How to Travel in Tibet From Major Cities in China by Train

There are 7 trains departing from various places to Lhasa, you can check where you start, which is more convenient. These are Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Lanzhou and Xining. The detailed time and fare are as follows:

Train Z21 from Beijing to Lhasa:

The train departs Beijing West at 20:00, takes 40 hours and 45 minutes, and arrives in Lhasa at 12:45 on the third day. The fares are 360 for hard seats, 720 for hard sleepers, and 1144 for soft sleepers. It passes through a total of 8 stations: Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan, Zhongwei, Lanzhou, Xining, Delingha, Golmud, and Nagqu.

Train Z164/Z165 from Shanghai to Lhasa:

The train departs Shanghai at 20:08, takes 47 hours and 27 minutes, and arrives in Lhasa at 19:35 on the third day. The fare options are 402.5 for a hard sleeper, 793.5 for a soft sleeper, and 1262.5 for the highest class. The train passes through 13 stations: Suzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing, Bengbu, Xuzhou, Zhengzhou, Xi’an, Lanzhou, Xining, Delingha, Golmud, Anduo, and Nagqu.

Train Z264/Z265 from Guangzhou to Lhasa:

The train leaves Guangzhou at 11:45, takes 53 hours, and arrives in Lhasa at 16:45 on the third day. The fare is 447 for a hard seat, 865 for a hard sleeper, and 1468 for a soft sleeper, passing through 11 stations: Chenzhou, Changsha, Wuchang, Zhengzhou, Xi’an, Lanzhou, Xining, Delingha, Golmud, Amdo, and Nagqu.

Train Z222/223 from Chongqing West to Lhasa.

The train departs Chongqing West at 22:12 and arrives in Lhasa at 9:55 on the third day, taking 35 hours and 43 minutes. The fare for a hard seat is 302.5, for a hard sleeper is 627.5, and for a soft sleeper is 997.5. The train passes through 7 stations: Nanchong North, Guangyuan, Lanzhou, Xining, Delingha, Golmud, and Nagqu.

Train Z322/Z323 from Chengdu to Lhasa:

The train departs Chengdu at 21:37 and arrives in Lhasa at 9:55 on the third day, taking a total of 36 hours and 18 minutes. The fare options are 302.5 for a hard seat, 627.5 for a hard sleeper, and 997.5 for a soft sleeper. The train also stops at Delingha, Golmud, and Nagqu, making a total of 6 stations.

Train Z917 from Lanzhou to Lhasa:

The train from Lanzhou to Lhasa departs at 11:16 and arrives the next day at 11:20, taking a total of 24 hours and 20 minutes. The fare options are 240 for a hard seat, 522 for a hard sleeper, and 823 for a soft sleeper. The train passes through 4 stops: Xining, Dehaling, Golmud, and Nagqu.

Train Z6801 from Xining to Lhasa:

The train departs Xining at 14:01 and arrives in Lhasa at 11:20 on the third day, taking a total of 21 hours and 19 minutes. The fare for hard seats is 224, for hard sleepers, is 495, and for soft sleepers is 781. The train passes through 5 stations: Delingha, Golmud, Amdo, Nagqu, and Dangxiong.

Except for the Xining train, all other seven trains mentioned require transferring to the aerobic train at Xining Station. Getting tickets for train z164, from Shanghai to Lhasa, can be difficult, but it offers an incredible journey through Tibet’s most beautiful train route. The train passes through Xining, showcasing stunning scenery. From Xining to Lhasa, the ride allows passengers to admire breathtaking landscapes including Qinghai Lake, Hoh Xil, the Kunlun Mountains, the Tuotuo River, the Tanggula Mountains, Cuona Lake, and more. These sights include crystal-clear waters, wildlife, majestic mountains, a turquoise river, and a serene lake. Overall, the z164 train journey offers an unforgettable adventure through Tibet’s extraordinary landscapes.