Travelling to Tibet from Malaysia is simple and straightforward, and is the same for Malaysian citizens as it is for almost everyone else outside China. Travel can be done through either mainland China or Nepal, as both are within easy flying distance of the Airports in Malaysia. Lying within Southeast Asia, it is easier to get to Tibet for Malaysian citizens than for those travellers from outside Asia, as travel between Asian countries is easier and less demanding, with more direct flights to many of the airports in China and to the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal.

However, there are a number of things to take into consideration before you travel to the roof of the world, such as the tour type you are going to be on, the places you will visit whilst in Tibet, when to travel to the region, and how to get there from your hometown. Here at Tibet Vista, our professional and helpful tour advisors can help you work all that out, help you decide on the best itinerary for your trip, and even advise you on the best times for Tibet travel according to your choice of attractions.

Find Your Favorite Places to Visit in Tibet

First and foremost, you need to know where you intend to go while you are in Tibet. The land of snows is a vast landscape set on a huge high-altitude plateau, ringed by the world’s highest mountains, and there are hundreds of thousands of things to see and do, and places to visit while you are in the region. With so much to choose from, how can you possibly make a decision of what to include and what to leave out?

This is where we come in. Not only are our tour advisors helpful, friendly, and professional, but they are also experts in travel into and around Tibet, and know all of the places that you would want to visit intimately. While there may be a billion things to see and do and visit, there are several that are the top attractions in Tibet, and places that you should really visit, especially on your first tour of the region.

How about Lhasa?

In Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, there are a plethora of things to see and do, as well as plenty of places to visit and explore, and most people try to limit their sightseeing tours of the city to the major attractions, such as the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, and the major local monasteries, as well as some of the more interesting areas of the city, such as Barkhor Street.

For those travelling outside Lhasa, at least as far as Shigatse, then there are plenty of places to visit along the Friendship Highway. Once outside Lhasa, you have the stunning scenery and views of the sacred lake Yamdrok, one of the Great Three Holy Lakes of Tibet. Lying to the southwest of Lhasa, the road to Gyantse passes along the lakeshore, where you can get a great view of the lake itself. Before you reach Gyantse, you will also pass the Karola Glacier, with its pristine white glacial tongue. And inside the city of Gyantse, there is the stunning Kumbum Stupa, a one-of-a-kind stupa in Tibet that stands 32 meters tall.

Shigatse is also a great place to see, with the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama, Tibet’s second highest incarnation, and a major monastery of the Gelugpa School of Tibetan Buddhism. Outside the city, a little way to the west, lies the world’s highest monastery, the Rongbuk Gompa, sitting in the shadow of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest. If you are travelling out to the west of the region, then a visit to Everest Base Camp (EBC) is a must.

No matter where you want to go in Tibet, there are major attractions that you can find to interest you, so decide on where you want to go and what you want to see, and our tour advisors will help you select the right package for you.

Travel to Tibet at the Right Time

Knowing when to travel to Tibet is something that few people have been able to master, especially since most of the world believes that Tibet is under layers of deep snow for the whole year. However, this could not be further from the truth, and Tibet actually has four distinct seasons, which have their own attractions depending on the time of year.

For most tours of Tibet, the high season of Tibetan tourism is the best time to visit, and while it is the rainy season, it does not rain much in the region, and what little does fall usually happens in the evenings or overnight. However, there are some things that are best done in the winter, the low season for tourism, or in the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn.

For example, if you are planning on trekking in Tibet, then the best times to travel are from April to June and Sept to Oct. These are the shoulder seasons, and when the weather is at its optimal for trekking, with clear skies, warm temperatures (except at night, when it can get cold), and pleasant weather with little to no rain or snow. Trekking in most of Tibet is not as good in the summer months, and in the depths of winter, it can be a little riskier. Travel to EBC is also better in the shoulder seasons, as the changeable weather at the mountain in summer can sometimes mean the peak is not visible for days at a time.

Is winter a good idea?

Winter is also a good time for travelling to Tibet if you want to get away from the tourist crowds, as the plateau sees fewer tourists from December to March. It is also a good time to get away from the monsoon season in Malaysia, which runs from mid-October to the end of March. Instead of getting wet at home, you can enjoy a cooler and drier climate on the roof of the world.

However, if you are planning on visiting Lake Namtso, in Lhasa on the boundary with Nagqu Prefecture, then winter is definitely out, as the roads and passes get clogged with snow from December to April, making travel impossible.

Decide Your Way to Get to Tibet from Malaysia

With Malaysia being so close to Tibet, in relative terms, getting to the region can be done in several ways, by getting connecting flights to Lhasa, or by combining flights with overland travel, or even a delightfully relaxing train journey.

Obviously, unless you are planning to travel by road or train from Malaysia to Nepal or China, which can be done (although it is a very long trip and requires careful planning), your main concern is how to get to China or Nepal. Flights are the simplest and easiest choice, and once you have decided on which you are going to travel through, getting the flights is easy. Over 100 flights leave Malaysia for cities in China every day, and while there may be no direct flights to Kathmandu from Malaysia, there are plenty of indirect flights that can take as little as 6 hours.

If you are travelling to Kathmandu, you have the choice of taking a connecting flight to Lhasa, or taking an overland trip, crossing the Sino-Nepal border at Gyirong Port, and travelling along the Friendship Highway to Lhasa.

For those travelling through China, you also have a choice of routes to take. You can take a flight from more than a dozen cities across China, or you can choose to take the train. There are seven cities that act as gateways to Tibet for the Tibet trains, including Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou, and Xining. These trains take from 22 hours to 55 hours to get to Tibet and are an incredible journey of discovery and exploration.

Book your Tibet Journey far ahead

Tibet is a land where it is not possible to travel independently. All international travellers to Tibet are required to travel using a registered tour operator on a pre-booked tour, that includes a private guide, driver, and vehicle. Not only that, but certain permits are also required to travel into and around Tibet, the main one being the Tibet Travel Permit, which can only be applied for by the tour operators and takes around 20 days to process.

Which means that, in order to properly arrange your tour, you need to book well in advance. The Restricted Areas Permit, for those wishing to travel to the outlying areas in Ngari, such as Mount Kailash, also requires 15-20 days to process.

Ideally, you should plan to speak to us about your trip to Tibet at least a month in advance of your date of travel, even as much as 6-8 weeks, as this gives us plenty of time to prepare the documents from the various agencies in Lhasa, yet is still within the 3-month validity period of your Chinese Entry Visa. If you are travelling through Kathmandu, then you can leave less time or more, as the visa to enter Tibet from Kathmandu is not issued until you arrive in Nepal.

Conclusion

Travelling to Tibet from Malaysia is a complex process, with lots of things to consider, such as where and when to go, etc. It can also be a confusing process, with a lot of permits and passes to arrange, as well as having to sort out visas, train travel, hotels, etc.

However, when you contact us for your tour, we make it simple, advising you on the places you want to visit, and the best times to visit them, as well as arranging all your permits and even helping out with train tickets, flight schedules, and your hotel accommodations. Which means that it is really easy to get to Tibet from Malaysia, with a little help from your friends, us!

The most common routes to Lhasa include the Xining to Lhasa Train, Beijing to Lhasa Train, and Xi’an to Lhasa Train. Each of these routes has its perk. The train journeys allow you to experience some of the best scenery in China, cultural tours en route to your final destination, or just the simple convenience of travel. If you are travelling in China for about a month, check out this China itinerary guide.

Xining to Lhasa train: The Shortest and Best Scenic Tibet Train to Lhasa

The Xining to Lhasa Train is one of the most frequently travelled train routes between the two destinations. There are two perks to taking this train route. It’s the shortest Tibet train to Lhasa thanks to the proximity of the Xining Rail station relative to Lhasa. Another highlight of this train trip is because it’s one of the most scenic routes travelling from China to Tibet.

Xining is historically known as a major hub for transportation, it is also one of the best places to see in China. Many train routes pass through this city. A few of these routes go to Lhasa. When you take the train from Xining to Lhasa, you’ll discover several trains that are making the journey. Two trains, called Z6801 and K9811 originate in Xining, while several others will already be coming from other parts of China.

The total distance for this train trip is just under 2,000km, making it the shortest option for arriving in Lhasa. The entire trip will last 20:55 hours. Thanks to the popularity of the trip, the train is always being updated for increased speed and efficiency along the journey.

The Xining to Lhasa Train transports over a thousand passengers every day. You’ll mainly have two options for train tickets, a Hard Sleeper and a Soft Sleeper. There are a couple of cars dedicated to each travel class. Ticket prices for these may fluctuate in peak travel seasons or other cases of high demand.

The overnight train allows you to get a good night’s sleep and awaken to some of the most scenic sights travelling to Lhasa. You’ll get the chance to see natural wonders including the Golmud, Qarhan Salt Lake, the Tangula Mountains, and much more. You’ll barely notice the time elapse thanks to the scenery and you’ll be arriving in Lhasa before you know it.

Beijing to Lhasa train: The Most Popular Train from China’s Capital to Lhasa

Many international flights arriving in China will land at the Beijing International Airport, the capital of China. It’s one of the busiest airports in the world, receiving millions of travellers annually. A large portion of these travellers have plans to continue their trip to Lhasa.

While some people may opt for a quick flight to the city, others have time to enjoy the journey. You’ll be able to take advantage of Beijing to Lhasa train, one of the most popular trains from the China capital to Lhasa. 

The Beijing to Lhasa train, called Beijing-Lhasa Train Z21 has daily trips between the two cities. The total distance for the journey is more than 3,700km long since you’ll be travelling across the country of China. Plenty of time to take in the views, read some good books, or finish up that college essay due when you return from your trip (or turn it over to WritingAPaper so you don’t have to worry about it on your trip!).

The travel time is 40 hours and 40 minutes, although this continues to get shorter thanks to constant updates to the trains and route. Even with the lengthy trip, it’s still one of the most popular. With such high demand, you can rest assured that the trip will be a comfortable journey. 

There are two ticket options that you can choose between, giving different experiences for the ride. The Hard Sleeper ticket is for general passengers, giving you a bed in a six-bunk car. The Soft Sleeper is for those who want a first-class experience along the way to Lhasa.You’ll have much more privacy and comfort for enjoying the train ride. Prices vary for the tickets and are also subject to increases with high demand.

Most of Beijing to Lhasa train ride happens to cross China. You’ll get to see a lot of the natural landscape wonders of the country from either window. Since the train passes through the Xining station, you’ll get to see all of the same sights once you reach this point in the journey.

Xi’an to Lhasa Train: The Best Tibet Train of Culture to Lhasa

If you’re looking for a unique travel experience to Lhasa, then the Xi’an to Lhasa Train will suit you the most. The train journey across China to Lhasa is already known to be scenic. Choosing the Xi’an to Lhasa route will add another element to the trip, a chance to experience the rich culture and history of China along the way.

The trip from Xi’an lasts 30:34 hours, covering a total distance of about 2,800 km. You can choose to take a train from here directly to your destination, but since you’ll be in such an exciting destination in Xi’an, it’s well worth it to take the time to enjoy it.

Xi’an is a busy train station, and several train routes pass through it. The two routes travelling to Lhasa originate in Guangzhou (Train Z265) and Shanghai (Train Z165). Keep in mind that with these trains coming from two major travel hubs, it can be difficult to find tickets from the Xi’an station, especially during peak travel times. It’s well worth visiting Xi’an, however, if you have time in your journey before reaching Lhasa.

Xi’an is one of the most well-known ancient cities in China by travellers around the world. There are a lot of train tours that stop in the city for at least a day to allow time for exploring. It gives you a chance to explore many of the notable sights and landmarks around the country while en route to Lhasa.

Some of the top sights here include the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, the Underground Palace, as well as several iconic pagodas and museums. The blend of culture along with the scenic route of the remainder of the journey make it one of the best trains rides travelling to Lhasa.