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Chengdu to Lhasa Train

  • Zoe
  • Last Updated : 04/01/2026

Train Z322 is a direct express train from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, to Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region. The Chengdu to Lhasa train takes about 34 hours and 31 minutes in total and covers a distance of 3,000 kilometers. It sounds a bit long, but you will appreciate the magnificent natural scenery, and the time spent on the train is actually worth it. Especially after Xining, you will enter the Tibetan Plateau, pass by Qinghai Lake, the majestic Kunlun Mountains, and the Hoh Xil and Tanggula Mountains, as well as witness the natural beauty of grasslands, mountains, rivers, and wild yaks or Tibetan , etc.

Train route map from Chengdu to Lhasa.
Chengdu to Lhasa train route

Chengdu to Lhasa Train Schedule

Currently, there is only one pair of trains connecting Chengdu and Lhasa—Z322 from Chengdu to Lhasa and Z324 from Lhasa to Chengdu. The Chengdu to Lhasa train originates from Chengdu West Railway Station, located on Jinhui Road, Qingyang District of Chengdu (成都市青羊区金辉路).

Z322 departs every other day from Chengdu West Railway Station at 20:53 and reaches Lhasa Railway Station at 07:24 on the third day, with a duration of 34 hours and 31 minutes. Z324 also runs every other day from Lhasa Railway Station at 18:50 and reaches Chengdu West Railway Station at 07:01 on the third day, with a duration of 36 hours 11 minutes. The train will stop at Guangyuan, Lanzhou, Xining, Delingha, and Golmud along the way.

The prices of train tickets vary with the different classes of seats. Typically, there are three kinds of positions—Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper, and Hard Seat, with the prices from the highest to the lowest. Each soft sleeper cabin has four berths equipped with an independent door, separate television screens for each bed and power points. Each hard sleeper cabin has six berths, but the price is much lower. And the hard seat is not recommended for long-distance travel.

Chengdu ⇋ Lhasa Train Ticket Info

Train Number Departure - Arrival Duration Frequency Ticket Price/Person
Z322 (Chengdu-Lhasa) 20:53 - 07:24+2 34:31 Every other day CNY627.5/USD97
Hard sleeper
CNY997.5/USD153
Soft sleeper
Z324 (Lhasa-Chengdu) 18:50 - 07:01+2 36:11 Every other day CNY627.5/USD97
Hard sleeper
CNY997.5/USD153
Soft sleeper

2026 Chengdu Lhasa Train Schedule

2026 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Chengdu → Lhasa ODD EVEN EVEN ODD ODD EVEN EVEN ODD EVEN EVEN ODD ODD
Lhasa → Chengdu ODD EVEN EVEN ODD ODD EVEN EVEN ODD EVEN EVEN ODD ODD

Please kindly note: ODD refers to 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, etc. EVEN refers to 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, etc.

The Timetable of Chengdu - Lhasa Train Z322

Railway Stations Arrival Time Departure Time Stop Duration
Chengdu West - 20:53 -
Guangyuan 02:04 02:38 34 minutes
Lanzhou 08:20 08:40 20 minutes
Xining 11:35 11:55 20 minutes
Delingha 15:41 15:47 6 minutes
Golmud 18:08 18:33 25 minutes
Lhasa 07:24 Final Stop -

The Timetable of Lhasa - Chengdu Train Z324

Railway Station Arrival Time Departure Time Stop Duration
Lhasa - 18:50 -
Golmud 09:02 09:27 25 minutes
Delingha 11:38 11:44 6 minutes
Xining 16:23 16:43 20 minutes
Lanzhou 19:29 19:52 23 minutes
Guangyuan 01:30 01:37 7 minutes
Chengdu 07:01 Final Stop -

Note: Before choosing a train from Chengdu to Tibet, please contact a Tibet travel agency to obtain your Tibet Travel Permit. According to regulations, all foreign travelers must have this permit to enter Tibet. Please carry your passport and the original Tibet Travel Permit when boarding the train.

How to Book a Chengdu-Lhasa Train Ticket?

At present, you can get a train ticket in two ways. One is to book online by yourself in advance, and the other is to seek help from your commissioned travel agency to book it for you. If you have already booked a ticket yourself, you can enter the railway station using your passport and Tibet Travel Permit.

Plateau scenery
Beautiful plateau landscapes along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

Major Cities Along the Way

Lanzhou

Situated along the Yellow River, Lanzhou is the second-largest city in northwest China and also a famous city on the ancient Silk Road. Trains between Chengdu and Lhasa will make a stopover of about 20 minutes at Lanzhou Railway Station.

Xining

As one of the world’s high-altitude cities, Xining is the eastern gateway city of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the path to the ancient Silk Road and Tangfan Ancient Road. There's Qinghai Lake, known as the paradise of birds, attracting many tourists every year. On the train journey, you can see part of Qinghai Lake. The train between Chengdu and Lhasa will make a stopover for about 20 minutes at Xining Railway Station.

Golmud

The Golmud-Lhasa section of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway is the highest and longest plateau railway in the world. You will arrive in Golmud in the evening and stop for 25 minutes before entering Lhasa. You can get off the train and have a break at Golmud Railway Station to adapt to the altitude better.

Around 1–2 hours after Golmud, you will catch your first views of the Kunlun Mountains. Along the journey to Lhasa, you will also enjoy the stunning scenery of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and beautiful lakes.

Conclusion

Although the Chengdu to Lhasa train takes 34.5 hours, the scenic beauty along the way and gradual altitude acclimatization make it well worth the experience. Ensure you have your Tibet Travel Permit ready for a smooth trip, and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Tibetan plateau.

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Ask a Quick Question Below?
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Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients

May ***

Hi. I just wanted to reach out about booking your 8 days Lhasa to Everest base group tour starting on the May 15th. We want to take the train ride from Chengdu, if possible. Would you able to help secure the tickets? If so, how much would it be? Thanks in advance.

Emily
Emily

Dear May****,

We can arrange the 8D Lhasa to EBC Group Tour on May 15th for you.

1. Yes, we can help you book the Chengdu-Lhasa train. We usually entrust ticket booking to professional scalpers because they can secure the soft sleeper tickets. 

They will prioritize booking direct trains. However, if that's difficult, we will consider booking connecting trains via Xining. Xining is a necessary stop; all trains entering Tibet need to transfer to oxygen-equipped trains here.

2. As for the 8D Lhasa to EBC Group Tour on May 15th, it costs USD1,010p.p based on 3* hotels, and USD1120p.p based on 4* hotels.

Jere***

HI there, we are very interested in your tour. Also, just wanting to confirm would you be able to help us secure tickets on the Chengdu to Lhasa sleeper train departing May 14?

Jennie
Jennie

Dear Jere***,

We can help you book sleeper train tickets from Chengdu to Lhasa through a scalper. Please note that the direct train from Chengdu to Lhasa runs every other day and departs on odd days in May. We will arrange tickets for the train from Chengdu to Xining on 14th May, and then from Xining to Lhasa.

Phil***

Hello,

We are two and are in February in China.
Most of the time qe would spent in Yunnan and Sichuan.
We think about adding from Chengdu to lahsa train. Would you recommend to so this Trip in February?

Emily
Emily

Dear Philipp***,

We can arrange the Chengdu to Lhasa Train Tour in Feb for you.

You can visit Yunnan and Sichuan, then board the train to Lhasa. May I know how long you plan to stay in Tibet? If your time is limited, you can visit the landmarks of Lhasa in 4 days.

Carl***

hello, we will arrive from nepal to chengdu airport. We are 2 persons but we want full Room. we will pay 4 passengers. we just want to be alone.
Can I have a good offer please? Thank you

Merry
Merry

Dear Carlo****,

We can help you book soft-sleeper train tickets from Chengdu to Lhasa if you book a Tibet tour with us. To board a train to Lhasa, you will need a Tibet Permit, which we can assist you in obtaining.

The direct Chengdu-Lhasa train departs on even-numbered days in November. I suggest you take the train on 20 November.

Este***

Hello. We are two people and we want to know about the transtibetan train in sleep bed from Chenngu to Lhasa at the end of April or at the beginning of May.
Is it possible get tickets one week before or it is necessary more time before to make a reservation?
How long does it take to issue the entrance permission to tibet?
Thanks.

Jennie
Jennie

Dear Este****,

We can help you book the soft-sleeper train tickets from Chengdu to Lhasa in late April and arrange the Tibet tour for you. The train in April departs on even days, like 26/28/30 April. The train tickets are open to book 15 days in advance before the train departs. It usually takes 12 working days to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit. 

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