Shanghai to Lhasa Train

Shanghai is an ideal city for international travelers for its many international flights and cruises connecting the global world. Traveling from Shanghai to Lhasa by train is an epic journey across almost the entire country, from China’s easternmost shores to the westernmost capital of Tibet. Taking the ride, you can expect to enjoy a comfortable Tibet train experience with lower prices than by air, and appreciate the scenic view along the renowned Qinghai-Tibet Railway at the same time. Read this comprehensive article to know more about the Shanghai to Lhasa train on route map, train schedule, train cost for each type of carriage, necessary documents, and scenic highlights during the train journey, etc.

Basic Facts about Shanghai to Lhasa Train

Shanghai to Lhasa Train Open Date: 2006
Shanghai to Lhasa Train Route: Z164
Shanghai to Lhasa Train Type: Z-series
Shanghai to Lhasa Train Departure Station & Time: Shanghai Railway Station (18:33)
Shanghai to Lhasa Train Arrival Station & Time: Lhasa Railway Station (15:30)
Shanghai to Lhasa Train Distance: 4,372 kilometers (2,717 miles)
Shanghai to Lhasa Train Duration: 44 hrs 57 mins
Shanghai to Lhasa Train Frequency: Daily
Shanghai to Lhasa Train Ticket Class & Cost: Soft Sleeper ($181), Hard Sleeper ($114), Hard Seat ($58)
Shanghai to Lhasa Train Avg. Speed: About 70 km/h
Shanghai to Lhasa Train Stops: Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing, Bengbu, Xuzhou, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Xian, Xianyang, Baoji, Lanzhou, Xining, Golmud, Amdo, Nagqu, Lhasa
Shanghai to Lhasa Train Highlights: Kekexili Natural Reserve, Tanggula Mountains, Cuona Lake, etc.

Shanghai to Lhasa Train Route Map

Departing from the commercial hub Shanghai, the train passes through Jiangsu Province, Anhui Province, Henan Province, Shaanxi Province, Gansu Province, Qinghai Province, and Tibet Autonomous Region. The train stops at several major stations in China, including Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing, Bengbu, Xuzhou, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Xi’an, Xianyang, Baoji, Lanzhou, Xining, Golmud, Amdo, Nagqu, Lhasa.

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

Departing every day at 18:33 from Shanghai Railway Station, the Shanghai-Lhasa Train Z164 arrives at Lhasa Railway Station at 15:30 two days later, taking 44:57 hours to ride through the 4,372 kilometers across six provinces. Check the major railway stations, altitude change in the following real time train schedule.

Notice: Train No.Z166 will take you back to Shanghai from Lhasa. It leaves Lhasa Railway Station at 11:50 and arrives at Shanghai at 12:03 two days later. But most tourists will only choose one way to take the train and one way to take a flight. However, you can follow your heart and do the right choice to please yourself.

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

There are mainly three categories of accommodations available on Shanghai-Lhasa train, namely, soft sleeper, hard sleeper, and hard seat. Read the following section to figure out which kind of carriage suits you best.

1. Shanghai to Lhasa Train Soft Sleeper

On the train from Shanghai to Lhasa, there are 2 soft sleeper carriages with a total of 18 compartments and 72 berths. In soft sleeper, 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 safe 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 ($181) for the upper berth and at ¥1310.5 ($188) for the lower berth.

2. Shanghai to Lhasa Train Hard Sleeper

The Shanghai-Lhasa train offers 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 ($114) for the upper berth, ¥817.5 ($117) for the middle berth, and ¥841.5 ($121) for the lower berth.

3. Shanghai to Lhasa Train Hard Seat

The Shanghai to Lhasa 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 Shanghai to Lhasa trip. The hard seat ticket price is the cheapest at ¥402.5 ($58), 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?

There are distinct pros and cons for each type of carriages. Soft sleeper carriage, with spacious space and higher level of privacy, is ideal for those pursuing a comfortable journey. Hard sleeper strikes a balance between cost and comfort, providing chances for sociable travelers to make new friends with other passengers. Hard seat, on the other hand, is the cheapest but least comfortable way to travel on Tibet train. The following table summarizes the distinct features of three types of carriages.

About Shanghai to Lhasa 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.

Shanghai to Lhasa Train Ticket

Once you’ve decided to take the train from Shanghai to Lhasa, be sure to book Tibet train tickets as early as possible since the Qinghai-Tibet train is truly popular and the demand always exceeds the supply. Currently, you can book Tibet train tickets 15 days earlier before you leave for Lhasa.

1. How to book Shanghai to Lhasa train ticket?

You can choose to book on your own either at the railway stations in major cities of China or on www.12306.cn. However, you may not be able to clearly express your requirements at the railway stations. And you cannot book a train ticket successfully without a Chinese bank account, a Wechat account, or an Alipay account. It’s worth noticing that you can hardly book a train ticket to Lhasa after you arrive in China during the peak season of Tibet tourism from July to September. Even if in the off season, it will be difficult to book a ticket from Shanghai to Lhasa only a few days earlier.

You are best recommended to book a Shanghai to Lhasa train ticket with a reliable travel agency for it saves you lots of time and energy. Tibet Horizon offers one-step service as long as you can trust us. Just contact us a month in advance to book your ticket and we will make sure that you can get the perfect date to get to Lhasa from Shanghai.

2. Where and how to get Shanghai to Lhasa 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, Chinese Visa, Tibet Travel Permit is all you need to board the train at Shanghai Railway Station. Please note that currently, a paper ticket is not mandatory to board trains in China, instead that your valid passport, visa, and Tibet Travel Permit are necessary.

If you book train tickets with us, you can choose the delivery service. We will deliver the paper tickets to your hotel or address in China, and it is advisable to inform us 4 working days before departure. And then you can use the train ticket, a valid passport, visa, and your Tibet Travel Permit to enter the railway station and board the train.

Notice: 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.

3. How to read Shanghai to Lhasa train ticket?

上海站: Shanghai 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

Shanghai to Lhasa Train Trip

Read the following section on some of the most frequently asked questions on a Shanghai to Lhasa train trip to get better prepared.

1. How to get to Shanghai Railway Station?

In Shanghai, there are four railway stations. You should go to Shanghai Railway Station to take your train from Shanghai to Lhasa. Located in Moling Road, Zhabei District of Shanghai, this station runs trains connecting with many cities of China. That is to say, you need to schedule your time properly and arrive at the Shanghai Railway Station in advance. Here are ways for you to choose to get to the station:

If you are in Shanghai downtown, it is convenient for you to get to the Shanghai Railway Station. You can choose to take a taxi if you are not familiar with the Metro lines in this big city. But taking metro Line 1, Line 3, Line 4 will be the fastest way to get to the station because you can avoid traffic jam perfectly.

If you are at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, you can take airport bus Line 5 to get to Shanghai Railway Station. Its service hours in Shanghai Terminal 1 are 06:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and 06:35 a.m. to 11:05 p.m. in Terminal 2. The airport bus line 5 runs every 15-25 minutes.

Or you can take Shanghai Metro to get to Shanghai Railway Station from Pudong International Airport. The first option is to take Maglev Train to get to Longyong Road and transfer to Metro Line 2 to People’s Square. And then transfer to Metro Line 1 to get to Shanghai Railway Station. This way, you will get the chance to experience the fastest public transport means by land. The second option is to directly take Metro Line 2 at Shanghai Pudong International Airport to get to People’s Square and transfer to Metro Line 1. Or you can also take Metro Line 2 to get to Century Avenue and then transfer to Metro Line 4.

However, taking a taxi is also an alternative for you. But it will be much more expensive than other ways. And you may be troubled by traffic jams on the road. You’d better start to get to Shanghai Railway Station ahead of time to avoid missing your train to Lhasa.

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

For foreign travelers heading to Tibet, three main documents are needed, including a valid passport, a Chinese Visa and a Tibet Travel Permit. Specifically speaking, Tibet Travel Permit is required when you get the ticket, pass the security checkpoint, and board the train. Issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau, Tibet Travel Permit is necessary for international travelers all along the way from boarding a train, plane to entering Tibet. But the permit can only be applied by a registered travel agency on your behalf. So contact us at least one month prior to your travel date.

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

1) Get your train ticket firstly and then pass the security check into the waiting hall of 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 show;
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 berth card. Train boarding ends.

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

The best time for a Shanghai to Tibet 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 Shanghai to Lhasa train journey?

As the train traverses from eastern cities to the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau, you will witness a diverse tapestry of Chinese landscapes. Most of the scenic highlights are dotted between the Xining-Lhasa section, especially when the train enters Golmud.

The first scenic highlight you will encounter is Kekexili Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its vast, desolate plateau. It is home to Tibetan antelope, wild yak, and other rare wildlife. Then you will pass by Tanggula Mountains, the highest railway pass in the world at an altitude of 5072 meters. You may catch views of snow-capped peaks and vast open sky, as if you are touching the sky. Later, you will pass by Cuona Lake, one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world at 4594 m. Crystal clear water accompanied by fluttering prayer flags, you will enjoy one of the most serene and sacred moments on the train journey.

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6. How about Shanghai to Lhasa train facilities?

Having a ride on Qinghai-Tibet train like Shanghai-Lhasa route is definitely the experience of a lifetime. Besides, the long distance and pressurized train tailor-made for acclimatization of extreme altitude make the ride different from other train journey.

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 44 hours, it is recommended to buy some food before boarding the train, be it snacks, fruits, bread or instant noodles.

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 Shanghai to Lhasa train ride?

The top priority is to keep your travel documents handy, including your passport, Chinese Visa, and Tibet Travel Permit, since they may still be checked along the journey. In addition, despite oxygen will be pumped into the carriage as the train ascends to Golmud, you are advised to bring altitude sickness medicines to ease the discomfort. Also note that smoking is not allowed onboard.

It is also worth mentioning that you should get enough rest on the train to acclimatize to the high altitude despite the captivating views outside the train window like snow-capped mountains, plateau lakes, and endless grassland.

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

Your guide will be waiting for you at Lhasa Railway Station. Upon your arrival at Lhasa Railway Station, you will be greeted with Khata and then transferred to your hotel in downtown Lhasa. It usually takes about 20 minutes from Lhasa Railway Station to downtown Lhasa. On the way to your hotel, you will catch sight of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the longest and largest river in Tibet. After arriving at the hotel, your tour guide will help you check in. You can take some time to rest and get prepared for your upcoming trip in Lhasa.

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

If you happen to travel during the peak season of Tibet Tour, which are July, August, and October, and cannot get your Shanghai-Lhasa train ticket, we suggest you firstly flying from Shanghai to Xining and later board the Xining-Lhasa train to Tibet. In this way, despite higher cost, it saves you lots of time while you can still enjoy the highlights along Qinghai-Tibet Railway since the scenic essence lies in the Xining-Lhasa segment.

10. Other recommended options to get to Lhasa from Shanghai

If you haven’t been to Chinese Mainland, you may want to spend more time here to enjoy different cultures in China’s other featured cities, including Xi’an, Chengdu, or Chongqing. Those cities will definitely impress you with their unique city culture. Xi’an boasts profound history culture; Chengdu is the most delicious city, while Chongqing is characterized by its three-dimensional terrain. If you are interested in these cities and eager to have a special tour, you can choose to take a bullet train or flight to those cities and then take Tibet train to Lhasa.