Tibet Train Oxygen Supply Guide: Stay Comfortable on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Most foreign tourists who plan to have a Tibet train tour will worry about the high altitude sickness along the railway. They may afraid that they cannot be able to relieve their symptoms when they are on the trains. However, all Tibet trains are well equipped with oxygen systems that can make all passengers feel comfortable when the train reaches a high altitude area. Even if you couldn't feel well after using the oxygen outlet, you can get medical treatment on the train because there are professional doctors and nurses who are expert at dealing with high altitude sickness issues. Let's keep reading and get to know some details about the oxygen systems on the train to Tibet.

Two Oxygen Supply Systems on Tibet Train

Oxygen supply systems are necessary on Tibet trains since the trains will take passengers through some high-altitude areas. Without those oxygen systems, passengers may not be able to have a better experience on the road. Most of them may have high altitude sickness since their body cannot get enough oxygen. There are two kinds of oxygen supply systems serving on the Tibet trains to make sure every passenger can get access to more oxygen to avoid and relieve their high altitude sickness symptoms.

Dispersion-mode Oxygen Supply System: Diffuse oxygen throughout Tibet train

One system is“dispersion-mode”, which will be turned on once the train arrives in Golmud at an elevation of 2780m. It will continuously pump oxygen into the carriages to maintain the oxygen content at a stable concentration through the air-conditioning system. Most passengers will feel better when the oxygen content of the air reaches about 23%. This system can provide a continuous and stable basic oxygen supply during the whole Tibet train journey.

Tibet train oxygen generator room

Distribution-mode Oxygen Supply System: Special offer for individual use

Another is “distribution-mode” oxygen supply system that can be found below every seat in the hard seat carriages, and near every berth in each hard sleeper carriages and soft sleeper carriages. Once the system starts to work after reaching Golmud, the train attendants will distribute the pipes to every passenger to make the most use of the oxygen outlets. Those disposable pipes are free. You just put one end to the oxygen outlet and then put another end into your nostrils. Then you will breathe oxygen directly from the outlet. The system can provide more accurate and flexible oxygen supply support for groups that are more sensitive to hypoxia, such as the elderly, children, pregnant women or those who feel unwell.

Tibet train oxygen supply outlets

Passengers' Feedback on Oxygen Supply System Performance

From the user experience, the design of Tibetan oxygen train fully reflects humanization and convenience. The Tibet train oxygen is reasonably controlled, allowing people to breathe smoothly; the disposable oxygen tubes are hygienic, safe, and easy to use. Based on extensive passenger feedback and operational data, the majority of passengers experience no significant altitude sickness when traveling through the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and successfully completing their journeys. This result indicates that the oxygen supply systems played an important role in alleviating passengers' hypoxia symptoms.

What is the oxygen level in Tibet?

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is known as the "Roof of the World" with an average altitude of over 4,000 meters. Some areas, such as Nagqu and Tanggula Pass, are close to or exceed 5,000 meters. At such high altitudes, the atmospheric pressure drops significantly, and the oxygen content in the air is only about 60% of that in the plains, or even lower. This low-oxygen environment poses a serious threat to human health.

For most people who enter the plateau for the first time, common altitude sickness includes difficulty breathing, headache, fatigue, nausea, and severe cases may even develop high-altitude pulmonary edema or cerebral edema, which may be life-threatening if not treated in time. Especially the elderly, children, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, respiratory and other diseases are more sensitive to low oxygen environments and have weaker adaptability.

Therefore, the Tibet trains are equipped with two oxygen supply systems to continuously provide passengers with stable and sufficient oxygen to ensure passengers' life safety and travel experience.

Can you bring oxygen on a train? Do you need oxygen to go to Tibet?

No, you cannot bring portable oxygen bottles onboard due to the specific regulations of the railway department. But you can buy some at the local store after reaching Tibet.

Many people experience altitude sickness when traveling to Tibet, especially to Lhasa and higher altitude areas like Everest Base Camp or Mount Kailash. Traveling with Tbet Horizon, you can freely use the 4L medical oxygen cylinder in car to alleviate discomfort and 1 bottle of portable oxygen for emergency.

Can you get altitude sickness from Xining to Lhasa train?

However, there will be some passengers who cannot feel better after taking advantage of the oxygen supply systems on the Tibet train. If you are the one who are feeling worse and worse when the train gets higher, you should immediately call for help from the train attendants. It can be very serious if your high altitude sickness cannot be relieved in the plateau area. So, pay attention to your body changes and be ready to get help anytime.

A passenger inhaling oxygen through the pipe

Conclusion

The Tibet train oxygen supply systems not only increase the oxygen content in the carriages, but also provid personalized oxygen inhalation services to meet the needs of different passengers. It greatly guarantees the health of passengers, promote Tibet tourism development, and improve transportation safety.