As one of China’s largest cities, Shanghai has been developing rapidly and gaining popularity all over the world. No matter for the economic significance, the fascinating culture fusion of ancient China water towns and colonial buildings from the two world wars, or the increasing amounts of world-class exhibitions, Shanghai has attracted national and international travelers to feel the old and new dwelling in the same place. Shanghai has also provided one of China’s busiest transport service, from the international and domestic flights, to the multiple trains and long-distance bus options. Traveling from Shanghai to Tibet is easy in whichever means of transport now, and this combination of destinations is mind-blowing to experience the modernization and the ancient civilization in the east and west of China. Let’s quickly go over the practical information on the transportation and what you can do during your time in Shanghai.
Four railway stations: There are eight railway stations in the city and vicinity of Shanghai, among which the four major ones are Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, Shanghai West Railway Station, and Shanghai South Railway Station.
Note: The Shanghai-Lhasa train departs at Shanghai Railway Station, the address of which is No. 303 Moling Road, to the north of downtown Shanghai.
Shanghai to Lhasa Train Schedule & Price
| Train No. | From / To | Dep. / Arr. | Duration | Distance | Hard Sleeper | Soft Sleeper |
| Z164 | Shanghai/Lhasa | 20:08/19:30 | 47:20 | 4373km | CNY793.5 | CNY1262.5 |
Ticket Booking: You can purchase a Shanghai-Lhasa train ticket at the train station or online on your own. The tickets into Tibet in high demand would be sold out shortly after the booking system is open. If you need our help for booking please inform us about 35 days prior to your departure date.
You may refer to Shanghai to Tibet Train for more details.
Shanghai to Lhasa Train
Two Airports: There are two airports in Shanghai. They are Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA); Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). The distance between them is about 44 kilometers. Most of the direct flights from Shanghai to Tibet depart from Hongqiao Airport, which serves mainly domestic flights, while there are a few direct flights departing from Pudong Airport to Tibet.
Airlines and Duration: Tibet Airlines, China Eastern Airlines have direct flights linking Shanghai and Tibet, with short stopover at Chengdu or Xi’an. The fastest flying options from Shanghai to Tibet is about 7h25m or 8h40m.
You may refer to Shanghai to Tibet Flights for more details (schedule and price).
Even for the train enthusiast, the 47-hour train journey can be too long to properly enjoy it. You can make a wise combination by flying to Xining from Shanghai first, and take the legendary Qinghai-Tibet train from Xining to Lhasa. By doing so, you get to save at least 20 hours (almost a day) in your schedule, and also get to see the uniquely stunning scenery along the world’s highest railway.
A Chinese visa plus your passport are mandatory documents for foreign passengers to get on a train or plane. Additionally, a Tibet travel permit (issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau, therefore, abbr. TTB) is also a must-have document when you collect your train ticket or check in at the train station/airport, and embark the train or airplane.
Note: If you book the Tibet tour with us, we’ll handle the application for TTB on your behalf. You can just let us know your accommodation address in Shanghai, and we’ll deliver the TTB to you before your arrival.
Tibet Travel Permit
Though the road trip from Shanghai to Tibet can sound too far to challenge, which almost crosses the whole China from the east to the west. This route is very famous and beloved by some domestic overland trip lovers. Starting from the Shanghai city center and ending at Lhasa is the legendary National Highway G318. Some people drive all the way along this route, others take a bicycle or motorcycle. The most beautiful section of G318 is from Chengdu to Lhasa, thus being the highlight part, with stunning natural scenery and a charming cultural fusion of multiple minority groups. Once leaving Chengdu and heading westwards, you can see more and more exotic households. Taking a road trip allows you to stop at anywhere you feel like, and gets to feel the different atmosphere in these regions.
How to take an overland trip from Shanghai to Tibet: Foreign visitors with a valid Chinese visa can rent a vehicle and drive freely from Shanghai to Chengdu. Venturing out of Chengdu, you’ll bump into Tibetan autonomous counties or towns, where the TTB will be required to legitimately continue traveling. If you are interested in overland trips with the company of professional travel team staff, we can give you advice on the Shanghai-Chengdu section and organize the trip from Chengdu to Lhasa.
Landscape along G318 National Highway
Shanghai has always been one of China’s cities with the cutting-edge fashion, open-minded people welcoming diverse culture and art forms. Now Shanghai is one of the most developed cities globally that attracts more and more foreign visitors coming for business or travel. This used-to-be fishing village has become a big platform for those coming with business ideas and ambition for success.
The antique beauty of Shanghai is conserved in the water old towns scattered in and around Shanghai, and the small lanes sheltered by the skyscrapers.
In the vicinity of Shanghai city: Yu Garden (Chinese ancient style architecture); Chenghuangmiao Old Street (old town with food stalls and souvenir shops); Oriental Pearl (Shanghai’s landmark tower); Shanghai Disney (the only one in mainland China), the Bund (ideal for admiring the skylines of Shanghai and the colonial imprints).
Venture a little further out of Shanghai: Suzhou and Nanjing (the cities in the neighboring province Jiangsu), and Hangzhou (the capital of Zhejiang Province), are all ideal destinations for admiring the traditional water towns and garden art of ancient China.
Below are some Shanghai to Tibet Tours you may be interested in:
