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Chongqing Lhasa Train Schedules and Fares
In every other day, there are 2 trains running between Chongqing and Lhasa. Train Z223 departs from Chongqing West Railway Station and arrives in Lhasa Railway Station on the third day, with a journey of about 33.5 hours and 5 stops along the way. The returning train, Z224, leaves Lhasa and reaches Chongqing on the third day, taking approximately 35.5 hours with 6 stops.
The train is equipped with three kinds of seats, including Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper and Hard Seat. The ticket fare varies with the classes of seats. Generally, Soft Sleeper is the most expensive one but it offers best facilities and most comfortable environment. There are only 4 berths in a private compartment with door. Hard Sleeper is a cheaper, and every compartment has 6 sleepers. Hard Seat is the cheapest, but not recommended to long-trip traveler because you can’t sleep well.
Check following table for details about Chongqing Lhasa Train Schedules and Fares to decide which to choose.
Which Seat Class to should I take, Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper or Hard Seat?
Compared with Hard Sleeper, Soft Sleeper provides passengers with larger space, better facility and cleaner environment. To get a more comfortable journey, we strongly suggest that you choose a Soft Sleeper. You will spend two nights and you can have better sleep in the Soft Sleeper Carriage. Check the following charts for more detailed information.
Comparison between Soft Sleeper and Hard Sleeper
| Soft Sleeper | Hard Sleeper | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount of Sleepers | 4 | 6 |
| Size of Sleeper | Width:700mm/Length:1900mm | Width:500mm/Length:1800mm |
| TV | Yes | No |
| Power Supply | Yes | No |
| Vacuum Flask | Yes | Yes |
| Door | Yes | No |
(Important Notice: Since there are usually about 64 Soft Sleepers on each train to Tibet, so you’d better confirm your trip and book the train tickets as early as possible. Currently passenger can book the train ticket 15 days in advance.)
Facilities on Chongqing Lhasa Train – Life on the Train
| Air Conditioning and Oxygen Supply | There are available air conditioning and oxygen supply on the train between Chongqing and Lhasa. Air conditioning is able to keep the temperature perfect and circulate the air. Oxygen supply makes a great help to provide oxygen when the train enters high altitude area. It can be divided into two parts. One is ‘dispersion-mode’ equipped on the train to spread oxygen in the air, and the other is accessible oxygen port can be used by every passenger. |
| Food and Drink | Every train is equipped with dining car. You can have breakfast, lunch and dinner there. The food offered is all Chinse food, and most are Sichuan food. Snacks and drinks are also available. Apart from getting food in the dining car, you can also the packed food from the Food Trolley, which is charged about 25 RMB. There is a Hot Water Dispenser in the connection between two cars, from which you can receive hot water. The water from the washing area is not drinkable. |
| Luggage Storage | There is luggage area in every car. In the Soft Sleeper Carriage, luggage can be placed on the luggage close above the door. It is about 16 inches (40cm) high and 20 inches (50cm) wide. For the Hard Sleeper Carriage, the luggage area is located on the racks above the window beside the aisle. The baggage holder in Hard Seat Car is just above the window seats. It is also available to put your luggage or suitcase under your seat. |
| Toilet and Washing | There are both western-style toilets and squat toilets in the train. Soft Sleeper Carriages are equipped with western-style toilets while Hard Sleeper Carriages and Hard Seat Carriages are equipped with Chinese squat toilet. There is a simple washbasin in every toilet and anther opposite the Hot Water Dispenser. Only undrinkable cold water is available. |
| Compartment | In every Soft Sleeper Compartment, you can see a small table, a thermos, a garbage can, and a recharging plug. There are four bunks in a compartment and every bunk is equipped with a small TV and an oxygen outlet. In Hard Sleeper Compartment, the facilities include a table, a dustbin, a thermos and oxygen outlets. |
Chongqing to Lhasa or Lhasa to Chongqing?
Generally speaking, train from Chongqing to Lhasa and train from Lhasa to Chongqing both offer you an unforgettable journey because you will have a visual treatment. Lhasa-Chongqing Train enjoys the similar schedule with Chongqing-Lhasa Train. The trains will pass through the same attraction in daytime or at night. As a result, there won’t be great difference between the sceneries along the railway you can see.
The train typically passes through Guangyuan in the early morning hours when you're likely still resting. As you come to Gansu, the scenery will be quite different. You must be amazed by the splendid spectacle of the Yellow River. In the summer, you may be lucky to see some beautiful sunflowers. While passing through Qinghai, you won’t miss charming Qinghai Lake. Close to Delingha, you can see the fertile farmland and emerald forest belt. Then you will traverse two lakes and enjoy the enchanting lake views.
Chongqing-Lhasa Train and Lhasa-Chongqing Train also enjoy different advantages. If you want to have an up-stream Yangtze River Cruise (Yichang to Chongqing), you’d better choose a train to Lhasa from Chongqing after your cruise tour. From Chongqing to Lhasa, you will get an opportunity to adapt the plateau climate and high altitude gradually. Some tourists like to choose Tibet as their epilogue of China and fly to Kathmandu directly after the Tibet tour. So they need to have a train journey first.
If you aim to take a down-stream Yangtze River Cruise (Chongqing to Yichang), train from Lhasa to Chongqing is recommended. In addition, it’s much easier to book a ticket of train from Lhasa to Chongqing and choose the seat you prefer. If there isn’t any Chongqing-Lhasa trains ticket available, try Lhasa-Chongqing train.
Alpine Lake View along Train Journey
Relaxed Yangtze River Cruise
Major Cities along the Way
With about 33.5~35.5 hours on board, the train makes scheduled stops at 5~6 stations where you can get off and refresh. The train from Chongqing to Lhasa makes 5 stops at Guangyuan, Lanzhou, Xining, Delingha, and Golmud, while the train from Lhasa to Chongqing makes 6 stops at Golmud, Delingha, Xining, Lanzhou, Guangyuan, and Nanchong North. Lanzhou, Xining, and Golmud are the main stops with longer break times, perfect for stretching your legs, grabbing some snacks, or simply enjoying a breath of fresh air before continuing your journey to Lhasa.
Lanzhou
Lanzhou is China’s only capital city with the Yellow River passing through. Because of the unique river view, the featured Lanzhou city landscape is shaped. Tasty food is also one element of Lanzhou, and Lanzhou noddle is the most popular one. The train will stop in Lanzhou Railway Station about 20 minutes.
Xining
In the ancient times, Xining was the regarded as the guarding frontier city as well as a key stopover along the ancient Silk Road. Now it attracts many tourists with the beautiful Qinghai Lake as Flowers’ Ocean, Birds’ Paradise, and Cyclists’ Heaven. On your trip, you will see part of Qinghai Lake. There is a stop at Xining Railway Station for about 20 minutes, which is enough for you to walk around.
Golmud
As you get to Golmud, the altitude becomes really high and oxygen supply on the train begin to operate. The trains between Chongqing and Lhasa will have stop at Golmud Railway Station for 25 minutes. Go out of the train and look at the blue sky if the weather is good.
Amazing City View of Lanzhou
Beautiful Qinghai Lake in Xining, Qinghai Province
Tibet Travel Permit and Train Travel
A Tibet Travel Permit (Tibet Entry Permit) is the MUST-HAVE DOCUMENT to take a train to Lhasa from Chongqing. However, only authorized travel agencies can apply for it on your behalf. But don't worry, since the procedure to obtain the permit is not complicated. And we Tibet Discovery can help you handle all the stuff. As one of the leading local Tibet tour operators, Tibet Discovery has expertise in the permit policy and the application process. With years of experience, we specialize in efficiently obtaining Tibet Travel Permits for our clients. Just confirm your Tibet tour with us and provide us with your necessary documents (valid passport with at least 6 months validity remaining & Chinese Visa), and we manage all application procedures to ensure you receive your permit promptly, allowing you to enjoy your trip as planned.
Please note 1) it takes about 14 working days to receive your Tibet Travel Permit after you provide us with copies of your valid passport and Chinese Visa, so we recommend you send these documents well in advance to us. 2) remember to duplicate at least 3 copies of Tibet Travel Permit, as it will be required for many occasions throughout your trip.
Learn more detail about Tibet Travel Permit Application
Sample of Tibet Travel Permit (Tibet Entry Permit)
How to Book Chongqing Lhasa Train Tickets
You can book tickets yourself either online or at the railway station. For online booking, visit the official 12306 website (www.12306.cn/en) or download the 12306 App (which has an English version). The process involves registering an account, completing identity verification by entering your passport information, then searching for trains and making payment, with support for Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay bank cards. Alternatively, you can visit any railway station ticket office in person to buy tickets with your passport and Tibet Travel Permit. If you prefer a more convenient option, simply provide your passport information to a trusted travel agency to book for you, saving the trouble of registering and going through the verification process yourself.
Both your passport and Tibet Travel Permit are required to book train tickets at a railway station, but only passport information is needed if you book online. Please have both documents ready in advance, as they will be checked when entering the station, during ticket inspection, and when boarding the train.
Some useful tips to increase the chance of successful ticket booking
1. Book your train tickets as early as possible. They are released 15 days in advance.
2. When you find it hard to book a ticket for Chongqing to Lhasa train, you can change a starting station, such as Lanzhou and Xining. These two cities offer bigger chance to get a ticket. You can fly from Chongqing to Lanzhou or Xining first, then catch the train from there.
How to Get to Chongqing West Railway Station
Chongqing has three main railway stations, including Chongqing West Station, Chongqing North Station, and Chongqing East Station. Among them, Chongqing West Station is the departure point for the Chongqing-Lhasa train.
Chongqing West Railway Station is located in No. 168, Fengzhong Road, Shapingba District, Chongqing (重庆市沙坪坝区凤中路168号). It is about 18 kilometers from the city center (usually referring to Jiefangbei area in Yuzhong District). You can take the metro for about 1 hour, take a taxi for roughly 35 minutes, or simply contact us to arrange a private transfer for a more comfortable and hassle-free experience from downdown to the railway station.
Chongqing West Railway Station
How to Shorten the Chongqing Lhasa Train Travel
It is a long train journey between Chongqing and Lhasa which takes as long as about 33.5~35.5 hours. If you want to shorten this long travel and just experience the essential part, take a flight from Chongqing to Xining in just 2 hours, then take the train from Xining to Lhasa for about 19.5~21.5 hours.
In fact, scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway (connecting Xining and Lhasa) is the highlights of the whole journey. As you board on Xining, you can have a stay and explore the famous attraction (Qinghai Lake and Taer Monastery) and have some local food. What’s more, the stay in Xining allows you to adapt of higher altitude (2,200~3200 m) before Lhasa (3,700 m). In addition, it's much easier to book a ticket with better seat or berth, because all trains to Lhasa from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing will have a stop at Xining Railway Station.
Check more about Xining Tibet Tours 2026 & Qinghai Tibet Railway Experience
How to Plan a Chongqing Travel
Chongqing, known as the Mountain City, is a unique riverside metropolis in southwest China. Famous for its spicy hotpot, amazing night views, and winding streets, it blends natural beauty with modern energy and rich local culture. It is also the most popular starting point for the Yangtze River Cruise.
One Day Essence of Chongqing Tour
Start your day by visiting the Three Gorges Museum and the grand People’s Assembly Hall. Then take the unique light rail Line 2 to Liziba Station and explore the wonderful Hongya Cave. You may also choose to enjoy a panoramic city view from the high observation deck at an additional cost.
Extended Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise Tour
For those with more time, a multi-day luxury cruise between Chongqing and Yichang navigates the serene and majestic Three Gorges. This journey includes guided shore excursions to historic sites such as the Fengdu Ghost City and the monumental Three Gorges Dam.
The dazzling night view of Hongya Cave
B-Plan for Chongqing Lhasa Train
1. Take a Flight to Tibet
The tickets for trains from Chongqing to Lhasa are also quite limited, and taking a flight is also a good idea. Chongqing is also one of the most convenient cities, just second to Chengdu, to take a flight to Lhasa. There are about 10 daily flights flying to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport and you can easily book one.
2. Take Train to Tibet from other Cities
If you fail to book a train ticket of Chongqing to Lhasa but you don’t want to miss the beautiful landscape around Qinghai-Tibet Lhasa Railway, take a train from other trains from other cities. Available trains include Beijing-Lhasa train, Chengdu-Lhasa train, Xian-Lhasa train, Shanghai-Lhasa Train, Guangzhou-Lhasa Train, Xining-Lhasa Train, and Lanzhou-Lhasa train. Not only that Lanzhou Railway Station and Xining Railway operate their own trains, and other trains to Lhasa will pass through Lanzhou and Xining as well. Fly to Xining or Lanzhou, and you will get greater opportunity to book the train.
Tibet Train Routes and Gateway Cities
- Beijing Lhasa Train
- Shanghai Lhasa Train
- Chengdu Lhasa Train
- Chongqing Lhasa Train
- Guangzhou Lhasa Train
- Lanzhou Lhasa Train
- Xining Lhasa Train
- Xian Lhasa Train
- Lhasa Shigatse Train
- Lhasa Nyingchi Train
- Yunnan Tibet Railway
- Sichuan Tibet Railway
More Information about Tibet Train
- How to Book, Collect, Alter and Cancel Train Ticket
- How to Read Tibet Train Ticket and Ticket Maps
- Change Tibet Trains at Xining Since April 19
- Tibet Train Sleeper and Seat Types
- Soft Sleeper on Tibet Trains
- Hard Sleeper on Tibet Trains
- Hard Seats on Tibet Trains
- Tibet Lhasa Train Schedule & Ticket Price
- Facilities and Amenities on Tibet Trains
- Oxygen Supply on Tibet Trains
- Medical Service in Tibet Trains
- Toilet and Bathroom on Tibet Trains
- Dining on Tibet Trains
- Tibet Train Luggage Allowance and Restriction
- How to Board & Disembark Tibet Trains
- Qinghai Tibet Railway Facts and Features
- What to see along the Qinghai Tibet Railway
- Latest News about Tibet Train
- Tibet Travel Permit and Tibet Train Travel
- Lhasa Railway Station
- Tibet Railways Map
- Tibet Train FAQs
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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