China Travel Advice

On October 22, with the arrival of a passenger plane operated by China Eastern Airlines, Kangding Airport was officially opened for commercial air services, significantly improving conditions of trainsportation and travel on the eastern border of Tibet.

Kangding is the capital of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, which makes up the westernmost part of Sichuan Province. Located at the very edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Kangding is an important stop on the way from eastern China to Lhasa, the capital of Tibetan Autonomous Region. In pre-modern times, trading caravans would rest here before they headed farther west into Tibet. In the latter half of the 20th century, after much struggle with the formidable terrains in the region, the Chinese government built a highway that connects Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, Kangding, and Lhasa. Today, by automobile, t is a trip of four hours from Chengdu to Kangding. In comparison, flight time between the two cities is just 35 minutes.

Many impressive tourist attractions are found in the region surrounding Kangding. About 50 km south of Kangdings is Gongga Shan (Mount Gongga, Minya Konka). Standing at the height of 7,556 m or 24,790 ft, the mountain is snowed-covered year-round and is known for the dozens of glaciers around it. Rising above two deep river valleys nearby, the mountain is magnificent in appearance and difficult to scale. In the neighboring area, there stand over 100 mountains above the height of 5,000 m (16,400 ft). In 2005, China’s National Geographic Magazine selected Mt. Gongga as one of the “Ten Most Beautiful Mountains in China.”

In addition to its extraordinary landscape, Kangding also attracts visitors from China and around the world with its colorful ethnic culture and folk traditions.

Kangding Airport, standing at the elevation of 4220 m (13,845 ft), is the second highest airport in the world – Lhasa Cangdu Airport is higher by about 50 m (164 ft).