Shanghai Tibet Train Tour
- Duration:
- 8 Days
- Price:
- From USD1235
- Route:
- Shanghai-Lhasa-Shigatse-Lhasa-Shigatse-Lhasa
- Season:
-
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Tour Type:
- Private Tour
Overview
This tour starts by taking the Shanghai-Lhasa Train Z164. It departs every day from Shanghai Railway Station and arrives at Lhasa Railway Station on the third day after about 45 hours on the train. The train will go through Qinghai-Tibet Railway starting from Xining, which is called the "Sky Road". You will see Tibetan antelope, wild yak, endless prairie, Namtso lake, etc. After crossing the Tanggula Pass, Tibet is at your feet. On your Tibet trip, you will visit landmarks of Lhasa city such as the majestic Potala Palace, sacred Jokhang Temple, etc. Then you will drive along the friendship highway and visit Tashilhunpo Monastery - the seat of Panchen Lama, as well as the beautiful landscape along the way.
| Day | Route | Attractions & Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Train Shanghai - Lhasa | Go to Shanghai Railway Station on your own |
| 2 | On the train | Enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way |
| 3 | Arrival in Lhasa (3650m) | Pick up and transfer to the hotel |
| 4 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street |
| 5 | Lhasa Sightseeing | Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery |
| 6 | Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse, 360km, Approx. 7hrs | Yamdroktso Lake, Karola Glacier, Pelkor Chöde Monastery |
| 7 | Shigatse – Lhasa, 280km, Approx. 5hrs | Tashilhunpo Monastery, Yungdrungling Monastery, Tibetan Incense Workshop |
| 8 | Lhasa Departure | Send off to the airport/railway station |
Daily Itinerary
CollapsePlease go to the Shanghai Railway Station on your own and you’d better reach there 2 hours before departure. Usually, you need to show your original passport, the booking number & the Tibet permit (maybe 1 copy will be kept by the conductor) to pick up the paper ticket at the ticket hall.
Stay overnight on the train
The train Z164 starts from Shanghai to Lhasa, with a total length of 4373 kilometers. It takes around 45 hours, which means you have to stay on the train for three days and two nights. It sounds long but you can witness countless beautiful scenery along the way. You will move westwards and see the majestic mountains, the barren land, and the Yellow River on the 2nd day. In the evening, you will arrive in Xining the starting point of the Qinghai Tibet Railway. You will see massive deserts, immense grasslands, vast valleys, snow-capped Mountains, picturesque lakes, and flocks of yaks and sheep.
Stay overnight on the train
Your guide and driver will greet you at Lhasa Railway to transfer you to the hotel. From Lhasa Railway Station, it usually takes about 20 mins. After being transferred to the hotel, you will be free for the rest of the day to wander around the city on your own but try not to overtax yourself. The first day's well-rest is crucial to acclimatize to the high altitude. Remember to drink lots of water and eat light. Not to have a shower if you can help it.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Today you will visit the famous world heritage Potala Palace. It’s situated on the Red Hill of central Lhasa. Potala Palace is the highest ancient palace in the world, reaching 3,767.19m at the topmost point. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and the meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.
In the afternoon, take an easy visit to Jokhang Temple in the center of old Lhasa city town. Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims. After visiting the temple, you will have time to walk around the Barkhor Street, which is one of the most devotional circuits as well as the crowded central market of Lhasa. In the early days, it was the most famous local market but now it's the tourist shopping center.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
You are visiting the Drepung Monastery this morning. Drepung means "piles of rice" in Tibetan, which symbolizes prosperity. It was the world's largest monastery that housed more than 10,000 monks in the past. Also, It's the highest-ranking monastery in the Gelug Sect.
After lunch, you are going to the Sera Monastery, which is renowned as the most beautiful Tibetan Monastery. To witness the debate sessions of Sera Monastery is something you cannot miss. The topic of debate involves all aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. As a part of their study, lamas should participate in debates to further their comprehension and proceed to more advanced levels of study.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
From Lhasa to Gyantse is about 264km, en route you will pass by Khamba-la Pass(4790m), and from there you will be amazed by the breathtaking glimpse of the holy Yamdroktso Lake with its turquoise color and snow-capped Mt.Nyenchen Khangsar in the distance. About two hours away from Yamdrok Lake is Karola Glacier. It isn’t a big glacier, but the white glacier looks spectacular from the highway, and it is close enough (about 300 yards) to the highway.
Arrival at Gyantse, you visit Palkhor Choede Monastery, where you can see a magnificent One-Hundred-Thousand-Buddha Tower, aka Gyantse Kumbum. It's well known as the largest stupa in Tibet, with unique architecture, as well as old sculptures and paintings all around its inner walls. Then head to Shigatse via the fertile Nyangchu Valley, a wide agricultural plain where yaks and horses are used by Tibetan farmers to cultivate the land.
Stay overnight in Shigatse
In the morning, drive to visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery which was founded by the First Dalai Lama in 1447, the monastery's structure was expanded by the Fourth and successive Panchen Lamas. Tashilhunpo has been the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery, and there are now nearly 800 lamas.
After that, we transfer to Yungdrungling Monastery. It is one of the few remaining Bon Monasteries in Tibet. Often referred to as the original religion of Tibet, Bon came about during the 11th century. The Monastery is rather small but in a wonderful setting with only a few monks to maintain the many valuable Bon writings. This is a great side trip when traveling between Lhasa and Shigatse.
Today's sightseeing will end on visiting the Tibetan Incense Workshop in Nyemo. There is still a natural way to make incense and this intact craftsmanship can be traced back to 1300 years ago, which is listed as a state-level intangible cultural heritage. Walking along streams and bridges, there are many spots for visitors to experience its procedures.
Stay overnight in Lhasa
Tour Price and Service
From US$1235 p/p
Based on 3-star hotels for 2 people in low seasons. Price varies according to travel season, number of people and level of accommodation.
INCLUSIONS
- Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit and all other necessary permits to Tibet;
- Soft-sleepers from Shanghai to Lhasa;
- All entrance tickets fee for tourist attractions listed in the itinerary;
- Experienced local English-speaking tour guide;
- Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;
- All lodging listed in the itinerary; it’s your decision about the accommodation class: luxury 5-star international hotel, comfortable 4-star hotel, economic 3-star hotel, or guesthouse. Please tell us your preference;
- Breakfasts provided by hotels;
- Pick-up & Drop-off service from Airport/railway station;
- Travel Agency Liability insurance;
- Government tax;
- Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express);
- Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
- Oxygen tank for emergency use;
- Two bottles of mineral water per person per day.
EXCLUSIONS
- International flight to and out of China;
- Chinese Visa/China Group Visa; (Note: we could help you by providing the tourist invitation letter and itinerary for your Chinese Visa or the invitation letter for your China Group Visa)
- Other domestic flights to and out of Lhasa; (We can help you book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.)
- Meals are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes 5-15 USD per person for each meal.
- While the gratuity for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. Each of you is suggested to tip them 8-15 USD/day in total;
- All the commission and tax charged by PayPal, Bank, and government when making payments. (e.g. PayPal --- 4.4%. Wire transfer --- 2%);
- Personal expenses, like laundry, phone calls, snacks, soft drinks, optional tour activities, etc.
- Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.
I am well thankyou. It turned out to be a great trip. I have two excellent guides and the driver. Especially as Lakdun (not sure how to spell her name) was there to help me at the airport when my flight got cancelled. You might also be interested to know that I run spiritual retreats and pilgrimages ....
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Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients
Asked by Andr***
I am interested in the train between Shanghai and Lhasa. I start a trek in Kathmandu on Oct 18, 2025.
Dear Andr****,
Thank you for sending us an inquiry! This is Emily from Great Tibet Tour at your service. Great Tibet Tour is recommended by Lonely Planet as one of the best-reputed travel agencies. We arrange tours in Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan.
We can arrange a Shanghai Tibet Train Tour departing on 6 Oct 2025 for you. Since you will start a trek in Kathmandu, I suggest you take a train to Tibet from Shanghai, and then join a 7-day Lhasa Mt. Everest Kathmandu Overland Group Tour. We can help you book the soft sleeper train and obtain your Tibet Travel Permit.
Asked by Davi***
Just want to travel by train from Shanghai to Lhasa and tour Tibet, maybe including Mt Everest.
Dear Davi****,
In July, the direct soft sleeper train tickets from Shanghai to Lhasa are much more difficult to book. Do you mind taking a connecting soft-sleeper train ticket via Xining to Lhasa?
As you mentioned Mt Everest, I recommend 8 days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Group Tour for you. Or we can arrange a private tour for you but the tour cost is relatively higher than a group tour based on 2 pax.
For 8 days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Group Tour, we have a confirmed departure date of 26 July. Are you joining? Or we can open one around July 23, but it needs further confirmation.
Asked by grac***
want to do the shanghai lhasa train tour but in private. roughly 10-15 days so that we can take our time to explore.
Dear Grac****,
We can arrange a 10 to 15-day Shanghai Tibet Private train tour for you on 8 November 2024.
Here's the recommended itinerary. If you agree, I will quote you in the next email. If I fail to get it exactly right the first time around, I'll happily tweak it until your satisfaction.
Please kindly note, on day 11, it may snow in November, then we will arrange other attractions to replace Namtso Lake.
Asked by Oliv***
I am interested in your Shanghai to Lhasa train tour. After Lhasa, I would like to go to tour in Bhutan.
I s it possible to travel from Lhasa to Paro, Bhutan. There is a tour in Bhutan I would like to join. Thank you.
Dear Olivia ****,
We can arrange your Shanghai Tibet train tour starting from 4 Oct. You also mentioned you would travel from Lhasa to Bhutan. Right now there's no diplomatic relationship between Tibet and Bhutan, so you can't travel to Bhutan from Tibet. Alternatively, you can go overland from Tibet to Kathmandu and then fly from Kathmandu to Paro of Bhutan. Please let me know your idea.
Asked by Mr. ***
Shanghai-Tibet train tour
Dear Mr. Findlay Edwards,
We can arrange your Shanghai to Tibet train tour starting on 16 September. For the Tibet part, are you looking for a private or group tour? Will you extend your trip to EBC, which takes 2 more days for back and forth. Here's the itinerary. After your confirmation, I will quote you.
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