Shanghai to Lhasa Train

Shanghai to Lhasa Train Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper, and Hard Seat

Train Z164 runs from Shanghai to Lhasa. The starting station is Shanghai Railway Station and the ending station is Lhasa Railway Station. If you want to go to Tibet from Shanghai by train, you need to take a train at least 2 days before your Tibet tour.

Shanghai to Lhasa Train offers different classes of seats, including Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper, and Hard Seat, to meet various travel needs and budgets.

1. Shanghai to Lhasa Train Soft Sleeper

Shanghai to Lhasa train has 2 soft sleeper carriages with a total of 18 compartments and 72 berths. Each compartment has 4 berths - two upper and two lower. The width and length of the berth are 75cm and 190cm respectively, providing a spacious and secure environment with lockable doors for a comfortable journey. Your luggage can be stored under the lower berth or beside the upper one. The soft sleeper ticket costs ¥1262.5 ($181) for the upper berth and ¥1310.5 ($188) for the lower berth.

2. Shanghai to Lhasa Train Hard Sleeper

The train from Shanghai to Lhasa has 8 hard sleeper carriages with 88 compartments and a total of 528 berths. Each compartment has 6 berths - two upper, two middle, and two lower and there are no doors. Each berth measures 180cm in length and 60cm in width. Although the space is compact and offers limited privacy, it provides an affordable option and a chance to meet fellow travelers. The hard sleeper tickets are priced at ¥793.5 ($114) for the upper berth, ¥817.5 ($117) for the middle berth, and ¥841.5 ($121) for the lower berth.

3. Shanghai to Lhasa Train Hard Seat

The Shanghai-Lhasa train has 3 hard seat carriages with 354 seats. Hard seats are the least comfortable option, as the seats cannot be adjusted, and each carriage accommodates around 117 passengers. Given the long journey, hard seats are not recommended. Although the ticket price is only ¥402.5 ($58), it comes at the cost of comfort and sleep quality, so please think twice before choosing this option.

4. What kind of train ticket should I choose?

Each type of carriage has its own pros and cons. The soft sleeper offers spacious and private cabins, ideal for travelers seeking comfort. The hard sleeper provides a good balance between price and comfort, allowing more social interaction. The hard seat is the cheapest option, but also the least comfortable. The table below summarizes the main features of the three carriage types.

Feature	Soft Sleeper	Hard Sleeper	Hard Seat
Shanghai to Lhasa Train Z164
Privacy	High	Moderate	None
Comfort
Sleeping Space	Enclosed, 4 beds (2 upper, 2 lower)	Open, 6 beds (2 upper, 2 middle, 2 lower)	None (seats only)
Noise Level	Low	Medium	High
Suitable for	Long trips	Budget travelers	Short trips

Shanghai to Lhasa Train Ticket Booking Policy

Before booking a Tibet train tour, you’d better understand the relevant policies in advance. Since this route is one of the most popular ways to travel to Tibet, tickets often sell out quickly.

1. How to book Shanghai to Lhasa train ticket?

You can book train tickets at major railway stations in China or on www.12306.cn. However, tickets are often sold out in advance, and without a Chinese bank account, WeChat, or Alipay, it’s nearly impossible to complete the booking.

The best and easiest way is to book your Shanghai-Lhasa train tickets through a reliable travel agency, which will save you time and effort. With your trust, tibettrain.org provides a one-stop service. Just contact us a month in advance to book your ticket, and we’ll make sure to secure your train tickets to Tibet.

2. Where and how to get Shanghai to Lhasa train ticket?

If you’ve booked your ticket through the China Railway’s official website, you will receive an E-ticket. Simply bring your passport, Chinese Visa, and Tibet Travel Permit to board the train at Shanghai Railway Station. Nowadays, a paper ticket is no longer required for train travel in China.

If you’ve booked with us, we offer a ticket delivery service and can send the paper ticket to your hotel or address in China. Please inform us at least 4 working days before departure. You can then use your ticket, passport, Visa, and Tibet Travel Permit to enter the station and board the train.

Notice: After receiving your ticket, please check carefully that your name and passport number match your ticket. Any discrepancy may prevent you from boarding the train.

3. How to read Shanghai to Lhasa train ticket?

上海站: Shanghai Railway Station
拉萨站: Lhasa Railway Station
xx年xx月xx日xx开: xx Year xx Month xx Date xx Departing
xx车xx号上/中/下铺: xx Carriage xx Upper/Middle/Lower Berth
新空调软卧/硬卧/硬座: Soft Sleeper/Hard Sleeper/Hard Seat

Shanghai to Lhasa Train Ticket

4. How to change Shanghai to Lhasa train ticket?

If you need to change your Shanghai to Lhasa train ticket, you can do so before the train departs, either online via the www.12306.cn or at any railway station in China. The change must be made using the same passport used for the original booking. Please note that ticket changes are subject to seat availability, and a service fee may apply. If you booked your ticket through tibettrain.org, simply contact our travel consultant, and we will help you adjust your travel date or seat type quickly and hassle-free.

5. How to cancel Shanghai to Lhasa train ticket?

You can cancel your Shanghai to Lhasa train ticket at any time before departure, either online on 12306.cn or at a railway station in China. But the refund amounts depend on the cancellation timing. If your ticket was booked through tibettrain.org, just reach out to our travel consultant, and we’ll handle the cancellation for you.

Shanghai to Lhasa Train Route Map & Daily Itinerary

Shanghai to Lhasa Train Map

Shanghai to Tibet Train Trip Day 1: Shanghai - Suzhou - Wuxi - Nanjing - Bengbu

The journey begins in China’s largest and most modern city - Shanghai, where skyscrapers glitter against the evening sky and the bustling streets hum with life. Before boarding the train, you might stroll along the Bund or savor a hearty meal near the station. As the train departs, the urban skyline gradually gives way to suburban greenery. After about an hour, you glide into a city known for its classical gardens, silk production, and historic canals - Suzhou, where softly lit waterways and quiet streets offer a peaceful contrast to Shanghai’s vibrant energy.

In less than half an hour, the train reaches a city famous for its scenic lake and modern industry. Wuxi reveals glimpses of Taihu Lake’s shimmering surface and distant hills, blending natural beauty with contemporary development, even under the night sky. Soon after, the train rolls into a city rich with history and culture, once the capital of multiple Chinese dynasties. Nanjing’s illuminated ancient walls and flowing river hint at a past intertwined with grandeur and tradition. Finally, as the first day draws to a close, the train arrives at a quiet hub near the Huai River. Bengbu’s calm riverside lights mark the serene end of the day’s journey.

Shanghai to Tibet Train Trip Day 2: Xuzhou - Zhengzhou - Luoyang - Xi’an - Xianyang - Baoji - Lanzhou - Xining

At midnight, you reach a city known for its transportation hub and long history, Xuzhou, where glimpses of ancient architecture and modern streets hint at a blend of tradition and development.

Shortly after, the train stops in a city famous for its central location and rapid growth. Zhengzhou offers views of a bustling urban center, with high-rises and lights stretching across the horizon even at night. Moving westward, you will arrive at Luoyang.

The next stops are Xi'an and nearby Xianyang, offering a chance to immerse yourself in the charm of Chinese history. Daylight will allow you to appreciate the ancient better. Soon after, the train passes through Baoji, a city nestled by hills and rivers, blending natural scenery with historical remnants along the route.

In the afternoon, the train enters Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province, where you will pass by the Yellow River, offering a captivating riverside view. Finally, after a long day on the rails, the train reaches Xining, the gateway to the Tibetan Plateau. Here, the landscape begins to shift toward high-altitude grasslands and the distant mountains hint at the journey ahead.

Shanghai to Tibet Train Trip Day 3: Golmud - Amdo - Nagqu - Lhasa

You'll arrive in Golmud around midnight. As a typical plateau city, Golmud is famous for its rich natural resources and unique geographical environment, which is a must-pass place to Tibet. And the dispersion-mode oxygen will be supplied, when the train arrives at Golmud Station.

Continuing west, the train will arrive in Amdo in the morning, a region renowned for its nomadic culture and endless grasslands dotted with yaks. You'll then reach Nagqu, a high-altitude town where vast plains and clear skies create a boundless freedom.

Finally, after this thrilling journey, the train descends toward the Lhasa River, and arrives in Lhasa, the spiritual heart of Tibet. It means that you will officially start your Tibet tour.

Board Shanghai to Lhasa Train to Tibet: Railway Station, Train Facility

Before boarding the Shanghai to Lhasa train, you can first familiarize yourself with the train station and onboard facilities, which will help make your journey more comfortable and smooth.

1. How to get Shanghai Railway Station?

To get to Shanghai Railway Station from downtown, you can take the Metro Line 1, Line 3, or Line 4 and get off at Shanghai Railway Station stop. This will be the fastest way to get to the station.

If you are at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, you can take airport bus Line 5 to get to Shanghai Railway Station. Alternatively, you can transfer to the subway from Pudong International Airport to Shanghai Railway Station.

Taxis are also a convenient option, but you may be troubled by traffic jams on the road. Allow extra time for security checks and ticket verification to ensure a smooth boarding experience.

2. What travel documents do I need to board Shanghai to Lhasa train?

Foreign travelers to Tibet need three main documents: a valid passport, a Chinese Visa, and a Tibet Travel Permit. The Tibet Travel Permit must be presented when passing security and boarding the train. It is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and can only be applied for through a registered travel agency. We recommend contacting us at least one month in advance to arrange it.

3. How to board Tibet from Shanghai to Lhasa?

1) Collect your train ticket and pass the security check to enter the waiting hall.
2) Complete the health form in the waiting area.
3) Proceed through the ticket checkpoint.
4) Check the LED screen for your train information and locate your assigned carriage.
5) Board the train, where your ticket will be checked once more.
6) Find your assigned berth according to the details on your ticket.
7) Exchange your paper ticket for a berth card. Boarding completed.

4. What’s the best time for Shanghai to Tibet train tour?

The best time for Shanghai to Tibet train tour is from April to October, when the weather is relatively mild and the landscapes are at their most scenic. Spring and summer offer lush grasslands and blooming flowers, while autumn brings clear skies, golden scenery and live festivals. Traveling during these months is the best choice.

5. How about Shanghai to Lhasa train facilities?

There are three kinds of carriages on the train: soft sleeper, hard sleeper, hard seat. Each train is equipped with one dinner car providing tourists with food as well as drinks, usually in seventh or eighth carriage. Toilets and washing facilities are located at the end of each carriage and the boiled water is available for 24 hours. The train is also equipped with two sets of oxygen supply systems. One is the dispersion-mode oxygen supply system operated by the train staff, which releases oxygen pervasively in the carriages. Another is the distribution-mode oxygen supply that can be connected to individual passenger by pipe. So you don’t worry too much about the altitude sickness on the train.

6. How to get to Lhasa City from Lhasa Railway Station?

Upon arrival at Lhasa Railway Station, your guide will be waiting to welcome you at the station. After a 30-minute drive to the hotel, the guide will assist you with check-in. You can take a short rest and acclimate to the high altitude, preparing for the journey ahead.

7. How to shorten Shanghai to Lhasa train travel time?

To shorten the Shanghai to Lhasa train journey, consider breaking the trip into segments with flights for part of the journey, such as flying from Shanghai to Xining or Lanzhou and taking the train for the remaining.