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Sichuan Tibet Railway: The Upcoming High-speed Railway from Chengdu to Lhasa
Sichuan Tibet Railway is not the only railway connecting Sichuan and Tibet, but it is the first high-speed rail link from Chengdu to Lhasa, which makes Chengdu, one of the best gateways to Tibet, easier and faster to access Lhasa.
Construction began in 2014, and the Sichuan Tibet Railway currently has sections partially open at both ends. The route from Chengdu to Ya’an officially opened in 2018, and the section from Lhasa to Nyingchi was officially opened in 2021. The section from Ya'an to Nyingchi is currently under intense construction, and it is expected to be fully operational shortly.
Let’s take a closer look at what this first high-speed railway to Lhasa is like, learn more about the future route and how you can get to Tibet from Chengdu now.
The 1st Section of Sichuan Tibet Railway: Chengdu to Ya’an (140 km, Opened in 2018)
The 2nd Section of Sichuan Tibet Railway: Ya’an to Nyingchi (1011 km, Still Under Construction)
The 3rd Section of Sichuan Tibet Railway: Lhasa to Nyingchi (403 km, Opened in 2021)
Major Cities and Sites along the Sichuan Tibet Highway
More Ways to Travel from Sichuan to Tibet for Your 2026 Tibet Tours
The 1st Section of Sichuan Tibet Railway: Chengdu to Ya’an (140 km, Opened in 2018)
Heralding the future when high-speed trains from Chengdu to Lhasa will make travel to Tibet more convenient, the first section of the Sichuan Tibet Railway from Chengdu to Ya’an opened on Dec. 28th, 2018.
Now, it is convenient to take a high-speed train from Chengdu to Ya’an.Located southwest of Chengdu at the edge of the Sichuan Basin, Ya’an borders the Tibetan Plateau. The Chengdu to Ya’an trains are designed to run at speeds of 200km/h and can complete the 140km journey in 1 to 1.5 hours.
Currently, there are around 45 pairs of bullet trains running between Chengdu and Ya’an. The actual duration of the trip depends on the number of stops, as the fastest non-stop train takes 54 minutes, while the longest journey takes 1 hour 40 minutes with 5 stops en route.
Insider Tips:
Chengdu has three railway stations: Chengdu South Railway Station, Chengdu East Railway Station, and Chengdu West Railway Station. All of them offer high-speed trains to Ya’an. When booking your train ticket, be sure to double-check your departure station.
The 2nd Section of Sichuan Tibet Railway: Ya’an to Nyingchi (1011 km, Still Under Construction)
The 1,011 km segment from Ya’an to Nyingchi will be the crowning achievement of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway when it is completed. It is the most difficult section to construct. New innovations are being developed to meet the challenge of building a railway through a seismically active region with complex geology and a fragile ecosystem.
The section from Ya'an to Nyingchi is still under construction.Trains will run at planned speeds of 120-200 km/h. From Ya’an, the route will travel west through Tianquan, Luding, Kanding, Yajiang, and Batang. Construction began in Nov. 2020 and is expected to last until 2030.
The 3rd Section of Sichuan Tibet Railway: Lhasa to Nyingchi (403 km, Opened in 2021)
The Lhasa to Nyingchi high-speed rail is already transforming transportation in Tibet, delivering passengers and cargo more quickly across the plateau. Trains travel at 160 km/h along the 435km segment, bringing rail access to Nyingchi for the first time in history. Compared to travel by road, travel time from Lhasa to Nyingchi has been reduced from 5 hours to 3.5 hours, and Shannan to Nyingchi has been reduced from 6 to 2 hours.
The Lhasa to Nyingchi high-speed train runs through the picturesque landscape of eastern Tibet.There are two pairs of trains each day between Lhasa and Nyingchi. Both depart before noon, with the fastest being the morning train at 07:55. The Lhasa Nyingchi Railway gracefully follows the Yarlung Tsangpo River, meandering past turquoise lakes, lush forests, and charming Tibetan villages. With its stunning views of dense woodlands and pristine snow-capped mountains, this railway line is truly a scenic marvel.
Lhasa to Nyingchi Train Schedule in 2026
| Train No. | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
| C881 | 07:55 | 11:36 | 3h 41m |
| Z8901 | 10:50 | 15:29 | 4h 39m |
Nyingchi to Lhasa Train Schedule in 2026
| Train No. | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
| C882 | 12:00 | 15:42 | 3h 42m |
| Z8902 | 16:30 | 20:51 | 4h 21m |
Major Cities and Sites along the Sichuan Tibet Highway
The Sichuan Tibet Railway almost follows the same route as the famous Sichuan Tibet Highway, passing through some of the best scenic spots from Chengdu to Lhasa.
Chengdu, the starting point of the Sichuan Tibet Railway, is known as the Land of Abundance. It is famous for its delicious food, ancient culture, and leisurely life pace. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is the top site to visit in Chengdu, where you can witness around 100 lovely pandas up close.
Ya’an is located at the junction of the Sichuan Basin and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and is the starting point of the Ancient Tea Horse Road into Tibet. Mengding Mountain in Ya’an is the birthplace of the world’s tea culture. The Bifengxia Panda Reserve is home to a large number of iconic animals living in the pristine forest surroundings. Ya’an is also a place of cultural diversity, with ethnic groups like Tibetan, Yi, and Qiang people residing there.
Besides the Chengdu Giant Panda Base, you can also see lovely giant pandas in Ya’an Bifengxia Panda Reserve.Kangding is on the bank of the Dadu River and is the administrative seat of the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province. The picturesque Xinduqiao is one of the most famous attractions in Kangding, often praised as the Photographer’s Paradise. You’ll find idyllic beauty in the small Tibetan villages there, in sight of the tower of Zheduo Mountain.
The alpine city of Litang is one of the first places on the route to enjoy true plateau scenery. Sitting on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, it’s framed by the Shaluli Mountains, with peaks between 5601 and 6204 meters. The wide Maoya Steppe and Mount Genie Scenic Area display the impressive geographic diversity of the area.
Litang Maoya Steppe.Zogang is a historically important county where the ancient Tea Horse Trading Route enters Tibet. You can see the fusion of influences behind the Dongba dwellings and visit the Pabala Holy Lake Scenic Area. Three fascinating monasteries can be found there, including Zogang Monastery built in the style of Potala Palace.
Bome County, in Nyingchi, is a lower region in Tibet. The area’s average altitude of 2700 meters makes it an important grain-producing region. Every spring, the Peach Blossom Valley in Bome attracts visitors to see the landscape painted pink by the blooming flowers during the Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival. Midui Glacier is also nearby, considered one of the most beautiful glaciers in China.
Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival is a good time to visit Bome, Nyingchi.Nyching has been called the ‘Swiss Alps in Eastern Tibet’ for its stunning forests, mountains, and Lakes, such as the sacred Basumtso Lake and the dense Lulang Forest. This enchanting area is filled with picturesque scenes at every turn, from towering trees and vibrant flowers to cascading waterfalls and majestic snow-capped peaks.
Lhasa, the final stop on the railway, is the iconic capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. With spiritual sites like Jokhang Temple dating back to the 7th century and the majestic Potala Palace, there is no better place to immerse yourself in Tibetan culture. After watching the monks’ debate at Sera Monastery, you can also take a quiet moment to soak in the city atmosphere at a traditional Tibetan tea house.
The Only Option for Sichuan-Tibet Train Tours Recently: Chengdu to Lhasa via the Qinghai-Tibet Railway
The present Chengdu to Lhasa train runs from Chengdu to Xining, where it connects with the renowned Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Covering 3,070 km, this journey showcases the breathtaking landscapes of Sichuan, Gansu, and Qinghai before reaching Lhasa. That famous stretch of rail is the highest in the world, with spectacular scenery of snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes, and vast grasslands just outside the window.
The Chengdu to Lhasa train departs every other day from Chengdu West Train Station. Hard and soft sleeper berths are available for the long journey, along with amenities like a dining car and 24-hour boiling water service. The trains are equipped with a distributed oxygen system to help passengers adjust to the high altitudes.
Chengdu - Lhasa Train Schedule in 2026
| Train Number | Train Route | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
| Z322 | Chengdu to Lhasa | 21:11 (Chengdu West ) | 07:41 (Lhasa) | 34:30hrs |
| Z324 | Lhasa to Chengdu | 19:00 (Lhasa) | 07:03 (Chengdu West) | 36:03hrs |
Insider Tips:
The train running between Chengdu and Lhasa departs every other day. Please check the schedule in advance while planning your Chengdu Tibet train tour.
More Ways to Travel from Sichuan to Tibet for Your 2026 Tibet Tours
Chengdu to Lhasa by Flight
Taking a flight to Lhasa is the most convenient option for reaching Tibet quickly. Chengdu has two international airports that can be reached directly from many international destinations, and all major cities in mainland China.
There are over 20 non-stop flights from Chengdu to Lhasa Gonggar Airport every day, with a flying time of just 2.5 hours. With frequent flights and a short travel duration, Chengdu is the ideal entry city for flying to Tibet.
Enjoy the stunning views of snow-capped mountains on the flight from Chengdu to Lhasa.Chengdu to Lhasa by Overland
The G318 National Highway, also known as the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, runs all the way from Chengdu to Lhasa, offering an adventurous overland route to Tibet. Traveling the scenic Sichuan-Tibet Highway is an intimate and up-close experience of the natural beauty of Sichuan and the Tibetan Plateau along its 2144 km length, which takes about 7 to 10 days to complete.
During the Chengdu to Lhasa overland journey, you’ll pass through western Sichuan, cross the Hengduan Mountains, and head to Lhasa through eastern Tibet. Along the way, you’ll encounter stunning landscapes, including lush valleys, towering peaks, and vibrant Tibetan villages. You’ll have the opportunity to visit ancient monasteries and experience the rich culture of the Tibetan-inhabited regions in both Sichuan and Tibet, making this journey a truly unforgettable adventure.
Conclusion
The Sichuan Tibet Railway is the second railway connecting Chengdu and Lhasa, and the first high-speed railway to Tibet. Following almost the same route as the Sichuan Tibet Highway, the train journey via the Sichuan Tibet Railway could be a lifetime journey with the most beautiful landscapes from western Sichuan to eastern Tibet. Currently, only two sections at either end are finished, with the entire construction scheduled for completion in 2030. Once it is complete, you can take a high speed train to Tibet.
At present, there are already convenient options available for Chengdu Tibet tours. Frequent flights between Chengdu and Lhasa let you arrive quickly. The scenic rail and overland routes are the best for scenic adventures across China and the Tibetan Plateau. No matter how you want to reach Tibet from Chengdu, you’ll find good transportation already waiting for you.
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