Lhasa to Shanghai Train

For those who have failed to book inbound tickets from Shanghai to Lhasa but still want to have a ride on the roof of the world and savor the breathtaking scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, it is a good choice to take the Lhasa-Shanghai train for its higher possibility of successful booking. This article provides you with comprehensive information on Lhasa to Shanghai train route map, train schedule, train cost for each type of carriage, necessary documents, and scenic highlights during the train journey, etc.

Basic Facts about Lhasa to Shanghai Train

Lhasa to Shanghai Train Open Date: 2006
Lhasa to Shanghai Train Route: Z166
Lhasa to Shanghai Train Type: Z-series
Lhasa to Shanghai Train Departure Station & Time: Lhasa Railway Station (11:50)
Lhasa to Shanghai Train Arrival Station & Time: Shanghai Railway Station (12:03)
Lhasa to Shanghai Train Distance: 4,372 kilometers (2,717 miles)
Lhasa to Shanghai Train Duration: 48 hrs 13 mins
Lhasa to Shanghai Train Frequency: Daily
Lhasa to Shanghai Train Ticket Class & Cost: Soft Sleeper ($174), Hard Sleeper ($109), Hard Seat ($55)
Lhasa to Shanghai Train Avg. Speed: About 92 km/h
Lhasa to Shanghai Train Stops: Lhasa, Nagqu, Amdo, Golmud, Xining, Lanzhou, Xian, Zhengzhou, Xuzhou, Bengbu, Nanjing, Wuxi, Suzhou, Shanghai
Lhasa to Shanghai Train Highlights: Cuona Lake, Tanggula Pass, Kekexili Nature Reserve

Lhasa to Shanghai Train Route Map

Departing form the holy city Lhasa, the train passes through 6 provinces before reaching the metropolitan city Shanghai, including Qinghai Province, Gansu Province, Shaanxi Province, Henan Province, Anhui Province, and Jiangsu Province. The train stops at several major stations in China, namely, Lhasa, Nagqu, Amdo, Golmud, Xining, Lanzhou, Xian, Zhengzhou, Xuzhou, Bengbu, Nanjing, Wuxi, Suzhou, Shanghai.

Lhasa to Shanghai Train Map

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

The train Lhasa-Shanghai Z166 departs daily at 11:50 am from Lhasa Railway Station, and arrives at Shanghai Railway Station at 12:03 on the third day, taking 48:13 hours to cover a distance of 4,372 kilometers. Check the major railway stations, altitude change in the following real time train schedule.

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

The same as the inbound train, there are three types of carriages on the outbound Lhasa-Shanghai train, namely, soft sleeper, hard sleeper, and hard seat. Read the following section to choose the right carriage that suits you best.

1. Lhasa to Shanghai Train Soft Sleeper

On the train from Lhasa to Shanghai, there are 2 soft sleeper carriages with a total of 18 compartments and 72 berths. In soft sleeper carriages, there are 4 berths in each compartment, two upper and two lower. The width and length of the berth is 75cm and 190cm respectively. With spacious space and a lockable door, you can have a private and comfortable journey on the train. In addition, each compartment in soft sleeper carriage has luggage space beneath the lower berths and beside the upper berths, allowing you to store your belongings within short distance. The soft sleeper ticket sells at ¥1262.5 ($174) for the upper berth and at ¥1310.5 ($180) for the lower berth.

2. Lhasa to Shanghai Train Hard Sleeper

Like the Shanghai to Lhasa train, the return train also has 8 hard sleeper carriages with 88 compartments and a total 528 berths. A typical hard sleeper compartment consists of 6 berths, two upper, two middle and two lower, with no door for each compartment. The length and width for hard sleeper berth are 180cm and 60cm respectively. With no door and cramped space, you have less privacy and may get interrupted by passengers walking by the aisle. On the other hand, you can chat and make friends with different people with lower ticket price. Specifically, the hard sleeper tickets are priced at ¥793.5 ($109) for the upper berth, ¥817.5 ($112) for the middle berth, and ¥841.5 ($116) for the lower berth.

3. Lhasa to Shanghai Train Hard Seat

The Lhasa to Shanghai train has 3 hard seat carriages with a total of 354 seats. Hard seat is the least comfortable one as you could only sit upright on the nun-adjustable seats, together with other 117 passengers in a single carriage. Hard seat is not recommended for a long-distance traveling like Lhasa to Shanghai trip. The hard seat ticket price is the cheapest at ¥402.5 ($55), with the sacrifice being the comfort and good sleep. So, think twice before booking hard seats.

4. Which kind of train ticket should I choose?

For a long-distance, high-altitude train journey like Shanghai-Lhasa train trip, soft sleeper is the best and safest choice for anyone who values comfort and rest. Hard sleepers, with less space and less privacy, is a budget option for those used to basic conditions. Hard seats, with no beds but just upright seats, is not recommended for it is not suitable for acclimatization to high altitude. The following table summarizes the distinct features of three types of carriages.

Feature	Soft Sleeper	Hard Sleeper	Hard Seat
Lhasa to Shanghai Train Z166
Comfort Level	★★★★☆ (High)	★★★☆☆ (Medium)	★☆☆☆☆ (Low)
Berths per Cabin	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: $174 Lower Berth: $180	Moderate Upper Berth: $109 Middle Berth: $112 Lower Berth: $116	Cheapest Hard Seat $55
Best for	Comfortable travel	Budget travelers	Short trips or low-budget travelers

Feature	Soft Sleeper	Hard Sleeper	Hard Seat
Shanghai to Lhasa Train Z166
Comfort Level	★★★★☆ (High)	★★★☆☆ (Medium)	★☆☆☆☆ (Low)
Berths per Cabin	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: $174 Lower Berth: $180	Moderate Upper Berth: $109 Middle Berth: $112 Lower Berth: $116	Cheapest Hard Seat $55
Best for	Comfortable travel	Budget travelers	Short trips or low-budget travelers

About Lhasa to Shanghai Train Ticket Price: The ticket prices above are the net price. Actually, an additional service fee is charged since the demand for Tibet train ticket far exceeds the supply. Once entrusted, we will manage to secure the ticket and ensure a seamless Tibet train journey for you.

Lhasa to Shanghai Train Ticket

Booking outbound tickets from Tibet to Chinese mainland cities is much easier than inbound tickets. So, if you want to experience the wonder of engineering but haven’t secured an inbound ticket, the outbound train ticket is a good choice. The following questions might help you.

1. How to Book Lhasa to Shanghai Train Ticket?

The same as the inbound train trip, there are currently two commonly used methods to book a train ticket from Lhasa to Shanghai, namely, through the China Railway’s official website, and via a local Tibet travel agency like Tibet Horizon.

Booking Lhasa-Shanghai train tickets through China Railway’s official website (www.12306.cn) is the most popular choice for domestic travelers, but might not be the best choice for foreign travelers. As a foreign user, you need to register an account first and have the appropriate Chinese online payment methods like Alipay, Wechat, Chinese bank cards.

The second method, booking tickets via a registered travel agency like Tibet Horizon, comes as the best recommended way for its higher convenience and lower difficulties. As a reliable local travel agency enjoying partnership with railway stations nationwide for years, we have higher probabilities of getting the train tickets for you. Please contact us and book the train ticket at least one month prior to your departure date.

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

If you’ve book the ticket on China Railway’s official website, you can get an E-ticket, which together with your passport and visa is all you need to board the train at Lhasa Railway Station.

If you’ve booked the ticket with Tibet Horizon, we will give the ticket to you. Then you can use the train ticket, a valid passport, and your visa to enter the railway station and board the train.

Please note that currently, a paper ticket is not mandatory to board trains in China.

3. How to Read Lhasa to Shanghai train ticket?

拉萨站: Lhasa Railway Station
上海站: Shanghai 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

Lhasa to Shanghai Train Ticket

Lhasa to Shanghai Train Trip

If you don’t have the experience of taking the inbound Tibet trains, the following questions might help you for a smoother train journey.

1. How to get to Lhasa Railway Station?

The station serves as the only station that has regular trains connecting the Chinese Mainland. Due to the huge number of travelers in the railway station, it’s advisable to arrive at the Lhasa Railway Station early to line up to be checked to board the train. But don’t worry, our guide will drive you to Lhasa Railway Station when your Tibet Tour ends.

2. What travel documents do l need for Lhasa to Shanghai train?

A valid passport and a Chinese Visa are needed to board a Lhasa to Shanghai train.

3. How to board the train from Lhasa to Shanghai ?

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

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

The best time for a Tibet to Shanghai train tour is from April to October. April, May, June, and September are ideal for the pleasant weather, clear sky and less crowd compared to the peak summer months. July and August are the peak travel season with warmer weather and live festivals. October offers cooler temperature and stunning autumn landscapes. All factors considered, April to June and September to October is best recommended for its combination of good weather, beautiful scenery and moderate crowds.

5. What to see in Lhasa to Shanghai train journey?

The Lhasa to Shanghai train journey offers a spectacular transition from the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau to the bustling eastern heartland of China.

After biding farewell to the sacred city of Lhasa in company with Lhasa River Valley and Yarlung Tsangpo, the first scenic highlight you will see is Cuona Lake. As one of the most beautiful lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it is a brilliant alpine lake reflecting blue skies and surrounded by grasslands. When you approach the Tibet-Qinghai border, you will encounter Tanggula Pass, the highest point on any railway in the world at 5072 meters. With snow-covered peaks, vast plateaus, and barren highland landscapes, it is a dramatic symbol of crossing into the heart of Tibetan Plateau.

Then between Tuotuohe and Golmud, you will catch glimpses of Kekexili Nature Reserve, one of the Earth’s last uninhabited frontiers and home to wildlife like Tibetan antelope, wild donkeys, yaks, and other rare flora and fauna. You will feel the surreal contrast as the train descends from the Tibetan Plateau and enters eastern Chinese cities like Xi’an, Zhengzhou, and Nanjing. On the third day, skyscrapers, rivers, and the vibrant pulse of modern China will greet you when your journey ends in Shanghai, one of the world’s most dynamic metropolises.

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6. How about Lhasa to Shanghai train facilities?

If you miss the opportunity to take the inbound train from Shanghai to Lhasa, an outbound train journey is of equal worth. Equipped with air-conditioning, dining carriages, oxygen supply systems, altitude display, etc., the pressurized train is tailor-made to offer convenient and comfortable experience for travelers traversing on Tibetan Plateau.

In addition to the sleeping cabins mentioned above, the train also offers food and drinks. You can get formal three meals and drinks from dining carriage located in the middle of the train, where professional chefs will make mostly traditional Chinese food for you. It costs 25-50 RMB per person and accepts cash payment, Wechat payment and Alipay. Snacks are also available from trolleys that pass by each compartment sporadically. And you can get free boiled water from hot water dispensers near the sinks. Since the journey is as long as 48 hours, it is recommended to buy some food before boarding the train, be it snacks, fruits, bread or instant noodles.

In terms of personal toilet facilities, the soft sleeper carriage has one western-style toilet and one squat-style toilet, while hard sleeper carriage only has two squat-style toilets. Toilets are located at the end of each carriage, adjacent to the washbasin, dustbin and hot water dispenser. When using the washbasin, usually only cold water is available and you need to bring your own towel, wet paper tissue, and toiletries.

For those entering into Tibet for the first time, there is no need to worry about altitude sickness for two reasons. For one thing, the Tibet trains are highly sealed and pressurized like an airplane. For another thing, oxygen supply system is fully equipped onboard. There are two sets of oxygen supply on the train. One is the dispersion-mode oxygen supply system operated by the train staff, which releases oxygen pervasively in the carriages. Another is the distribution-mode oxygen supply that can be connected to individual passenger who still have shortness of breath.

7. What shall l be aware of on Lhasa to Shanghai train ride?

The top priority is to keep your travel documents handy, including your passport and Chinese Visa, since they may still be checked along the journey. In addition, still have good rest, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol intake and intense activities to prevent severe altitude sickness.

8. How to get to Shanghai City from Shanghai Railway Station?

If you plan to have a tour in downtown Shanghai, you can take the subway or taxi to your destination. If you opt for subway, you can take Line 1, Line 3, and Line 4 which are directed connected to Shanghai Railway Station. Follow signs in English and you can easily get where you want. If you want to take the taxi, you could go to the South Square taxi stand or use ride-hailing apps like DiDi, which has an English version.

9. How to shorten Lhasa to Shanghai train travel time?

Instead of taking the direct train from Lhasa to Shanghai, you can first take the train from Lhasa to Xining, and then fly from Xining to Shanghai. Though it costs a bit more, it saves your time and won’t ruin your planned tour in Chinese Mainland. You will not stay for that long time onboard, but it still allows you to enjoy the highlights of Tibet train journey along Qinghai-Tibet Railway.