Qinghai-Tibet Railway Stations: Tibet Train Stops from Xining to Lhasa Explained (2026 Update)

Qinghai-Tibet Railway is the first railway that connects Chinese Mainland and Tibet. It is credited as the highest and the longest railway built on the high plateau. But very few people know that there are total 85 stations along the railway since most of them are not used right now. Currently, there are only eight major stations that are serving as normal stations, including Xining Railway Station, Delingha Railway Station, Golmud Railway Station, Amdo Railway Station, Nagqu Railway Station, Damxung Railway Station and Lhasa Railway Station.

But Tibet trains from different cities will stop at different stations, which will not affect your train journey to Tibet. Besides those major stations, Tanggula Railway Station will be mentioned especially since it is the highest railway station on the line. For a better Tibet train travel experience, we recommend reading this guide to prepare for the scenic highlights along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

1. Xining Railway Station: Your Gateway to Tibet

Xining Railway Station is the first station of Qinghai-Tibet Railway. All Tibet trains from other major cities of China will make a stop here for about 23 minutes. Tourists can get off the train and walk around the railway station to experience the charm of this city. As one of the popular tourist destinations in China, you can also list Xining in your China tour plan. Although the Xining to Lhasa train will pass through Qinghai Lake, you can only get a glimpse of this breathtaking lake on the train. If you want to truly enjoy the beauty of this magical lake, you should make a special visit to it. And some monasteries in Xining City will make your trip to this place an amazing experience. So, as an expert Tibet travel agency, we usually recommend tourists to take a flight to Xining and stay here for one or two days before taking a train to Lhasa. This way, you will not get exhausted on the rain, but you can also get the chance to enjoy the picturesque scenery along the railway. From downtown to Xining Railway Station will take about ten minutes, and you can also take a bus to the station.

Basic Facts about Xining Railway Station:
Location: Xining, Qinghai Province, China.
Opened: 1959
Coordinates: 36.3713° N, 101.4845° E
Elevation: Approximately 2,200 meters.
Station Facilities: Waiting halls, ticketing services, retail and dining options, luggage storage, and full accessibility for elderly and disabled passengers.
Core Functions: Starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and a key hub on the Lanzhou–Xinjiang High-Speed Railway.
Nearby Transportation: Taxi and bus services connect to downtown Xining and nearby hotels.

2. Delingha Railway Station: The First Major Stop

As the Tibet train heads out of Xining, Delingha Railway Station is the first major station along Qinghai-Tibet Railway where the train makes a brief stop. Z323 Train from Chengdu, Z223 Train from Chongqing, and Z21 Train from Beijing will stay here for six minutes, while Z8981 Train from Xining and Z265 Train from Guangzhou will stop for only four minutes. So, tourists don't have the time to get off the train and breathe some fresh air. But the landscapes around this golden field will be amazing, and you will be happy to take a look at the scenery on the train.

Basic Facts about Delingha Railway Station:
Location: Delingha City, Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China.
Opened: 1984
Coordinates: 37.3678° N, 97.3670° E
Elevation: Approximately 2,982 meters.
Station Facilities: Basic waiting halls, ticket counters, limited shops and food, with simple accessible facilities.
Nearby Transportation: The station is about 3–5 km from Delingha city center, a 10–15 minute ride by bus or taxi to the main hotel area.

3. Golmud Railway Station: The Climb Begins

After more than two hours from Delingha Train Station, the train will arrive at Golmud Railway Station, the second major station along Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Here you will be at an elevation of 2,829 meters. Most trains arrive at midnight, and you don't get the chance to see what it looks like. However, there will be arid deserts around Golmud, and the train will stop here for 25 minutes. If you are tired of the train life or you want to stretch your legs, you can get off the Tibet train and walk along the station platform. The beautiful Qarhan Salt Lake is located 60 km from Golmud city. If you plan to pay a visit to this breathtaking view, you can get off at Golmud Railway Station. The altitude will keep increasing after the train departs Golmud.

Basic Facts about Golmud Railway Station:
Location: Golmud City, Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China.
Opened: 2020
Coordinates: 36.4125° N, 94.9136° E
Elevation: Approximately 2,780 meters.
Station Facilities: Waiting halls, ticket counters, shops, snack bars, and electronic boarding gates for long-distance platforms.
Nearby Transportation: Golmud West Bus Station is within walking distance, with buses to Chaka Salt Lake, Emerald Lake, and the Kunlun Mountains.

4. Tanggula Railway Station: The Roof of the World

Tanggula Railway Station is the third major station along Qinghai-Tibet Railway. But the train will not stop here and there is no staff at this station providing service for tourists because it is sitting at an elevation of 5,068m above sea level. It is the highest train station in the world. So, in order to protect the health of tourists and prevent them from feeling extremely sick at such a high altitude, the train will not make a stop here for tourists to aboard or get off. But not far away, the Tanggula Pass will be seen from the train, which will be impressive.

Basic Facts about Tanggula Railway Station:
Location: Golmud City, Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China.
Opened: 2020
Coordinates: 33.0183° N, 91.3857° E
Elevation: Approximately 5,068 meters.
Station Facilities: Minimal facilities due to extreme altitude.
Nearby Transportation: No public transport; access is primarily by train.

5. Amdo Railway Station: The First Station After Entering Tibet

With an area of 140,000 square meters, Amdo Railway Station is the second largest and the forth train station along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Situated at 4,702m above sea level, this train station is also considered a splendid scenery on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau with its spectacular eagle-like design. Only trains from Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xining will stop here for about 2-6 minutes for passengers to get on and get off. You can get off for a quick view of the Changtang Grasslands from the station platform.

Basic Facts about Amdo Railway Station:
Location: Amdo County, Nagchu Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
Opened: 2006
Coordinates: 32.158° N, 91.3957° E
Elevation: Approximately 4,611 meters.
Station Facilities: Basic waiting hall, ticket counters, limited shops, and oxygen-equipped amenities for high-altitude passengers.
Nearby Transportation: Taxis and local transport connect the station to Amdo town, but services are limited.

6. Nagqu Railway Station: The Gateway to Northern Tibet

Almost all trains from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xining will stop here for 6 minutes. After departing from Amdo Train Station for more than 1 hour, the train will get to Nagqu Railway Station, the fifth train station along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Located at 4,513m above sea level, this train station is one of the most important train stations in Tibet. From here, it will take less than 4 hours to get to Lhasa. If you are taking the train to Lhasa in August, then you'd better get off the train at Nagqu Railway Station and get to enjoy the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival there. You will be totally attracted to the festival and experience the hospitality of the local people.

Basic Facts about Nagqu Railway Station:
Location: Nagqu City, Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
Opened: 2006
Coordinates: 31.2643° N, 91.5923° E
Elevation: Approximately 4,500 meters.
Station Facilities: Waiting halls, ticket counters, limited shops, and basic amenities.
Nearby Transportation: Taxis and local buses connect Nagqu Railway Station to the city center, though services are limited compared with larger hubs like Lhasa.

7. Damxung Railway Station: The Gateway to Namtso Lake

As the last and the sixth major train station before Lhasa, DamXung Railway Station is only about 166m from Lhasa. Tourists only need about 2 hours to arrive at Lhasa Railway Station and get off the train. Built at an elevation of 4,288m above sea level, Damxung Railway Station offers a viewing platform to see the sacred Namtso Lake. It is also one of the popular landscapes that many tourists will choose to visit.

Basic Facts about Damxung Railway Station:
Location: Damxung County, Lhasa Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
Opened: 2006
Coordinates: 30.2835° N, 91.0635° E
Elevation: Approximately 4,288 meters.
Station Facilities: Waiting halls, ticketing, shops, dining, luggage storage, accessible facilities, and a viewing platform overlooking pastures and snow-capped mountains.
Nearby Transportation: Located on G109, it offers taxis and minibuses to Damxung town and private trips to Namtso Lake.

8. Lhasa Railway Station: Your Final Destination

Finally, you will arrive at Lhasa Railway Station, which means that you are about to start your Tibet tour from now on. Lhasa Railway Station is the largest station along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway with an area of 23,600 square meters. Located at an elevation of 3,650m, this station serves as the terminal station of all trains that run on Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

Basic Facts about Lhasa Railway Station:
Location: Chengguan District, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
Opened: 2006
Coordinates: 29.3730° N, 91.0407° E
Elevation: Approximately 3,650 meters.
Station Facilities: The station has waiting halls, ticketing, shops, dining, luggage storage, accessible facilities, and oxygen supply for high-altitude travelers.
Nearby Transportation: Taxis, buses, and the city metro connect Lhasa Railway Station to the city center and major hotels. Since foreigners cannot travel independently or use public transport alone in Tibet, we, Tibet Horzion, offer the pick-up and drop-off services to ensure a seamless experience in Tibet.

Which Qinghai Tibet Railway Stations Offer the Best Views?

Amdo Railway Station is one of the best Tibet train stations for scenery. Near this stop, Cuona Lake is widely known as the top highlight along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. As a famous Tibet train scenic stop, it offers unique “water-level” views, where the crystal-clear lake appears to run right alongside the tracks.

Tanggula Railway Station is another spot for scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. As the highest railway station in the world, it offers dramatic views of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and vast highland landscapes.

Overall, Amdo and Tanggula are the two best Tibet train stations for experiencing the most iconic scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

Practical Tips for Altitude Sickness at the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Stations

Stations like Tanggula Railway Station (over 5,000 meters) and Nagqu Railway Station (about 4,500 meters) are among the highest railway stations in the world. Although trains usually do not allow long stops, altitude sickness can still occur when passing through these areas. To reduce discomfort, avoid sudden movement, stay hydrated, and keep oxygen supplies handy if needed. All the Tibet trains are equipped with oxygen systems, which can help travelers adapt to the high altitude along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

Tibet Train Station Facilities: Accessibility, Food Options, and VIP Lounges

Major Tibet train stations such as Xining, Golmud, and Lhasa offer relatively good facilities, including waiting halls, restaurants, convenience stores, and clean restrooms. Some large stations also provide VIP lounges and basic accessibility services for travelers with heavy luggage. However, smaller stations along the Tibet railway route have limited amenities, so it is advisable to prepare snacks and essentials in advance. Overall, understanding the Tibet train station facilities can help ensure a smoother travel experience.

Tibet Train Ticket Booking Guide: Xining Railway Station or Tibet Travel Agency

To ensure a smooth Tibet train boarding process, many international travelers ask where to buy a Tibet train ticket? You can visit the Xining Railway Station ticket office in person with your passport and Tibet Travel Permit. However, the most reliable way is to book in advance through a professional Tibet travel agency like Tibet Horizon. Tibet train tickets often sell out quickly, especially during peak season (July–August). Booking with us makes the process easier. We can help you choose the best Tibet train route to enjoy the scenery along Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

Conclusion

Tibet train stations from Xining to Lhasa serve as key scenic stops and highlights, providing an unforgettable experience of Qinghai-Tibet plateau. Planning with the clear Qinghai-Tibet Railway station map and basic station information ensures a seamless adventure to the Roof of the World.