Lanzhou to Lhasa Train
Lanzhou, the capital city of Gansu province and a tourist city with the second shortest train route to Lhasa, is an excellent gateway to Tibet. Thus, large numbers of tourists choose to travel by train to Tibet. The Lanzhou to Lhasa train only takes around 23 hours and covers a distance of 2,188 kilometers (1,360 miles). Traveling to Tibet by train from Lanzhou, you will view the stunning landscape along Qinghai Tibet Railway, such as Qinghai Lake, Kunlun Snow Mountain, Hoh Xil No Man's Land, Tanggula Mountain, etc. Also, you can have a good rest to adapt to the high altitude.
Lanzhou to Lhasa Train Schedule
There are generally about four pass-by trains heading to Lhasa from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu/Chongqing, and Guangzhou, which have stopovers in Lanzhou. As it's a long journey to Tibet from Lanzhou by train, you are supposed to choose a comfortable cabin for a good rest. There are two classes of cabins available: a soft sleeper cabin with a supple bed and more privacy (4 beds in one compartment) and a hard sleeper cabin (6 beds in one compartment).
Here, we list the schedules and prices of all the trains from Lanzhou to Lhasa. Please keep in mind that your Tibet Travel Permit is required to be present when checking in for the train from Lanzhou to Lhasa.
Lanzhou to Lhasa Train Schedule:
| Train No. | Dep. - Arr. | Duration | Soft Sleeper Ticket | Hard Sleeper Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z223/Z323 Chengdu/Chongqing to Lhasa train |
08:40 - 07:41+1 | 23hr 01min | CNY823/USD127 | CNY522/USD80 |
| Z21 Beijing to Lhasa train |
12:31 - 11:42+1 | 23hr 11min | CNY823/USD127 | CNY522/USD80 |
| Z265 Guangzhou to Lhasa train |
15:32 - 14:54+1 | 23hr 22min | CNY823/USD127 | CNY522/USD80 |
| Z165 Shanghai to Lhasa train |
16:36 - 15:30+1 | 22hr 54min | CNY823/USD127 | CNY522/USD80 |
Lhasa to Lanzhou Train Schedule:
| Train No. | Dep. - Arr. | Duration | Soft Sleeper Ticket | Hard Sleeper Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z166 | 11:50 - 12:06+1 | 24h 16min | CNY823/USD127 | CNY522/USD80 |
| Z266 | 12:35 - 13:18+1 | 24h 43min | CNY823/USD127 | CNY522/USD80 |
| Z22 | 15:50 - 16:13+1 | 24h 23min | CNY823/USD127 | CNY522/USD80 |
| Z224/Z324 | 19:00 - 19:29+1 | 24h 29min | CNY823/USD127 | CNY522/USD80 |
Notice: The timetable and schedule are just used for reference. Actually, at present, Tibet travel is quite popular and the actual ticket requirements far exceed the supply. As a result, tourists have to pay more than the net price to buy tickets. Sometimes, even travel agencies have to buy tickets from scalpers. Therefore, we can help you book the train tickets in and out of Lhasa by adding a little service fee (subject to different seasons and cities) to the net price to guarantee the tickets for you.
Facilities of Lanzhou Lhasa Train
Lanzhou Lhasa train is equipped with modern facilities. There is one dining car offering food and drinks. There are toilets and washing basins at the end of each coach. The spoiled water is free and available for 24 hours. In addition, as it is a journey to high-altitude areas, altitude sickness should be taken into consideration. The Lanzhou Lhasa Trains are equipped with two kinds of oxygen supply systems to help passengers reduce the effects of high altitude. So there is no need to worry too much about suffering from altitude sickness on board.
Conclusion
Taking the train from Lanzhou to Lhasa offers stunning views of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and a comfortable way to acclimatize to high altitude. With modern facilities and oxygen supply systems, it’s a great option for travelers heading to Tibet. Just ensure you have your Tibet Travel Permit ready.