Major city · China
Tingri定日
One night on the way to or from Everest Base Camp or the Nepal border; not a destination on its own.
Tingri is a high-altitude stopover town on the Friendship Highway, used by overland travellers between Lhasa and Kathmandu. Its main draw is proximity to Qomolangma National Nature Reserve and views of the Himalayan range. The town itself is a military and logistics hub with basic services.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (bitter cold), Jul–Aug (monsoon clouds obscure peaks)
- Airports
- Lhasa Gonggar (LXA) · Kathmandu Tribhuvan (KTM)
- 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 Tingri110 ▾
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 Tingri, 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
- SafetyTingri is safe for tourists.
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.
- AirportcheckLXA Lhasa Gonggar Airport (About 300 km (186 mi) east; most travellers reach Tingri by private car or tour from Lhasa or Shigatse (check road time)).LXA Lhasa Gonggar Airport (About 186 mi (300 km) east; most travellers reach Tingri by private car or tour from Lhasa or Shigatse (check road time)).
- Getting aroundWalking covers the town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within towncheck¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedDorm bed in a Tibetan inn, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedPrivate room in a guesthouse, a night, per roomCN¥250 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedPrivate room in a guesthouse, a night, per roomCN¥400 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥150 (≈ US$25) · Mid CN¥300 (≈ US$45) · High CN¥500 (≈ US$70)
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 300 km (186 mi) east; most travellers reach Tingri by private car or tour from Lhasa or Shigatse (check road time)) · KTM Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (Across the Nepal border via Gyirong; overland crossing needs a permit and a private vehicle (check))LXA Lhasa Gonggar Airport (About 186 mi (300 km) east; most travellers reach Tingri by private car or tour from Lhasa or Shigatse (check road time)) · KTM Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (Across the Nepal border via Gyirong; overland crossing needs a permit and a private vehicle (check))
Map of Tingri
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tingri: 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
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
1 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
1 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
2 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
3 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
14 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
3 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
1 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°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
Walking covers the town. For the reserve or Everest Base Camp, you need a private vehicle or a tour group.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Everest Base Camp (north side)
goDoor to door: About 5–6 h return
Private vehicle or tour, about 2 h one way
Requires a permit arranged in advance; check road conditions.
Qomolangma National Nature Reserve
goDoor to door: About 1 h to the reserve entrance
Private vehicle or trekking
Entry fee payable; trekking requires a guide.
Shelkar
goDoor to door: About 1 h return
Private vehicle, about 30 min
Smaller town with a monastery and views.
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.
Town centre (near Friendship Highway)
Most hotels and guesthouses are along or just off the main road; walking distance to basic restaurants and shops.
East of town
Everest Snowleopard Hotel and a few Tibetan inns; quieter, but a 15–20 min walk to the centre.
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
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥250–400 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ¥400 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room in a guesthouse1 × 1 night × CN¥250 | CN¥250 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CN¥300 | CN¥600 |
| Private car from Shigatse to Tingri (one way)1 × CN¥1,000 · check | CN¥1,000 |
| Everest Base Camp permit2 × CN¥180 · check | CN¥360 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥221 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥1,216 per person per day, bed included | CN¥2,431≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and permits excluded.
Prices of common things
| Momo (10 pieces) | ¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Noodle soup | ¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Tea (pot) | ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Bottled water (1 L) | ¥3–5 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi within towncheck | ¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: Tingri is about 4,300 m. Take it easy, drink water, and have diamox if prescribed.
- No public transport: you must arrange a private car or join a tour to get in or out.
- Last restaurants close early: eat before 20:00.Last restaurants close early: eat before 8:00 PM.
- ATMs may be unreliable: carry enough cash (CNY) from Shigatse or Lhasa.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Tingri定日
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)
- Shigatse → Tingri (private car): about ¥800–1,500 (≈ US$120–250), 3–4 h (check)
- Tingri → Everest Base Camp (private car): about ¥500–800 (≈ US$70–120), 2 h (check)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much? (duō shǎo qián)
- 我不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ bù dǒng)
- 厕所在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ)
Tibetan is also spoken; these Mandarin phrases work in most shops and hotels.
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 Tingri. 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 Dec–Feb (bitter cold), Jul–Aug (monsoon clouds obscure peaks) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages with verified opening hours and prices for Tingri Dzong and the reserve.
- Trekking routes with waypoints and rescue anchors.
- Hotel pages with contact and booking links.
Sources
Ask about Tingri
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