Nangqen is 150 kilometres south of Yushu, and most travellers arrive from there. Shared minibuses (around 50 yuan per person) depart from Yushu's bus station in the morning when full, covering the route in around four hours depending on road conditions. From Xining, overnight sleeper buses run directly to Nangqen, a journey of around 18 hours costing approximately 280 yuan.
The road south from Yushu crosses high passes before dropping into the river valleys around Nangqen; it is sealed but narrow, and subject to landslides and closures during heavy rain. Summer and early autumn are the most reliable seasons for travel. There is no airport; the nearest is at Yushu (Batang Airport).