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Oxygen Supply on Tibet Trains

13 December 2022 Last updated at 17:22

While planning a Tibet tour, most people will worry about the high altitude sickness. Generally speaking, taking a train to Tibet does great help to reduce the risk of high altitude sickness, for the passengers can get accustomed to the high altitude gradually on the way. Tibetan trains also enjoy some advanced supplies featured and design to deal with the low oxygen condition in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Advanced Oxygen Supply Systems Are Equipped on Tibet Trains

Tibet trains are all equipped with the oxygen supply systems to provide better train experience. There are 2 kinds of oxygen supply systems equipped with on the train to cope with the lack of oxygen on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Both of the oxygen supply systems will begin to operate when the trains move into Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Zone. And when the oxygen supply systems are working, smoking is forbidden in all the carriages.

One is a ‘dispersion-mode’ oxygen supply system above the windows of every carriage. It spreads oxygen made by the oxygen generator to the train’s air through the air-conditioning system and keeps the oxygen content of the air about 23%.

The other system is the “distribution-mode” oxygen supply system which can be directly used by passengers through an independent port. You can easily find them below each seat in the Hard Seats Carriages, and near every berth in each cabin of Hard Sleeper Carriage and Soft Sleeper Carriage.

How to Use Independent Oxygen Supply

The train conductors will distribute the disposable pipes to passengers usually before arriving in Golmud. If not, you can ask for it when the high altitude sickness (like headache, expiratory dyspnea, or other difficulties) occurs. Connect the disposable pipe to the oxygen outlet first, put the other end of the pipe into your nostrils then and you can breathe the oxygen freely. There are also oxygen supply tubes and mask on each cabin for an emergency. It can be said that the individual oxygen outlets are almost everywhere in the Tibet train.

Call for Medical Service

Every train to Tibet is equipped with one doctor and one nurse. Therefore, you don’t need to worry much about the high altitude. If you get serious high altitude sickness or some other physical problem, call the doctor or ask the train staff for help immediately.

Oxygen Supply
A work is operating the oxygen supply
Oxygen Supply
Oxygen Port under the Seats
Disposable Oxygen Pipe
Oxygen Outlet near the Sleeper

Specially Designed Train Structure

With airtight-type structure, the trains can well control the intensity of turbulence in high plateau and improve the smoothness of running, which offers a more comfortable journey to the passengers. The imbalance between the internal and external pressure might be caused by the high altitude effect, but the windows of Tibet trains can adjust the press automatically. The pressure in the carriage wills changes with the altitude, which does help in releasing the sickness of passengers.

Tibet Trains
Special Designed Train to Tibet

Change to Plateau Train with Oxygen Supply System at Xining Railway Station

It is announced that a passenger who takes a train from Chengdu, Chongqing, Shanghai or Guangzhou to Lhasa will have to change to a Plateau Train with Oxygen System at Xining Railway Station. If one takes a train from Lhasa to Chengdu, Chongqing, Shanghai or Guangzhou, he/she also needs to change to a regular train at Xining Railway Station. The policy has been put into practice since April 19, 2017, and will continue to the end of Summer School Vacation in China (around late August). (Note: If you are taking the train Z21 (Beijing to Lhasa), Z917 (Lanzhou to Lhasa), Z918 (Lhasa to Lanzhou), you don’t have to change trains at Xining Railway Station.)

Change Tibet Trains
Change Train at Xining Railway Station

How to Plan A Tibet Tour

Tibet is a place with majestic landscapes and splendid culture. There might be hundreds of ways to travel Tibet, especially its most appealing destinations - Lhasa, Everest, Namtso, Kailash, etc. We suggest you start your tour from the capital Lhasa. You can take 3~4 days to acclimatize high altitudes and explore the highlights of Lhasa city. Then you can spend 1~2 days to visit Lhasa's surroundings, such as Namtso, Yamdrok Lake, Ganden Monastery, etc. Beside Lhasa and its surrounding regions, you shall not miss the 3rd pole of the earth, Mt Everest, which is no longer a privilege site for just mountaineers and spending 3~4 more days to explore it.It totally depends on your schedules and preferences.

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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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