Of the seven Chinese cities with trains to Tibet, Chengdu has one of the shorter journeys. Chengdu is home to the giant pandas and a great food city, so it is one of the most popular places to start a Tibet trip.
Important: Chengdu has several railway stations. Check the station on your ticket carefully: we will tell you which one when we book.
About the Chengdu–Lhasa Train
Journey time
about 36 hours
How often
every other day (alternating with the Chongqing train)
Departure
usually in the evening
Arrival in Lhasa
usually in the morning of the third day
The main stops are Guangyuan, Lanzhou, Xining, Golmud and Nagchu. Times change with each new timetable.
Peak Season Ticket Tips (July–October)
There is only one train from Chengdu to Lhasa every other day, and tickets are very hard to get in the busy season. Other options:
Fly or take the high-speed train from Chengdu to Xining, then take the train to Lhasa. Several trains a day leave Xining for Lhasa.
Fly from Chengdu to Lhasa. Many direct flights a day, about two hours.
Fly from Chengdu to Nyingchi, then travel to Lhasa by train or road.
Required Documents
Foreign visitors and Taiwan residents: passport and Tibet Travel Permit
Hong Kong and Macau residents: Home Return Permit
Chinese citizens: ID card
Tip: Chengdu is worth one or two days before your trip. Visit the Giant Panda Base in the morning (the pandas are most active early) and try Sichuan food in the evening.
