Chengdu to Tibet Travel Guide: What to See, Do, Costs & Way to Save

Chengdu, the land of abundance, is the largest municipal economic center and an important communication hub in southwestern China. For travelers who want  to travel to Tibet, Chengdu is the most convenient gateway city to enter Tibet. Meanwhile, Chengdu possess abundant tourism resources. The cute giant panda, delicious foods, and hospitable Chengdu people attract a lot of tourists from every corner of the world to travel to Chengdu. Chengdu is a city that never wants to leave. Apart from these, Chengdu also brings convenient traffic to tourists. The biggest international airport - Shuangliu international airport, which receives a large number of tourists from other countries. Additionally, the high-speed rail, train, and highway also bring great convenience to travelers.  However, for international travelers who are not familiar with this city, it is hard to explore this city. To have a perfect holiday,travelers should be well prepared for the Chengdu Tibet tour. The following guide provides some detailed information about the Chengdu Tibet tour, from what to do & see, and how to get to Tibet from Chengdu, etc.

 
Chengdu Tibet Tour

Part 1. How to Get to Tibet from Chengdu?

There are three ways for travelers to get to Tibet from Chengdu. Each of the three ways has its advantages and disadvantages. You can choose one of them based on your needs.

Way 1. Chengdu to Lhasa by Train (train schedule 2020 included)

Train tour is a popular way for international travelers to travel to Tibet, not only because it is cheaper than flight, but also for it offers tourists a big feast of breathtaking scenery along the railway. But it takes a very long time to get to Tibet by train. If you don’t want to spend much time on the train, you can take flight.

 
Chengdu to Lhasa Train

See more information at Chengdu to Lhasa Train >

Way 2. Chengdu to Lhasa by Flight (flight schedule 2020 included)

The flight is a time-saving and convenient way for travelers to travel from Chengdu to Tibet. But it is a little more expensive than by train. Currently, there are over ten flights to Tibet. Most of the flights connect Chengdu Shuangliu Airport with Lhasa Gonggar Airport. Other flights respectively connect Chengdu with Nyingchi Milin Airport in eastern Tibet, Shigatse Peace Airport, Chamdo Bangda Airport, and Ngari Kunsha Airport.

See more at flights to Tibet from Chengdu >

Part 2. How to Save Money on Chengdu Tibet Tour?

Tibet is a remote region with high altitude, harsh climate, and poor transportation, so the cost of a tour from Chengdu to Tibet might be much higher than in other places of China. For some budget travelers, it is hard to save money while traveling in Tibet. But hard does not mean impossible. To help travelers save money on the Tibet Chengdu tour, we collect some advice to cut down the cost of your tour.

1. Before looking at a round-trip flight, please look at the cost of two one-way flights. Sometimes it turns out to be cheaper!
2. Booking your flight tickets in advance.
3. Traveling during “off-season”. Winter is the off-season of Tibet tourism. Many aspects related to travel tourism offer a great discount in winter. Airlines and hotels often give big discounts on airplane seats and hotel rooms during this time. Don't miss Tibet tour in winter!
4. Bring your airport snacks. You can pack your smooch-resistant food for the airport before heading out the door will save you significant bucks.
5. Do as the Tibetans or Chengdu people do, and catch public transportation everywhere you go. Buses, subways, whatever it takes to get around. Not only because it is a great way to save money, but also because it is the best way for you to explore the city and get up close to its people.
6. Take a train instead of a flight.
7. Book a tour that can help you get real for money. Our tour plans can be customized to things that you can not arrange on your own. More importantly, all of the expenses of this trip will be customized based on your budget.

Part 3. What to Do & See in Chengdu

Chengdu is a vibrant city with a long history and rich tourism resources. Our local experts have found the best places to visit in and around the city with our list of the top attractions in Chengdu.

 
Giant Panda in Chengdu Research Base

Top 1. Watch Giant Pandas in Chengdu Research Base, which is home to approximately 100 pandas. It is one of the best time to see the cute pandas.

Top 2. Enjoy a Day Trip to the Leshan Giant Buddha. With 71 meters hight and 24 meters wide, Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone seated Maitreya in the world. It has also been included on the World Heritage List. Anyway, it worth a visit.

Top 3. The Chengdu Wuhou Shrine, which contains numerous important cultural relics, including paintings and calligraphy.

Top 4. Day Trip to Dujiangyan Irrigation System, which is an amazing feat of engineering that was constructed in 256 BC. When you stand by the river, you will be amazed by this great system that has worked for over 2,000 years.

Top 5. Walk around Jinli Ancient Street. You can walk to the narrow street to see beautiful Chinese-style buildings and lanterns. Also, you can taste a variety of local delicious street foods in Jinli.

Top 6. Watch a Magical Face Changing Performance. Magical face changing is a visual stunt used to express the culture of Sichuan culture.

Top 7. Climb Mount Emei, which is one of the four famous Buddhist mountains in China. It is also the best place for summer vacation.

Top 8. Visit Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve. Renowned as a fairy tale world, Jiuzhaigou is a beautiful place that can take your breath away.

Part 4. What to Eat in Chengdu

Do you want to taste the delicious Sichuan and Chengdu cuisine? Below is our list of the top Chengdu dishes you must try while visiting Chengdu.

 
Chengdu Hot Pot

1. Stir-fired Sichuan Chicken and Sichuan Peppers - Laziji. It is made up of 80 percent peppers, 15 percent chicken, and the rest made up of sliced garlic and ginger, and Sichuan peppers.
2. Sichuan Dumplings. It is one of the must-eat foods in Chengdu. And Jinli Walking Street is the best place for you to taste Spicy Sichuan Dumpling.
3. Sichuan Noodles in Chili Source. The noodles are very cold, refreshing, spicy and very slippery. You can find it on Jinli Street.
4. Dandan Noddles. It is probably some of the most well-known Chengdu dishes that can be found on any Chinese menus. The noodles are topped with pork and a spicy sauce with peanut flavor.
5. Chengdu Hot Pot. You can find it on every street in Chengdu. Sichuan people love eating hot pot very much. It is a good way for you to get close to the locals.