Opened on July 1, 2006, Qinghai–Tibet Railway is the world's highest rail line and considered as an Engineering Miracle. A train journey to Tibet is filled with spectacular views of desert, snow-capped mountains, pastures, and sacred lakes.
Xining, the capital city of Qinghai province, is the eastern terminus of Qinghai-Tibet railway. All trains to Tibet stop at Xining and begin the journey ascending to the high plateau. Many visitors fly to Xining or take bullet train to Xining via Lanzhou, then start the Tibet train ride from here to shorten travel time.
| 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 |
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 have 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 are big draw for all. We have designed a list of Tibet Tours for singles, families, and groups.
Classic Tibet Travel Itinerary
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.
Xining Travel Guide