Why Lhasa Nyingchi Railway is Recommended?

1. Ideal Plateau Gateway Connection: The Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway efficiently links Lhasa, Tibet’s cultural heart, with Nyingchi, renowned as "the Switzerland of Tibet." This scenic route offers a smooth transition from high-altitude heritage sites to the lush, lower-elevation valleys of eastern Tibet.

2. Daily Departures for Flexible Itineraries: 2 trains operate daily between Lhasa and Nyingchi: a morning Fuxing high-speed bullet train and a regular afternoon train. This schedule offers travelers the flexibility to choose based on their itinerary and preference.

3. A Journey of Comfort: The green Fuxing bullet trains uses double engines, special oxygen supply system and upgraded facilities to offer a quiet and comfortable train trip on Tibetan Plateau. The trains are also environmentally friendly for there will be no gas and waste discharged during the operation.

Lhasa Nyingchi Railway Our Guest Megan in Tibetan dress at the Potala Palace, Lhasa

The railway distance between Lhasa and Nyingchi spans approximately 435 kilometers (270.6 mi). It starts from Lhasa, passes through southern Tibetan areas, runs to the eastern Tibet and ends in Nyingchi. If you're interested in experiencing this scenic rail adventure, you can explore our specially designed Lhasa Tours or Nyingchi Tours.

Lhasa Nyingchi Railway Lhasa Nyingchi Railway Map (click to enlarge)

Lhasa to Nyingchi Train Schedules and Tickets

Currently, 2 trains operate daily between Lhasa and Nyingchi, providing flexible all-day travel options. The morning departure is served by the Fuxing high-speed bullet train, which offers an efficient and comfortable journey of approximately 3.5 hours, stopping at only 4 major stations (Shannan, Jiacha, Nang County, and Milin). The afternoon departure is a conventional train, which follows a more relaxed schedule of about 5 hours and makes 8 stops along the route (Gonggar, Zhanang, Shannan, Sangri, Jiacha, Nang County, Milin, and Ganggar). During peak tourism seasons such as the Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival (March-April) and the National Day Golden Week (early October), additional trains may be scheduled to accommodate increased demand.

Below is the real-time Lhasa (lasa) to Nyingchi (linzhi) train timetable with updated train number, train travel time, ticket, train departure and arrival information. Click the train number to get more details to better plan your Lhasa to Nyingchi train tour.

Lhasa Nyingchi Railway High-Speed Train to/from Nyingchi

Facilities on Shigatse Lhasa Train - Life on the Train

Air Conditioning and Oxygen Supply There is an air-conditioning system on the train to create an comfortable temperature and ensure a clean and fresh air. There are also two kinds of oxygen supply systems equipped with on the train. One is a "dispersion-mode" oxygen supply system, which spreading oxygen in the train’s cars through the air-con system. The other system is directly used by passengers through independent port.
Food and Drink There is a dining carriage in the middle position of the train which offers breakfast, lunch and dinner and some snacks. Only some Chinese food and cuisines are provide: rice, vegetables, meals and soups. You can also buy the packed food from the Food Trolley. Hot water is provided all the time. The water received from the washing area is not drinkable.
Luggage Storage If you are taking a Soft Sleeper, you can put your luggage or suitcases on the luggage closet above the door in each Soft Sleeper Carriage. It is about 16 inches (40cm) high and 20 inches (50cm) wide. If you are taking a Hard Sleeper, just place your luggage and suitcases on the luggage racks above the window by the side of aisle.
Toilet and Washing The toilets in Soft Sleeper Carriages are one western-style toilet and another squat toilet. While in the carriages of Hard Sleepers and Hard Seats, there are only squat toilets available. Bring toilet papers on your own. There is a simple washbasin at each side of the carriages. Only cold water is provided, undrinkable.
Compartment In the Soft Sleeper Compartment, there are a small table, a heat-retaining vacuum flask, and a trash can. Under the table is a plug to get power supply. There is also a small TV fixed on the door near the aisle. Close to the window, there is an outlet of oxygen. While in the Hard Sleeper Compartment, there are some other friendly facilities - a small table, a thermos, a dustbin.

Lhasa to Nyingchi or Nyingchi to Lhasa?

Whether traveling from Lhasa to Nyingchi or from Nyingchi to Lhasa, passengers can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Yarlung Tsangpo Gorge, snow-capped mountains, dense forests, and traditional Tibetan villages along the way. The choice depends largely on your acclimatization strategy and itinerary.

Traveling from Nyingchi to Lhasa allows for a gradual ascent in altitude, starting around 2,900 m and rising to 3,650 m, which is recommended for first-time visitors or those concerned about altitude sickness. It also offers a scenic progression from the lush, low-altitude valleys of southeastern Tibet toward the high plateau.

Conversely, the Lhasa to Nyingchi route is ideal if you have already adapted to the altitude in Lhasa or wish to begin your journey from Tibet’s main transport and cultural hub.

Lhasa Nyingchi Railway Nyingchi Lulang Forest in Late October

How to Get to Lhasa / Nyingchi Railway Station

Lhasa Railway Station and Nyingchi Railway Station are both conveniently accessible by public bus and taxi from their respective city centers, located about 15~20 kilometers away with a road travel time of around 30 minutes. Lhasa Railway Station is connected to the Potala Palace and old town area via multiple bus routes (e.g., Bus 1, 13, 14, 30), while taxis and ride-hailing services are readily available. Similarly, Nyingchi Railway Station is served by scheduled shuttle buses coordinated with train schedules, along with convenient taxi and car-hailing options.

However, to ensure the smoothest, most comfortable, and flexible transfer experience, we highly recommend booking a private car transfer with Tibet Discovery. Our professional drivers and well-maintained vehicles provide door-to-door service between stations, hotels, and major attractions, allowing you to begin your plateau journey with ease from the moment you arrive. Feel free to contact us!

Lhasa Railway Station

Location: Tongzhan Road, Doilungdeqen District, Lhasa, Tibet 西藏拉萨市堆龙德庆区通站路; about 13 km away from downtown Lhasa

Lhasa Railway Station serves as the core hub of Tibet's railway network, handling passenger services for the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the Lhasa-Shigatse Railway, and the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway, with connections to trains from Beijing, Xining, Shigatse, and other directions. It incorporates Tibetan architectural elements inspired by "snow mountains and auspicious clouds."

Nyingchi Railway Station

Location: Zire Village, Bayi District, Nyingchi, Tibet 西藏林芝市巴宜区孜热村; about 18.5 km away from Nyingchi City;

Nyingchi Railway Station is the terminal of the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway and a key future node of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway (under construction), functioning as the primary gateway to the scenic regions of southeastern Tibet. This station is themed around "peach blossoms and landscape painting."

Lhasa Nyingchi Train Lhasa Railway Station
Lhasa Nyingchi Train Nyingchi Railway Station

Alternative Way to Travel between Lhasa and Nyingchi - By Road

Nyingchi in eastern Tibet is praised as “Switzerland in Tibet” with charming Natural scenary. In Nyingchi, you can see rare green forests, lush plants, old trees and lovely peach blossom in Tibet and gem-like Bamsum-tso Lake, spectacular Mt. Namjagbarwa, etc. Nyingchi is located about 275 km east of Lhasa. While the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway provides a scenic and comfortable travel option, travelers may also choose the flexibility of road transport, such as long-distance buses or private cars, according to their schedule, budget, and preferred style of exploration.

By Private Vehicle: Traveling by private vehicle is the ideal way to experience the Lhasa-Nyingchi route at your own pace, with two distinct route options: the modern Lhasa-Nyingchi Expressway (about 5 hours) for a smooth and scenic journey, or the classic G318 National Highway (6~7 hours) for a winding drive through traditional villages and frequent photo stops.

Lhasa Nyingchi Railway Lhasa to Nyingchi by Road

By Long-Distance Bus: The bus journey between Lhasa and Nyingchi takes approximately 7~8 hours, offering an economical and straightforward way to travel while enjoying the evolving landscapes along the well-paved highway.

Check more about How to Get to Nyingchi from Lhasa

Transportation Departure Arrival Duration Frequency
Bus Lhasa Eastern Suburb Passenger Station
Address: No.3 Jiangsu East Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa, Tibet, China
Nyingchi Passenger Station
Address: Guangdong Road, Bayi Town, Nyingchi, Tibet, China
7-8 hours
633kilometers
Dailyearliest bus:08:00 am, departure time depends on number of passengers

*Important Notice:The above transportation information is for reference only. You can contact us to get the latest travel guide for your Lhasa Nyingchi tour.

The Engineering Marvel of the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway

The Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway started construction in 2015 and came into service on June 25 2021. This eco-friendly project takes more than 6 years and once again proves China’s strong national power and remarkable technology and wisdom.

The following are some technological difficulties of the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway have been successfully come.

1.The railway passes through 47 tunnels and 121 bridges in total, and runs across the Yarlung Zangbo River 16 times.

2.About 90% of the railroad are built on plateau areas at an average elevation of above 3,000 meters. The highest point is at an altitude of 5,100 meters.

3.The railway passes through high mountains and deep valleys with a sharp height difference of 2,500 meters.

Connecting Futures along the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway

Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway is a rail branch line of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and it ends the history of no railway available in southeast Tibet. In the future, it will be linked with the Lhasa-Kathmandu Railway (China-Nepal Railway, running between Tibet’s Lhasa and Nepal’s Kathmandu via Gyirong Port ) and the other segments of Sichuan-Tibet Railway (from Chengdu to Lhasa). By then, Tibet will have a Y-type railway network stretching into all directions, offering more convenient and faster train travel journeys for both tourists and the locals, and efficient train travel to neighboring Nepal.

Discover Tibet with a Journey Tailored to You

International travelers are required to join an organized tour with a licensed travel agency to visit Tibet, which means independent travel isn’t permitted. But rather than viewing this as a limitation, we at Tibet Discovery see it as an opportunity to craft something extraordinary for you. Our decades of experience operating in Tibet allow us to transform what could be a simple route into a carefully curated journey. Just contact us to plan your adventure!

When you travel with us, you’ll benefit from:

An expert local guide who brings Tibet’s history, culture, and hidden stories to life.
A comfortable private vehicle suited to Tibet’s unique road conditions.
An experienced driver who knows every curve of the route and can spot wildlife or photo opportunities you might otherwise miss
Flexible pacing that lets you linger at viewpoints or explore unexpected discoveries along the way

Travel with Tibet Discovery
Travel with Tibet Discovery

How to Plan A Tibet Tour

Tibet is too vast to be visited in one single trip, but planning ahead of time can make most of your holiday. A classic Tibet tour always takes about 4 ~ 8 days. Apart from 2 days for arrival and departure, it usually needs 2 other days to explore majestic Potala Palace and other landmarks in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. With a day trip’s distance from Lhasa, Namtso Lake is another perfect tour extension if you visit Tibet from May to October.

☛ 4 Days Holy City Lhasa Private Tour - Heart of Tibet

☛ 5 Days Lhasa City and Holy Lake Namtso Tour

To explore further, it’s strongly recommended to travel from Lhasa to Mount Everest via Gyantse and Shigatse, which usually needs 4 more days. It is an unforgettable sightseeing trip with lots of attractions to visit, such as Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Kumbum Stupa of Palcho Monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery, etc. Of course, the biggest draw must be gazing upon the unparalleled north face of the world’s highest peak – Mount Everest.

☛ 6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Historical Tour

☛ 8 Days Everest Base Camp Tour - Top of the World

☛ 9 Days Tibet Discovery Tour plus Everest and Namtso Expedition

For Buddhist followers and hiking lovers, you are suggested to travel to Ngari to join the kora around the holy Mt. Kailash and sacred Lake Manasarovar, which usually takes about 5 ~ 8 more days from Lhasa. The wild nature of Ngari is spectacular as well.

☛ 13 Days Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar Trekking Tour

☛ 16 Days Mt.Kailash Pilgrimage Private Tour

Most travelers combine a Tibet trip with visits to other top destinations, often extending their journey from nearby hubs like Chengdu, Xian, Yunnan, or Xining, or pairing it with iconic cities and landscapes such as Beijing, Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Guilin, etc. If you have your own needs or interest, just feel free to contact us to customize a trip of your own!

Potala Palace Lhasa, Namtso, Mount Everest and Ngari are four most popular destinations in Tibet

Recommended Tibet Train Tour Packages

Check out our most popular train tour packages departing from most popular gateway cities to Tibet - Beijing,Xian, Chengdu, Xining, Shanghai, etc. All packages are customizable according to your requirements. If you have more time, you can extend your trip from Lhasa to other popular destinations, such as Shigatse, Mount Everest, Nyingchi, Ngari, etc. Check more >Tibet Train Tours

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