Ngari Gunsa Airport (ZUAL)
Medium airport · Shiquanhe, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
Airport data
| Name | Ngari Gunsa Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | ZUAL |
| IATA | NGQ |
| Elevation | 14,022 ft (4274 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 32°5'53" E 80°3'14" 32.09794, 80.05397 |
| Location | Shiquanhe, Tibet Autonomous Region, China |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/33 | 14,764 ft (4500 m) | — | ASP | No |
Ngari Gunsa Airport at a glance
Ngari Gunsa Airport is a medium airport in Shiquanhe, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, known to airline systems as NGQ. The field elevation of 14,022 ft (4274 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at ZUAL are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 15/33, offers 14,764 ft (4500 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 15 points roughly 150° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for ZUAL shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Ngari Gunsa Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ali Pulan Airport | ZUPL | 215 km (116 NM) |
| Kullu Manali Airport | VIBR | 275 km (149 NM) |
| Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport | VIDN | 277 km (150 NM) |
| Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport | VILH | 325 km (176 NM) |
| Pantnagar Airport | VIPT | 345 km (186 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Ngari Gunsa Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 14,022 ft field elevation of Ngari Gunsa Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 334 airports and airfields we list for China — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Ngari Gunsa Airport
What is the ICAO code of Ngari Gunsa Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Ngari Gunsa Airport is ZUAL, and its IATA code is NGQ. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Ngari Gunsa Airport above sea level?
Ngari Gunsa Airport sits at an elevation of 14,022 feet (4274 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Ngari Gunsa Airport located?
The airport lies at 32.0979, 80.0540 — in Shiquanhe, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Ali Pulan Airport, about 215 km away.
Does ZUAL publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for ZUAL appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Ngari Gunsa Airport?
Ngari Gunsa Airport has one runway. The longest, 15/33, measures 14,764 ft (4500 m) with a ASP surface.