Scenic train from Beijing to Lhasa

With various modes of transportation available, travelling goes beyond more than just flying or cruising. If you’re looking for your next adventure, check out this addition to the best scenic train rides in Asia, the Beijing to Lhasa Tibet Train. 

This 2-day-long ride takes passengers from the capital city to the wispy hills of Lhasa, with breathtaking views along the way.

What you should know about the Beijing to Lhasa train

Image credit: Tibet Tour

The Beijing to Lhasa Tibet Train is a popular tourist route that connects the 2 cities. It rides on the highest train track in the world, passing through a variety of landscapes in 8 different cities in China before arriving in Lhasa.

Beijing-Lhasa train route.
Image credit: Tibet Tour

The train starts at Beijing West Railway station and takes an approximate 40-hour journey to Lhasa. You’d be travelling nearly 4,000km with 10 stops along the way. The return journey usually takes longer – about 40.5 hours – and starts at Lhasa Railway Station.

It’s a non-stop train journey, but the train makes 2-10 minute long stops at each station for passengers to board.

Image credit: 钉钉 via Wikimedia Commons

For those unfamiliar, Lhasa is a Chinese district on the Tibetan Plateau and is known to be one of the highest cities in the world, 3,656 m above sea level. Because of this, it is the most visited city in Tibet, hosting several attractions in the region.

Potala Palace.
Image adapted from: @songweitking via Instagram.

Visitors can climb up temples and monuments like the historical Potala Palace or the golden-roofed Jokhang Temple. You could also do some further exploration of the culture of Tibet at the Tibet Museum. But mostly, people come here to take in the utopian landscapes filled with mountains, greenery, and lakes. And what better introduction than seeing it from the rails?

How much does the Beijing to Lhasa train cost?

Tickets for the Beijing to Lhasa train are relatively affordable. The seats for a one-way ride start at ¥360 (~S$67.60) for the Hard Seat section, ¥720 (~S$135.20) for the Hard Sleeper section, and ¥1,144++ (~S$214.70) for the Soft Sleeper seats. Tickets are available for purchase online and you’ll be able to collect them at the railway station.

As this train ride can take up to 40 hours, getting the most comfortable seat is most likely the top priority.

Hard Seat section.
Image credit: Tibet Vista

Unlike what the name suggests, the seats in the Hard Seat section are cushioned, however they cannot recline. Luggage would have to be stowed away above or below your seats.

Hard sleeper seats on the other hand are lie-flat seats with minimal padding. There are 4 seats in each cabinet. Luggage can be stowed in the bottom bunk, which may make access to your luggage inconvenient if you’re on the upper bunk, and makes it more prone to theft.

Soft Sleeper seats.
Image credit: Tibet Travel

Soft sleeper seats are the most comfortable and therefore, most expensive seats on the train. They come with padding, pillows, and a blanket for the bed, as well as charging outlets and privacy curtains. This ensures you’re well-rested before arriving at your destination. Unlike the Hard Sleeper seats that only have squatting toilets, the soft sleeper section comes with a toilet bowl.

Another thing to take note of is that there are no showers on board for all categories. It helps to stock up on wipes, deodorant, and dry shampoo for your trip.

As these are considered the most “premium” seats on the train, they’re also the first to sell out – so book your tickets in advance if you’re eyeing these seats.

What’s the food like on the Beijing to Lhasa train?

So with a 2-day trip, you must be wondering, “what about the grub?”

You can carry your snacks and meals for the journey, however, the train also has a dining cart where you can buy food. Most of the meals served here are classic Chinese dishes like tomato egg rice and mapo tofu, all starting at around ¥20/meal (~$3.76).

Snack trolley.
Image credit: Tibet Travel

Should you just want a small bite, there are snack trolley vendors who pass by with carts every so often, with Chinese snacks like pickled veggies and chips. There are also hot water dispensers at the end of each carriage for you to make tea, coffee or ramen, which are great to combat altitude sickness.

Travel on the highest rail route in the world

Image credit: @inxtagenumdiewelt via Instagram

On the Beijing to Lhasa Tibet Train journey, the views pick up from Xinying, where you’ll start on the highest rail track in the world. This allows passengers to catch the snow-capped Himalayan ranges, fields of green, and crystal blue lakes.

Tongtian River.
Image credit: @ngaimann via Instagram

You’ll reach the pinnacle of the ride, 5,072m above sea level, Tanggula Mountain, where you’ll see the mountain’s top and the stunning Tongtian River. If luck is on your side, there may even be wildlife like deer to spot.

Image credit: Tibet Travel

Unfortunately, going on the highest train route in the world has its consequences. Altitude sickness is a common problem people face as they move higher up as oxygen decreases. This can lead to dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. For the most part, the train is pressurised and oxygenated enough to combat this – but if you need a little pick-me-up, each cabin has oxygen outlets for you to use.

Do you need a visa to travel from Beijing to Lhasa?

Sample Tibet Travel Permit.
Image credit: Tibet Travel

Although Singaporeans have up to 144-hour visa-free entry to China, you’d still need to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit to board the train. You can apply for this with the aid of the Chinese Embassy or a travel consultant, with the relevant information available on the Tibet Travel website. The permit is usually free or included when you book a tour package or train ride to Tibet.

Get on board the Beijing to Lhasa train

Though the travelling time can be a bit long, the journey on the Beijing to Lhasa Tibet train is definitely worth it, considering the different views you get to see on the way and the chance to explore Tibet. The best part is that with the views you get, anyone can be a great photographer no matter what you’re taking the picture with.

If the 2-day journey seems too long for you, there’s also an option to fly into Xining from Beijing and take the 1-day long Xining-Lhasa trip instead.

For other train adventures, you can check out the Vancouver to Singapore “Around the World” luxury train to go around the world in 80 days, or something closer to home with the Argo Parahyangan train from Jakarta to Bandung.

Book tickets for this train from Beijing to Lhasa

Cover image adapted from: Tibet Travel and Tibet Universal Travel