Qinghai-Tibet Train Tour, Train to Lhasa from Xining

You are here: HomeTibet ToursTrain ToursQinghai to Tibet Train Tour

It is now very popular with tourist to take a train across the Tibetan Plateau from Xining to Lhasa. The distance between Lhasa and Xining is 1,972km (about 1,233 miles). On this train tour, you will pass the sparsely populated Kekexili Nature reserve in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau; see wild animals through the train window; and enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of Plateau lakes and snow-covered mountains along the train line.

Highlights of this tour:

Ride a traditional Chinese train to Tibet on the highest railway in the world - Qinghai-Tibet Railway;
Climb up the grandiose Potala Palace and visit sacred Buddhist temples and monasteries in Lhasa, such as Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery;
Learn about Tibetan Buddhist culture and experience the devout atmosphere in the holy city.

Tour Brief Information

Tour price: from Request
1. This price is based on a group of 2 adult travelers who will take our private tour and share one standard rooms in regular local 4-star hotel in lower seasons.

2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.

3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2025.

4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1= RMB 6.85. The final quotation will be adjusted according to the latest real-time exchange rate.
Tour code: TD-TT-06A
Tour Type: Private Customizable Tour Package
Destination: Xining - Lhasa
Duration: 6 days and 5 nights
Departure: Flexible
Travel Theme:
Best Time:

Physical Level
Tour Pace
Tight
Max Altitude
5,210m

Itinerary Details
Price Guide & Booking
Trip FAQs
Reviews
Make an Enquiry

Your tour - at a glance

Day 1~3 Xining Tour & Train to Lhasa

Day 4~5 Lhasa City Tour

Day 6 Lhasa Departure

Itinerary Details - Day by Day

Day 1 Xining Arrival

Upon arrival at Xining airport, be met and escorted to your hotel in Xining. Xining is the capital of Qinghai province. Xining is a very religiously diverse city with large numbers of Buddhists, Daoists, Christians, and Muslims. The average temperature in Xining during the summer is 17-19 degrees Celsius which makes it a very cool place to visit for summer vacation. The altitude in Xining is 2,260m. If time allows, a visit to Ta'er Monastery can be arranged for you. Ta'er Monastery is the religious activity center for monks and followers of the Gelugpa Sect. Stay overnight at Xining.

Pagodas of Buddha Shakyamuni in Taer Monastery

Day 2 Xining - Qinghai lake ( B,L,D )

After breakfast, you will be driven to visit Qinghai Lake, 150km west of Xining. It covers a vast area of over 4,500 sq km, the largest lake in China, at a height of 3,200m (10,500ft) above sea level. The region around the lake is home to many Tibetan Nomads, whose yaks and sheep graze near the lake. There used to be an annual ceremony to the "God of the Lake", though this ceremony is no longer held. In the summer, herbs can be seen everywhere. Drive back to Xining for the train to Lhasa in the afternoon or evening. Spend the night on the train.

Tips: Be sure to bring snacks with you for the train ride. During parts of your journey on the train the altitude will approach 5,000m.

Qinghai Lake with Enchanting Natural Beauty
The Paradise of Birds

Day 3 Lhasa Arrival

Witness the beautiful Tibetan Plateau with groups of nomads. See the Kekexili Nature Reserve which protects wild plants and animals as well as their natural habitates.

After arrival at Lhasa in the afternoon, you will be picked up by local tour guide at Lhasa Railway Station, and then be escorted to your hotel in Lhasa city in a private vehicle.

High Altitude Acclimation Tips: 1) Go for some leisure walking to acclimate the high altitude but avoid strenuous activity after arrival; 2) you’d better not have bath, in case of catching a cold; 3) Drink more water, and have some fruit; 4) Have a good rest.

Train to Lhasa offers a good view of the high plateau

Day 4 Lhasa ( B )

Start today’s Lhasa exploration with an exciting visit to the landmark - Potala Palace which is regarded as one of the most beautiful architectural building in the world. You will climb up the palace along the zigzag stone paths with white-and-red walls to the top of the palace where you can not only appreciate the exotic Tibetan-style architecture, but also get a great view of Lhasa’s urban areas, then walk into the inner space of Potala Palace to explore the stately chapels and learn about the history of the palace.

Continuing your exploration, you will then get to Jokhang Temple which is considered as the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism. Each day, there are thousands of pilgrims coming from different places in Tibet to the temple to worship to the Buddha. This temple is also known as the “house of Buddha” because it keeps the precious Jowo Rinpoche, the life-sized (5 foot/1.5m) image of the Shakyamuni at the age of 12. The last site for today’s exploration is the famous Barkhor Street. It is a circular and wide street encircling the Jokhang Temple. The local people like to walk on the street for several circles usually in the late afternoon as a daily tradition of pilgrimage. The street also has many shops selling a wide variety of traditional Tibetan goods, religious items and handcrafts.

Tips of Today: 1) there are 1,080 steps up to climb to the top of Potala Palace, so don’t walk in a rush, which may cause high altitude sickness; 2) taking photos is not allowed inside the palace; 3) today you will be mainly outside, please bring some water, a hat, sun cream, and sun glasses with you.

Barkhor Street
Amazing Potala Palace in the morning
Prayers at Jokhang Temple

Day 5 Lhasa ( B )

After breakfast, you will firstly go to visit the beautiful Norbulingka which used to be the former summer palace of Dalai Lamas in the ancient time, and now is a public park. It is famous for its Potrang, the private palaces of former Dalai lamas with grandiose Tibetan architecture style. Next, drive several kilometers to the western outskirts of Lhasa to visit Drepung Monastery. Drepung, in Tibetan, means “prosperity”. Since its establishment, Drepung Monastery has always been one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. In its heyday, there were more than 10,000 monks lived and studied in the monastery. Throughout its history, many important and famous Tibetan leaders used to study here, especially the Dalai Lamas. So Drepung Monastery is also respectfully known as the “Mother School of Dalai Lamas”.

In the afternoon, you will be taken to another famous monastery in Lhasa - Sera Monastery. It is famous for the spectacular “Buddhism Debating”. As a daily routine, the monks gather in a courtyard, and debate on the Buddhist doctrines with supplemented gestures, which is thought to be helpful to facilitates better comprehension of the Buddhist philosophy to attain higher levels of study. After enjoying the "Buddhism Debating", you will be transferred back to the city. The rest time is your own free time to rest.

The Etiquette of Visiting Monastery: 1) you shouldn’t wear short and uncover shoulders; 2) taking off your sunglasses and hat before entering the chapels; 3) taking photos is usually not allowed inside the chapels.

Scripture Debating is a good way to check the knowledge
Monks Gathered at the Entrance of Drepung Monastery
Appreciate the beauty of Thangka in Norbulingka

Day 6 Lhasa Departure ( B )

Today is free for you until your tour guide transfer you to the airport in time for your flight or drop you off at Lhasa train station.

Tips of Today: 1) please pack your luggage carefully, especially for small things like camera charger, power adaptor, mobile phone, phone charger, wallet and towel; 2) If your flight is arranged in the afternoon, please make sure you check out the hotel before 12pm.

Price & Service Guide

The quotation for this trip is Request per person

1. This price is based on a group of 2 adult travelers who will take our private tour and share one standard rooms in regular local 4-star hotel in lower seasons.

2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.

3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2025.

4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1= RMB 6.85. The final quotation will be adjusted according to the latest real-time exchange rate.

What's included in this price?

Train Ticket from Xining to Lhasa.
Private professional English-speaking tour guide.
Private vehicle and Luggage Transfers.
All necessary Tibet travel permits.
All accommodations, based on double-occupancy. Medium standard accommodation with attached bathroom on twin sharing basis. Guesthouse or tent in remote areas.
Meals, as noted in the itinerary.
Admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary.
Service Charge (the planning, handling, operational and communication charges) & government taxes.

What's excluded in this price?

China visa.
Train ticket or airfare leaving Tibet.
Sightseeing not listed in the itinerary.
Meals not listed in the itinerary (all lunches and dinners).
Personal expenses such as laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional tour activities, etc.
Gratuities, tips to guides, drivers, bellboys, etc.

Value for money:

While the trip of a lifetime is priceless, we know value is a vital aspect for those deciding which tour to choose.

When comparing tour prices, be sure to compare like to like. Our tours are designed to ensure that our customers experience all the culture, history, and beauty that Tibet has to offer, and at a reasonable price.

A great way to enjoy the lowest possible price is to invite more people to join your trip to share the travel experience as well as the tour expense. The more people in a group, the lower the price per person. (We recommend you join our group tour if you are traveling alone. Please contact our travel consultant for more information)

Booking early is also an easy way to ensure the best rate! We highly recommend you contact us at least 1 month before your planned departure date.

FAQs of This Trip

Service Information- What is a private Tibet tour package?

Private Tibet Tour Package means you will have your own private local tour guide, private vehicle and private driver for your group. You don't have to share the vehicle with others. You tour guide will take care of only your group. With the help of your private tour guide, you will see more in Tibet, communicating with locals to learn about Tibetan lifestyle and culture.

You have the flexibility to arrange the group activities accorddingly, such as changing the visiting order of attractions or extending the visiting time of certain place. You can also stop on the road as you need.

If you are traveling with your family or a group of friends, a private tour for your group is ideal. As you have more people in the group, the price won't be much higher than a join-in group tour. It is a good way to save money and enjoy ultimate service.
Accommodation Information

In Tibet, the overall accommodation situation is not as good as many other parts of China. There are only a few star hotels available in Tibet. In remote areas like Mt. Everest base camp, Mt. Kailash, only guesthouse or tents are available for travelers.

We hand-picked the hotels in each city and areas for you to ensure you have reasonable places to stay while traveling in Tibet. They are in convenient locations and are as comfortable as the local can provide. We also tend to use hotels with unique Tibetan features.

In 3- or 4-star hotels in cities and towns like Lhasa, Tsetang, Shigatse and Gyangtse, you do not need to worry about sanitation. Though, it is a fact that traveling in Tibet is a bit hard. If you are going to remote areas like Mt. Everest or stay near the lakes, it is best to bring a sleeping bag to ensure that you have a nice sleep en route.

For trekking and cycling tours:

1, Stay in local hotel or guesthouse.
2, Stay in tent. (Camping facilities will be provided)
3, Stay in local Tibetan’s family
Meal Information

Breakfast: If you are staying in a star hotel, breakfast is usually included. If you are staying in a guesthouse or tent, breakfast is not included.

Lunch and Dinner:
We don’t usually include lunch and dinner in our tour itinerary. We do arrange lunch or dinner for you at your request though. However, we prefer to give you the freedom to choose the food you want and pay on the spot. From our previous customers' responses, we find that most of our clients prefer to leave the dinners open on their own so that they can enjoy some time to themselves. They can choose either to go to a local restaurant for a little adventure or to have a simple dinner in the hotel where they stay. They may also prefer to choose a restaurant which appeals to their own unique tastes.

We have created a list of our favorite restaurants in Tibet and hand-picked some local restaurants to recommend to our customers. In Lhasa, you can choose Chinese food, Western food, Tibetan food as well as Nepalese food and Indian food. In "off-the-beaten-road" destinations, choices are limited. Our tour guide will be more than happy to recommend good restaurants for you and take you to the restaurants available according to your tastes and preferred style of dishes. Soon you’ll develop your favorite Tibetan dishes!

Meals arrangement in trekking and cycling tours:

Service one: (recommended if you only have 1-2 people in your group and the trekking day is less than 3 days)
Our tour guide will take you to a local supermarket to buy the food you need for the trekking. You will need to bring some cash with you. We recommend energy bars, chocolate, water, fruit, and cookies. If the trekking length is less than 3 days, bringing food along can be a good way to lower the costs.

Service two:
Some of our tour guides are able to cook for customers for a little bit extra service charge. You can contact our travel consultants to see if it is possible to arrange this service for you. It can be difficult to arrange this service for you in peak season, so we can’t guarantee this service at the moment; however, we will try our best to provide this service for you.

Service three: (recommended if you have 5-6 people in your group)
We highly recommend you hire a cook for the trekking tour. As you will trek for average 5-6 hours per day which requires lots of energy, it is important to have proper meal during the trekking section. If you like, we will hire a chef to follow your tour and cook for you during the trekking. They can make sure you have hot food during trekking. They will carry all necessary cooking items and equipment including stove and utensils with them. Some cooks will teach you how to cook as well and make cakes with the group on the last day.

You can communicate with your cook and let them know what kind of meal you prefer. You may prescribe the menu for cooking and tell the cook whatever requirements you have.

Daily meal arrangement for your reference:

Breakfast: coffee, milk, eggs, bread
Lunch: rice and vegetables
Dinner: noodles or Spaghetti with vegetables
Our Tour Guide and Driver Information

Local Tour Guides
Our tour guides are born and raised in the regions we visit so they know all the potential difficulties and how to avoid them. They are highly trained, speak excellent English and know the local myths, traditions and history which they will share with you. Wherever you travel, our guides are the key that unlocks each destination and make the trip memorable and unique.

Private Driver and Vehicles
Our drivers have many years of driving experience in the areas and are very reliable. With Tibet Discovery, you can rest assured that we only use the highest quality vehicles available. We use mainly private vehicles, to ensure we get to our destinations as swiftly and smoothly as possible, as well as allowing the freedom and flexibility to stop and look around or stretch your legs.

If the tour is mainly around Lhasa, we usually choose to use a minivan as the road condition around Lhasa is pretty good, and the minivan costs less as well. If the tour is covering places with poor road conditions or the distances are quite far, we also offer 4WD off road vehicles.

Notes: Tipping is not traditional in China and was actually illegal until the 1980s. While Chinese do not expect tips from other Chinese, they have come to expect tips from Western travelers. Due to this, it is highly recommended that you tip your tour guides and drivers as they are aware that it is a “Western custom” and may worry that you were not happy with their service if they do not receive a tip.

i
Packing List: What should I bring along with me on the tour?

For clothing, we suggest casual style and layered clothing because temperatures in Tibet vary greatly during a day. Down coat is necessary if you go beyond Lhasa and Shigatse to remote areas, e.g. the Everest Camp or further to Mt.Kailash. Sun glasses, sun block,moisture cream are necessary too.

For food, 2L of water each day, and some snacks. We also find the energy drink Red Bull is a great energy boost while traveling in Tibet.

For medicines, we suggest that you take some pain-killer pills with you and enough medicine for colds, diarrhea, nausea and fever. Some nasal ointment andthroat-moistening pills will be of great help for those who are sensitive tochilly weather conditions. Please consult your doctor prior to your travel toTibet. Medicine is a must for travelers to Tibet.

Note: You don't have to worry about your luggage in trekking tours as we could hire abelly boy and Yak and Yak man to carry your luggage for you during the trekking section of the tour. It is an optional service.
High Altitude Sickness Information: How can I prepare for high altitude adjustment?

Anxiety is the common cause of mountain sickness. Our customers age range from 20 years old to 70 years old, there is no evidence that suggests that age has anything to do with the occurrence of mountain sickness.

Taking a Tibet tour with Tibet Discovery, our tour guide will take care of you and give advice on how to avoid high altitude sickness on arrival. A bottle of oxygen will be prepared for each person for emergency use when the tour includes visiting places like Mt. Everest, Lake Namtso, Mt. Kailash and activities like trekking and biking. Always remember that if you have any problems or feel uncomfortable, please tell your guide immediately or contact our travel consultant.
Tibet Travel Permits and China Visa

All foreign tourists and Taiwan tourists must apply for a Tibet Entry Permit issued by the TTB (Tibet Tourism Bureau) for entry to Lhasa or any other parts of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

We will take care of all necessary Tibet permits in all of our Tibet tours. It is included in the price quotation and it is part of our tour services. It's advisable to apply for your travel permits at least 20 days prior to your entry date. The earlier, the easier for us to get a permit for you.

Please tell us your real occupation when applying a tibet travel permit. Journalists and people involved with political matters (such asdiplomats and government officials) require more complicated procedures to beissued a permit.

A valid passport and a valid China visa is needed when applying a Tibet travel permit. The cost of a Chinese Visa is not included in our tour, so you have to apply for your China Visa in your country by yourself. If you have any question in terms of applying a China visa and filling out the application form, feel free to contact our Travel Consultant.
Questions About Attractions and Tour Activities

Acclimatize: We suggest that you take it easy for your first few days in Tibet. Don't push yourself physically since your body will require some time to get used to the high altitude.

Photography: When photographing Tibetans, please be sure to get their permission first. Also, when inside the religious sites, please be aware that if photography is permitted. It is not allowed to take pictures while inside the halls of Potala Palace and JokhangTemple. Make sure you bring a flashlight if you want to see the inside of the monastery, though please ask for permission when taking pictures in the monastery. Some Monastery might charge visitors a 10-30RMB fee for taking pictures. Please ask your tour guide if you are not sure.

Free time: During the free time of your trip, like the rest of the first day and the last day before departure, you can walk around on your own and do some shopping if you wish.
Best time to visit Tibet

Best time to go:

Peak Season: June, July, August, September (June to October 15th )
In July and August, the crowds will be considerably larger and the costs for vehicle, food, accommodation, and tour guides are higher. June-August generally has great weather, though during July and August, Tibet tends to be extremely crowded as many Chinese travel there for their summer vacation. As July and August is the peak season to travel to Tibet. We highly recommend you avoid those two months to reduce the costs.

Best Value: April, May, and Late October to November (April 16th to May 31st)
Late April to Early June, late October to November is the best value time to go, as the weather still nice and the cost is considerably less. The tour costs between this time is usually a few hundred dollars cheaper than peak season.

Shoulder Season: Late November December, January, February, early April (Nov 16th to April 15th)
December-February tends to be a slow period for travel to Tibet. The weather is generally quite cold, though there will be no crowds like there are during the peak season. Another benefit to traveling during the shoulder season is that prices are considerably lower. The view might not be as vivid but you can enjoy another side of Tibet.

Note: Above information applies to most Tibet tours. For specific best travel time, please contact our travel consultant.

Reviews of This Trip

Still not sure if this trip suits you? Read what other travelers think about this Tibet trip. We only accept reviews from confirmed travelers who purchased the tour / activity from us, so you can be sure the reviews are unbiased and authentic.

Hello Elk,

I can't leave without thanking you so much for making it possible for me to come here and enjoy every second of it. I'll be back. To continue exploring because I have to go to my father's town. To each of our guides, a thousand blessings for your attention and care for us... and don't forget. I'm your long-distance friend. I will highly recommend your work and that of all of you.

Regards,

Evelia

September 22, 2025

Dear Tracy,

I want to thank you for all your work that you have done to make sure our trip to China was a success, that all parts of the plan fit together, and everything was running smoothly.

We took some photos with them and attached here. You can send to them.

And I have answered the questions below for you to check.

It was a great trip where we enjoyed getting to know your country with its ancient history, beautiful views and amazing modern architecture. We found everyday Chinese people warm hearted and always willing to come to the rescue of a visitor despite the lack of common language.

I would like to mention to you some of our outstanding guides who we met along the way:

In Beijing we were welcomed by Linda who has encyclopedic knowledge of Chinese history, traditions and culture. She was incredible, so warm hearted, so welcoming, so patient. When we were parting with her at the Beijing Train Station, we truly felt we were leaving a friend behind.

In Lhasa my wife unfortunately fell ill affected by the high-altitude sickness, and our guide Tenzin did everything in his power and beyond making sure my wife was the most comfortable having access to medications, oxygen concentrator at the hotel day and night, while taking me to the scheduled tours. He was extremely caring and comforting and even called us after we left Lhasa for Chengdu to inquire about my wife's health.

In Chengdu we enjoyed the company of Kevin who showed us around and answered all our endless questions about Great Pandas, recommending good places to eat and visit on our own afterhours.

In Guilin Stephen was absolutely fantastic! He was so friendly, so warm hearted, trying to foresee every need, making sure we have the best access to everything, answering all our questions, presenting his native city and the country in the best light, making sure we understand the history and the culture. Besides, when my clothes got ruined due to rain, he helped us to shop for the new clothes after finishing the scheduled daily tour.

Your company has a tremendous team of people who made our trip an exceptional one, and we thank you all for making this trip a trip of a lifetime!

Best regards,

Eugene and Helen

September 22, 2025

Hello Wonder!

We are safely in Lhasa. Our train ride from Xining to Lhasa was fantastic; we didn’t have any problems. The night was short because the boys wanted to look at the stars and watch the sunrise. We saw many wild Tibetan animals for a couple hours after sunrise and then lots of yaks and sheep thereafter. No altitude sickness issues for any of us; so far we feel great. Thank you for checking in on us and providing the train and guide information. Thank you!!

Ellen

June 30, 2025

Recommended Add-on Options

+ 4 more days to travel to Mount Everest (Lhasa/Gyantse/Shigatse/Everest)

Your Tibet Adventure is not complete without conquering the Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Don't miss the chance to challenge yourself!

It needs only 4 days to take a Mount Everest Adventure from Lhasa. You will travel from Lhasa, via Gyantse and Shigatse, to the Everest Base Camp to explore the fascinating clear front face of the dominating Mount Everest. You will also stay a memorable night on the mountain, then drive back to Lhasa. The road to Mount Everest is another highlight with many unique sights to see, such as the holy lake Yamdrok, mysterious Palcho Monastery, Gelug tradition of Tashilhunpo Monastery, etc.

+ two more days to explore the glory of Tibetan Civilization - Gyantse & Shigatse

Tibet Golden Triangle - extending your Tibet tour from Lhasa to Gyantse and Shigatse to experience authentic Tibetan culture and history!

Diverse and unique sights, great road condition, enjoyable accommodation and dinning - that's why you should extend your Tibet trip to Gyantse and Shigatse. You will not only enjoy magnificent high plateau landscape along the road, but also explore many famous and unique attractions in Tibet, including the tranquil heavenly lake Yamdrok, imposing Karola Glacier, Palcho Monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery. Only 2 days are needed to experience these all!

+ 1 or 2 days to explore the heavenly lake - Namtso Lake

Namtso Lake, one of the five most beautiful lakes in China, should not be missed by any traveler who visits Tibet.

Namtso is the best place to explore the nature of Tibet. With the snowy mountains in the background, the crystal-clear dazzling blue water, Namtso is stretching to the horizon. In clear days, the lake looks like a beautiful turquoise surrounded by magnificent snow-capped Tanggula Mountains, and the lake shore is green, wide and open, dotted with tents, yaks and sheep of local nomads. For travelers, Namtso is the ideal place for photography, while for Tibetans, it is a sacred and magical lake for pilgrimage.

Useful Trip Notes

Recommended Tibet Group Tour Packages

Escorted by a skilled driver and companied by a professional local tour guide to organize all the activities, all you have to do is to enjoy your fantastic Tibet journey.Following are some other recommended Tibet group tour packages that you may be interested in. You can also contact us to customize a trip if you want..

Shanghai / Lhasa

8 Days Lifetime Tibet Train Tour from Shanghai

Highlights: Yu Garden, Qinghai Tibet Railway, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple

Request / Details
Chengdu / Lhasa

7 Days Lifetime Tibet Train Tour from Chengdu

Highlights: Chengdu Panda Base, Qinghai Tibet Railway, Potala Palace

Request / Details

Prefer to tailor a trip that totally suits your requirements and interests? Our 20+ professional, helpful and friendly travel experts are ready to help! Tell us your needs, and one of our experts will get to you with trip details within 0.5~23.5 hrs. You can also call us at 86-28-85227275 / 86-28-85223672.

Customize your trip