Getting Around Yushu
Yushu is a compact Tibetan town in Qinghai, and most of what a visitor wants to see sits within easy reach on foot. The practical transport picture is simple: walk in the centre, hop on a local bus for short trips, and use taxis for the outlying sites.
Walking
Walking is the easiest way to get around town, and it is the mode most visitors will rely on for day-to-day movement. The town is small enough that you can simply walk up the hill to the Jiegu Monastery. If you are staying near the centre, most everyday needs are within a comfortable stroll.
Local Buses
Yushu has a local bus network, and it is the cheapest way to cover short distances around town. Bus no. 1 and bus no. 2 are the convenient options for getting around, with a flat fare of ¥1. These are useful if you want to save your legs for a longer walk later in the day.
Taxis
Taxis are the practical choice for the sites outside the town centre, since these lie in different directions and are not easily combined on foot. A taxi to the Mani Stones should cost around ¥50, and a taxi to the Temple of Princess Wencheng costs around ¥50 as well. Because the two sites sit outside town in different directions, it is worth negotiating with a driver to see both in one trip rather than paying separately for each.
At the airport, negotiable taxi services are available for the transfer into town, so agree on the fare before you set off.
Getting There
Yushu is served by long-distance buses and by air.
- By bus: A few buses depart daily between Xining and Yushu, with a fare of ¥207. The bus station for services to and from Xining sits south of the T-junction and central square. From the bus station, walk west to find the main street, then head north to reach the central square. Buses heading further south in Qinghai — to Zadoi or Nangqen, for example — pass by Yushu Town on their way. From Ganzi, buses run in summer only, and the station is reportedly at the midpoint between the Xining bus station and town, on the G214.
- By plane: Yushu Batang Airport (YUS) lies south of Yushu. There are a few daily flights from Xining, Chengdu and Lhasa, with prices varying by season.
Airport Transfers
From Yushu Batang Airport, you have two options into town: a bus service is available, and negotiable taxi services are also on offer. If you would rather not wait for the bus, agree a fare with a taxi driver before departing.
Rail, Metro and Trams
Yushu has no rail, metro or tram network. For a visitor, this means there are no train tickets or transit passes to worry about — ground transport is limited to walking, local buses, taxis and long-distance coaches.