Get a Quote
Menu
.webp)
ContentTraveling from Shijiazhuang to Lhasa by train is an unforgettable adventure across some of China’s most diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes. You will get the chance to experience a gradual ascent from the North China Plain to the breathtaking Tibetan Plateau. This guide will offer all the things you need to know about this train ride from Shijiazhuang to Lhasa, such as train schedules, ticket classes and prices, booking tips and scenic highlights along the way.
Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Open Date: 2006
Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Route: Z21
Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Type: Z-series
Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Departure Station & Time: Shijiazhuang Railway Station (22:22)
Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Arrival Station & Time: Lhasa Railway Station (11:42)
Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Distance: 3,466 kilometers
Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Duration: 37hrs 20mins
Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Frequency: Daily
Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Ticket Class & Cost: Soft Sleeper (from $151), Hard Sleeper (from $96), Hard Seat
($47)
Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Avg. Speed: About 92km/h
Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Stops: Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan, Zhongwei, Lanzhou, Xining, Delingha, Golmud, Nagqu,
Lhasa
Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Highlights: Qinghai Lake, Yuzhu Peak, Nyainqentanglha Mountain, Yangbajing, Lhasa
River
From Shijiazhuang Railway Station, the route will pass through Hebei Province, Shanxi Province, Shaanxi Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Gansu Province, and Qinghai Province. It stops at several major stations in China, namely, Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan, Zhongwei, Lanzhou, Xining, Delingha, Golmud, Nagqu, and Lhasa.
Covering a total distance of 3,466 kilometers, the journey from Shijiazhuang to Lhasa takes 37 hours and 20 minutes, arriving at Lhasa Railway Station around 11:42 on the third day. Along the route, the train will pass through several key stations such as Taiyuan, Lanzhou, Xining, Golmud, and Nagqu, ascending from the low plains of Hebei Province to the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau.
| No. | Station | Altitude | Day | Arrival | Departure | Stop Time | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shijiazhuang | 78m | Day 1 | / | 22:22 | / | 0km |
| 2 | Taiyuan | 780m | Day 2 | 00:18 | 00:26 | 8min | 225km |
| 3 | Zhongwei | 1,225m | Day 2 | 06:56 | 07:16 | 20min | 972km |
| 4 | Lanzhou | 1,520m | Day 2 | 12:19 | 12:31 | 12min | 1,278km |
| 5 | Xining | 2,200m | Day 2 | 15:07 | 15:32 | 25min | 1,494km |
| 6 | Delingha | 2,982m | Day 2 | 19:17 | 19:21 | 4min | 2,015km |
| 7 | Golmud | 2,780m | Day 2 | 21:42 | 22:07 | 25min | 2,324km |
| 8 | Nagqu | 4,500m | Day 3 | 08:12 | 08:18 | 6min | 3,144km |
| 9 | Lhasa | 3,650m | Day 3 | 11:42 | / | / | 3,466km |
| No. | Station | Altitude | Day | Arrival | Departure | Stop Time | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shijiazhuang | 78m | Day 1 | / | 22:22 | / | 0km |
| 2 | Taiyuan | 780m | Day 2 | 00:18 | 00:26 | 8min | 225km |
| 3 | Zhongwei | 1,225m | Day 2 | 06:56 | 07:16 | 20min | 972km |
| 4 | Lanzhou | 1,520m | Day 2 | 12:19 | 12:31 | 12min | 1,278km |
| 5 | Xining | 2,200m | Day 2 | 15:07 | 15:32 | 25min | 1,494km |
| 6 | Delingha | 2,982m | Day 2 | 19:17 | 19:21 | 4min | 2,015km |
| 7 | Golmud | 2,780m | Day 2 | 21:42 | 22:07 | 25min | 2,324km |
| 8 | Nagqu | 4,500m | Day 3 | 08:12 | 08:18 | 6min | 3,144km |
| 9 | Lhasa | 3,650m | Day 3 | 11:42 | / | / | 3,466km |
Like the Beijing-Lhasa route, this Shijiazhuang to Lhasa train also offers three classes of tickets: soft sleeper, hard sleeper, and hard seat, each designed to suit different budgets and comfort levels. Keep reading and you will get some details about the ticket and choose the best to suit your needs.
The soft sleeper is the most comfortable option for the long journey from Shijiazhuang to Lhasa. Each compartment contains 4 berths, with lockable doors that offer more privacy and safety. Ticket prices are $152 for an upper berth and $158 for a lower berth.
The hard sleeper in Shijiazhuang to Lhasa train is a common choice for travelers seeking moderate comfort since it is more budget-friendly. Each open compartment has 6 berths- two upper, two middle, and two lower. Ticket prices are $96 for upper berths, $99 for middle berths, and $102 for lower berths.
Hard seats are the cheapest option, with tickets costing about $47. However, this class is not recommended for most travelers since it lacks comfort and tourists cannot sleep properly.
For a journey as long and high-altitude as Shijiazhuang to Lhasa, it’s strongly recommended to choose a soft sleeper the enjoy the most during the trip. The hard sleeper is a good balance between cost and comfort, but hard seats should only be considered when necessary.
| Feature | Soft Sleeper | Hard Sleeper | Hard Seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Z21 |  |
 |
 |
| 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: $152, Lower Berth: $158 |
Moderate Upper Berth: $96, Middle Berth: $99, Lower Berth: $102 |
Cheapest Hard Seat: $47 |
| Best for | Comfortable travel | Budget travelers | Short trips or low-budget travelers |
| Feature | Soft Sleeper | Hard Sleeper | Hard Seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Z21 | |
|
|
| 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: $152, Lower Berth: $158 |
Moderate Upper Berth: $96, Middle Berth: $99, Lower Berth: $102 |
Cheapest Hard Seat: $47 |
| Best for | Comfortable travel | Budget travelers | Short trips or low-budget travelers |
About Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Ticket Price: The ticket prices above are the net price. The actual ticket booking price is higher with service fee included. Because Shijiazhuang to Lhasa train is one of the most favorite routes to Tibet, we suggest you to book your train ticket as soon as possible.
Currently, you can only book Tibet train tickets 15 days before. So, if you have already decided to take a Tibet train from Shijiazhuang to Lhasa, please make sure that you can book your tickets as early as possible, especially during the peak season.
There are three main ways to book a Shijiazhuang to Lhasa train ticket.
First, foreign tourists can try to book a train ticket on their own through 12306.cn, the official website of China Railway. This site supports both PC and mobile app versions with English interface available. You need to sign up first using your passport information. Online booking opens 15 days in advance and allows you to choose specific seats or berths. You can make a payment via your Chinese bank account, WeChat Pay, or Alipay.
The second method is going to go to Shijiazhuang Railway Station or any other major railway stations in China. Bring your original passport and tell the staff your route, departure date and seat class. Payment can be made by cash, card, WeChat Pay, and Alipay.
Booking a Shijiazhuang to Lhasa train ticket can be easier through a licensed Tibet travel agency like Tibet Horizon. We are professional to try our best to secure the train tickets based on your preference and plans.
If you bought the Shijiazhuang to Lhasa train ticket on China Railway’s official website or the app, you will get an E-ticket. You only need your passport, Chinese Visa, and Tibet Travel Permit to board the train to Lhasa at Shijiazhuang Railway Station.
If you booked the ticket with us, we will mail the E-ticket or paper ticket to your hotel before you go to the train station. If you have received your train ticket, then you need to use your passport, Chinese Visa, train ticket and Tibet Travel Permit to board the train. Please double-check your paper ticket once you get it and make sure that your name and passport number can be matched.
石家庄站: Shijiazhuang 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
The train to Lhasa departs from Shijiazhuang Railway Station, the main railway station in the city. You can reach the station by taxi, which will take about 20 minutes from downtown Shijiazhuang and cost around 15-30 RMB. Besides, Shijiazhuang Metro Line 2 and Line 3 will stop at Shijiazhuang Railway Station, a convenient and budget-friendly way to reach the station. And there are also multiple public buses that will take tourists directly to stop in front of the station.
For foreign tourists who wish to board the Shijiazhuang to Lhasa train, they need to prepare three main documents in advance - a valid passport, a Chinese Visa (citizens of certain visa-exempt countries may not need it), and a Tibet Travel Permit.
1) Get your train ticket firstly 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 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.
The ideal time to take the train from Shijiazhuang to Lhasa is April to October, when Tibet enjoys its best weather. During this period, the scenery along the route is at its most spectacular. From May to June, snow begins to melt, wildflowers bloom across the grasslands, and the temperature gradually warms up. The sky is clear for photography and sightseeing. July to August is the peak season. But it is also the monsoon season. Occasional showers will occur in Lhasa and nearby regions. September to October is the golden autumn in Tibet with crystal skies and cool temperatures.
The train journey from Shijiazhuang to Lhasa can be regarded as one of the most scenic railway experiences in the world. It will take you to pass from bustling cities and plains to snow-capped peaks and vast highlands.
When the train passes through Xining and enters the Golmud region, the scenery will become different and breathtaking. The Qinghai Lake will strike your heart with its shimmering blue surface.
The journey grows increasingly dramatic as the train enters the Kunlun Mountains. You will get to see Yuzhu Peak, the main peak of the eastern section of the Kunlun Mountains. It is covered with snow even in midsummer. Soon after, the train will reach its most awe-inspiring moment when it crosses the Tanggula Pass, the highest railway point in the world at an altitude of 5,072 meters.
It is also another highlight when the train passes through Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, one of China’s most remote and least disturbed ecosystems. It is home to rare wildlife such as Tibetan antelopes, wild yaks, and Himalayan marmots.
The grasslands of Nagqu will be the signal for you to enter the heart of the Tibetan cultural world. As the train slowly passes the Lhasa river, your final stop is arriving shortly.
Trains running from Shijiazhuang to Lhasa are equipped with modern facilities designed for long-distance and high-altitude travel. You can totally enjoy a comfortable train ride along the way.
Each train includes soft sleeper, hard sleeper, and hard seat carriages. Every carriage is equipped with a shared restroom, hot water dispensers for drinking, and basic washing sinks. Dining cars provide simple Chinese meals and snacks, and trolley carts frequently pass through with food and drinks.
Usually, when the Shijiazhuang to Lhasa train leaves Golmud, the onboard oxygen supply system will automatically begin to release oxygen throughout the carriages to help you acclimate to the increasing altitude. What’s more, there are individual oxygen outlets beside each seat and berth.
A significant altitude change will happen when traveling to Lhasa by train. It is important for you to be mindful of your physical condition during the journey. You may begin to feel mild symptoms of altitude sickness as the train crosses high-altitude areas, such as headache, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Don’t worry about those normal symptoms and get enough rest during the ride.
Also, you may need to keep your Tibet Travel Permit and passport handy since they may be checked multiple times. Besides, you can bring snacks, tissues and toiletries as the journey will last around 38 hours.
Travelling with Tibet Horizon, our tour guide will wait for you and pick you up to your hotel in downtown Lhasa. It will usually take about 20 minutes, depending on your hotel location.
If you are unable to get a train ticket from Shijiazhuang to Lhasa, or spending 38 hours on a train is too long for you, another way to experience the stunning Qinghai-Tibet Railway is to fly from Shijiazhuang to Xining and board the train to Lhasa. This option will significantly shorten your travel time while still allowing you to enjoy the most scenic section of Tibet train journey.
15 years exp.| 5.0
| 40 Reviews
Tell me about your travel plan or contact me via inquiry@tibettourism.com
inquiry@tibettourism.com
Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Map
Shijiazhuang to Lhasa Train Ticket
