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Qinghai Tibet Railway Map - Find Your Most Suitable Train Journey to Tibet

June,10 2023 BY Derek Wong 0 COMMENTS

Currently, there are 7 major railways that run from inland China to Tibet, namely Beijing-Lhasa , Shanghai-Lhasa,Guangzhou-Lhasa,Chengdu-Lhasa,Chongqing-Lhasa,Lanzhou-Lhasa,Xining-Lhasa. Yet, the very Qinghai-Tibet railway starts from Xining to Lhasa, and all the other 6 railways converge in Xining and head for Lhasa. Here are the 7 major railway maps for Tibet. 

Tibet Railway Map 9 major railway lines to Tibet

Xining-Lhasa Railway Map

Xiing to Tibet Railway Map

Distance: 1960km
Benefit
:  (Premium Route,highly recommended)

a. So far the quickest and most convenient access to Lhasa  
b. Most of the supreme natural scenery lies
c. The beginning of Qinghai-Tibet railway


Drawback: /

Train Station: Starting from Xining, the train passes 5 stations to Lhasa, with Tanggula Mountain Pass being the highest station.

Major Attraction: Qarhan Salt Lake, Yuzhu Peak, Kekexili Nature Reserve, Tanggula Mountain Pass, ...

See more: Detailed introduction of Xining to Lhasa train

Beijing-Lhasa Railway Map

beijing lhasa train map

Distance4064km
Benefit:

a. Tour many historic sites in the capital of China, Beijing
b. Best start for China-Tibet-Nepal Tour (Beijing→ Lhasa→Nepal)


Drawback: To individual travellers, it is extremely difficult to get train tickets.

Train Station: All together there are 10 stations along the railway line and the major scenery won’t appear until the train enters Golmud.

Major Attraction: Major Attraction: Most of the major attractions overlap with that of Xining-Lhasa train as the train enters Tibet region and tourists will see a variety of natural features and be impressed by how vast China is.

See more: Detailed introduction of Beijing to Lhasa train

Shanghai-Lhasa Railway Map

shanghai lhasa train map

Distance:4373km
Benefit:

a. Tour Shanghai, a metropolitan city of fine integration of East and West
b. Better acclimatization to the altitude change
c. Being able to cross the mainland China and experience the varied topography

Drawback: Tourists have to endure the long ride and it’s a challenge to one’s physique.

Train Station: Overall, there are 12 train stations along the railway line. In this particular railway route, many businessmen and tourists may board this train for sightseeing and visiting relatives.

Major Attraction: The eye-catching scenery comes into sight as the train passes Golmud. Basically, major attractions will be seen from Golmud to Lhasa.

See more: Detailed introduction of Shanghai-Lhasa train


If you have more specific questions concerning your train journey or tour to Tibet, please feel free to send us your inquiry. We are ready to help you out.
 

Guangzhou-Lhasa Railway Map

guangzhou lhasa train map

Distance:4980km
Benefit:  
a. Cross the central region of mainland China  (Not recommended)
b. Enjoy the Cantonese food on board
c. Being able to see the most diverse landscapes and cities in China

Drawback: It is fairly time-consuming as Guangzhou--Lhasa is the longest railway route to Tibet.

Train Station: There are 10 stations to pass along the railway line.

Major Attraction: The initial part of the ride will be mundane and the real sights such as Qinghai Lake ,won’t be visible after the train leaves Xining and heads to Lhasa.

See moreDetailed introduction of Guangzhou-Lhasa train

Chengdu-Lhasa Railway Map

chengdu lhasa train map

Distance:3360km
Benefit:
a. Easier to get train ticket  
b. Quick and easy access to Tibet
c. Enjoy giant pandas and taste spicy hot pot in Chengdu

Drawback: /

Train Station: There are 8 stations in total along the railway line.

Major Attraction: Tourists can visit Chengdu, the major gateway to the west of China and enjoy Qinghai Lake, Kunlun Mountain, Source of Yangtze River, Qiangtang Prairie..

See more: Detailed introduction of Chengdu-Lhasa train

Chongqing-Lhasa Railway Map

chongqing lhasa train map

Distance:3654km
Benefit:
a. Easier to get train ticket
b. Quick and easy access to Tibet

Drawback: /

Train Station: There are 10 major stations along Chongqing-Lhasa railway line.

Major Attraction: Chongqing is a city known for its spicy and tasty hot pot and beauty. The major natural scenery of this railway can be seen from Xining station.

Lanzhou-Lhasa Railway Map

lanzhou lhasa train map
Distance
: 2188km 

Benefit:
a. Easier to get train ticket
b. Quick and easy access to Tibet


Drawback: /

Train Station: There are 7 stations along the railway line and it is the quickest access to Lhasa  next to Xining-Lhasa railway.

Major Attraction: Shortly after the train enters Xining, the scenery tourists may see is the same as that of Xining-Lhasa railway.

See moreDetailed introduction of Lanzhou-Lhasa train


Sichuan-Tibet Railway Map

sichuan tibet railway map

The Sichuan-Tibet Railway is currently under construction.

Distance: 1,629km

Benefit:
a. “Highly Time-efficient”---- When the construction of the railway is finished in 2030, it will be the most time efficient overland gateway to Tibet. It is estimated to take only 15 hours to travel from Chengdu to Lhasa.
b. “More Options for Travellers”--- During particular travel rush seasons in China (such as 10 days before and after Spring Festival, Summer& Winter Break for nationwide students), if you fail to book train tickets from Beijing or other places to Lhasa, you can choose to fly from Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou to Chengdu and take train to Lhasa.
c. “Spectacular View” --- Different from the gobi desert, vast qiangtang prairie, and majestic Tanggula Mountain, etc you enjoy on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the ride on Sichuan-Tibet Railway features idyllic scenery in Kangding, and Litang and stunning Mt. Namcha Barwa in Nyingchi, and historic Samye Monastery in shannan, and not to mention numerous attractions in Sichuan.

Drawback: none

Train station: In the future, Sichuan-Tibet Railway will become travellers’ first choice to travel overland from other part of China to Tibet. The train will pass 38 stations and the entire railway route consists 3 major parts which are Chengdu-Kangding, Kangding- Nyingchi, Lhasa-Nyingchi.

Major Attraction:
Sichuan-Tibet Railway ascends from Sichuan Basin to Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau and finally reaches in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Travellers will be able to enjoy Min River, Jinsha River and Yarlung Tsangpo River and pass boundless grassland in Kangding and the idyllic scene in Nyingchi and witness the subtle change of topography and varied flora and fauna from basin to the world’ highest plateau.

Xinjiang-Tibet Railway Map

xinjiang tibet railway map

  The construcation of this railway does not officially begin. 

Distance: around 2000 km

Benefit:
enjoy the jaw-dropping wild west scenery of China

Drawback: For most Tibet inbound tourists, the railway route may be a large detour to Lhasa since the train starts from far west of China all the way to Lhasa. 

Train station: As the construction of Xinjiang Tibet Railway does not officially begin, the exact number of train stations is currently not available. 

Major Attraction:
As planned, the Xinjiang-Tibet Railway will start from Hotan, Xijiang province and climbs over Keriya Mountain Pass and travels southwards to Gerze County, Tibet Autonomous Region, then to Shiquan River, Ali prefecture, and later moves to Shigatse, and eventually ends up in Lhasa. The scenery along the train is second to none, and travelers will enjoy spectacular Qiangtang prairie, diverse wildlife, Guge kingdom, sacred Mt. Kailash, etc.

Given the quickest and easiest train journey to Lhasa, so far the best option is to choose Xining-Lhasa railway. 

For further consultation, please free feel to contact us.
 
Derek Wong

About the Author - Derek Wong

Mr. Derek Wong is sales manager of Tibet Vista Tour as well as designer of Tibet Vista websites and has been providing specialized travel services to Tibet Vista travelers for years. He has continued to hone his professional expertise by completing numerous travel specialist courses to China and Tibet and Nepal and Bhutan.

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