Chongqing to Lhasa Train

Chongqing is one of the most attractive cities in China. It is distinctive since the city is surrounded by mountains. And we can also say that this city is built on those mountains, which is why it is called mountain city. There are over 40 domestic flights to Chongqing from other major cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Guilin, Hong Kong, Wuhan, Kunming, etc. Besides, international flights from Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok, Phuket Island, etc. are all available. All in all, it is definitely one of the cities that foreign tourists need to pay a visit when they are traveling in China.

So, Chongqing to Lhasa train is one of the most popular train routes to Tibet. And it shares the same importance with the train line of Chengdu to Lhasa Train. Train Z223 departs from Chongqing to Lhasa every other day. It will leave Chongqing West Railway Station at 21:53 and arrives at Lhasa Railway Station at 07:41 on the third day, totally taking 33 hours and 48 minutes on the road. Covering the total distance of 3,055km along the railway, tourists will get the chance to enjoy the most beautiful scenery the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has to offer. This guide offers essential details about the Chongqing to Lhasa train route, including train schedules, ticket prices for different classes, required documents, and beautiful landscapes, etc.

Basic Facts about the Chongqing to Lhasa Train

Chongqing to Lhasa Train Open Date: 2006
Chongqing to Lhasa Train Route: Z223
Chongqing to Lhasa Train Type: Z-series
Chongqing to Lhasa Train Departure Station & Time: Chongqing West Railway Station (21:53)
Chongqing to Lhasa Train Arrival Station & Time: Lhasa Railway Station (07:41)
Chongqing to Lhasa Train Distance: 3,055 kilometers (about 1,899 miles)
Chongqing to Lhasa Train Duration: 33 hrs 48 mins
Chongqing to Lhasa Train Frequency: Every other day
Chongqing to Lhasa Train Ticket Class & Cost: Soft Sleeper ($137), Hard Sleeper ($86), Hard Seat ($42)
Chongqing to Lhasa Train Avg. Speed: 100-110 km/h (about 62-68 mph)
Chongqing to Lhasa Train Stops: Chongqing, Guangyuan, Lanzhou, Xining, Delingha, Golmud, Lhasa
Chongqing to Lhasa Train Highlights: Yangtze River, Qinghai Lake, Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, Kunlun Mountains, Tanggula Mountain Pass

Chongqing to Lhasa Train Route Map

The direct train from Chongqing to Lhasa will pass through Sichuan Province, Gansu Province, Qinghai Province, and finally reach Tibet Autonomous Region. It will stop at major domestic stations such as Chongqing, Guangyuan, Lanzhou, Xining, Delingha and Golmud, and finally arrive at the terminal - Lhasa Station.

Chongqing to Lhasa Train Map

Chongqing to Lhasa Train Schedule: Station, Altitude, Time, and Distance

Chongqing to Lhasa train takes you on an unforgettable journey across three provinces and one autonomous region. From the bustling city of Chongqing, the train gradually ascends, passing through the lush valleys of Sichuan, the rugged landscapes of Gansu， and the vast plains of Qinghai, and the majestic peaks of TAR. You’ll pass through several key stations, which offer views of sweeping mountains, pristine lakes, winding rivers, and fluttering prayer flags. The journey itself is a spiritual experience and every moment you spend on the train will be something you will never forget. Check the major railway stations and altitude changes in the following real-time train schedule.

Notice: Train Z224 is the returning train from Lhasa to Chongqing. It departs every other day from Lhasa at 19:00 and arrives in Chongqing at 06:19 on the third morning, taking 36 hours in total on the road.

Chongqing to Lhasa Train Ticket Class & Cost: Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper, Hard Seat, and Ticket Price

There are three types of carriages on Chongqing to Lhasa train: soft sleeper, hard sleeper and hard seat. Each type meets the needs of different travelers according to its comfort and service facilities. The prices vary by Tibet train ticket classes. You can choose the most suitable ticket according to your personal budget and comfort needs. Next, we will introduce the prices of various tickets and how to choose the type of carriage that suits you best.

1.Chongqing to Lhasa Train Soft Sleeper

Chongqing to Lhasa train soft sleeper will take you on a comfortable and relaxing journey. A soft sleeper carriage contains 9 compartments and each compartment has 4 berths (two upper berths $137 and two lower berths $143). Each berth comes with a pillow, a blanket, and a sheet. The compartment door ensures privacy, bedding and personal space. Additionally, there is a shared bathroom available in the soft sleeper carriage.

2. Chongqing to Lhasa Train Hard Sleeper

Chongqing to Lhasa train hard sleeper offers a budget-friendly alternative to the soft sleeper, providing basic comfort for the long journey across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. A hard sleeper carriage has 11 compartments, and each compartment has 6 berths arranged in three tiers (two upper berths at $90, two middle berths at $89, and two lower berths at $86). While the hard sleeper offers less privacy and space, it’s an excellent choice for those looking to save money while still being able to rest during the journey. The carriages are also equipped with shared washrooms, hot water, and essential amenities for your convenience.

3. Chongqing to Lhasa Train Hard Seat

Chongqing to Lhasa train hard seat is the most economical way to go to Tibet, suitable for passengers who have limited budgets and can accept long-distance train with less privacy. The hard-seat carriages have long rows of seats and are also equipped with basic facilities such as air conditioning, pressurized oxygen supply system, toilet, washbasin, etc. to ensure comfort in high-altitude environments. Three passengers sit in a row usually, and the ticket price for each seat is $42.

4. Which kind of train ticket should I choose?

For the long-distance train journey from Chongqing to Lhasa, we recommend you choose a soft sleeper ticket to ensure a more comfortable and safer journey. Compared to hard sleeper and hard seat carriages, each soft sleeper compartment with a lockable door can accommodate 4 passengers and offer more space and privacy, which is particularly beneficial during the 33 hours and 28 minutes journey. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of tickets:

Feature	Soft Sleeper	Hard Sleeper	Hard Seat
Chongqing to Lhasa Train Z223
Comfort Level	★★★★☆ (High)	★★★☆☆ (Medium)	★☆☆☆☆ (Low)
Berths per Compartment	4 (2 upper, 2 lower)	6 (2 upper, 2 middle, 2 lower)	No berths (seats only)
Privacy	More (with door)	Less (no door)	None
Bed Softness	Softer mattress	Firmer mattress	No bed
Space	More spacious	Less spacious	Very cramped
Noise Level	Lower	Higher	Very high
Cost	Most expensive Upper Berth: $137, Lower Berth: $143	Moderate Upper Berth: $86, Middle Berth: $89, Lower Berth: $90	Cheapest Hard Seat: $42
Best for	Comfortable travel	Budget travelers	Short trips or low-budget travelers

Feature	Soft Sleeper	Hard Sleeper	Hard Seat
Chongqing to Lhasa Train Z223
Comfort Level	★★★★☆ (High)	★★★☆☆ (Medium)	★☆☆☆☆ (Low)
Berths per Compartment	4 (2 upper, 2 lower)	6 (2 upper, 2 middle, 2 lower)	No berths (seats only)
Privacy	More (with door)	Less (no door)	None
Bed Softness	Softer mattress	Firmer mattress	No bed
Space	More spacious	Less spacious	Very cramped
Noise Level	Lower	Higher	Very high
Cost	Most expensive Upper Berth: $137, Lower Berth: $143	Moderate Upper Berth: $86, Middle Berth: $89, Lower Berth: $90	Cheapest Hard Seat: $42
Best for	Comfortable travel	Budget travelers	Short trips or low-budget travelers

About Chongqing to Lhasa Train Ticket Price: The ticket prices above are the net price. The actual ticket booking price is higher with the service fee included. Because the Chongqing to Lhasa train is one of the most popular routes to Tibet, we suggest you book your train ticket as soon as possible.

Chongqing to Lhasa Train Ticket

When you decide to go to Lhasa by train, be sure to book your train ticket to Lhasa as early as possible. Currently, you can book your Tibet train ticket 15 days before you head to Lhasa.

1. How to book Chongqing to Lhasa train ticket?

As a professional Tibet travel agency, we are here to offer you the best service related to your Tibet tour. Once you choose to contact us and we will start to customize a Tibet tour for you. And as long as you confirm the tour with us, we will begin to book a train ticket for you according to your departure time. Trust us and you will enjoy a wonderful trip to Tibet. We will be able to deliver your ticket (E-ticket or printed paper ticket) to your hotel once you get to China. Or you can also choose to collect your ticket by yourself at the train station. If you require, we can also send a staff to deliver your train ticket at the station to make sure you can collect it in time. Please note that currently, a paper ticket is not mandatory to board trains in China.

If you have a telephone number registered in Chinese Mainland, you can sign up an account on www.12306.cn. And purchasing a train ticket requires a Chinese bank account, or an Alipay account, or a Wechat account. Even if the website provides an English version for foreign tourists to book a train ticket, but it is still complicated to successfully get an account and purchase a ticket for them.

However, if you plan to stay in Chinese Mainland for more than half a month, you can try to book a train ticket to Tibet at the train station. It is possible to purchase a ticket during the off season of Tibet tourism. Make sure you carry your passport to the train station.

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

If you booked the ticket on China Railway’s official website or Trip.com, you can get an e-ticket, which together with your passport, Chinese Visa, Tibet Travel Permit is all you need to board the train at the Chongqing West Railway Station.

If you booked the ticket with us, we will deliver the ticket (E-ticket or printed paper ticket) to you. Then you can use the train ticket, a valid passport, Chinese Visa,and Tibet Travel Permit to enter the railway station and board the train.

Notice:
1. Once getting your train ticket, please read the ticket and double-check Your Name and Passport Number on it. If the name and passport number are not matched with your passport and Tibet Permit, you may not be allowed to board the train.
2. If you fail to get a ticket from Chongqing to the Lhasa train, you can change the starting station, such as Lanzhou and Xining, which offers a bigger chance of getting a ticket.

3. How to read Chongqing to Lhasa train ticket?

重庆西站: Chongqing West 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

Chongqing to Lhasa Train Ticket

Chongqing to Lhasa Train Trip

The train trip from Chongqing to Lhasa takes you through the breathtaking Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, offering stunning views of natural landscapes and an immersive experience of Tibetan culture.

1. How to get to Chongqing West Railway Station?

In Chongqing, only Chongqing West Railway Station runs the train that connects Chongqing and Lhasa. So, tourists need to know exactly where the train station is and how to get to it quickly. Chongqing West Railway Station is located at No.168, Fengzhong Road, Shapingba District, Chongqing.

From downtown Chongqing, there are buses and special needs buses that will bring tourists to Chongqing West Railway Station. Bus 213, 226, 277, 325, 415, 441, 473, 499, and 526 connect people in downtown Chongqing with the railway station. And there are also special needs buses that run for tourists during the holidays, including bus T115, T118, and T166. Besides, the rail transport line 5 and the circle line can also bring tourists to Chongqing West Railway Station. Taking a train to get to the station is also very convenient for tourists in Chongqing.

If you want to get to Chongqing West Railway Station from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, you can take the airport express bus K06, which will take about 70 minutes. It runs from 08:00 to 21:00 daily from the airport and costs 20 CNY. If you want to take the rail transport line in Chongqing to enjoy the special subway, you can take Line 10 to transfer to Line 4 and then take the circle line to get to Chongqing West Railway Station. It will take about 1.5 hours in total. Taking a taxi may cost high since these two places are far away from each other. The Tibet train leaves Chongqing at 21:53, which means that tourists need to get to the train station in advance to avoid being stuck in the city.

From Chongqing North Railway Station, tourists can take the circle line to get to Chongqing West Railway Station. Or they can take Bus G02 or take high-speed trains to get to the West Railway Station. High-speed train G2679 is the most recommended one since it will take you to the West Railway Station at 21:10.

2. What travel documents do I need for Chongqing to Lhasa Train?

In addition to your passport and Chinese Visa, you will also need to carry a Tibet Travel Permit on your trip, especially when traveling to Tibet by train from Chongqing.

3. How to board the train from Chongqing to Lhasa, Tibet?

1) Get your train ticket first and then pass the security check into the waiting hall of the train station;
2) Fill in the health form in the waiting hall;
3) Pass the ticket checkpoint;
4) Find your train carriage according to your train ticket and the LED screen shows;
5) Board the train and pass the ticket check again;
6) Find your berth according to your train ticket;
7) Change your train ticket paper to a berth card. Train boarding ends.

4. What's the best time for Chongqing to Tibet train tour?

The ideal time for a Chongqing to Tibet train journey is in spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). During these months, the weather is mild, the skies are clear, and the landscapes are at their most beautiful. Spring offers lush greenery, while autumn dazzles with vibrant fall colors and stable conditions. These seasons are also less crowded than summer, ensuring a more relaxed and scenic travel experience.

5. What to see on Chongqing to Lhasa train journey?

Departing from Chongqing, you are treated to views of the Yangtze River, China's longest river, and the dramatic cliffs of the Three Gorges region. As the train progresses, you encounter the Wulong Karst, renowned for its natural stone bridges and expansive cave systems formed over millennia. Approaching Xining, Qinghai Lake emerges. As China's largest inland saltwater lake, it is surrounded by vast grasslands and offers a haven for birdwatchers, especially during the breeding season in May and June.

Continuing westward, the train traverses the Kunlun Mountains, with Yuzhu Peak standing out as the highest visible peak in the range. This section of the journey provides breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and high-altitude landscapes. Further along, the train passes through Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity. The journey culminates at the Tanggula Mountain Pass (5,072m), the highest point on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, offering you a sense of accomplishment and awe-inspiring vistas.

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6. How about Chongqing to Lhasa train facilities?

The train from Chongqing to Lhasa uses 25T high-altitude passenger cars designed for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. These cars have features like double-layer glass windows, toilets and airtight technology to ensure comfort and safety at high altitudes.

Chongqing to Lhasa train consists of 2 soft sleeper carriages, 8 hard sleeper carriages, 4 hard seat carriages, and 1 dining carriage. This variety of carriages offers different comfort levels for passengers based on their budget and preferences. To help passengers adjust to the high altitude and reduce the risk of altitude sickness, the train is equipped with an oxygen supply system.

But the train doesn’t have Wi-Fi and the network connection is unstable. You are advised to download entertainment content or prepare offline activities in advance.

Overall, the Chongqing to Lhasa train provides a safe and comfortable journey with beautiful views of the plateau.

7. What shall l be aware of on Chongqing to Lhasa Train ride?

When riding the train from Chongqing to Lhasa, it’s important to be aware of the high-altitude environment, which can lead to altitude sickness. The train is equipped with an oxygen supply system, but you should still stay hydrated and avoid heavy meals to reduce the risk.

It's wise to pack warm clothing, as temperatures can vary significantly along the route, especially as you approach the Tibetan Plateau. Be prepared for a long journey (about 35 hours), so bringing snacks, entertainment, and personal hygiene items like wet wipes and toilet paper is recommended, as the onboard facilities may be basic. Please note that each adult passenger can bring one piece of luggage (about 20 kg or less) and large luggage must be placed in the designated area.

The train passes through regions with unique cultures, so it’s important to be respectful of local customs. By being prepared for the altitude, weather, and long travel time, you can make the most of this scenic and culturally enriching journey.

8. How to get to Lhasa City from Lhasa Train Station?

There are many ways to get from Lhasa Railway Station to downtown Lhasa. The bus is the most economical option, with fares usually costing 1 RMB, and there are many routes to choose from, such as bus No. 89, which passes the Potala Palace. Taxi fares are around 25-40 RMB, depending on traffic conditions. Shared rides usually cost 15-30 RMB, depending on the type of vehicle and the number of people.

If you book a Tibet train tour with Tibet Horizon, you can expect pick-up service at Lhasa Railway Station, which takes you directly to your hotel within 0.5hrs.