Lhasa to Shigatse Train
Lhasa-Shigatse Railway is a line connecting Lhasa and Shigatse in Tibet Autonomous Region. It runs east-west and is an extension of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. It starts from Lhasa Station (3,650m) in the east and ends at Shigatse Station (4,000m) in the west, with a total length of 248 kilometers and takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes. If you are planning to go on a Shigatse trip, it’s a great idea for you to take a train from Lhasa to Shigatse.
Schedule and Fare
There are three trains departing from Lhasa to Shigatse: Z8801, C887, and Z8803. Among them, C887 is a high-speed train, while Z8801 and Z8803 are regular trains.
Lhasa to Shigatse Train
| Train No. | Departure - Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| C8801 | 08:10 - 10:39 | 2h 29m |
| C887 | 13:00 - 15:20 | 2h 20m |
| Z8803 | 15:05 - 18:11 | 3h 06m |
Shigatse to Lhasa Train
| Train No. | Departure - Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Z8802 | 11:30 - 14:15 | 2h 45m |
| C888 | 15:50 - 18:10 | 2h 20m |
| Z8804 | 18:50 - 21:10 | 2h 20m |
Nota Bene:
1. High-speed Train seats are divided into business class, first class, and second class, while regular trains provide options such as hard sleeper, hard seat, and standing ticket. Prices and comfort levels vary accordingly. Passengers can make a choice according to their own needs and inform customer service.
2. Since travel in Tibet is very popular, the actual demand for train tickets far exceeds the supply. You may pay a higher price for an online train ticket.
Lhasa Railway Station
Lhasa railway station, located at an altitude of 3,650 meters, is the largest railway station in the Qinghai-Tibet railway line. It's about 8 kilometers from Potala Palace. At present, it connects Chengdu, Chongqing, Lanzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shigatse by train. The successful completion of the Lhasa railway station shows that the land bridge between Tibet and inland China is formally formed. It is an important channel for economic prosperity and cultural exchanges.
Shigatse Railway Station
Shigatse Railway Station, 253 kilometers away from Lhasa railway station, is the terminus of the Lhasa - Shigatse Railway. As it is about 8 kilometers away from the Tashilunpo Monastery, about 20 minutes drive and 150 kilometers away from Sakya Monastery, about 3 hours' drive. It is also the nearest railway station to the base camp of Mt. Everest, the distance between which is about 360 kilometers, about 7 hour's drive.
Landscapes
With beautiful natural scenery and unique Tibetan customs, Lhasa - Shigatse Railway is also a new tourist train route on the Tibetan plateau. The train departs from Lhasa and travels southwest along the Lhasa River Valley. You can enjoy the magnificent valley scenery along the way. Then proceed along the Brahmaputra River. The river meanders in a narrow valley. The mountains on both sides are steep and the scenery is spectacular. You will see Tibetan villages, local dwellings, cattle and sheep, as well as shepherds and their nomadic life.