As the transport hub and economic center of southwestern China, Chengdu is a popular gateway city for traveling to Tibet by train. Chengdu is the base for Panda conservation and a paradise for foodies. It also has open cultural diversity with a mix of the ancient Shu culture and modern culture. A visit to Chengdu before taking your train ride to Tibet could double the culture shock you will experience between the old and new, and it will present you with the different customs of various ethnic groups.
The Chengdu to Lhasa train departs every other day, and the whole journey takes about 36 hours, with 2 overnight stays on the train. It passes through four provinces, including Sichuan, Shanxi, Gansu and Qinghai.
Please note that there are four railway stations in Chengdu, and the Chengdu to Lhasa train departs from the Chengdu North Railway Station.
| Train No. | From / To | Dep. / Arr. | Duration | Distance | Hard Sleeper | Soft Sleeper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z322 | Chengdu/Lhasa | 21:37/09:55 | 36:18 | 3070km | CNY627.5 | CNY997.5 |
| Station | Altitude | Arrival | Departure | Stop Time | Distance | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | 485m | -- | 21:37 | -- | -- | Day 1 |
| Guangyuan | 488m | 02:23 | 02:40 | 17min | 319km | Day 1 |
| Lanzhou | 1520m | 09:10 | 09:27 | 17min | 902km | Day 2 |
| Xining | 2200m | 12:07 | 12:27 | 20min | 1118km | Day 2 |
| Delingha | 2980m | 16:35 | 16:37 | 2min | 1639km | Day 2 |
| Golmud | 2780m | 19:24 | 19:49 | 25min | 1948km | Day 2 |
| Nagchu | 4500m | 05:59 | 06:05 | 6min | 2768km | Day 3 |
| Lhasa | 3650m | 09:55 | -- | -- | 3070km | Day 3 |
| Train No. | From / To | Dep. / Arr. | Duration | Distance | Hard Sleeper | Soft Sleeper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z324 | Lhasa/Chengdu | 18:30/07:00 | 36:30 | 3070km | CNY627.5 | CNY997.5 |
| Station | Altitude | Arrival | Departure | Stop Time | Distance | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lhasa | 3650m | -- | 18:30 | -- | -- | Day 1 |
| Nagchu | 4500m | 21:49 | 21:55 | 6min | 322km | Day 1 |
| Golmud | 2780m | 08:05 | 08:30 | 25min | 1142km | Day 2 |
| Delingha | 2980m | 10:57 | 10:59 | 2min | 1451km | Day 2 |
| Xining | 2200m | 15:19 | 15:39 | 20min | 1972km | Day 2 |
| Lanzhou | 1520m | 18:37 | 18:53 | 16min | 2188km | Day 2 |
| Guangyuan | 488m | 01:23 | 01:57 | 34min | 2771km | Day 3 |
| Chengdu | 485m | 07:00 | -- | -- | 3070km | Day 3 |
1. Where can we book our train tickets from Chengdu to Lhasa?
You can book it through GoToTibet, a train tickets agent or the only official website of China Railway: www.12306.cn. Kindly note that the tickets will be sold approximately 30 days before the departure date. It is suggested that you book your tickets within the first couple of minutes since they might be sold out quickly during the high season. The train from Chengdu to Lhasa runs every other day. Please check the departure date before you book flights to connect the train.
2. How can we get the train tickets from Chengdu to Lhasa?
You can get the train tickets in any ticket office of the train station by showing the Tibet Permit, train ticket booking code and your passport. We will send the permit and the code to you once the booking of the tickets is confirmed.
3. What should I do if I fail to book the train tickets from Chengdu to Lhasa?
Since the train from Chengdu to Lhasa departs every other day, sometimes it is very hard to get the tickets because of the great demand. There is an option to book connecting trains, such as Chengdu-Lanzhou-Lhasa or Chengdu-Xining-Lhasa. Besides, you can also fly to Xining to take the train. Xining is the starting point of the Qinghai Tibet Railway, so you can still see the picturesque view along the way.
4. Is there a luggage weight or size limitation for taking the train from Chengdu to Lhasa?
Each adult can take 20kg of luggage at most for free while each child can take 10kg of luggage. The size cannot exceed 160cm in total for the three dimensions. But, in reality, no one will check the weight and size of your luggage when you get on the train. You can bring all your luggage inside the train if it is not too big or heavy.
5. Is Wi-Fi available on the train?
No, there is no Wi-Fi on the train. The mobile phone signal is weak too.
6. Is it better to take the train than to fly from Chengdu to Lhasa? Will the train ride help acclimatization?
It takes 2.5 hours to travel from Chengdu to Lhasa by flight and 36 hours by train. If you are not fond of a long train journey, then flying is a better choice. But if you are interested in the scenery of Qinghai Tibet Highland, then taking the train is recommended. No matter which option you choose, you might feel some altitude sickness. People often experience different symptoms of this sickness. Taking the train to Lhasa, you might feel uncomfortable while the train passes through the mountain at a high altitude even if there is an oxygen supply in the train. You will normally feel uncomfortable after landing in Lhasa or at night if you take a flight into Lhasa. It helps a lot if you take some anti-altitude sickness medicine before you start traveling to Tibet.
