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 253 kilometers and takes about 2.5 hours. If you are planning a Shigatse travel, it’s a great idea for you to take a train to Shigatse from Lhasa.
Schedule and Fare
There are 2 trains departing from Lhasa to Shigatse, namely C891 and C923. And one train departing from Nyingchi to Shigatse via Lhasa is C883.
Lhasa to Shigatse Train
| Train No. | Departure - Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| C885 | 08:20 - 10:42 | 2h 22m |
| C923 | 14:45 - 17:25 | 2h 40m |
| C883 | 16:15 - 18:39 | 2h 24m |
Shigatse to Lhasa Train
| Train No. | Departure - Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| C886 | 11:05 - 13:26 | 2h 21m |
| C924 | 17:45 - 20:20 | 2h 35m |
| C884 | 19:00 - 21:29 | 2h 29m |
Nota Bene:
1. Train seats are divided into hard seats, hard sleepers and soft sleepers according to the comfort level and price. 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 is far exceeding the supply. You may pay a higher price for the train ticket online.
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 hours' drive.
Landscapes
With beautiful natural scenery and unique Tibetan customs, Lhasa - Shigatse Railway is also a new tourist train route on the Tibetan plateau. Along the Lhasa - Shigatse railway, you can take a close look at the beautiful Lhasa River and the Yarlung Tsangpo Gorge, which is a famous Canyon in the world. Nyemo Tunba, which is close to Nyemo Railway Station, is the production and processing place of Tibetan incense. This craftsmanship has been in existence for more than 1,300 years. Arriving in Shigatse, you will have a good chance to view the beautiful lakes, vast grasslands, and magnificent temples. There are many famous temples including Tashilhunpo Monastery, Sakya Monastery in Shigatse. Located about 186 miles away from Shigatse, you can visit Everest Base Camp to worship the world's highest peak - Mount Everest.
Yarlung Tsangpo Gorge
Yarlung Tsangpo Gorge located in Tibet is considered the deepest and largest canyon in the world. The concept of "Shangri-La" in James Hilton's book "Lost Horizon" was inspired by the canyon's remarkable beauty, remoteness, and mystery. It holds the most diverse wildlife and forests in the Himalayas. There are some of the world's most endangered species such as snow leopards, Tibetan antelope and different types of mountain sheep in the canyon.
Tashilhunpo Monastery
Located at the foot of Drolmari, the western side of Shigatse, Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the six most famous monasteries of Gelugpa in Tibet. It was founded by the First Dalai Lama in 1447. Since the fourth Panchen Lama took charge of the monastery, it became the seat of the Panchen Lama ever since.
Everest Base Camp
The Everest Base Camp refers to the living area set up for exploring the core of Mount Everest, about 19 kilometers away from the peak of Mt. Everest. There are tents for climbers and tourists, as well as hotels, cafes, shops and even a post office. You can see the golden summit during sunrise/set, as well as a starry night. When it is clear, you can overlook Mount Everest from the base camp. The top of the world is right in front of you, which brings endless shock. Also the world's highest monastery Rongbuk is also located here.