Lanzhou is the nearest station to Xining. Trains from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu/Chongqing pass by Lanzhou as well. And Z917 terminate at Lanzhou.
| Z917 | 11:16 Lanzhou | 12:00 +1 Lhasa | 24h44m | Soft Sleeper $135 Hard Sleeper $86 Hard Seat $37 |
| Number | Station | Arr. | Dep. | Stay |
| 1 | Lanzhou 兰州 | - | 11:16 | 0min |
| 2 | Xining 西宁 | 13:45 | 14:05 | 20min |
| 3 | Delingha 德令哈 | 18:07 | 18:13 | 6min |
| 4 | Golmud 格尔木 | 20:58 | 21:23 | 25min |
| 5 | Anduo 安多 | 05:33 | 05:37 | 4min |
| 6 | Naqu 那曲 | 06:56 | 07:02 | 6min |
| 7 | Dangxiong 当雄 | 08:38 | 08:42 | 4min |
| 8 | Lhasa 拉萨 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 0min |
1. Train travel to Lhasa is very popular trip. Tickets booking from any of the cities are suggested at least 60 days prior to departure. It is comparatively easier to purchase ticket from Chengdu, Lhasa, Xining or Lanzhou.
2. Tibet Travel Permit (apart from China Visa) is required when you board trains to Lhasa. You can get permit from travel agency (for normal tourists) or from Tibet Travel Bureau (if you are journalists, officer or governors).
3. Truly independent travel is not allowed in Tibet. You need to book a guided tour.
4. Get physically prepared before the trip to Tibet. You may suffer from the altitude sickness. Tibet trains are equipped with Oxygen machine for each passenger and a doctor on each train that may help you to get used to it.
Lanzhou Travel Guide