Tibet Train Health Guide: Altitude Sickness and Medical Services

From Xining, tourists who chose to take a train to start their Tibet train tour will experience the latitude change on the railway to Lhasa gradually, and you may get high altitude sickness along the railroad possibly. But it will help relieve the symptoms on the trains with the oxygen and medical service. Tibet Tourism will show you the symptoms of high altitude sickness and we will also give you some advice on the medical service on the train. You can ask for help if you feel very uncomfortable on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

What Is High Altitude Sickness?

When people reach a place at an elevation of over 3,000m too fast, they cannot get used to the thinner air there, which will cause their body to get more oxygen by breathing faster. And that will lead to a headache and other symptoms to those people. It is called high altitude sickness. But everyone can acclimate to the high altitude as time goes by. When their body get used to the environment, they will feel better at high altitude places.

Generally speaking, anyone can get high altitude sickness no matter they are healthy or not. And it doesn't necessarily relate to your gender or your age. You can figure it out only when you are arriving at a high-altitude place by yourself. You should pay attention to your body when you are on the Tibet train to Lhasa from low altitude. It will be dangerous if you ignore those symptoms and allow your body to acclimate to the high altitude without any preparations. However, as a professional Tibet travel agency, we will suggest that you ask for advice from your doctor to make sure that your body can acclimate to the high altitude within a short time. Here are some common symptoms that of altitude sickness and you can have a check for yourself when you are on the Qinghai-Tibet Train to Lhasa.

The Symptoms of High Altitude Sickness

Here are the mild symptoms that will be relieved after having a sleep during the night. Someone will have these symptoms one or two days later after they arrive at the high altitude plateau.

A headache.
Rapid heartbeat and you feel it is hard to breathe.
Chest stuffiness.
Loss of appetite.

Here are some severe symptoms that need medicine. You should lie down and get some rest as soon as possible. If you feel worse and worse after you arrive in Tibet, you should go to see a doctor immediately.

Low fever.
High fever.
You vomit frequently.
Terrible confusion.
Experience a hallucination.

Altitude Change along Qinghai-Tibet Railway

At an elevation of 2,200m, Xining is the perfect starting point for passengers to take the train to Lhasa, since very few people will suffer from high altitude sickness in this place. All Tibet trains from other major cities will make a stop here for tourists to breathe air and stretch their legs. But as the train departs Xining, the altitude will change greatly.

The train will arrive at Delingha Railway Station after about 4 hours. The altitude here is about 2,982m. Some people may feel a little bit sick here since the altitude is about 3,000m. However, you don't need to worry about it because you get here from a low-altitude place after 4 hours and you will acclimate to the change well.

As the train heads west, it will pass Golmud Train Station and go through Kunlun Mountain Pass, which sits at an altitude of 4,700m. From Golmud to Kunlun Mountain Pass, you will experience an altitude change of 1,890m. Be careful with your body change since you will get to Tanggula Railway Station (5,068m), the highest railway station in the world, and Tanggula Pass (5,072m) , the highest point of Qinghai-Tibet Railway. In order to protect passengers' health, this station does not allow anyone to get off since the air is very thin here at such a high altitude. If you don't feel very well, you can make the best use of the oxygen supplies on the train and drink water as much as possible to help relieve your symptoms. Don't get too upset about your sickness because you may overcome it at last.

The last station is Lhasa and the altitude here will allow you to breathe easily again since it is only 3,650m above sea level. However, you should not get too excited because your body still needs more time and energy to acclimate to the altitude and be prepared for your Tibet tour. So, you'd better go to your hotel and get some rest. If you are traveling with Tibet Horizon, we will try our best to give you the best advice and make sure that you can enjoy every minute in Tibet in good health.

Oxygen Supply and Air Conditioning Work on Tibet Trains for High-Altitude Travel

Every train line is equipped with oxygen supplies to help tourists acclimate the altitude change when heading to Lhasa from Xining. The diffusion-mode oxygen supply system diffuses oxygen throughout the whole carriges and raise the oxygen level to about 23%. The distribution-mode oxygen supply system deliver oxygen to pasengers by individual pipe. And the air-conditioning system and pressurization technology used in the train also help alleviate altitude sickness to a certain extent. That is why most people will recommend taking a train to Tibet to avoid being too sick because of getting to a high altitude place too fast.

Oxygen Supply on Tibet Train

Medical and Emergency Services on Tibet Train

And there is also medical staff on the train to help those tourists who get severe high altitude sickness. When you are not feeling good, you can tell those staff about your symptoms to get some expert advice to help you acclimate to the high altitude properly. If you are feeling worse and worse, they will provide some medicines and take good care of you to make sure that you can feel better from those symptoms gradually.

Medical services on Tibet train

Partnered Hospitals Along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway for Your Safety

The train operator has established a medical cooperation with several local hospitals along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. If you experience severe altitude sickness or other emergent health issues, the train will temporarily stop at the nearest station and the local medical staff will transfer you to the hospital for prompt treatment. The entire emergency response process is efficient and safe, ensuring that every passenger's safty during their Tibet train tour.

Travel with Tibet Horizon and Enjoy a worry-free Tibet Train Trip

In addition to the basic medical services on Tibet train, our professional team is on call 24/7 to help you at any time. We've worked closely with the official Tibet Train team for many years and operated our own Tibet train ticket booking center, ensuring your ideal train, even during the peak travel season. What's more, we know the train crew well and can help you communicate smoothly. Booking your Tibet train tickets with us will ensure you enjoy a hassle-free Tibet train journey with attentive service and thoughtful arrangements.

Essential Tips for Altitude Sickness on Tibet Train

1) The train staff will patrol the carriages regularly. If you feel unwell, please inform the staff immediately.
2) Each soft sleeper compartment and toilet has an emergency call button. If you experience symptoms such as headache, nausea, please press the button immediately and staff will come to treat you as soon as possible.
3) If you feel breathless, you can ask the train conductor for an oxygen tube to relieve the pain. It's advised to use it moderately and avoid dependency. Gradually acclimatizing is better for adapting to the high altitude.
4) If you still feel unwell after taking oxygen, please seek help from the staff immediately.
5) The air at high altitude is dry and can easily lead to dehydration. Drinking hot water on the train will help you maintain hydration.
6) The medical supplies on the train are basic, and you shall bring your own personal medications if needed

FAQs on Train to Tibet Altitude Sickness

Who is likely to experience altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness has no direct relationship with age, gender or physical health condition and can happen to anyone. However, people with a history of heart or lung disease should be extra cautious and are advised to consult a doctor before traveling.

How to prevent altitude sickness before departure for Tibet?
It's recommended to start taking preventive Chinese medicine (such as Rhodiola Rosea) or acetazolamide as prescribed by your doctor a week in advance. Get enough sleep, avoid colds, and prepare warm clothing and common medications.

If I suffer from altitude sickness on the train, can I still enjoy my Tibet trip as planned?
If you get altitude sickness on the train, it's usually a normal process of acclimatization. Most people will recover after resting in Lhasa, and it won't significantly affect your subsequent itinerary. And you don't have to worry, we will arrange for you to have a good rest in the hotel on the day of arrival and start your trip the next day.

Conclusion

With modern facilities like advanced oxygen supply and air conditioning, the risk of altitude sickness is significantly reduced during your Tibet train journey. As long as you prepare in advance, understand the relevant knowledge, and deal with altitude changes scientifically, you can arrive in Lhasa safely and start an unforgettable Tibet train tour.