Xining, the capital city of Qinghai Province, is the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. This legendary railway is built on the highest plateau and has been actively running since 2006. As Xining has a relatively lower altitude of 2,261 meters, compared with Lhasa which is 3,650 meters above sea level, taking a train ride from Xining is believed to be a good way to help acclimatize the high altitude. On the other hand, you’ll enjoy the shortest train journey from Xining to Lhasa.
Each day, there are four or five trains departing from Xining for Lhasa, and the duration of which varies from 20 hours to 22 hours.
| Train No. | From / To | Dep. / Arr. | Duration | Distance | Hard Sleeper | Soft Sleeper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z6801 | Xining/Lhasa | 14:01/11:20 | 21:19 | 1972km | CNY495 | CNY781 |
| Station | Altitude | Arrival | Departure | Stop Time | Distance | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xining | 2200m | -- | 14:01 | -- | -- | Day 1 |
| Delingha | 2980m | 18:03 | 18:09 | 6min | 521km | Day 1 |
| Golmud | 2780m | 20:53 | 21:18 | 25min | 830km | Day 1 |
| Amdo | 4800m | 05:54 | 05:58 | 4min | 1524km | Day 2 |
| Nagchu | 4500m | 07:24 | 07:30 | 6min | 1650km | Day 2 |
| Damxung | 4200m | 09:06 | 09:10 | 4min | 1800km | Day 2 |
| Lhasa | 3650m | 11:20 | -- | -- | 1972km | Day 2 |
| Train No. | From / To | Dep. / Arr. | Duration | Distance | Hard Sleeper | Soft Sleeper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z6802 | Lhasa/Xining | 09:00/06:43 | 21:43 | 1972km | CNY495 | CNY781 |
| Station | Altitude | Arrival | Departure | Stop Time | Distance | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lhasa | 3650m | -- | 09:00 | -- | -- | Day 1 |
| Damxung | 4200m | 10:54 | 10:58 | 4min | 172km | Day 1 |
| Nagchu | 4500m | 12:28 | 12:34 | 6min | 322km | Day 1 |
| Amdo | 4800m | 14:01 | 14:05 | 4min | 448km | Day 1 |
| Golmud | 2780m | 23:23 | 23:48 | 25min | 1142km | Day 1 |
| Delingha | 2980m | 02:15 | 02:23 | 8min | 1451km | Day 2 |
| Xining | 2200m | 06:43 | -- | -- | 1972km | Day 2 |
1. Will it help to acclimatize if staying in Xining before getting on the train to Lhasa?
Many tourists take the train to Lhasa because they worry about getting altitude sickness and believe the train ride will help them to adjust to the elevation. But that will not happen, though. Instead of taking the train to acclimate, staying one or two nights in Xining will be more beneficial to you. The altitude in Xining is about 2200 meters, which is much higher than in other cities in China but lower than in Lhasa. It helps a lot to stay in a place with an intermediate altitude level. Hence, if time permits, spending 2 to 3 days in Xining will make it easier to acclimatize in Tibet.
2. Why is it recommended to take the Qinghai Tibet Railway?
The Qinghai Tibet Railway is the highest railway in the world and the only railway for now which connects Tibet with other districts of China. Outside of the train window, you will see the biggest salt lake in China-Qinghai lake, the Hoh Xil no-man's land, vales, glaciers, stone forests, boiling springs, lakes, Tibetan antelope, wild Yak, wild donkey, white-lip deer, and so much more.
3. Is the train journey family friendly if we travel with children?
The train from Xining to Lhasa takes 24 hours. For baby kids, it might be unbearable to stay in a confined space for such a long time. But for children who are old enough to watch videos, listen to music or audio books for recreational purposes, there should be no problem.
4. Can we get any discount on the train ticket for early booking?
In China, there are discounts available only for some of the high-speed trains on specific dates. For the train from Xining to Lhasa, the price is the same every day. The tickets will be sold one month before the departure date and might be sold out within the first several minutes during the high season. It is suggested that you book your tickets with us or any other ticket agent in advance to ensure their availability. Because of the great demand for the tickets, you normally need to pay an extra fee to guarantee the tickets.
5. What is the luggage weight or size limitation for the train ride from Xining to Lhasa?
Each adult can take 20kg of luggage at most for free while each child can take 10kg of luggage. The size cannot exceed 160cm in total for the three dimensions. But, in reality, no one will check the weight and size of your luggage when you get on the train. You can bring all your luggage inside the train if it is not too big or heavy.
