Nyingchi has its own airport at Mainling (about 50 km from Bayi), with regular flights from Chengdu, Lhasa, and occasionally other Chinese cities. Flight schedules are often disrupted by the weather — book with flexibility in mind.
By road, Bayi lies about 400 km east of Lhasa on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (G318). The drive from Lhasa takes eight to ten hours depending on road conditions and is spectacular, crossing several high passes. Public buses run the route; private vehicles or hired cars are faster and more flexible. Coming from Sichuan, the approach from Chengdu via the southern Sichuan-Tibet Highway is longer but passes through extraordinary scenery in the Hengduan Mountains.
All visitors to Tibet require a Tibet Travel Permit in addition to the standard Chinese visa; this must be arranged in advance through a registered travel agency.