BACK
The shortest of all the train routes to Lhasa from the seven gateway cities across China, the trip from Xining to Lhasa is also the most spectacular, without the long travel across the rest of China. Departing several times a day, the train from Xining to Lhasa will only take about 20 hours to reach Lhasa, riding along the breathtaking Qinghai-Tibet Railway.
The direct train from Xining to Lhasa leaves at 21:50 and 12:50, while offering more carriages for different berths. To enjoy more chance of getting a Tibet train ticket for the planned travel date, tourists can also book the train to Tibet originating from Chengdu, Beijing or other cities, with a stopover in Xining.
Xining Lhasa Train Schedule
Schedules of All Xining to Lhasa Trains
Unlike trains to Tibet from other gateway cities, the trains from Xining depart several times a day, since all other Tibet trains will stop in Xining before reaching Lhasa. The departure time of Xining Lhasa trains ranges from 11:41 at noon to 23:10 in the evening, offering flexible choices for tourists.
In this case, if you cannot get a ticket from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu or other popular destinations, you may try to buy a ticket from Xining to Lhasa instead. Here are the schedules of all the trains to Lhasa from Xining.
Xining to Lhasa Trains Schedule
| Train No. | From / To | Dep. / Arr. | Duration | Distance (km) | Frequency | Hard sleeper Ticket | Soft Sleeper Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z223 | Chongqing to Lhasa | 11:41/07:41 | 20:00 | 1972 | Every Other Day | CNY495 | CNY781 |
| Z323 | Chengdu to Lhasa | 11:41/07:41 | 20:00 | 1972 | Every Other Day | CNY495 | CNY781 |
| Z8981 | Xining to Lhasa | 12:50/10:20 | 21:30 | 1972 | Every Other Day (Seasonal) | CNY495 | CNY781 |
| Z21 | Beijing to Lhasa | 15:24/11:36 | 20:12 | 1972 | Daily | CNY495 | CNY781 |
| Z265 | Guangzhou to Lhasa | 18:13/14:17 | 20:04 | 1972 | Daily | CNY495 | CNY781 |
| Z165 | Shanghai to Lhasa | 19:26/15:05 | 19:39 | 1972 | Daily | CNY495 | CNY781 |
| Z8991 | Xining to Lhasa | 21:50/17:39 | 19:49 | 1972 | Daily | CNY495 | CNY781 |
| Y917 | Lanzhou to Lhasa | 23:10/19:59 | 20:49 | 1972 | Daily | CNY495 | CNY781 |
Please Note:
1. Among all the trains to Tibet, there are two trains directly originating from Xining, No.Z8981 departs every other day within a seasonal period, and No.Z8991 departs every day.
2. Besides the direct Xining-Lhasa train, all the other trains to Lhasa are originally starting from Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou, Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou, which separately stop at Xining Railway Station for several minutes, before heading to Lhasa.
3. If you take the train from other cities, with Xining as an intermediate station, it is suggested to pack up the luggage ahead of time and move quickly to board the train.
4. Tourists can book any of the trains to Tibet from Xining, as long as you have no specific restriction on the departure time of the day.
Timetable of Direct Xining to Lhasa Train
Train No. Z8981 and No.Z8991 are the only train that starts directly from Xining and ends in Lhasa. No.Z8981 departs every other day within a seasonal period, and No.Z8991 departs every day.
Timetable of Xining to Lhasa Train - No.Z8981
| Station | Altitutde | Departure | Stop Time | Days | Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xining | 2,200 m | -- | 12:50 | -- | Day 1 | -- |
| Delingha | 2,980 m | 16:37 | 16:43 | 6 min | Day 1 | 521 km |
| Golmud | 2,780 m | 18:58 | 19:23 | 25 min | Day 1 | 830 km |
| Nagchu | 4,500 m | 06:15 | 06:21 | 6 min | Day 2 | 1,650 km |
| Lhasa | 3,650 m | 10:20 | -- | -- | Day 2 | 1,972 km |
Timetable of Xining to Lhasa Train - No.Z8991
| Station | Altitutde | Departure | Stop Time | Days | Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xining | 2,200 m | -- | 21:50 | -- | Day 1 | -- |
| Golmud | 2,780 m | 03:50 | 04:15 | 25 min | Day 2 | 830 km |
| Tuotuohe | 4,700 m | 09:01 | 09:03 | 2 min | Day 2 | 1238 km |
| Amdo | 4,800 m | 12:24 | 12:26 | 2 min | Day 2 | 1,524 km |
| Nagchu | 4,500 m | 14:00 | 14:06 | 6 min | Day 2 | 1,650 km |
| Lhasa | 3,650 m | 17:39 | -- | -- | Day 2 | 1,972 km |
Timetable of Direct Lhasa to Xining Train
As the return trip back to mainland China, the train from Lhasa to Xining departs every other day at 9:25 and 17:50 and arrives in Xining at 6:25 and 14:49 on the second day. Z8992 departs every day within a seasonal period. Z8982 departs every other day before April 1, and daily after March 31.
Timetable of Lhasa to Xining Train - No.Z8982
| Station | Altitutde | Departure | Stop Time | Days | Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lhasa | 3,650 m | -- | 09:25 | -- | Day 1 | -- |
| Nagchu | 4,500 m | 13:16 | 13:22 | 6 min | Day 1 | 322 km |
| Amdo | 4,800 m | 14:42 | 14:45 | 3 min | Day 1 | 448 km |
| Tuotuohe | 4,700 m | 18:03 | 18:06 | 3 min | Day 1 | 734 km |
| Golmud | 2,780 m | 23:39 | 00:04 | 25 min | Day 2 | 1,142 km |
| Xining | 2,200 m | 06:25 | -- | -- | Day 2 | 1,972 km |
Timetable of Lhasa to Xining Train - No.Z8992
| Station | Altitutde | Departure | Stop Time | Days | Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lhasa | 3,650 m | -- | 17:50 | -- | Day 1 | -- |
| Nagchu | 4,500 m | 21:07 | 21:13 | 6 min | Day 1 | 570 km |
| Golmud | 2,780 m | 08:13 | 08:38 | 25 min | Day 2 | 1,390 km |
| Delingha | 2,980 m | 10:52 | 10:58 | 6 min | Day 2 | 1,699 km |
| Xining | 2,200 m | 14:49 | -- | -- | Day 2 | 2,220 km |
Please Note:
1. The timetable and schedule is just for reference. When you make early reservation, please contact us for more details.
2. Trains from Xining to Lhasa (Z8991) and Lhasa to Xining (Z8992) are seasonal trains and usually launched during the peak travel season.
Which is the best train from Xining to Lhasa?
While there are seven different trains that run from Xining to Lhasa, including the trains from Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Lanzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing, the train that starts from Xining itself is often the best option for travelers starting their Tibetan journey in Qinghai Province.
Although the trains from across mainland China can be booked for travel from Xining, this can normally only be done in the low season for Tibetan tourism, as the peak seasons usually see the trains being fully booked from their own departure stations.
On the other hand, the train originally from Xining also has more carriages for all three classes of tickets, carrying more than twice as many passengers as the other trains from around China.
This means that it is easier to be able to get your tickets booked to travel from Xining, even in the peak season for Tibetan tourism, and in the winter months, ticket booking can be done without rushing to be first to book.
Why we recommend to take Train from Xining instead of other gateway cities?
For the sake of a better Tibet train journey, we recommend tourists to take the train to Tibet from Xining, as a tour operator with years of experience on Tibet train tours. There are mainly several benefits of Xining to Lhasa train for you to enjoy compared to other routes from other gateway cities.
a. shortest train ride to Lhasa within 24 hours
For anyone wanting to travel to Tibet by train, but not wanting to spend up to three days on the train, Xining is the ideal choice. The train to Lhasa takes around 20 hours to cover the 1972km distance up to, and across, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
It is the shortest train journey to Tibet with only one night on the train and most of the beautiful sceneries along the Qinghai-Tibet railway travelers can see on the train in the daytime.
b. more helpful to accumulate altitude changes
It is ideal for travelers to get to Xining (2283 m) first, stay there at least 1 day and then take a train to Lhasa. It is not very helpful to accumulate the altitude change from Beijing (44 m), Shanghai (16 m), Chengdu (485 m) and other cities before reaching to Xining for the altitudes of those cities passing by are too low in the first day of the train journey.
c. more chances to get a train ticket to Lhasa from Xining
There are about 6 to 7 trains bound for Lhasa from Xining each day, which lead to a larger transportation capacity with more tickets supplied. If you are going to take a train to Tibet in peak season, usually comes in summer, you can start your train ride from Xining to Lhasa instead of starting from Beijing or Shanghai, which offers more chances to get a Tibet train ticket.
Tips:
Despite there are much more trains to Tibet from Xining, it is still recommended to make your reservation as early as possible, especially when you plan to travel during high peak travel season, which is usually in summer holidays and early October.
Xining Lhasa Train Ticket
The Cheapest Way to Get to Tibet
Among all the train routes to Tibet from mainland China, the train from Xining to Lhasa offers the cheapest way to get to Tibet. The ticket price of Xining-Lhasa train is only 781 CNY for a soft sleeper berth, and 495 CNY for a hard sleeper berth. Tourists can choose the appropriate class of tickets according to your own needs.
Difference between soft sleeper and hard sleeper
The soft sleeper on Tibet trains is provided with the best possible facilities onboard, and could be the optimum choice for passengers caring about good privacy and comfortable travel experience. In each soft sleeper cabin, there are only four berths inside, with a lockable door to ensure a quiet environment.
Soft sleeper on Tibet train features good privacy with only 4 berths inside.
While for budget travelers, the hard sleeper on Tibet train will be a good option, since it has a lower ticket price and also remains the comfort to some degree. There are 6 berths in each hard sleeper cabin. Although no door is provided for hard sleeper, tourists can have more chance to enjoy the time with locals or other passengers onboard.
Tips:
Despite there are much more trains to Tibet from Xining, it is still recommended to make your reservation as early as possible, especially when you plan to travel during high peak travel season, which is usually in summer holidays and early October.
How to Book the Xining Lhasa Train Ticket?
The Tibet train ticket can be booked at the railway station or on the Internet. As a better choice, you can book your Xining Lhasa train ticket online with us. With professional and trustworthy services on Tibet train tours, we can help to get your ticket of your preferred travel date.
How to Collect the Xining Lhasa Train Ticket?
For tourists booking your Tibet train ticket with us, we will send the ticket to your address in mainland China. Or under some emergency cases, our staff will hand the train ticket to you at the railway station, before you board the train.
If you need to collect the ticket by yourself, you should go to the railway station in person. By showing your booking number, passport and Tibet travel permit, you can get your ticket from the train conductor. It is suggested to arrive in the station at least two hours earlier to reserve enough time to collect your ticket.
Get Your Tibet Travel Permit in Advance!
To collect your Tibet train ticket, you need to show the Tibet Travel Permit. Apply your Tibet travel permit and train ticket together with us, a real hassle-free Tibet train tour is one click beyond.
Apply for Tibet Permit OnlineXining Lhasa Train Route
Xining Lhasa Train Route Map
Qinghai-Tibet Railway
The route from Xining to Lhasa is the main Qinghai Tibet Railway, and travels from Qinghai province of China to the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa. Extending for a distance of 1972 kilometers, the Qinghai Tibet Railway is a world-class rail line featuring amazing scenery.
Traveling down across the vast plateau, the Xining-Lhasa train will pass by several notable sights and areas of interest that travelers do not normally get to see on a tour of Tibet.
Highlights along Qinghai-Tibet Railway (Xining to Lhasa Railway)
From the minute you start the journey, the first of many amazing sights greets you as you trundle out of the Qinghai provincial capital, the beautiful Qinghai Lake, the largest lake in China.
After Golmud Station, the trains start their steep climb up to the heights of the Tibetan plateau, climbing up and over the Kunlun Mountains and crossing the Kekexili Grasslands, the home of dozens of species of indigenous animals, including the white-lipped deer and the wild donkeys.
On the far side of Kekexili, the train reaches its highest point of the whole journey, at the famous Tanggula Pass, which is home to the highest railway station in the world, as well as being the highest road and rail pass on the planet.
As you drop down from the Tanggula Mountains, the train begins its long run across the Changtang Prairies, one of the largest expanses of natural grasslands in Tibet, and the home to wild yaks, wild Tibetan donkeys, white-lipped deer, snow leopards, Tibetan antelopes, and the cute little pika.
After the grasslands peter out in the foothills of the Transhimalaya, the train passes near Lake Cuona in Damxung. It glints in the sunlight as the trains roll through the hills and mountains that surround the tracks on both sides.
Through Damxung, it is a short journey along the stunning valleys of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains to the station at Lhasa, lying on the edge of the beautiful Lhasa River.
Is it really useful to get used to the high altitude by train from Xining to Lhasa?
Check the altitude change of Xining-Lhasa train from the graph above.
Altitude change of Xining to Lhasa train
Xining, the departure station for the Qinghai Tibet Railway, lies at an altitude of around 2,200 meters above sea level, and the entire journey rises by more than 3,000 meters at its highest point, the Tanggula Pass, which sits at 5,072 meters above sea level.
However, while the train does reach this high altitude, the Tibetan capital lies at just 3,656 meters, only 1,400 meters higher than Xining.
The route from Xining travels upwards through Golmud to the Kunlun Mountains, from where it drops down to around 4,800 meters, crossing the Amdo region of Tibet, with the Tanggula Mountains in the middle.
From Amdo and Tanggula, the route descends greatly over the miles of prairies, reaching Nachu at 4,500 meters, Lake Namtso at 4,441 meters, and finally descending to Lhasa.
Avoid altitude sickness during Xining to Lhasa train journey
Altitude sickness is rarely a problem on the modern Tibet trains, thanks to a sophisticated oxygen supply system that pumps the cars with additional oxygen from onboard tanks, to keep the oxygen levels a little higher than that of sea level.
This increased oxygenation of the natural atmosphere of the train, which is not actually pressurized, reduces the risk of feeling the symptoms of altitude sickness whilst on the train.
Moreover, if you do start to feel a little dizzy, sick, nauseated, and suffering from headaches, the train staff will provide you with a personal breathing tube, that can be attached to the small oxygen outlets that can be found in your cabin, in the corridors, and even in the dining car.
One of the best ways to reduce the risk of altitude sickness when traveling to Lhasa from Xining is to spend a day or two in Xining, acclimatizing to the altitude of the city before moving on.
This intermediate acclimatization helps to stave off the effects of altitude sickness on the train, and makes it easier to acclimatize when you reach the heights of Lhasa.
Are there any direct international flights to Xining?
While many visitors tend to land in other cities in China and then take a connecting flight to Xining for the train to Tibet, there is an option to directly fly to Xining if you are not intending to visit other places in China first.
Currently, tourists from some Asian destinations like Siem Reap, Bangkok, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur etc. can take a flight to Xining, in a direct or connecting way.
Although there is a small amount of direct international flights to Xining, the flights into Xining Caojiabao International Airport will hopefully increase and available from more countries around the world. The flight tickets can also be obtained at a very good price online.
Tips:
When experiencing the train journey from Xi’an to Lhasa, it is suggested to prepare some entertainment for yourself to kill the time onboard, except for taking in window scenery along the route. Reading a book, watching movies, or listening to music and more relaxing activities will be good options.
Xining Railway Station Guide
Located on Huzhu Road in the Chengdong District of the city, Xining Railway Station is the main station for the city and the departure point for all trains to Tibet along the Qinghai Tibet Railway. Built over three levels, this modern railway station was reconstructed and opened again in 2014 after several years of closure for renovation. Getting to the station is relatively easy from almost anywhere in the city and surrounding areas, with a variety of choices.
Map Showing Locations of Xining Railway Station and Other Landmarks
Get to Xining Railway Station from Xining Caojiabao International Airport
Xining Caojiabao International Airport is about 25 kilometers away from Xining Railway Station. You can take the Airport Bus Line 1/2 directly to Xining Railway Station. It takes about 40 minutes and costs 23 yuan per person.
Get to Xining Railway Station from Downtown City
Xining Railway Station is centrally located within the city, and getting there from just about anywhere is really easy. There are totally 23 bus routes available to the station, including Bus No. 31, 27, 104, 28, 7, 9, 3, 11 etc. Local buses have the routes around the city, and can be used if you understand Chinese and know how to use the local bus services.
Quick Enquiry
Tibet Train Photo Gallery
Xining Tibet Train Tours
Get travel ideas from our most recommended Xining Tibet Tours by train. Choosing from the most classic travel itineraries in Tibet, you will enjoy a wonderful Tibet train journey from Xining to Lhasa, with our one-pack services of guaranteed Tibet train ticket and Tibet travel permit.
-
HOT7 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour with Qinghai-Tibet Train ExperienceTibet train (from Xining) - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Lhasa
Only From: USD879
View Details -
HOT8 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Small Group Tour with Tibet Train ExperienceTibet train (from Xining) - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Kathmandu
Only From: USD1055
View Details -
HOT11 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake Small Group Tour by TrainTibet train (from Xining) - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Shigatse - Lhasa - Namtso Lake - Damxung - Lhasa
Only From: USD1369
View Details -
HOT16 Days Kailash and Manasarova Small Group Tour by Tibet TrainTibet train (from Xining) - Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Saga - Lake Manasarovar - 3 Days Kailash Trek - Saga - Shigatse - Lhasa
Only From: USD2136
View Details
Recommended China Tibet Train Tour including Xining
-
Beijing - Xining – LhasaStarting a classic China Tibet tour from Beijing, tourists can first explore the renowned heritage sites of the imperial capital, including the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Summer Palace and more. Then it is a convenient transfer to take the flight from Beijing to Xining, which departs several times per day and takes only 3 to 4 hours.
In Xining, the starting point of Qinghai-Tibet Railway, tourists can stay for one or two days to have a sightseeing around the city and get acclimated to the higher altitude upcoming along the Tibet train journey. Since all Tibet trains running to Lhasa will stop in Xining, it is much easier to get the train tickets from Xining to Lhasa.
>> Join in our popular 10 Days Xining and Tibet Everest Tour from Beijing
-
Shanghai - Xining – LhasaAn important entrance to China, Shanghai is popular destination among many tourists before heading southwest to the plateau for a lifetime Tibet train tour. While in Shanghai, you can visit the famous Oriental Pearl Tower and take a stroll along the Bund, to experience the unique charm of this modern city.
From Shanghai, there are seven to nine direct flights to Xining departing every day. It takes about 4 hours to arrive in Xining. Before you take a train from Xining to Lhasa, you can also enjoy a Xining city tour by visiting the famous Qinghai Lake or other landmarks. With several trains scheduled to Tibet every day, you can have a flexible choice on your departure time of Xining to Lhasa train.
The epic journey from Shanghai to Lhasa via Xining will not only add more highlights to your tour in China and Tibet, but also cut down the long train journey from the easternmost city by taking a flight to Xining instead.
>> Join in our popular 10 Days Xining and Tibet Tour from Shanghai
-
Xining and SurroundingsIf you just want a journey from Xining, there are also some attractions worth visiting around Xining city. Lying around 150 kilometers outside Xining, Qinghai Lake is an amazing sight for those traveling to Qinghai for the first time. If you ride a private car or taxi, you can expect to pay around 600 RMB for the trip. Shared cars and vans run from Bayi Bus Station, and cost around 100-150 RMB per person, as long as the van is full.
The main monastery for the Gelugpa School of Tibetan Buddhism in Amdo, the Kumbum Monastery lies around 25 kilometers outside Xining and is a great place to head for a day out. Built in 1577 to commemorate the 200th birthday of the founder of the School, Je Tsongkhapa, the monastery is vast, covering more than 144 thousand square meters, with over 9,000 rooms and 52 halls.
Around 298 kilometers from the provincial capital, Chaka Salt Lake is quite an impressive sight for anyone visiting Qinghai and Xining. In the summer months, there is sometimes a tourist train that runs to the lake. The train normally leaves Xining at around 8:25am, and makes the return trip at around 5:00pm. For most time, tourists can get to the lake by local bus or shared van from Xining.
Let's Start Your Hassle-free Tibet Train Tour with Us!
From handling and delivery of your Tibet Travel Permit to sorting out the details like itineraries, hotels and booking the Tibet train tickets and flight tickets, we care deeply about your ideas and work 24/7 to ensure you a worry-free and pleasant travel.
Contact Us for Your Dream Tour Now
Your are enquiring for
Xining to Lhasa Train
Price from
Price upon Request
0 Comment ON "Xining to Lhasa Train Book"