. The travel time and airlines in and out of Shigatse has become increasingly diversified.

Shigatse Peace Airport

Shigatse Peace Airport is located in Jangdam Township of Samzhubze District, Shigatse, about 43 kilometers to downtown area. It was officially put into use on October 30, 2010. Shigatse airport is the 5th civilian airport in Tibet after Lhasa Gonggar Airport, Qamdo Bamda Airport, Nyingchi Mainling Airport and Ngari Gunsa Airport. Currently, flights from Shigatse airport are relatively limited. Tourists can fly to Shigatse from Chengdu, Xi'an, Shanghai(transit in Xi'an), Chongqing, etc. 

Address: 318 National Highway in Jangdam Township, Samzhubze District, Shigatse日喀则市桑珠孜区江当乡境内318国道
Tel: 0892-8821070
Transportation: Travellers can take airport bus or taxi to Shigatse airport from the urban area. On September 15, 2017, the special expressway between Shigatse airport and the downtown of Shigatse was officially opened, with a total length of 40 kilometers.

Shigatse Flights

By Train

The trains between Lhasa and Shigatse take about 3 hours, which is shorter than by bus(4-5 hours on the road). At present, there are 3 daily trains both from Lhasa to Shigatse and from Shigatse to Lhasa. Lhasa-Shigatse Railway is the extend line of Qinghai-Tibet Railway. It was built since Sept 26th 2010. And the official operation day was on Aug 15th 2014. And then, the railway goes through Quxu County, Nyemo County and Rinbung County. After goes along the Yarlung Zangbo Valley 90 kilometers, the railway reaches Shigatse. The total length is 253 kilometers.

Main Railway Stations in Shigatse

  • Shigatse Railway Station(日喀则站)
    Shigatse Railway Station, located in Samzhubze District of Shigatse City, is the terminal of Lhasa-Shigatse Railway and the largest station along the Lhasa-Shigatse railway. It is 253 km from Lhasa Raiwlay Station, is under the jurisdiction of Qinghai-Tibet Railway. In the future, it will also be the starting point of the Shigatse-Yadong Railway. The station officially opened on August 15, 2014, with 3 trains entering and leaving every day.
    Tel: 0971-12306
    Destinations: Lhasa
  • Rinbung Railway Station(仁布站)
    Address: Zhaxilin Village in Rinbung County, Shigatse日喀则市仁布县扎西林村

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By Long-distance Bus

Highways in Shigatse extend in all directions, including national highway 318, Riya(Shigatse-Yadong) highway, Lapu(Lhasa-Purang) highway and China-Nepal highway. Most travelers have chosen to go to Shigatse from Lhasa because Lhasa is usually the starting destination of a Tibet tour. There are buses departing from Lhasa Bus Station to Shigatse Bus Station. 

Main Long-distance Bus Stations in Shigatse

  • Shigatse Bus Terminal(日喀则汽车站)
    Address: Yingbin Road, Samzhubze District, Shigatse日喀则市桑珠孜区迎宾路 
    Tel: 0892-8822903
  • Shigatse Eastern Suburb Bus Terminal(日喀则市东郊客运站)
    Address: No.4, Renbu Road, Samzhubze District, Shigatse日喀则市桑珠孜区仁布路4号
  • Himalaya Bus Terminal(喜玛拉雅客运汽车站)
    Address: No.15, Qingdao Road, Samzhubze District, Shigatse日喀则市桑珠孜区青岛路15号
  • Tingri Bus Station(定日汽车站)
    Address: Xiebai Road, Tingri County, Shigatse日喀则市定日县协白路

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How to Get Around Shigatse 

In Shigatse, buses and taxi are the main ways to travel. Of course, if it is a package tour, sightseeing buses are usually used. Tourist can also rent or charter a car.

By Bus

In the downtown of Shigatse, there are less than 10 bus routes at the price of 1 or 1.5 yuan. No.7 bus, No.4 bus and No.8 bus can take you to Shigatse Railway Station. The service time is usually 8:40-19:40.

By Taxi

It's quite convenient for tourists to take a taxi in Shigatse. Usually it will cost about 20-30 yuan to get to some places at a distance and 10 yuan to travel in town. The starting fare is 10 yuan within three kilometers and the price will add 2 yuan per kilometers beyond 3 kilometers.

By Pedicab

Pedicabs are unique vehicles in Tibet. A pedicab can carry two to three people and generally costs 30 yuan, which can be seen around the streets. It is a more time-consuming than traveling by minibus but is an interesting and popular way to see downtown area.

By Suburban Area Bus

If you want to travel to other places in Shigatse Like Tingri county, Gyantse county, Lhatse county, Yadong county and Zhangmu Town, you can take regular buses at Shigatse Bus Staion, and transfer to other counties from the destination county bus station.

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By Car Rental

Chartered buses are the preferred mode of transportation for most travelers to Shigatse. It is about 260 kilometers from Lhasa to Shigatse by chartered bus, generally about 1200 yuan a day, and about 2500-3000 yuan for 4-5 days. The reference price is ordinary off-road vehicles, such as Toyota, about 3.5-5 yuan/km, and Luxury suv, about 5 -7 yuan/km, according to the low season and peak season.

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