Gunsa Airport
Encyclopedia
Ngari Gunsa Airport is a dual-use military and civilian airport serving the town of Shiquanhe in Ngari Prefecture
, in the southwest of China
's Tibet Autonomous Region
near the Indian border. It started operations on 1 July 2010, becoming the fourth civil airport in Tibet after Lhasa
, Nyingchi, and Qamdo
airports.
Situated at 4274 m (14,022 ft) above sea level, Gunsa Airport is the third highest airports in the world after Qamdo Bangda Airport
(elevation 4334 m (14,219 ft)) and Kangding Airport
(elevation 4280 m (14,042 ft)). Gunsa airport has a 4,500-meter runway. It is expected to handle 120,000 passengers by 2020. Construction began in May 2007 and cost an estimated 1.65 billion yuan (241.22 million U.S. dollars).
As Shiquanhe (Ali) is only a one-day bus drive (about 330 km) from the settlement of Darchen
situated just north of Lake Mansarovar, facing Mount Kailash
. It is expected to benefit pilgrims to these two sites, which are considered sacred by Hindus, Buddhists, Bonpa and Jains
. With the expected opening of Peace Airport in October, the five airports, coupled with the Qinghai–Tibet railway and a network of roads, are expected to increase tourism to scenic and holy sites in Tibet.
With construction starting in 2011 and expected to be completed in 2014, the Nagqu Dagring Airport
would surpass Qamdo Bangda Airport to become the world's highest altitude airport at 4,436 meters (14,554 ft) above sea level.
Ngari Prefecture
Ngari Prefecture is a prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Its capital is Gar County. Its regional headquarters is in the town of Purang. The biggest town is Ali. It includes part of the Aksai Chin area, a disputed region claimed by India but over which China exercises administrative...
, in the southwest of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
's Tibet Autonomous Region
Tibet Autonomous Region
The Tibet Autonomous Region , Tibet or Xizang for short, also called the Xizang Autonomous Region is a province-level autonomous region of the People's Republic of China , created in 1965....
near the Indian border. It started operations on 1 July 2010, becoming the fourth civil airport in Tibet after Lhasa
Lhasa Gonggar Airport
Lhasa Gonggar Airport is the airport serving Lhasa, the capital city of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. It is located about southwest of the city in Gonggar County of Shannan Prefecture. The airport is close to the road to Tsetang, the capital of Shannan Prefecture.At an elevation of ,...
, Nyingchi, and Qamdo
Qamdo Bangda Airport
Qamdo Bamda Airport , also known as Bangda Airport, located in Bangda, Qamdo, Tibet, is the highest airport in the world, at an elevation of . Runway 14/32 is the longest publicly used runway in the world, at ....
airports.
Situated at 4274 m (14,022 ft) above sea level, Gunsa Airport is the third highest airports in the world after Qamdo Bangda Airport
Qamdo Bangda Airport
Qamdo Bamda Airport , also known as Bangda Airport, located in Bangda, Qamdo, Tibet, is the highest airport in the world, at an elevation of . Runway 14/32 is the longest publicly used runway in the world, at ....
(elevation 4334 m (14,219 ft)) and Kangding Airport
Kangding Airport
Kangding Airport is an airport serving Kangding, capital of the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in western Sichuan Province, China. It is located 40 kilometers northwest of the city center...
(elevation 4280 m (14,042 ft)). Gunsa airport has a 4,500-meter runway. It is expected to handle 120,000 passengers by 2020. Construction began in May 2007 and cost an estimated 1.65 billion yuan (241.22 million U.S. dollars).
As Shiquanhe (Ali) is only a one-day bus drive (about 330 km) from the settlement of Darchen
Darchen
Darchen,Tarchan or Taqin is a small village in Purang County of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It was previously known as Lhara and still signposted as such...
situated just north of Lake Mansarovar, facing Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash is a peak in the Gangdisê Mountains, which are part of the Himalayas in Tibet...
. It is expected to benefit pilgrims to these two sites, which are considered sacred by Hindus, Buddhists, Bonpa and Jains
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
. With the expected opening of Peace Airport in October, the five airports, coupled with the Qinghai–Tibet railway and a network of roads, are expected to increase tourism to scenic and holy sites in Tibet.
With construction starting in 2011 and expected to be completed in 2014, the Nagqu Dagring Airport
Nagqu Dagring Airport
Nagqu Dagring Airport is an airport scheduled for construction near Nagqu in the Nagqu Prefecture of Tibet. When completed in 2014 it will be the highest airport in the world at , replacing Qamdo Bangda Airport as the highest. Construction will begin in 2011 and is scheduled to take three years...
would surpass Qamdo Bangda Airport to become the world's highest altitude airport at 4,436 meters (14,554 ft) above sea level.