Beijing + Tibet Tours
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Why Xian Lhasa Train is Recommended?
1. Xian is a great a hub to shorten both the long air travel and train travel from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu to Lhasa. It takes only about 30~31 hours to get to Lhasa by train from Xian.
2. You can choose the Train Z165 from Shanghai to Z265 from Guangzhou.
3. It is a wonderful chance to visit the world famous man-made wonder – Terracotta Warriors.
Though Xian is a very important gateway city to Tibet, but it currently hasn’t operated any train route which makes Xian as the starting station. To take a train to Lhasa from Xian, one has to board a train from Shanghai or Guangzhou. The rail road lasts about 1,780 miles (2,864 km). From Xian, you have to pass 7 midway stations (Baoji, Lanzhou, Xining, Golumd, Amdo, Ngachu, etc.) before final arrival at Lhasa Railway Station.
Check more about How to Travel from Xian to Tibet丨All Xian Tibet Tours
Our dear customer Lucia and her family visited Terracotta Warriors in Xian
Xian Lhasa Train Schedules and Fares
There are 2 daily trains from Xi'an to Lhasa, both departing in the morning. The Xian Lhasa Train tickets differ by ticket class. The Soft Sleepers, 4 sleepers in a private room with more facilities are the most expensive one as well as the most popular among foreign travelers; The Hard Sleepers, 6 sleepers in a compartment, are cheaper. The Hard Seats are the cheapest, but only recommended for short travel. Check following table for details about Xian Lhasa Train Schedules and Fares:
Xian Lhasa Train Timetable
Which Seat Class to should I take, Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper or Hard Seat?
According to our local experience, we strongly suggest travelers choose the Soft Sleeper instead of the Hard Sleeper and Hard Seat to ensure a more comfortable and safer trip because passengers will have to stay a night on the train.
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 Xian Lhasa Train – Life on the Train
| Air Conditioning and Oxygen Supply | There is an air-conditioning system on the train to create an comfortable temperatue 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. |
Check All Tibet Train Facilities
Xian to Lhasa or Lhasa to Xian?
Both Xian to Lhasa and Lhasa to Xian are good idea. You can choose it according to your itinerary in China. Since Xian is usually visited as a midway destination in a long China trip including Tibet instead of the international arrival or departure city.
If you start your vacation from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, you can firstly take a flight or high speed train to Xian, then take a train to Tibet.
If you start your tour from southwestern cities such as Chengdu, Kunming, Chongqing, you can take flights to Lhasa from these cities, and then take a train to Xian, and extend your vacation to Beijing, Shanghai, etc.
If you want to take a flight directly from Kathmandu, you can fly into Lhasa first, then take the Lhasa to Xian route.
Another key factor is the ticket booking. The train tickets for Xian Lhasa trains are always in a big demand. Bug generally speaking, it is a little bit easier to book a ticket for Lhasa to Xian train than Xian to Lhasa train. Currently passenger can book the train ticket 15 days before the departure.
Beautiful High Plateau Landscape along the Qinghai Tibet Railway
Major Stops along the Railway to Get Food Supply and Stretch Legs
Since it is a journey more than 30 hours between Xian and Lhasa by train, you may be interested in some major cities along the way where the train would stop for long time, and you can use the stopping time to stretch your legs, breath some fresh airs and get some supplies of food and drinks. Depending on your direction, the number of stops differs. From Xi'an to Lhasa, the train usually makes 7 stops along the way, while from Lhasa to Xi’an, it typically makes 5 stops.
Lanzhou
Landzhou is the first major city along the Yellow River, which has been a key garrison town since ancient times. Both the train from Xian to Lhasa or Lhasa from Xian will take a stop around 20 minutes in the daytime at Lanzhou Railway Station. Lanzhou Hand-pulled Noodles is famous among China, and you can have a try if time permits.
Xining
Xining is famous for having the largest salt lake in China – Qinghai Lake. If you're traveling from Lhasa to Xi'an, you'll pass by Xining Station during the daytime and can see part of this beautiful plateau lake. If you're heading from Xi'an to Lhasa, you’ll reach Xining Station in the late afternoon or early evening. The train usually stops at Xining for 20 minutes.
Nagchu
Ngachu is a vast prefecture in Tibet with an average altitude of 4500 meters. It is the most important livestock region in Tibet. The fresh air here will impress you strongly.
Beautiful Qinghai Lake in Xining, Qinghai Province
Cuo'na Lake in Nagchu along Qinghai Tibet Railway
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 Xian. 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 Xian 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.
Currently, there are 2 daily trains that pass through Xi'an, with one originating from Shanghai and the other from Guangzhou. You can choose the departure time that best fits your schedule.
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. If you fail to book the ticket of Xian to Lhasa train, you can try booking tickets of former stations (cities) to Lhasa, such as Zhengzhou, Xuzhou, even Shanghai. If you have managed to obtain a ticket from those cities, and your confirmed gateway city to Tibet is Xian on the Tibet Travel Permit, you have to board the train at Xian Railway Station.
3. When you find it hard to book a ticket for Xian to Lhasa train, you can change a starting station, such as Lanzhou and Xining. These two cities offer bigger chance to get a ticket.
How to Plan a Xian Travel
Xi'an, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, stands as a living museum of China's glorious past. From the world-famous Terracotta Warriors to the well-preserved Ancient City Wall, Xi'an offers an unparalleled journey through thousands of years of history.
Classic Xian Two Days Tour
Day 1: Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors, visit Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, try on Hanfu for photos, and wander through the dazzling Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City at night.
Day 2: Walk or bike on the Ancient City Wall, explore Xi'an Museum, then depart.
Side Trips with Xian
Extend your journey with easy high-speed rail adventures. You can challenge yourself on Mount Huashan (0.5 hours) for a thrilling hike up China's most sacred mountain. Or head to Luoyang (1.5 hours) to discover the breathtaking Longmen Grottoes and the legendary White Horse Temple.
Mount Huashan - One of the "Five Mountains"
B-Plan for Xian Lhasa Train
1. Take a flight to Tibet
Xian Xianyang International Airport currently operate around 7~9 flights to Lhasa Gongga Airport each day. We suggest you take morning flight so that you can get to Lhasa in the afternoon, and have enough time to adjust yourself to the high altitude and air pressure.
2. Take Train to Tibet from other Cities
If you fail to book a train ticket of Xian 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, Chongqing-Lhasa train, Shanghai-Lhasa Train, Guangzhou-Lhasa Train, Xining-Lhasa Train, and Lanzhou-Lhasa 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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Beijing / Xian / Lhasa
11 Days Private Beijing Xian Lhasa Memory Tour by Train
Highlights: Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Qinghai Tibet Railway, Potala Palace
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Xian / Lhasa
8 Days Private Tibet Tour from Xian by Qinghai Tibet Railway
Highlights: Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Scenic Qinghai-Tibet Train Journey, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple
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Shanghai / Xian / Lhasa
9 Days Wonderful Shanghai Xian Lhasa Contrast Private Tour
Highlights: The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery
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.
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