Beijing, the capital of China, is a popular gateway for train tours to Tibet. Each day, a pair of trains runs between Beijing and Lhasa, making it one of the busiest routes. The Beijing-Lhasa train covers 3,757 km, crossing eight provinces from the Northern China Plain to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and takes approximately 39 hours and 44 minutes to complete the journey.
To fully explore the landscapes from the capital of China to the center of the Tibetan Plateau, don’t miss a Tibet train journey from Beijing! As the leading Tibet tour operator, we provide a series of well-tailored Beijing Tibet train tour itineraries for your choice, with a guaranteed Tibet train ticket and Tibet Travel Permit.
Basic Facts About the Beijing-Lhasa Train
Train Number: Z21
Departure Time: 19:52 from Beijing West Railway Station
Arrival: 11:36 at Lhasa Railway Station
Duration: 39 hours 44 minutes
Frequency: Daily
Number of Tickets: There are around 64 soft sleepers and between 88 and 121 hard sleepers on board. Due to the limited availability of train tickets, it's best to book your Tibet train tour as early as possible, especially during peak seasons (July, August, and the first week of October).
Travel Tips: Please bring your valid passport and Tibet Travel Permit to board the train to Tibet.
Best 4 Beijing Tibet Small Group Tours with Tibet Train Experience
Experience the Tibet train journey from Beijing by joining our small group tours! It could be the most cost-effective and hassle-free way to explore both the capital of China and the roof of the world in one go.
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Private & Customized Beijing Tibet Train Tours
Here we offer the most popular Tibet train tours from Beijing, covering the lifetime Tibet train journey with exploration in both Beijing and Tibet with more extensions to other charming parts of mainland China. All Beijing Tibet train tour packages include a Tibet train ticket and the Tibet Travel Permit. A truly hassle-free journey to Beijing and Tibet by train is right here.
- Beijing Tibet Train Tour via Xi’an (12 Trips)
- Beijing Tibet Train Tour via Xining (3 Trips)
Why Choose Us for Your Beijing Tibet Train Tour
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Tibet Train Ticket & Tibet Travel Permit Guaranteed
We will ensure you receive a Tibet train ticket, Tibet Travel Permit, and all necessary travel documents once you book the tour with us.
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Hassle-Free Tibet Trips in Groups or Privately
We offer a variety of tours, with options to join a small group or create a personalized itinerary just for you.
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Trusted Local Support in Each Destination
Based in Lhasa with partners across the mainland of China, we offer reliable assistance throughout your journey.
Let’s Plan Your Tibet Train Tour from Beijing!
Planning a train trip to Tibet from Beijing? If you need help arranging your Beijing Tibet train tour, we’re here for you! Share your travel plans with us, and we’ll provide free professional consultation and practical solutions. Feel free to contact us anytime!
Beijing to Tibet Train Travel FAQs & Travel Tips
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What is the train schedule from Beijing to Lhasa?
The Beijing to Lhasa train (Z21) departs daily at 19:52 from Beijing West Railway Station and arrives at Lhasa Railway Station at 11:36 on the third day. The whole train journey from Beijing to Lhasa takes 39 hours and 44 minutes.
The return train from Lhasa to Beijing (Z22) departs at 15:50 from Lhasa Railway Station and arrives at Beijing West Railway Station at 08:28 on the third day.
Train Route Departure Arrival Duration Frequency Beijing to Lhasa (Z21) 19:52 11:36 39:44 Daily Lhasa to Beijing (Z22) 15:50 08:28 40:38 Daily Notice: The train schedule is for reference only and may change due to seasonal factors. Please reach out to us for the most up-to-date timetable.
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How to book the Beijing to Lhasa train ticket?
Generally, the Beijing to Lhasa train ticket can be booked online or at the railway station, with a valid identity card. The train ticket will be released 30 days before its departure date. For foreign travelers, you will need to get your Tibet Travel Permit first in order to book the train ticket to Tibet. Since the Beijing to Lhasa train is one of the most popular trains to Tibet, it will always be quite difficult to get a proper ticket especially when you visit Tibet during the high peak travel season.
As a better option, we can help to book your Beijing to Lhasa train ticket according to your demands, in case you miss the train ticket of your preferred date or seat. We will also help to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit, which will be required before you board the train. Just book a Beijing Tibet Train tour with us, and we guarantee you the Tibet Travel Permit and a train ticket to Tibet.
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How many days are enough for a Beijing to Lhasa train tour?
The train journey from Beijing to Lhasa takes 2 nights onboard. To fully enjoy your trip, it’s best to set aside 6 to 7 days, which includes Tibet train travel and sightseeing in Lhasa. If you plan to visit farther destinations like Mount Everest or the Holy Mountains, expect your trip to last about 10 to 14 days or more. If it’s your first time in China and you’d like to explore Beijing before heading to Lhasa, adding another 2 to 4 days will give you enough time to explore the highlights of the capital city.
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How to get my Tibet Travel Permit for my Beijing Tibet train tour?
Once you book your Beijing Tibet train tour with us, simply provide scanned copies of your passport and Chinese visa, and we will handle the rest for you.
After your Tibet Permit is issued, we will send it to your address in Beijing before your departure. Your passport and the Tibet Travel Permit will be checked at the railway station for boarding the train. Please keep the permit safe and don’t lose it, as it is essential for your trip to Tibet.
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How to plan a classic Beijing Tibet train tour?
After arriving in Beijing, you can spend two or three days exploring the cultural heritage of this ancient capital city, including the marvelous Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, Summer Palace, etc. It will be a nice opportunity to take in the profound history and rich culture of Chinese civilization.
Then taking the train to Tibet from Beijing, which will take about 40 hours onboard, you can get enough time to gradually acclimatize yourself to high elevation, and appreciate the breathtaking landscapes, like massive grassland, snow-capped peaks, Gobi deserts, limpid alpine lakes, herding Tibetan yaks and nomads etc., along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.
While in Tibet, you can enjoy a classic Lhasa city tour, visit the famous Potala Palace, the revered Jokhang Temple, and stroll in the lively Barkhor Street, to totally immerse in the unique Tibetan Buddhist culture. If you have ample time, you can further go westwards to remote areas of Tibet, like Mount Everest and Mount Kailash, to discover more wild and natural treasures of this holy land.
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When is the best time to enjoy a Beijing Tibet train tour?
Spring and Autumn are the best seasons to visit both Beijing and Tibet. Beijing in spring is full of blooming flowers and the temperature is suitable. It is a good time to hike the Great Wall and visit the ancient architecture there. During the autumn season, the weather in Beijing is clear and refreshing, providing a nice chance for photographing.
In terms of Tibet, during spring and autumn, especially in April, May, September, and October, the temperature is mild and the weather is dry. You will be more likely to see the clear Everest Peak during these months.
Summer in Beijing is always hot and rainy, and there will be over 35 degrees of high temperature during the day. In Tibet, summer is the rainy season with increased rainfall during this time. If you’re planning to visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet or go hiking, be aware that clouds and fog may block your views of the magnificent mountains. Additionally, the hiking trails may become muddy due to the rainfall.
Winter is a good time to enjoy a budget trip in Tibet. As the low tourist season in Tibet, winter marks more discounts on local hotels and flights to Tibet.
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How to get to Beijing West Railway Station for my train to Tibet?
The Beijing to Lhasa train departs every day from Beijing West Railway Station. Located in the center of Beijing City, the Beijing West Railway Station can be easily accessed from different districts.
If you go to the train station from Beijing Capital Airport, you can take the airport shuttle bus No.7, which takes around 2 hours in total. Metro Line 7 and Line 9 are directly connected to the station, so that you can transfer there conveniently by subway. Also, you can take a taxi to the train station if you are in a hurry.
It is suggested to arrive at the railway station around 2 hours in advance so that you can have enough time to navigate through the station, as it is the busiest railway station in China.
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Will I suffer from altitude sickness when traveling to Tibet from Beijing by train?
When traveling to Lhasa from Beijing, you will go through a huge altitude change from around 40 meters to 3,650 meters. However, for the first part of the rail route on the low plain, there will be no possibility of experience altitude sickness. Only from Xining (2,200m), which is the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the Tibet train will begin to ascend sharply, passing through some mighty mountains like the Kunlun Mountains, to reach the highest point of 5072 meters at Tanggula Pass.
However, you don’t need to worry too much about altitude sickness on the train. Since after Golmud, the Tibet train will start to provide an oxygen supply, to reduce the effect of high altitude. The whole cabin will be pumped with oxygen, and there are also oxygen outlets installed on the train wall, in case one will need to absorb oxygen when facing some headache, nausea, or other symptoms of altitude sickness.
Upon your arrival in Lhasa, you may get some symptoms of altitude sickness, especially since it is your first time in Tibet. This is a normal physiological response, so don’t be too nervous. When you get off the train, please move slowly and avoid any strenuous activities. Our tour guide will be waiting to take you to the hotel in Lhasa for some rest. Once you arrive, take your time to relax and allow your body to adjust to Lhasa's altitude.
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Can I break my train journey from Beijing to Lhasa in Xining or other cities en route?
Some tourists wonder if they can disembark at stations along the route from Beijing to Lhasa and then board another train with the same ticket after a few days. Unfortunately, this isn't possible.
With a Beijing to Lhasa train ticket, you can only step off the train briefly to get fresh air but must return before it departs again.
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Is there a high-speed train from Beijing to Lhasa?
Recently, there has been no high-speed train from Beijing to Lhasa. However, to experience modern high-speed travel while journeying to Lhasa, you can take a high-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an or Xining, and then transfer to the traditional train to Tibet from there.
It could be a unique travel experience to get on board both the fast bullet train and the specially designed Tibet train in one tour.
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