Chengdu to Lhasa Train
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.
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.
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.