Lhasa Gonggar Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

Gonggar Airport sits at about 3,600 metres of altitude, among the highest in the world, and is 60-65 km from Lhasa, a city that already sits at 3,650 metres: the transfer takes about an hour by car or bus along the Lhasa River valley, with no train or metro alternative. Foreign visitors cannot reach Lhasa independently: besides the Chinese visa, a Tibet Travel Permit is required, obtainable only through a registered agency together with a guide, and the trip must be arranged weeks in advance. Since there are no hotels directly in the airport area, the choice plays out entirely in the city: the old town around the Potala for anyone who wants to move on foot between the sites, or the more modern area along Jiangsu Road, home to the luxury resorts with altitude assistance.

Potala Palace and the old town

City centre · The transfer from the airport, about 60 km, takes an hour by car or bus along the Lhasa River valley to the centre; there are no train or metro connections.

Best for: Anyone who wants to move on foot between the Potala, the Barkhor and the Tibetan quarter.

Pros

The Potala and the square in front of it are within walking distance of the hotels in the area
The Tibetan quarter of the Barkhor, with the Jokhang temple, is a few minutes' walk away

Cons

The transfer from the airport is always about an hour, whichever area of the city is chosen
The altitude, above 3,600 metres, requires a day of acclimatisation before tackling the Potala's stairs or long walks

Recommended hotels in this area

Atour Hotel Lhasa Potala Palace Square: Opened in 2022 on Yutuo Road, with the Potala and its square on one side and the Jokhang temple on the Barkhor on the other; an in-house library and taxi booking service.

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Jiangsu Road and the luxury resorts

Neighbourhood · The same roughly one-hour distance from the airport; from the Jiangsu Road area the Potala is 5-10 minutes by car, the Barkhor about 15 minutes on foot.

Best for: Anyone looking for a high-end hotel with altitude assistance, a few minutes by car from the Potala.

Pros

Both resorts offer in-room oxygen or an oxygen lounge, useful during the first days at high altitude
Indoor pools and spas to recover from the flight before setting off to sightsee

Cons

Farther on foot from the Potala than the hotels in the old town
A high price bracket compared to the Lhasa average

Recommended hotels in this area

Shangri-La Lhasa: 2 km from the Potala, with an oxygen lounge open 24 hours (50% air enrichment) and rooms with continuous oxygen supply, nasal cannulas and an oximeter provided.
The St. Regis Lhasa Resort: On Jiangsu Road, about 3 km from the Potala and 15 minutes on foot from the Jokhang temple and Barkhor Street; rooms with an oxygen option, including a concentrator, humidifier and Dyson hairdryer.

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