Major city · China
Tsethang泽当
Half a day to see Tradruk Temple and the Monkey Cave, then overnight or continue to Samye. Not a base for longer stays.
Tsethang (Zedang) is the capital of Shannan Prefecture and a gateway to Tibet's oldest temple, Tradruk, and the legendary birthplace of the Tibetan people at Mt Gongpori. Most sights take a few hours; the town itself has limited accommodation and no ATMs for foreign cards. Plan a half-day stop en route to Samye or Chongye.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (rain), Dec–Feb (cold)
- Airport
- LXA
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Tsethang110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tsethang, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyTsethang is safe for tourists, but altitude (3,500 m) can cause symptoms.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLXA Lhasa Gonggar Airport (About 1.5 h drive from Tsethang; most travellers arrive via Lhasa and take a bus or taxi from there.).
- Getting aroundWalkable centre; hire a taxi or join a tour for sights outside town (Chongye, Sheldrak).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealSimple meal (noodles, momo)¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideBus Lhasa–Tsethangcheck¥50–80 (≈ US$7–12)
- Budget bedGuesthouse room (Tsethang Hotel or similar), a night, per roomCN¥150 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (Tsethang Hotel or similar), a night, per roomCN¥250 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (Tsethang Hotel or similar), a night, per roomCN¥400 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · Mid CN¥400 (≈ US$60) · High CN¥700 (≈ US$100)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LXA Lhasa Gonggar Airport (About 1.5 h drive from Tsethang; most travellers arrive via Lhasa and take a bus or taxi from there.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tsethang: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
1 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
2 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
3 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
4 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
14 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
13 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
4 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
1 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable centre; hire a taxi or join a tour for sights outside town (Chongye, Sheldrak).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Samye
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus or taxi from Tsethang, about 1.5 h
Tibet's first monastery; combine with Tsethang for a full day.
Chongye (King's Tombs)
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi 28 km (17 mi) south, about 30 minTaxi 17 mi (28 km) south, about 30 min
Ancient tombs of Tibetan kings; half-day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Tsethang town centre
Tsethang Hotel, Friendship Hotel, Tsethang Guesthouse and Post Office Guesthouse are the only places foreigners are advised to stay. Check availability ahead.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥200–350 (≈ US$30–50)
- Mid
- ¥350–600 (≈ US$50–85)
- High
- ¥600 (≈ US$85)+
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room (Tsethang Hotel or similar)1 × 1 night × CN¥250 | CN¥250 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CN¥400 | CN¥800 |
| Taxi to Chongye (return)1 × CN¥200 · check | CN¥200 |
| Bus to Samye (one way)2 × CN¥50 · check | CN¥100 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥135 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥743 per person per day, bed included | CN¥1,485≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in CNY; permit and guide fees not included. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus Lhasa–Tsethangcheck | ¥50–80 (≈ US$7–12) |
| Taxi within town | ¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Simple meal (noodles, momo) | ¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Hotel room (foreigner-friendly) | ¥150–400 (≈ US$25–60) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No Bank of China branch or ATM that accepts foreign cards — bring enough cash from Lhasa.
- Foreigners need a Tibet Travel Permit and a guide for Shannan; book through a tour agency in Lhasa.
- Tradruk Temple may close for renovation; check with your guide.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Tsethang泽当
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Lhasa–Tsethang: ¥50–80 (≈ US$7–12), early morning only (check)
- Taxi Tsethang–Chongye: about ¥100 (≈ US$14) one way
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much? (duō shǎo qián)
- 我不明白 — I don't understand (wǒ bù míng bai)
- 厕所在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ)
Carry cash; no ATMs for foreign cards.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tsethang. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (rain), Dec–Feb (cold) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Tsethang
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