Getting through the ticket controls at Xining station was chaotic with lots of people pushing and jumping queues. In this case, do arrive at the railway station at least 2hours earlier to follow the procedure because the huge crowds are pretty common in China. And you can buy some snack or fruit before you board the Tibet train to fill the leisurely time while enjoying the stunning window view. You can easily buy a boxed meal or some snack or soft drinks like orange juice and coke from him. Crossing eight provinces from Northern China Plain to the world highest Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the train journey is a long railway adventure taking more than 40 hours from Beijing to Lhasa. This train route from Beijing to Lhasa is on high altitude on the world. Through the train journey, you will witness totally different scenery. Z21 train from Beijing to Lhasa departs every day. The highlights of Tibet train center from Golmud to Lhasa. Fly from Suvarnabhumi, bus • 10h 21m. The stations were bare and we only got out at the one that seemed to be the longest stop where we even managed to snap a twilight photo of the train. There are no announcements of the arrival or departure from stations and no information as to how long the stop will be so be careful not to get left behind, especially if you stop at one of the high altitude and colder places and get out in your regular clothes. By flying, a small percentage of people are actually at risk of getting pulmonary edema. Recommended option. Based on our over 10 years’ Tibet train tour running experience, we handpick the top 4 most recommended Beijing Tibet train tours for you. No, not at all. As you donât have that much space to sit on the higher beds, all passengers in the cabin would be using the lower level bed during the day and only retiring at night. The doors in the hard sleeper compartments cannot be locked. So your comfort would be more limited than in the soft sleeper. The daily direct trains to Lhasa costs around 21- 53hrs based on the distance to Lhasa, while Chengdu and Chongqing run trains to Lhasa every other day for about 43hrs duration.There are 3 kinds of seats are available on each specilized plateau train: Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper and Hard Seats. The windows and exterior of Tibet train are airtight and can protect you from extreme temperature change outside. Z Train exterior. Here is why. After 21h everything blended into the Tibetan landscapes we would later see across the country. Inside the cabins there are TV screens in every bed, but we did not find a way to turn them on or use them. For centuries, gigantic mountains make land travel into this magical land a nightmare. On the longer stops, you may have time to buy some food and snacks from the platform vendors. Partially because. And the incredible vista of Tanggula mountains afar will blow your mind away. It leaves from Beijing West Railway Station at 20:00. © Copyright 2021 Tibettour.org. All the cabins come with oxygen outlets, one to each berth, which started to push oxygen as soon as we reached the, We landed in Xining from Chengdu and had a few hours to spare before the train so our guide from, However, the menu is entirely in Chinese and the staff does not speak a word of English so unless you use Google Translate to read the menu and wish yourself some luck you may order something unpleasant, a common mistake I make in, Aside from the views, most people take the train to Lhasa as a means to, An ideal way to reach Lhasa would be to spend a couple of days in and around Xining, where there are day excursions that would help acclimatise, then take the train to, DIVING INTO THE WEEKEND FEET FIRST - Who else is r, MY FAVORITE VIEW - I love walking around the other, SINGAPORE'S G-SPOT ð
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Just kidding. All the hipster, fun and cool things to do in New York, Original and fabulous gifts for travelers for any occasion, The worldâs least visited countries – Unknown and rare destinations, 300+ Instagram bio quotes and captions to rock your feed, Cool & rare passport stamps from around the world, Complete Seoul Itinerary – 2, 4 & 7 Days in Seoul, Amazing South Korean festivals you cannot miss, Winter in Korea – where to go, festivals, ski resorts, A night at the Bubble hotel in Iceland – All about the 5 Mn Star Hotel, Check if you need a visa, get help processing it at, Never ever leave without travel insurance. Take a Qinghai-Tibet Train to Lhasa from Xining, Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, etc. 118, Lianhuachi East Road, Fengtai District, Beijing (丰台区莲花池东路118号), Subway to West Railway Station: Line 9 and Line 7, Beijing Capital International Airport to West Railway Station. So you are boarding in Xining and about 10h later catapulted into 4,000m without giving your body the chance to acclimatise. Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. Quite similar to what happens when you take the flight, the staff will pass your cabin with a food trolley at meal times. Get affordable coverage from, Search for all your transportation between destinations on the trusted travel booking platform. In addition to Beijing, you can also enjoy the fascinating Tibet train journey from main provincial cities like Shanghai, Chengdu, Xining, Lanzhou, Guangzhou, Xi’an, and Chongqing etc. You are expected to enjoy the train ride and cross the glittering Tuotuo River via a gigantic Tuotuo River bridge, which symbolizes the first bridge (1389.6 meters long with 42 piers) over the source of Yangtze River. To take the Beijing-Lhasa train, make sure you travel to Beijing West Railway Station. Originating from the melting glaciers of Tanggula Mountains, the enchanting Tuotuo River, also known as "Red River" in Mongolian, constitutes the source of great Yangtze River. The worldâs highest train track at Tanggula Pass when the track reaches 5,072m or the world’s highest railroad tunnel in Fenghuoshan at 4,905m are two of the great achievements. Check the major railway stations, altitude change ascent along the way in the following real time train schedule. It is separated from the main city by Lhasa River. Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the world's highest railway goes 710 miles from Qinghai to Lhasa, on which the train starts from mainland China: Beijing, Xining, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing, making your trip to Tibet extremely unparalleled and attractive. Through the window the landscapes changed dramatically. At every stop, some passengers would board and others would disembark. Of course, if you prefer some formal dishes, you can move to the dining carriage where the professional chef will make mostly traditional Chinese food for you. Take Beijing Airport Shuttle Bus (Route 7; Service Time: 06:30-21:00)It will take around 55 minutes and cost 30 CNY to reach the bus stop of Beijing West Railway Station South Square, and after getting off you need to walk 292m to reach the station. (Taxi fares are for reference only and do not take into account waiting times and traffic jams). An ideal way to reach Lhasa would be to spend a couple of days in and around Xining, where there are day excursions that would help acclimatise, then take the train to Lhasa. Very impressive route specially from Xi an to Lhasa Loved the train trip from Beijing to Lhasa. Soft sleeper beds are definitely the way to go as it makes the journey very pleasant and comfortable. Launched in July 2006, the Beijing to Lhasa train (No.Z21), stretching as far as 3,757 km, has been one of the three initial railway routes to Tibet. I was one of them. The Tibet Travel Permit can only be applied through a registered travel agency on behalf of the individual traveler. Z164 is Shanghai to Lhasa train, while Z166 is the Lhasa to Shanghai train, which usually takes about 47.5/ 48.5 hours for this 4,373 km (2,717 mi) rail trip. So, how useful is taking the train to Lhasa to acclimatize to the higher altitude? on December 5, 2020. The unique life aboard Tibet train gives you a rare chance to experience the real engineering wonder running on lofty Tibetan Plateau. Much longer than some other trains I have taken like the Glacier Express in Switzerland, there are 45 stations between Xining and Lhasa but our train only stopped at nine, mostly during the night. Do get ready for the epic shot. In the best cases, if you spend a night in Xining, you will benefit from a day at altitudes around 2,300m which bridges the sea level altitude with that of Lhasa. It’s the only railway station in Beijing that has regular trains bound for Tibet. It’s time to wield your camera for a test shot before arriving in Lhasa. Once arriving at Beijing, you can directly take a train to Lhasa from Beijing. Taking a train from Xining to Lhasa is a good idea to enjoy the ultimate beauty of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau with a more comfortable experience and fewer reactions to high altitudes. Offering the official Tibet train online booking service for years, we at chinatibettrain.com always try our best to guarantee you a Tibet train ticket. All Rights Reserved. Since the railway line to Lhasa known as the Qinghai-Tibet Railway opened in 2006 the number of tourists arriving in the Tibetan capital has increased and travel to the Roof of the World has become more accessible. Your browser does not support the running script, you cannot get a perfect browsing If you happen to stay in a soft sleeper cabin, you can put your big suitcase below the lower bunk and leave your small handbag either in the corner of your bed or store it in the upper storage area above the door. The incandescent numbness of Sichuan food and flavours. It is suggested to make your booking as soon as possible. I flew to Xining from Chengdu and then took the train for the last 21h until Lhasa. Address: No. The first in a three part travel documentary charting the overland journey across China and through Tibet to the Nepalese border. This is passing through Xining, at 7464 feet / 2275 meters. Guangzhou to Lhasa Train Schedule & Price. They offer the best cultural experience though as Tibetans are extremely friendly and will share their snacks and food with you and the conversations you can have, even with sign language, can make the journey incredibly fascinating. Inside Xining station there is a small supermarket to buy snacks or fresh fruit, very convenient if you donât want to hassle the trainâs staff. There are 675 bridges and about 80% of the journey is at altitudes above 4,000m which is why oxygen is provided both in the cabins when the train reaches Golmund, as well as through canisters in case of more extreme needs. It is suggested to start the application 14 days before your Tibet tour departure dates. In this case, our travel consultant can help you get the permit. New posts will not be retrieved. Each train car had an attendant which could be called via the in-cabin button, much like in planes. Just tell us your tour date and personal preferences for your Tibet train tour, we love to make it happen for you. That means that if you are traveling to Tibet from sea level, you should allow for 3-4 days at intermediate altitudes before reaching Lhasa. However, it's often the case that you still can't get your train ticket, because a large part of Tibet train ticket is reserved or booked via big travel agencies. Each bed comes with a pair of slippers which were very useful to wear outside the cabin as the floors were often wet from the water spilled by other guests. To get into Xining station we had to go through a similar luggage check as in an airport and our passport and Tibet permits were validated in a very formal way by the staff. The most stunning views were the lakes we reached when the sun started to rise in the horizon and we passed lower grasslands and herds of sleeping cows and yak. one of the world’s greatest technological feats and it is full of superlatives. With an altitude of 6,178 meters, Yuzhu peak is the first major attraction as the We saw grasslands with farmers and herders caring for large herds of goats, sheep and yak, deserts and arid mountains topped with snow and reflective lakes. Of course, you may try booking train ticket yourself online, if you know mandarin and have exactly the same way of payments like Wechat, AliPay or bank account in China. Which Everest Base Camp is best: Tibet or... Where to stay in Macau, best hotels and... What to expect at high altitudes in Tibet. There are also three basins with water to wash in each car. That’s to say, you would stay on Beijing-Lhasa train (Z21) for 40:40 hours to complete the whole 3,757 km’s journey. One last queue and ticket control before we could board the Xining to Lhasa Train (image by Kit Yeng Chan) Xining to Lhasa Train: the Journey. There are 7 ways to get from Bangkok to Lhasa by plane, bus, train, night bus or car. Tanggula Mountain Pass (5072m) while the famous Tanggula Railway Station is located at an elevation of 5,068m. Now, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xining and other cities all have train to Lhasa.Travel to Tibet by train is cheaper than by air, and more comfortable than by bus. Located in the southwest of China, international flights and domestic trains are both available in this modern city. , mostly during the night. 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Currently, there are only two trains (Guangzhou-Lhasa Train Z264 and Shanghai-Lhasa Train Z164) that will make a stopover in Xian en route for Tibet. at Tanggula Pass when the track reaches 5,072m or the world’s highest railroad tunnel in Fenghuoshan at 4,905m are two of the great achievements. As the Beijing-Lhasa train leaves Golmud, the oxygen will be released pervasively in passengers’ carriages. We also brought snacks from home (chocolate and cereal bars, protein cookies, etc.) Tell us your tour date, Tibet-entry city and other personal needs, we secure your train ticket and arrange easy Tibet train tour. That would be perfect, but it does require an additional 2-3 days to be added in. It was released as double CD or triple LP. The capital of the Qinghai Province, Xining, became connected with the rest of the country by rail in 1959, when the Lanqing Railway from Lanzhou was completed. At that point, artificial oxygen injected into the vents bring the effective altitude down to 3,500m. Alternatively, the staff will walk the lengths of the train several times throughout the journey pushing a food and drinks cart with instant noodles, fresh fruits and vegetables and other snacks to satisfy your cravings. Chengdu to Lhasa in 44 hours. Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. The oxygen level is being monitored in each train car and we were regularly going outside to check the elevation on the screens until the numbers were changed into Chinese and we could no longer read them. However, just don’t drink too much because it won’t help for the acclimatization to Tibetan Plateau. Train travel has brought the prices down and allowed the journey to be more affordable for the local Chinese and Tibetans. Although you can book just a bed, you may also book all the beds in the cabin and have it all to yourself. Since Lhasa Railway Station opened in July 1st, 2006, it become easier for people to travel to Tibet. We were three and booked the entire cabin so that we could have complete privacy and comfort. Well, normally after you book our Tibet train tour, our staff will help you get the Train ticket for you and give it to your hand in person. opened in 2006 the number of tourists arriving in the Tibetan capital has increased and travel to the Roof of the World has become more accessible. Although you can buy tickets to go all the way, most people board at Xining, half way, as the landscapes from Beijing to Xining are not as interesting and spending that long in a train seat, especially in the lower categories, is not so pleasant. As the Xining to Lhasa train travels along passes that exceed 5,000m (16,000ft) it is almost inevitable that you will feel some of the affects of altitude sickness. A staff member was standing at each car entrance checking the tickets once again. The dining car is about half-way through the train next to the Soft Sleeper cars and serves hot food and drinks in three services: breakfast, lunch and dinner. We can secure your Tibet train ticket and give you more chance to choose the exact type of train sleepers, such as soft sleeper or hard sleeper. The best and most reliable way to book Beijing Lhasa train tickets is through our Tibet train booking service. Duration 21h 14m Frequency 5 times a day Estimated price ¥170 - ¥500 Website Trip.com Hard Seat ¥170 - ¥250 Hard Sleeper ¥410 - ¥500 Soft Sleeper ¥600 - ¥850. You have a short time to take a picture with the landmark Tanggula sign on the platform. Taking train to Lhasa from Xining is the most recommended train route as it takes only 20 hours. For travelers of the hard seat, putting your big belongings above public luggage rack is the only option. Chengdu-Lhasa train gives you a quick ride from Sichuan province to the heart of Tibetan Plateau within 36:18 hours. Do wipe off the dirt from your cabin’s window at Golumd because you are about to enjoy a real treat to your eyes. Tibet is a mysterious place. Around 50% of the tracks were laid over permafrost and the trains were designed to work even over ice where they can still reach a, The cabins are well equipped and even have a socket to plug electronics. However, it’s advisable not to become addictive to the oxygen supply. Tibet Odyssey Tours provides Xining to Lhasa Train Tickets booking service. In some cases, our travel consultant will teach you how to get your booked Train ticket with your booking confirmation No. will disappear within two days. (1) The actual altitude of the Tibet train journey In the 24 hours before the train from Beijing to Lhasa, more than two-thirds of the time was spent below 1524 meters / 5000 feet, which is not useful for adapting to high altitudes. The album reached … Wikipedia. We saw grasslands with farmers and herders caring for large herds of goats, sheep and yak, deserts and arid mountains topped with snow and reflective lakes. You need to line up in a long queue to get train tickets and wait to be checked to board the train. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies you should bring your own food to avoid misunderstandings. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. and your passport at the ticket office in the railway station. To the mountaineers in China, Yuzhu peak is no strange. Everest Adventure from Beijing to Tibet by Train, 11 Days Lhasa Kathmandu Tour by Train from Beijing. Trains to Lhasa can carry up to 1,000 passengers in one go during the peak season. Much excitement awaits your discovery and come and join our expertly designed Tibet train tours. Due to the huge number of travelers in this gigantic railway station, it’s advisable to arrive at the Beijing West Railway Station early to line up to be checked to board the train. It should only take around 30 minutes to get to the center of the city. In fact we do recommend taking the train instead of flying in to Lhasa, because the flight is even worse in terms of acclimatizing. Since Beijing to Lhasa train is one of the most favorite routes to Tibet. Please see our disclaimer policy here. Due to the unique geological environment, the top speed of this trip is lower than others, around 62 mi/h to 75mi/h during some part of the trip. To board to Tibet train, you need to have Tibet Travel Permit . Book your China bullet train ticket now! Qinghai-Tibet Railway or Qingzang Railway (青藏铁路) was opened in year 2007. The beds were spaced enough that we could perfectly sit or lay and relax. There are only 64 seats on the soft sleeper category per train so they get sold out fast among tourists, particularly Westerners. As obvious as one could see, Xian-Lhasa train is more an integral part of the Guangzhou-Lhasa railway and Shanghai-Lhasa … The worldâs highest train track. With altitude comes lower pressure and lower temperatures which needed to be considered when building the railroad. And two nights later, Z21 train from Beijing would drive you safely at Lhasa Railway Station at 12:40. The meal costs around 15 CNY, the lunch and dinner cost around 25-50 for each person. They did not speak a word of English and we only interacted with them when the tickets needed to be checked twice, once upon departure and once close to arrival. All the cabins come with oxygen outlets, one to each berth, which started to push oxygen as soon as we reached the higher altitudes. Shadow of the elevated Rail Track. There are 675 bridges and about 80% of the journey is at altitudes above 4,000m which is why oxygen is provided both in the cabins when the train reaches Golmund, as well as through canisters in case of more extreme needs. But that is still not enough for your body to acclimatise. Tibet is only reachable via a flight from other Chinese cities, most commonly Chengdu, or through the only international flight available, the half hour journey over the Himalayas to Nepal. Beijing-Lhasa train crosses 6 provinces before reaching Tibet. If you donât want or cannot bring food with you, the train has a dining car and other food and drinks options available and buying some additional snacks at Xining station may also be a good idea. There are no logical or practical stops between Xining and Lhasa on the train other than the excursions, so the risk of climbing from 2,300m to 3,650m is best avoided through a longer stay in Xining. This was the case in all the other cabins. The overview of Guangzhou: Guangzhou is at the heart of the most-populous built-up metropolitan area in mainland China. It is fair to say we were very well stocked for the journey and the snacks lasted the entire trip through Tibet. 8. There was enough space under the beds for us to place all the suitcases so we did not feel crammed. The soft sleeper cabins have four beds stacked on two rows on each side with a table in the middle. The soft sleeper cars are right next to the Dining car so you wonât have to walk the length of the train to get there. You just need to email us your passport information page, Chinese Visa page and your photo image for application. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Taking the train to Lhasa has always been one of my bucket list items. However, the menu is entirely in Chinese and the staff does not speak a word of English so unless you use Google Translate to read the menu and wish yourself some luck you may order something unpleasant, a common mistake I make in China where parts of animals I donât usually eat are delicacies on the menu. The hard seats are simple seats in crowded train cars filled with people so they are definitely not the most comfortable options for such a long journey, plus your personal space and the amount and size of luggage you can bring are also limited. However, chances are that the guests sleeping on the top beds spend their days sitting on the lower beds anyway so you may not have the bed all to yourself. It is home to a variety of alpine wildlife, such as Tibetan antelope, wild yak and Tibetan wild ass, white-lipped deer, and brown bear, etc. You can easily combine the cultural tours in Beijing with an exciting Tibet train tour all the way to holy Tibet. Grazing yaks in vast Nagqu grassland, snow-blanketed peaks and shimmering alpine lakes at sunset, etc. Z Train exterior. We had enough water to last us the journey, about 3.5 liters for two people. If you do not book the entire cabin you are best booking the lower beds because they are easier to access and have better views as they are next to the windows. But the schedule changes every day and month so it is best to confirm in advance. The stations were bare and we only got out at the one that seemed to be the longest stop where we even managed to snap a twilight photo of the train. Normally, your discomfort such as headache, and fast pulse and dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, etc. The cloudy sky reflected on the lake creating an almost perfect symmetry. Directed by Joe Briscoe. by Nicholas Lee. If you happen to take Tibet train from May to July, you may have higher chance to catch a glimpse of migration of lively Tibetan antelopes. The Lhasa Train Station is only 20km south of Lhasa. You need not worry to hurry up though and can wait for everyone to go through then board without the stress. Aside from the views, most people take the train to Lhasa as a means to acclimatise to the Tibetan altitude. Tour Route:Beijing - Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Gyantse - Shigatse, Tour Route:Beijing - Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Lhasa, Tour Route:Beijing - Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Gyirong. The actual booking price is higher with service fee included. Because the train journey is so popular with tourists in the warmer months, prices are affected by the forces of supply and demand (or by the bribes, depending how you look at it) and so you may pay more than the official price for a soft sleeper. High-speed D train tickets and G train tickets can be booked a minimum of 35 minutes before departure and a maximum of 60 days before departure. The train has three categories, from the soft sleeper we booked to the hard seats. and bought some fresh fruit at Xining Station. The cars and cabins were all heated and we were never cold. During the 40:40 hours’ journey, you will experience a rollercoaster ride especially as the Tibet train leaves Taiyuan and gradually climbs from Qinghai Provinces to lofty Tibetan Plateau. The train from Beijing to Lhasa will stop by the following station: Shijiazhuang North, Taiyuan, Zhongwei, Lanzhou, Xining, Delingha, Golmud, Nagchu and arrive in Lhasa finally.