Xining Tibet Train Tour

Frequently Asked Questions on Xining Tibet Train Tour

For entering Xining, China, you will first need to obtain a Chinese Visa. To board the train from Xining to Tibet smoothly, you must contact a travel agency in advance to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit. Simply having the Tibet Travel Permit is not enough to fully explore Tibet, as certain restricted areas like Mount Kailash and Mansarovar require Aliens' Travel Permit and Military Area Entry Permit for foreign visitors. Don't worry, once you book our Xining Tibet train tour, we will process all the necessary permits for you, so you can focus on enjoying the breathtaking plateau scenery and unique Tibetan culture along the way.

On Chinese official railway website (12306.cn), Tibet train tickets can be booked up to 15 days in advance. During peak travel seasons, tickets are often sold out quickly. To ensure you can book a train ticket that fits your itinerary, we recommend contacting a Tibet travel agency to reserve your tickets early, avoiding missing your preferred train.

When purchasing Tibet train tickets, you have three options: hard seat, hard sleeper, and soft sleeper. The hard seat is the cheapest option, but for most travelers, it is also the least comfortable. For the long-distance journey, such as from Xining to Tibet, we recommend choosing a hard sleeper, which offers a good balance of price and comfort. If you prefer an even more comfortable train experience, the soft sleeper is the best choice.

During the Xining to Tibet train journey, you will travel across the breathtaking Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and experience some of the most spectacular high-altitude scenery in the world. Along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, you’ll pass snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands, turquoise lakes, and winding rivers. Key highlights include Kunlun Mountains, Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, and Tanggula Pass. As you gradually ascend to higher altitudes, the scenery changes dramatically and offers stunning views of the plateau’s unique landscapes, such as vast Nagqu Grassland and azure Namtso Lake.

Entertainment facilities on the Xining Tibet train are relatively limited. Apart from the TVs installed in the soft sleeper compartments, most carriages have no entertainment option. As a result, most passengers pass the time by enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the plateau along the route. To make your journey more enjoyable and fulfilling, we recommend preparing in advance: bring your favorite books, download movies or TV shows on a tablet, or engage in conversations with fellow travelers.

The Xining Tibet train offers a range of convenient facilities to ensure a safe and comfortable journey on the plateau. Each carriage has a hot water dispenser providing 24-hour hot water, electric outlets for charging phones, tablets, and other electronic devices, and both Chinese-style and Western-style toilets with shared sinks. The train also features two oxygen supply systems to help passengers cope with high-altitude conditions. Some soft sleeper compartments are equipped with small TVs for entertainment. Please note that the train does not provide public Wi-Fi or shower facilities.