Qamdo

昌都 · City

Qamdo (Chamdo) sits in eastern Tibet where Kham cultural influences meet deep river valleys — a crossroads on longer Sichuan–Tibet overland journeys.

FocusEastern Tibet gorges and Kham culture

Best time to visitMay to September

Days neededOften a transit hub on longer routes

PermitTibet Travel Permit

Overview

Quick facts about Qamdo

Quick answer

Qamdo (Chamdo) sits in eastern Tibet where Kham cultural influences meet deep river valleys — a crossroads on longer Sichuan–Tibet overland journeys.

Focus	Eastern Tibet gorges and Kham culture
Best time to visit	May to September
Days needed	Often a transit hub on longer routes
Permit	Tibet Travel Permit

Stays in Qamdo

Hotels we use on our tours, with oxygen rooms marked.

Pingcuo Kangsang BaSu RanWuhu Fuyang Hotel

Ronnie Tibetans Camp

Eight Stays Royal Hotel

Jingshang Resort Hotel (Basu Dorla Shenshan Branch)

Basu Kangcheng Oxygen Supply Hotel (National Highway G318 County Government)

Songtsam Rumei Lodge (Markam)

Best time to visit

Average daily high and low in °C, and monthly rain in mm. Winter is cold and dry, with fewer visitors and lower hotel prices.

Daily highDaily lowRain

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

BestGoodCold or limited access

Permit

What foreign visitors need before arrival.

Quick answer

Yes. All foreign visitors need a Tibet Travel Permit, and some areas need extra permits. We file them for you with every booking.

Nearby regions

Potala, Jokhang and the old town

Shigatse and Gyantse

Tashilhunpo Monastery, Yamdrok Lake

North base camp and Rongbuk Monastery

High-altitude lake near Lhasa

Blossoms and canyons at low altitude

Yarlung Valley, Samye and Yumbulagang

Questions

Every foreign passport holder does. The Tibet Travel Permit is issued only through registered Tibet agencies, and it is checked at airports, train stations and hotels. We file it with every booking at no extra charge.

No. Foreign travellers need a booked tour with a licensed guide, plus a private vehicle for any route beyond Lhasa. A fixed-departure group seat is the cheapest way to travel.

April to October is the main season. May–June and September–October have the clearest mountain views; July and August are greener but wetter.

The train from Xining or Beijing is a slow, scenic climb that helps with acclimatisation. Flights from Chengdu, Xi’an or Kathmandu save a day or two.

Visiting Qamdo?

Tell us your dates. A Lhasa specialist replies within one working day with a day-by-day plan and a price.