Chongqing to Lhasa Train

Should I Book the Soft Sleeper or Hard Sleeper?

In fact, there are three kinds of accommodations available on Chongqing-Lhasa train: soft sleeper, hard sleeper, and hard seat. Hard seat is not recommended given the long ride and nothing is more important than having a sound sleep.

The difference between soft and hard sleeper

The soft sleeper consists of 4 bunks in a cabin. While the hard sleeper is made up of 6 bunks and the living space varies slightly. The lowest bunks enjoy the largest living space whereas the top bunks are cramped.

The difference between soft sleeper and hard sleeper are mainly based on the following aspects.

Berth Quantity and Size:
Soft sleeper: 4 berth/ compartment, 75cm*190cm
Hard sleeper: 6 berth/compartment, 60cm*180cm

Compartment Door:
Soft sleeper: sliding lockable door in each compartment to provide more privacy and security
Hard sleeper: no door

Toilets:
Soft sleeper: one Western-style toilet and one squat toilet at the end of each carriage
Hard sleeper: two squat toilets at the end of each carriage

Ticket Price:
Soft sleeper: from 997.5 RMB
Hard sleeper: from 627.5 RMB

Soft sleeper is more spacious than the hard one

How to choose the best Ticket class?

The soft sleeper provides more privacy and comfort with a sliding lockable door, which is highly recommended. It is a better choice if you travel with your families or friends, despite it is more expensive.

While the hard sleeper is more affordable and easier to get. There are more hard sleepers offered on the train from Chongqing to Lhasa. However, the cabin of a hard sleeper has no independent door to close when tourists want to sleep.

What if your preferred Tickets get sold out?

Since the Chongqing-Lhasa train is very popular, if you happen to fail to get the ticket, don’t worry, there are 3 alternative plans for you.

Option 1: Choose another ticket class on the same train. If you miss the soft sleeper, you can book the hard sleeper ticket of Chongqing-Lhasa Train.

Option 2: Take the bullet train from Chongqing to Chengdu to board the Chengdu to Lhasa Train there next day.

Option 3: Take a flight from Chongqing to Xining, and then head to Tibet by Xining to Lhasa train.

How to Book and Get Tibet Train Tickets?

Train from Chongqing to Lhasa departs not daily, but every other day. Before booking the trian ticket, you first need to check the schedule and fares to select your ticket to go.

Chongqing to Lhasa Train Departure Frequency in 2024

Jan: Odd Days, Like 1,3,5...
Feb: Even Days, Like 2,4,6...
Mar: Odd Days, Like 1,3,5...
Apr: Even Days, Like 2,4,6...
May: Even Days, Like 2,4,6...
Jun: Odd Days, Like 1,3,5...
Jul: Odd Days, Like 1,3,5...
Aug: Even Days, Like 2,4,6...
Sept: Odd Days, Like 1,3,5...
Oct: Odd Days, Like 1,3,5...
Nov: Even Days, Like 2,4,6...
Dec: Even Days, Like 2,4,6...

Notice:
Trains depart from Chongqing and Chengdu respectively, for example, when the Chongqing to Lhasa Train Z223 departs in even days (2, 4, 6...) in April, the Chengdu to Lhasa Train will depart in odd days (1, 3, 5...) in April.

Given this situation, if unfortunately, Chongqing to Lhasa Train does not depart on your date or you miss the train, you can take the Chengdu to Lhasa train alternatively.

Book Tibet Train Ticket with Us is the Most Hassle Free Way

As individual tourists, the best solution is to contact us and book a Chongqing-Lhasa train ticket through our hands. As the reliable local travel agency cooperating with the ticket office, we have more opportunities to get the Tibet train ticket.

Also, we provide “Train ticket + Tibet tour” packages, which do not only include the train ticket to Tibet, but also the Tibet Travel Permit and a well-ranged Tibet tour.

Since we handle your Tibet travel permit processing and Tibet train ticket reservation together, we can respond in time to adjust your travel plan in case of any unexpected situation, such as delayed insurance of Tibet permit or sold-out tickets. We always have plan B to make you fulfill your dream to Tibet.

Notice: You can also book on yourself through the official website 12306.cn, which is currently available in Chinese and English. Make sure you are registered as a member and have the appropriate Chinese online payment method (Alipay, Wechat, etc.)

Get Your Chongqing Lhasa Train Ticket with Tibet Permit

If you book your Tibet train ticket with us, you can choose the delivery service. We will deliver the paper ticket to your hotel or address in China. And it is advisable to inform us 4 business days before departure.

Also, you can collect the ticket at Chongqing West Railway Station, no matter you book it with us or by yourself. In this case, please make sure to bring the confirmation number of train tickets, your Tibet Travel Permit as well as your valid and original passport.

Notice:

Once getting your ticket, please read the Ticket and double check Your Name and Passport No. 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.

Here are some useful phrases you may need to read Z223 Chongqing to Lhasa Train ticket:

重庆西站：Chongqing West Railway Station
拉萨站: Lhasa Railway Station
xx年xx月xx日: xx Year xx Month xx Date
xx车xx号: xx Carriage xx Berth
上/ 中/ 下铺：Upper/ Middle/ Lower Berth

Information guide on Chongqing to Tibet Train Ticket

How to Board the Train?

1. Get to the right station in advance

Currently, there are mainly four railway stations in Chongqing, and the only one that offers trains to Tibet is the Chongqing West Railway Station.

Located in the western suburb area, Chongqing West Railway is around 27km from downtown. You can take the Line 5 or Loop Line of Chongqing Rail Transit to get there. Or, you can also choose the taxi or bus for transfer.

It is suggested that you arrive at Chongqing West Railway Station at least 1.5 hours in advance, as there is a queue to go through the security check, ticket inspection, etc.

2.Check at the entrance

At the entrance, you need to show your passport, Tibet train ticket and Tibet Travel Permit. The automatic gates at the entrance of the railway station can only recognize Chinese ID cards. You need to bring your passport, Tibet Travel Permit, and the train ticket to get through the manual entrance check.

It is suggested to prepare your documents in advance or keep them in a small bag that you can easily access with you.

3.Go through security check

After getting through the entrance of the station building, line up for the security check to enter into waiting hall.

You need to put all your luggage such backpacks, carry-on bags on the security scanner conveyor belt, and walk through a detector gate and wait for staff to use a scanner on you to check forbidden articles.

4.Find the right waiting room

Once enter into the waiting hall of Chongqing West Railway Station, you can find an LED screen showing Train Number (车次), Terminal (终到站), Departing Time (开点) and Waiting Room (候车室). Get your waiting room information and wait for check-in there. Train number Z223 is well marked in the correct waiting room.

5. Check in to get to the Platform

Usually check-in starts 15-30 minutes before departure and barriers close 5 minutes before departure. After check-in, you can find Led screen hang on the way to the train telling your platform (站台) and direction of your carriage (车厢).

6. Find your train and seat

Follow the instruction and the staff waiting at the carriage gate will check your ticket again to make sure you board the right carriage of the right train.

After getting on the train, you can find your berth according to your ticket. Put your baggage on the rack overhead or under the lower berth.

Your sleeper ticket will be exchanged for a plastic berth card by staff shortly after boarding. Staff will return your ticket and get back the berth card about half an hour before arriving at your destination.

Chongqing West Railway Station

Tips for Getting on Board the Chongqing Lhasa Train

1. Make sure you have your Tibet Travel Permit, passport and ticket with you as you could be checked many times during the long journey. It is also advisable to have many copies of Tibet Travel Permit.

2. It is possible to swap ticket with other people to stay with friends or family in the same cabin. You may ask conductor to swap tickets with other passengers. Do remember your cabin and seat No.

3. We offer a pick-up service in Lhasa. After you arrive at Lhasa Railway Station, our guide will greet you and bring you to your hotel in Lhasa.

Life Onboard

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

How about the life onboard? What are the things to do onboard? Here we are going to show you the real life on the Chongqing Lhasa train.

Dinning and Drinking

You can get 3 meals and drinks from the dining carriage located in the middle of the train. Usually only Chinese food such as noodles, dishes and soups is available and it costs about 20 CNY/meal and accepts cash payment, Wechat payment and Alipay.

The trolleys loaded with food are served in each compartment sporadically and you can buy from the staff of train. Besides, you can get free boiled water from hot water dispenser near the sinks.

Before the departure, do bring enough food. It could be snacks, fruit and instant noodles wrapped in bowls. Sharing snack with roommates is the easiest way to break the silence.

Tourists are having dinner in the dinning car.

Oxygen Supply

Oxygen Supply System Onboard

Altitude sickness is the biggest concern for travelling to Tibet, however, there is no need to be panic about it.

To better adapt to high altitude, Chongqing-Lhasa Train is tightly sealed and pressurized like an airplane.

There are two sets of oxygen supply on the train: the dispersion-mode oxygen supply system operated by the train staff and the distribution-mode oxygen supply that can be connected to individual passenger.

As the train ascends to Golmud, the oxygen is automatically pumped into the train and you can also manually use the oxygen outlet to minimize altitude sickness symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue,nausea,etc. It is advisable to bring altitude sickness medicines to ease the discomfort.

Note: smoking is not allowed onboard.

An illustration of how to use oxygen outlet on Qinghai-Tibet train

Altitude changes along Chongqing Lhasa Railway

Chongqing lies at 244 meters above sea level. The slight altitude change between Chongqing and Lanzhou will not cause discomfort to passengers. 

After Lanzhou, the altitude climbs slowly and reaches 2,275 meters at Xining. Xining is the first station where altitude sickness is likely to occur for a few passengers.

The altitude starts to ascend and reaches 2,829 meters when arriving at Golmud at 19:10. And the altitude increases sharply by more than 1,000 meters in less than 100 kilometers, causing altitude sickness for some passengers.

When arriving at the world’ s highest railway pass, the Tanggula Pass (5,072m), most tourists will suffer from altitude sickness. Then, the altitude drops slowly as you travel south through Nagqu and finally reaches 3,650 meters in Lhasa.

This graph gives you a rough idea of how altitude changes along Chongqing-Lhasa railway line

Toilets

Toilets are located at the end of each carriage, adjacent to the washbasin, dustbin and hot water dispenser. The soft sleeper carriage has one western-style toilet and one squat style toilet, while hard sleeper carriage only has two squat style toilets.

The toilets will be locked when the train stops. Avoid to use them when the train is about to stop for arriving at a station.

Unfortunately, there is no shower room in the train. Do bring some wet wipes in stores and a small towel. And small but equally important thing is to bring enough toilet/tissue paper.

Scenery along Chongqing Lhasa Railway

During the first 11 hours of the train journey, the Chongqing to Tibet train travels at night, passengers can take a good rest during this period.

When arriving Lanzhou at 9:10, you can have a whole day to see the spectacular scenery along the way such as Qinghai Lake, Tsaidam Basin (or Chaidamu Basin), and Kunlun Mountains.

When the train reaches Nagchu at 06:03, you can enjoy the boundless Nagqu Prairie, the snow-capped Nyenchen Thanglha Mountains, Yangpachen, the grazing sheep and yaks.

The picturesque Qinghai Lake is the largest lake in China

Nagchu is home to the unique nomadic culture and splendid natural scenery

The Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains are a 700-kilometre-long mountain range

More Things to do without Wifi onboard

Besides appreciating the beautiful scenery along the train ride from Chongqing to Lhasa, you can find more things to kill the time on board.

You can watch movies or videos, which need to be download on your phone or iPad in advance, as there is no Wifi on the train.

Reading a book or a novel is also a good way to pass time. It is recommended to walk around to stretch your legs in the carriage from time to time.

Notice:
It is suggested to bring your own power bank, although there are power plugs for chargers located in the corridors or under your table in the cabin.