For passengers traveling by train to Tibet from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing or Guangzhou, etc., the long ride may get a bit boring. Most of the time, during the train ride, the landscape outside of the window does not change much while the train darts forward and travels across the countryside, cities and fields.
Even those who get on the train from Xining, which is the actual starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, need to spend almost a whole day on it. And, in particular, the most beautiful scenery starts from Golmud to Lhasa, after the train has passed the city of Xining.
After the transient excitement of arriving in a strange country and riding the train, you'll probably have to figure out how to spend the rest of your time, besides the few hours you sleep at night. There are some suggestions for entertainment on the train, which will make you enjoy a more pleasant train trip to Tibet.
1. Music
Good music can get you out of your immediate environment quickly. It's probably the easiest and fastest way to switch to another "mode" so that you're isolated from the noisy surroundings and enjoying your time alone. You may be on the train, but that doesn't mean you are trapped there.
The music can take you to other places, such as to the beautiful seashore, fresh grasslands, and even beyond the boundaries of time to the last century, the twenties, thirties, seventies, eighties, or any other time you want.
2. Books or Kindle
A good book can make time pass quickly. One or two hours are just a flick of the finger. How long has it been since you've read a book? Maybe this train trip is the chance for you to cross out individual books on your reading wishlist. Books are relatively heavy and take up a lot of space in your suitcase, so bringing a Kindle device is the right choice. A Kindle device can store a lot of books and give you more reading choices too. Just pick a book that you've always wanted time to read. Before you know it, you'll be at your destination by the time you're finished.
3. Download movies or TV dramas onto your computer, iPad or cellphone
There is no Wi-Fi network access on the train, so there is no way to watch movies or TV shows online. But you could download them before you board the train and save them for the long boring ride to come.
Please do not forget that you are sharing the cabin with other travelers too, so you better wear your headphones or earphones and make sure that you don't interrupt other people with the noise of the movies or TV shows.
Movie watching is an excellent way to kill time. However, this is a rare trip, so don't spend all your time watching movies. After all, you can watch movies any time, but this train trip is a unique journey that should be cherished the entire time. That way, you can make it a memorable experience.
4. Have a nice meal and a pleasant time in the dining car
Each train is equipped with a dining car with a variety of food choices, Tibetan food, ordinary Chinese food, and some simple Western cuisine.
Usually, the dining car is in the thirteenth compartment of the train. It has a comparatively delightful dining environment that is equipped with a comfortable chair, tables lined with table clothes, and a restaurant employee who serves you warmly.
The use of dining cars is limited to passengers who order meals in them. Passengers who bring their own food onto the train or purchase food through the little mobile food cart are not supposed to go to the dining car. Otherwise, the guests who want to enjoy the dishes in the dining car will have no place to eat.
If you dine in a dining car, you can enjoy the delicious food available in it while the train moves forward. The dining car does not look much different from any normal restaurant. Although, you can feel the train darting forward with a little bit of a shake and a lot of exotic food served. Meanwhile, you can view the gorgeous scenery which passes by quickly through the windows. Will this experience also be part of your unique plateau trip?
5. Bring some playing cards or poker
If you're traveling with friends, then bringing a deck of poker or any other table game cards is an excellent way to entertain each other and pass the time. Not only will the cards help you enjoy the trip more, but they will also give you an opportunity to have some fun with your friends.
Even if you're not traveling with friends, playing cards with strangers around is an excellent way to break the ice quickly with them. Maybe it's an opportunity for you to communicate and build more connections with the locals too.
6. Please don't forget to chat with the people next to you.
People are more or less accustomed to ignoring the people next to them while they are taking the bus or subway. Even if the train ride is long, the chance to have a pleasant chat with the people next to you will go a long way in adding color to your trip.
That is especially true for foreign tourists traveling to China. If there are no friends or family members here, then there is not much chance to have deep contact with the local people. Have the courage to smile at or greet the people around you may start an interesting conversation or a friendship. This is also a great way to have an in-depth discussion with the local people in order to better understand the Chinese culture and the local people's living habits.
Perhaps there will also be native Tibetans who may give you more information that only local people know. Such an unexpected encounter is always charming.
