Qingzang Railway Stations: Six Major Stations for Your Tibet Train Journey

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway, also known as the Qingzang Railway, is more than a mode of transportation. The famous route is the highest railway in the world and the only direct rail connection from Mainland China to Lhasa, crossing 1,956 km of remote and breathtaking terrain.

Along the way, you pass through 45 train stations, each marking a step on the way to Tibet. Some of them are significant milestones worth taking special note of. To help you get ready for this once-in-a-lifetime trip, here are the six major stations for your Tibet train journey.

1. Xining Railway Station (2275 meters): The Starting Point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Xining Railway Station is the true start of the Qingzang Railway. Located at an elevation of 2,275 meters in the capital of Qinghai Province, all trains to Tibet stop there. Xining station has the most number of trains to Lhasa available and is the shortest rail route to Tibet. If you only want to focus on the Tibet portion of the journey, you can fly to Xining from other major Mainland cities and board the train there.

The station is well-equipped with modern facilities. A major expansion in 2014 added upgraded facilities, with all the conveniences of China’s modern rail network available. The surrounding area is a vibrant, urban business district, and the train station is only 10 minutes from most parts of the city.

Once you depart the station, your train will begin its gradual ascent into the Tibetan Plateau. On the first leg of the trip, you’ll get views of lush valleys, expansive grasslands, Qinghai Lake, and the distant peaks of the Kunlun Mountains. .

Xining Train Station

2. Delingha Railway Station (2980 meters): The First Stop on the Tibet Train Tour from Xining

After traveling for 521 km, you’ll arrive at Delingha Train Station. The city is small by Chinese standards, with only around 78,000 people, but it sits near the edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau at an elevation of 2,980 meters.

Delingha is a Mongol word that means ‘Golden World.’ As the capital of the Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefectureprefecture, it serves as an educational, technological, and cultural center. The city is a melting pot of cultures in an area of surreal beauty dotted with salt lakes. The train’s brief stop is a chance to see the unique ecosystem of Qinghai. Wildlife, such as antelopes and wild yaks, can sometimes be spotted from the windows.

Delingha Railway Station

3. Golmud Railway Station (2829 meters): The Site Where Oxygen Supply Begins for High-altitude Journey

Golmud Railway Station is an important milestone on the way to Lhasa for several reasons. The city is the second largest in Qinghai and the closest city to Tibet in Mainland China. It marks the transition from the lower-altitude plains to the extreme heights of the Tibetan Plateau.

The city was built up around mineral mining for salt and magnesium and surrounded by a desert landscape. You’ll stop there for 20-25 minutes after traveling for seven hours from Xining and having covered 830 km. It’s not possible to leave the station, but it’s a good chance to get up and walk around in the fresh air.

Golmud also marks the point when the train's oxygen supply systems are turned on. On leaving Golmud, the real ascent to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau begins, and the train will soon reach elevations between 4000-5000 meters. Tibet trains are equipped with disbursed oxygen systems for the safety and comfort of passengers. The increased oxygen levels help travelers avoid the symptoms of altitude sickness as the elevation increases.

Golmud Railway Station

4. Amdo Railway Station (4702 meters): The Largest Passenger and Freight Train Station in Tibet

Amdo Railway station is 1,524 km from Xining and the first major railway station in Tibet itself. It is a large passenger and freight station serving the remote Amdo County. It’s located in the township of Pana, the seat of the country, and sits at an elevation of 4,702 meters.

It is an agricultural area where most people are traditionally nomads or farmers. You’ll have clear views of the vast Changtang Grasslands around the station. It’s designed in the form of a traditional Tibet yurt, a round, domed tent made from animal skins. The stop there is brief, only 5-6 minutes, but you can disembark and take photos from the platform.

Amdo Train Station

5. Nagqu Railway Station (4513 meters): The Closest Train Station to Lake Namtso

Nagqu is a large prefecture-level city in the north of Tibet and the last major stop before Lhasa. It is also the closest station to the sacred Lake Namtso, a stunning high-altitude salt lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

Lake Namtso is just one of the many lakes in Nagqu that together cover an area of over 30,000 square kilometers. You’ll be treated to views of rolling hills, glacial rivers, and vast plains as you wind through the region. The thin air is noticeable at the station’s elevation of 4,513 meters, but enjoy the brief stop to take a look at Tibet’s northern reaches.

6. Lhasa Railway Station (3641 meters): The Ending Point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Lhasa Railway station is the end of the line, and marks your arrival for exploring the rest of Tibet. The station is at a more modest elevation of 3,641 meters, on the south bank of the Lhasa River, and only around 5km from downtown Lhasa. It’s the largest station in Tibet, serving several thousand passengers a day, and its modern design celebrates the infrastructure that has helped connect Tibet to the rest of China.

Passengers disembark on the underground floor and can make their way to the exit on the ground floor. Have your passport and Tibet Travel Permit ready, and you can meet your guide after passing through the ticket check.

Despite Lhasa’s lower elevation, you’ll be leaving the support of the train’s oxygen system. Plan to spend at least a few days in Lhasa while you acclimatize to the height of the Tibetan Plateau. Lhasa is home to many of the most iconic sites in Tibet, including the legendary Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, both only a short taxi ride from the station.

Lhasa Train Station

Conclusion

The Qingzang Railway offers a unique opportunity to travel across the Tibetan Plateau, allowing you to enjoy breathtaking sights from the comfort and warmth of the train. Each stop along the way provides a chance to appreciate the diverse geography and rich cultures that thrive in one of the most remote regions of the world.

As the leading Tibet train tour operator with years of experience, we are here to ensure that your Qinghaizang Railway journey is smooth and worry-free. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us or book your tour with us now!