Gyantse is typically reached by road from Lhasa (around 270 km to the northeast) or from Shigatse (90 km to the northwest). The journey from Lhasa takes roughly six to eight hours by vehicle and passes through spectacular high-altitude scenery, including the turquoise Yamdrok Lake at around 4,400 metres.
All foreign visitors to Tibet require a Tibet Travel Permit in addition to a Chinese visa, and must travel with a licensed guide and registered vehicle. Independent travel in Tibet is not permitted — all transport arrangements go through a licensed Tibetan travel agency.
Most visitors pass through Gyantse as part of an organised overland tour of Tibet, stopping for a half-day or overnight before continuing to Shigatse or toward the Nepali border.