How to travel from Lhasa to Shigatse? How far from Lhasa to Shigatse? Here TopChinaTravel will give you some Transportation Tips for your reference.
From Lhasa to Shigatse along the south lines, the distance is more than 300 km, and you will pass by Gangbala Mountain,
Yamdrok Lake, Langkazi County, Gyantse County, etc.. As the section from Gangbala Mountain to Langkazi and Gyantse can be affected by flood easily, collapses and landslips, the road sometimes is blocked. Later, another road from Lhasa along Yarlung Zangbo River was built, which is the north line. After the North Line was opened to traffic, the South Line was seldom used. But the South Line passing through Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier and connecting Gyantse County, it is a good tourist line, and many tour groups still drive to Shigatse from this line.
The South Line
South line’s basic situation is good at both ends and poor in the middle, with about 200 km gravel road; all lines are in the mountains.
Starting from Lhasa, along the Jichang Road to Qushui County, you will enter the gravel road section. When climb the Gangbala Mountain, the section is very dangerous. One side is the cliff, and the other side is mountain. Timid ladies tend to be scared to cry out, but it does not matter, after this section, get to the Gangbala Peak, standing on the hill can get a good view of the Yamdrok Lake. Yamdrok Lake’s altitude is about 4,400 m.
Since then, the car will be along the line around the lake. While driving, you can appreciate the scenery: snow-capped mountains surrounding the lake, reflection of the sheep, the lake ranch, and numerous herds in the grasslands leisurely eating grass. Although full of gravel, the road is fairly flat, coupled with fewer vehicles. The traveling speeds can be up to 60-100 km.
Passed the Yamdrok Lake area, spanned 4,330 meters of Simila Mountain, you will see the glacier tongue of Karola Glacier. The front of the tongue’s elevation is 5560 meters, and where we stand is about 5,400 meters above sea level.
After passing the glacier, you are entering the valley surrounded by mountains. The scenery is very unique. Mountains being weathered are in different colors, along with grassland, pasture, and hydropower station.
Arriving Gyantse, you will enter a large open plains --- Shigatse Plain. The scenery becomes monotonous along the highway. The section is flat, a more than 100 kilometers of paved road leading to Shigatse. At the roadsides, there is mainly Tibetans farmland.
The North Line
As the section from Gangbala Mountain to Langkazi and Gyantse can be affected by flood easily, collapses and landslips, the road sometimes is blocked. Later, another road from Lhasa along Yarlung Zangbo River was built, which is the north line. After the North Line was opened to traffic, the South Line was seldom used.
How to get to Shigatse from Lhasa
►Buy Bus or Minibus
At he section of Beijing road between Lhasa Balangxue and Jiri Hotel, there are private-owned minibus depart from Lhasa to Shigatse since 7:00 in the morning. The fare is about 38 yuan per person, driving about 7 hours.
There are also buses from Lhasa to Shigatse, but the driving time is longer than minibus and the ticket is also more expensive.
►Self-driving from Lhasa to Shigatse
South Line
Starting City: Lhasa
Distance: more than 340 km
Line: Lhasa --- Jichang Road to Qushui County --- Gangbala Mountain --- Yamdrok Lake --- Simila Mountian --- Karola Glacier --- valleys --- Gyantse County --- Shigatse Plain --- Shigatse
North Line
Starting City: Lhasa
Distance: more than 260 km
Line: Lhasa --- Lhasa Plain--- Shigatse Plain--- Shigatse
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