Qinghai–Tibet Railway, or Qingzang Railway is the world's highest rail line which opened to regular trial service on July 1, 2006. A train ride to Tibet is not only a transport, but journey filled with different feelings within the hours. Desert landscape, snow-capped mountains, pastures and scared lakes along the route making it second to none in the world.
The Qinghai–Tibet railway connects Xining, Qinghai Province, to Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, connecting Tibet with the rest of China.
It rank world's highest and longest plateau railroad, and considered as an Engineering Miracle. The line includes the Tanggula Pass, which, at 5,072 m (16,640 feet) above sea level, is the world's highest point on a railway. Tanggula railway station at 5,068 m (16,627 feet) is the world's highest railway station. The 1,338 m (4,390 ft) Fenghuoshan tunnel is the highest rail tunnel in the world at 4,905 m (16,093 ft) above sea level.
There are now 7 pair of trains operating between Lhasa and Xining/Lanzhou, Chengdu/Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing. All trains meet up at Xining and from there they enter Tibet via Qinghai-Tibet Railway.
See below the timetable for trains to Lhasa starting from or stopping at Xining:
| Z323 | 12:14 Xining (from Chengdu or Xining) | 09:55 +1 Lhasa | 21h41m | Soft Sleeper $128 Hard Sleeper $81 Hard Seat $35 |
| Z917 | 14:05 Xining( from Lanzhou) | 12:00 +1 Lhasa | 21h55m | Soft Sleeper $128 Hard Sleeper $81 Hard Seat $35 |
| Z21 | 15:20 Xining (from Beijing) | 12:30 +1 Lhasa | 21h10m | Soft Sleeper $128 Hard Sleeper $81 Hard Seat $35 |
| Z9815 | 17:00 Xining (terminus) | 13:40 +1 Lhasa | 20h40m | Soft Sleeper $128 Hard Sleeper $81 Hard Seat $35 |
| Z265 | 19:51 Xining (from Guangzhou) | 17:30 +1 Lhasa | 21h39m | Soft Sleeper $128 Hard Sleeper $81 Hard Seat $35 |
| Z6811 | 20:15 Xining (terminus) | 18:18 +1 Lhasa | 22h03m | Soft Sleeper $128 Hard Sleeper $81 Hard Seat $35 |
| Z165 | 21:35 Xining (from Shanghai) | 19:44 +1 Lhasa | 22h09m | Soft Sleeper $128 Hard Sleeper $81 Hard Seat $35 |
What to see
Xining has a history over 2,100 years and one of the important cities along the northern Silk Road. There are more than 37 nationalities living in the city giving Xining a mixture culture. Many sites has religious significance to Muslims and Buddhists, including the Dongguan Mosque and Ta'er Monastery. Due to its location and transport, Xining is less visited and has unspoiled natural beauty like Qinghai Lake.
Day 1: Arrival in Xining, Pick up and transfer to hotel, rest at hotel.
Day 2: Half day visit of the Dongguan Mosque and Ta'er Monastery, then board train to Lhasa.
Tibet is a dreaming place for many visitors to China. Its dominated Tibetan Buddhist culture, Art, Architecture and landscape is big draw for all.
Suggested routes:
D1 Arrival in Lhasa Pick up and transfer to hotel, rest at hotel.
D2 Lhasa sightseeing Bakhorstreet,Johkang Temple,Potala Palace
D3 Lhasa sightseeing SeraMonastery,Tibet Museum，Drepung Monastery
D4 Lhasa-Shigatse YamdrokLake,Karola glacier, Palkor monastery
D5 Shigatse-Lhasa Tshilumpo monastery , back to Lhasa
D 6 Depart from Tibet send off to airport/train station
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.
