As one of the most popular inbound city of China, Beijing is considered as the best place to start Tibet tour. The Tibet Train from Beijing to Lhasa was operated since 2006. Most of international and domestic travelers prefer to go to Tibet by train rather than take a flight to Lhasa. Taking Tibet train from Beijing to Lhasa, passengers will enjoy the magnificent scenery changes from eastern plain to Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
The Train Z21 runs directly from Beijing to Lhasa railway each day. The railway stretches as far as 3,757km and crosses 8 provinces. It takes 40 hours and 45 minutes. For this kind of distance train, a soft sleeper or a hard sleeper is highly recommended which allow a more comfortable trip.
According to the Law of Republic of China, every foreign traveler needs get his Tibet Travel Permit to travel Tibet. Besides, before you go to train ticket window to collect your train ticket, you need prepare a colorful copy of your Tibet Travel Permit.
Timetable and Schedule of Beijing to Lhasa Train
Every day, Train Z21 runs from Beijing to Lhasa, departing from Beijing West Railway Station at 20:00, and arriving at Lhasa Railway Station on the third day at 12:45 (40hrs 45mins in total).
If you want to go to Tibet from Beijing by train, you need take a train at least 2 days before your Tibet group tour.
Station |
Altitude |
Arrival |
Departure |
Stop Time |
Days |
Distance |
Beijing West |
45m |
— |
20:00 |
— |
Day 1 |
— |
Shijiazhuang North |
78 m |
22:33 |
22:37 |
4 min |
Day 1 |
291 km |
Taiyuan |
780 m |
00:19 |
00:25 |
6 min |
Day 2 |
516 km |
Zhongwei |
1225 m |
07:05 |
07:16 |
11 min |
Day 2 |
1,267 km |
Lanzhou |
1,520 m |
12:17 |
12:32 |
15min |
Day 2 |
1,573 km |
Xining |
2,200 m |
15:01 |
15:21 |
20 min |
Day 2 |
1,801 km |
Delingha |
2,982 m |
19:23 |
19:25 |
2 min |
Day 2 |
2,306 km |
Golmud |
2,780 m |
22:10 |
22:35 |
25 min |
Day 2 |
2,615 km |
Nagchu |
4,500 m |
08:37 |
08:43 |
6 min |
Day 3 |
3,435 km |
Lhasa |
3,650 m |
12:45 |
— |
— |
Day 3 |
3,757 km |
Timetable and Schedule of Lhasa to Beijing Train
Train Z22 runs from Lhasa to Beijing. The starting station is Lhasa Railway Station and the ending station is Beijing West Railway Station. It takes 40hrs 38mins in total.
Station |
Altitude |
Arrival |
Departure |
Stop Time |
Days |
Distance |
Lhasa |
3,650 m |
— |
15:50 |
— |
Day 1 |
— |
Nagchu |
4,500 m |
19:33 |
19:39 |
6 min |
Day 1 |
322 km |
Golmud |
2,780 m |
06:16 |
06:41 |
25 min |
Day 2 |
1,142 km |
Delingha |
2,982 m |
09:08 |
09:10 |
2 min |
Day 2 |
1,478 km |
Xining |
2,200 m |
13:20 |
13:40 |
20 min |
Day 2 |
1,972 km |
Lanzhou |
1,520 m |
16:15 |
16:30 |
15 min |
Day 2 |
2,188 km |
Zhongwei |
1225 m |
21:27 |
21:35 |
8min |
Day 2 |
2,494 km |
Taiyuan |
780 m |
03:51 |
04:00 |
9 min |
Day 3 |
3,241 km |
Shijiazhuang North |
78 m |
05:45 |
05:56 |
11min |
Day 3 |
3,466 km |
Beijing West |
45 m |
08:28 |
— |
— |
Day 3 |
3,757 km |
How much is train from Beijing to Lhasa?
Train No. |
Dep. |
Arr. |
Duration |
Distance |
Frequency |
Train Ticket Price |
Hard Seat |
Hard Sleeper |
Soft Sleeper |
Z21 |
20:00 |
12:45 |
40h45m |
3,757km |
Daily |
¥360 |
¥720/742/763 |
¥1144/¥1186 |
* The train ticket prices above are the net price. However, during Tibet’s peak tourism season period (from End of April to Mid-October, during Chinese Spring Festival and other public holidays in China), due to the shortage of supply, the train ticket demand may greatly exceed the supply and passengers will have to pay more commissions to ticket agency for a train ticket (even as much as the net price) or the train station will ask the passengers to make a flexible travel plan. For example, the passenger may be required to take the train one day prior or later to the original departure date or take a connecting train instead of the direct one.
* Due to the high demand of Tibet Train tickets, the tickets may be issued only 1-9 days before departure. Even though it is uncertain and difficult, Tibet Train would manager to help clients to book train tickets via ticket agency at a reasonable price and promise to offer free service for it.
Why is Beijing to Lhasa Train recommended?
- As the capital of China, Beijing isalso the biggest International arrival city in China. It is very convenient to fly to Beijing from overseas.
- There is a daily Tibet train Z21 from Beijing West Railway Station to Lhasa Railway Station. You do not need have a transfer again.
- There are many popular attractions in Beijing. Before you travel to Tibet, you can also have a short visit in Beijing, such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, etc.