How to Plan A Perfect Shanghai Tibet Tour

As China’s largest commercial and financial center, Shanghai is an extremely modern city with distinct traditional Chinese characteristics. Originally a fishing village and market town, Shanghai grew in importance in the 19th century due to trade and its favorable port location. Currently, Shanghai has become a modern and beautiful city and business center in the world. Many foreigners choose to live in this city because of her prosperity. Unlike Shanghai’s flourish and prosperity, Tibet is a peaceful and tranquil place with many picturesque natural sceneries like grassland, forest, lakes, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, etc. Do you want to take a Shanghai Tibet tour to experience two different cultures? That would be an unforgettable journey! Now you can follow this guide to plan your Shanghai Tibet tour.

 
Shanghai Tibet Tour

Part 1. How to Get to Shanghai for an International Tourist?

There are two international airports in Shanghai - Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport. Putong International Airport operates direct international flights from most major cities in Asia, North America, Europe, Australia, Africa. Besides, direct flights are also available between most Chinese cities and Shanghai.

Part 2. How to Get to Tibet from Shanghai？

1. Flight from Shanghai to Lhasa

Tourists can go to Lhasa from Shanghai by flight. MU2335, the only one flight a day to Lhasa from Shanghai, departs from Shanghai at 6:40 am and arrive at Lhasa at 3:25 pm. The whole journey takes about 8 hours and costs you about 2740 yuan. Flying is the best way to travel to Tibet as it is very fast and convenient.

 
Shanghai Pudong Airport

Also Read: Flights to Tibet from Main Chinese Gateway Cities/Kathmandu >

2. Train from Shanghai to Lhasa

Taking a train to Lhasa is the best way for travelers who want to have an enjoyable but inexpensive tour. And if you are searching for trains to Lhasa from Shanghai, just start your search for times and tickets, or continue reading to find out the timetables. The following are two train routes to enter Tibet from Shanghai. Way 1 is the straight train and way 2 needs tourists to transfer in Xining. Now, you can read the following train information and choose the best way according to your needs.

Way 1: It is convenient and time-saving to take the straight train to Lhasa from Shanghai. There is only one train a day that departs from Shanghai at 8:10 pm and arrives at Lhasa by the evening of the third day. The whole journey is about 47 hours and costs you about 1262 yuan.

Way 2: Despite the scenery along the way from Shanghai to Lhasa is very beautiful, it takes a very long time to arrive at Lhasa by train. To make you have an enjoyable journey, we suggest you choose a combination of flight and train. Namely, you can fly to Xining from Shanghai, and then take a train to Lhasa from Xining. There are many flights from Shanghai to Xining every day. For example, you can take the China Eastern Airline MU5625, which departs from Shanghai at 12:05 am and arrive in Xining at 3:55 pm. Then, you can take the train to Lhasa from Xining. With over 21 hours logged on trains, you may feel bored. However, we believe the breathtaking scenery along the way will make it worthwhile.

3. How to Buy Train Ticket? & Any Document Needed?

There are three ways for international tourists to buy train tickets. Before purchasing a train ticket, international tourists are required to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit, which is needed when they board a plane or train. Now you can read the following tips to know the way to purchase train tickets from Shanghai to Lhasa.

 
Tibet Travel Permit

• You can purchase train tickets on Ticket-booking websites like Ctrip, Fliggy, and Qunar. It is hard to buy a train ticket during the peak season (August-October) to travel to Tibet, so you are suggested to book in advance.
• You can buy a ticket directly from the train station with a valid passport. Notably, the train ticket is only available 30 days or less ahead.
• You can also book the train ticket through a travel agency, who will help you arrange everything you need for a Shanghai Tibet tour.

Part 3. What Is the Best Time for a Shanghai Tibet Tour?

Shanghai and Tibet can be visited all year round. But the best time is from September to November when the weather is comfortable in both of the two cities. And fall also means the decline of hotel prices and temperatures in both Shanghai and Tibet. The summer’s humidity and crowds will have also dissipated. However, you’d better avoid visiting during the first week of October when the National day draws many Chinese tourists. Winter travelers can encounter chilly weather, making your tour less enjoyable. Summer is the peak travel season for both of the two cities, so it might be a crowd and likely higher room rates in this season. But there is a possibility of typhoons in later summer in Shanghai.

Part 4. What to See & Do in Shanghai

For one day, a city highlights tour is a must-see, which includes The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, and a skyscraper-like the Oriental Tower or World Financial Center. If you are interested in Chinese water towns, Qibao is the perfect place to stop. 

For 2 or 3 days, a city highlight tour plus a water town is recommended. You can stay one night in a water town and taste the real charm of Southern China. For 3 full days, you should consider Suzhou or Hangzhou for an unforgettable visit.

 
Shanghai Water Town

Part 5. Transportation in Shanghai

The public transportation in Shanghai is very convenient. However, traffic jams are also very annoying. Knowing how to get around in Shanghai can help you maximize your time in Shanghai and save you most troubles.

• Didi - an App that provides transportation services, including taxi hailing, private car-hailing, social ride-sharing, and bike-sharing, etc. Download a Didi App on your phone and you can go everywhere you want. It is very quick and convenient. You can connect it to your international credit card for instant payments and hassle-free commuting.
• Maglev - you can take the Maglev to your hotel from the airport.
• Subway & Metro - Subway is the most convenient and quickest way to get around Shanghai if you want to explore this city in a short time.