National park · China
Qomolangma National Nature Reserve
Enter Qomolangma for a day hike to Rongbuk Monastery (entry fee ~CNY 100, 2 h walk) or a 3‑day trek to Base Camp (guide required, CNY 300‑600). Go May‑Jun or Sep‑Oct, avoid July‑Aug crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²)
- Approx. 1,200 km² covering high‑altitude plateau, glaciers and the north face of Mt Everest (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Lhasa
Qomolangma National Nature Reserve protects the Tibetan side of Mt Everest, offering views of the world’s highest peak, the highest monastery at Rongbuk, and high‑altitude trekking routes to Base Camp.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteProtected as a national nature reserve.
Size and age
1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²) · national park since 2000
Approx. 1,200 km² covering high‑altitude plateau, glaciers and the north face of Mt Everest (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Lhasa.
Why go
- View the north face of the world's highest peak from the Tibetan side.
- Visit Rongbuk Monastery, the highest monastery on Earth.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecAvoid
- JanVery cold, limited services
- FebCold, limited services
- MarCool, roads open
- AprSpring, clearer skies
- MayDry, good trekking conditions
- JunDry, stable weather
- JulClouds, occasional storms
- AugClouds, higher chance of rain
- SepPost‑monsoon, clear views
- OctEarly snow, good visibility
- NovCold, some services close
- DecVery cold, limited access
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High‑altitude birds (e.g., bar-headed goose)May–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Marmot coloniesJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Lhasa
Fly or drive to Shigatse, then road (Friendship Hwy) to Rongbuk; 800 km (497 mi), 2‑3 days by vehicle.Fly or drive to Shigatse, then road (Friendship Hwy) to Rongbuk; 497 mi (800 km), 2‑3 days by vehicle.
2‑3 days
Open the page →
From Shigatse
Road via Friendship Highway to Rongbuk gate, 200 km (124 mi), 5‑6 h drive.Road via Friendship Highway to Rongbuk gate, 124 mi (200 km), 5‑6 h drive.
5‑6 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Rongbuk Monastery zone | Monastery, visitor centre, short trail to viewpoint. | Open with park entry ticket. |
| Base Camp zone | Everest Base Camp, teahouses, camping sites. | Guided trek only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on central features of the reserve.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Rongbuk area) | CNY 100–150 (≈ US$14–25) | person | Check at gate |
| Guided trek to Base Camp (per person) | CNY 300–600 (≈ US$45–85) | person | Includes guide, permit, and basic support |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Base Camp trek permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CN¥100–150≈ US$14–25
- CN¥300–600≈ US$45–85
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Permits
- All visitors must carry a valid park entry permit and, for Base Camp, a trek permit.
- Camping
- Only allowed in designated areas at Base Camp with a guide.
- Drones
- Prohibited without special permission.
Where to stay
In the park
Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse
Simple rooms, basic meals.
Near the park
Base Camp tents
Camping tents provided by trekking agencies.
Near the park
Lhasa
Hotels of all levels, 800 km (497 mi) from the reserve.Hotels of all levels, 497 mi (800 km) from the reserve.
Safety
Altitude sickness high
Cold weather medium
Road closures medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Rongbuk Monastery area reachable by vehicle with short walks.
- High‑altitude treks not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use licensed guides to limit environmental impact.
- Carry out all waste; do not disturb wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Qomolangma?
Entry to the Rongbuk area is about CNY 100‑150 per person; a guided trek to Base Camp costs roughly CNY 300‑600 per person, including permit and guide.
What are the best hikes in Qomolangma?
The short walk to Rongbuk Monastery (2‑3 h) and the multi‑day trek to Everest Base Camp via the Tingri or Peruche routes are the main options.
When is the best time to visit Qomolangma?
May‑June and September‑October offer the clearest weather and safest trekking conditions; July‑August often bring clouds and storms.
Do I need a guide for the Base Camp trek?
Yes, a licensed guide and permit are mandatory for the Base Camp route.
Can I camp anywhere in the reserve?
Camping is only allowed in designated areas at Base Camp and with a guide; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Qomolangma National Nature Reserve
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