Lhasa Travel Guide
By China On Arrival Editorial Desk · Checked and updated 2026-09-23 · Research basis: Editor research
At a glance
The Sunlight City on the Roof of the World: the Potala Palace, pilgrim circuits of Barkhor and 3,650 m of thin, bright air. Foreign visitors need a Tibet permit - arranged through an agency - to board any flight or train in.
Suggested stay: 3-4 days · Airports: LXA (Gonggar) · Train hubs: Lhasa Station (from Xining/Chengdu)
What is Lhasa known for?
- Potala Palace
- Jokhang & Barkhor
- Sera Monastery debates
What do you eat in Lhasa?
sweet tea · tsampa · yak hotpot. Sweet tea houses and yak hotpot after the kora.
How do you arrive in Lhasa?
LXA (Gonggar) handle the international arrivals; Lhasa Station (from Xining/Chengdu) is the high-speed rail entry point.
Where should you stay in Lhasa?
Barkhor / Jokhang old town is the default first-timer base — first-timers — the pilgrim heart on foot. Before paying, check the property's guest policy and, for smaller hotels, confirm the front desk can register a foreign passport — licensing rules still exclude some budget properties. Hotel-by-hotel picks: where to stay in Lhasa →
| Area | Best for | The honest note |
|---|---|---|
| Barkhor / Jokhang old town | first-timers — the pilgrim heart on foot | courtyard hotels; thin-air first nights |
| Potala / Yutuo Road | Potala views and parade mornings | 10 min walk to the palace square |
| Lhasa Station / south | train arrivals, value hotels | function first; 20 min to Barkhor |
Area picks are editor research, verified 2026-09-23 — not sponsored placements. Book through the links below to support this site.
How do you get in from the airport?
LXA is 55-65 km out with no metro: the official airport bus costs a flat ¥30 (about $4.50), about 70 min, leaving as flights land. Taxis about ¥200 (about $30). Note: foreigners must show the original Tibet permit (since March 2026) to board - book through a licensed agency before you fly.
Plan your trip around these questions
- 🔍 The 3-day route that never doubles back
- 🔍 Do you even need a visa?
- 🔍 Booking train tickets as a foreigner
- 🔍 The Tibet permit you must arrange first
- 🔍 Which hotels can foreigners book
- 🔍 Paying without a Chinese bank card
Explore the Lhasa guides below, organised around the questions travelers ask before booking.
Which cities pair with Lhasa?
- 🔗 Xining — train about 20-22 h