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Lanzhou-Lhasa Trains

Lanzhou-Lhasa Trains

Written by FabioUpdated May. 17, 2023

Currently, four pairs of normal-speed trains run between Lanzhou and Lhasa. The journey takes about a day.

Quick Facts

  • Distance: 2,188 kilometers (1,360 miles)
  • Terminals: Lanzhou Railway Station, Lhasa Railway Station
  • Duration: 1-1½ hours
  • Main stops: Xining, Naqu, Golmud

Lanzhou to Lhasa Normal-Speed Train Schedules

(Updated on May 17th, 2023)

Train Number Departure Arrival Duration
Z223 09:23 10:15 (next day) 24h 52m
Z21 12:31 12:29 (next day) 23h 58m
Z265 16:58 16:56 (next day) 23h 58m
Z165 18:35 18:46 (next day) 21h 11m
  • Please note: The trains listed above are only some of the ones in operation. The timetable is just for your reference.
  • If you want up-to-date schedules, you can use the search tool at the top of this page or search via our China Highlights train ticket service.

Lhasa to Lanzhou Normal-Speed Train Schedules

(Updated on May 17th, 2023)

Train Number Departure Arrival Duration
Z166 11:30 12:08 (next day) 24h 38m
Z266 12:40 13:10 (next day) 24h 30m
Z22 15:50 16:14 (next day) 24h 24m
Z324 19:00 19:29 (next day) 24h 29m

Lanzhou to Lhasa Normal-Speed Train Ticket Fares

Soft Sleeper Hard Sleeper Hard Seat
US$118 (CNY823) US$75 (CNY522) US$34 (CNY240)

Train Travel Tips

Please remember the most important item when you board a train to Lhasa:

You have to board the train with your Tibet Travel Permit or a copy of your Tibet Travel Permit. If you book a tour with us or another travel agency, please ask us/them to provide you with a Tibet Travel Permit in advance.

To apply for a Tibet Travel Permit, you have to provide the travel agency with a scan of your Chinese visa and passport. It usually takes 20 days to apply for the permit.

All trains from Lanzhou and Lhasa are equipped with air-conditioning and an oxygen supply system. The oxygen supply starts working when the trains arrive at Golmud Railway Station.

There are also direct flights from Lanzhou to Lhasa. About two pairs of flights operate daily in the peak or shoulder season. In the low season, they are not available every day.

The full price of the airfare is about 2,000 CNY for a single trip. You can check to see if there are any discounts available in advance.

Please note that Tibet doesn’t open to foreign visitors in March as it is the Tibetan New Year.

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