Chongqing to Lhasa Train

The Chongqing to Lhasa train Z223 departs Chongqingxi Railway Station at 21:53 every other day and arrives at Lhasa Railway Station at 07:41 on the 3rd day. This train runs alternately with the Chengdu to Lhasa train Z322 every other day. The Chongqing to Lhasa Train is a vital overland gateway to Tibet, as long as 3,055 km, and takes around 33:48 hours, equally as important as the Chengdu Lhasa Train. In addition, the train passes through five provinces and cities, including Chongqing, Sichuan, Gansu, Qinghai, and Tibet Autonomous Region. There are 8 stations in total, and the stay time at each station ranges from 4 to 28 minutes. On the way back, the Lhasa to Chongqing train Z224 leaves at 19:00 and arrives at Chongqingxi Railway Station at 06:19 on the third day. Train Z224 and Lhasa to Chengdu Z324 train also run alternately on alternate days.

Chongqing, also known as "Mountain City" or "River City", is one of the four municipalities directly under the Central Government, along with Shanghai, Beijing, and Tianjin. In addition, as the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Jialing River, Chongqing has unique mountain and water scenery. Before traveling to Tibet, tourists can take a cruise to visit this hilly city along the Yangtze River Three Gorges. The Chongqing to Lhasa train is one of the most favorite routes to Tibet. If tourists prefer to enjoy the Yangtze River cruise trip first and later move from Chongqing to Tibet, this railway route is recommended to you.

Chongqing - Lhasa Train Schedules and Tickets（2024）

The Chongqing to Lhasa Z223 train departs every other day. There are three ticket prices: hard seat ¥327.5, hard sleeper ¥627.5, and soft sleeper ¥997.5. In addition, the return train is Z224 train and also departs every other day. Since the Z224 train stops at Nagchu Station, the total journey time will be about an hour and a half longer.

*Note:The actual arrival and departure time of train, please refer to the information on your ticket, or consult your travel consultant.

About ticket price:

The ticket prices above are the net price. In reality, as traveling in Tibet is so popular that the actual ticket demand far exceeds the supply, in-bound, and out-bound tourists have to pay more than the net price to buy tickets. The actual price is subject to market fluctuation. In some cases, the actual price could be double than the net price. Despite the uncertainty and difficulty in purchasing train tickets, Travel Tibet China would manage to book tickets at a reasonable price ( usually 20 percent lower than the market price) and promise to offer free service for it. If tourists only want to buy train tickets via TTC without intending to travel to Tibet, TTC will have to charge a small amount of service fee.

Chongqing to Lhasa Train Z223 Schedule (2024)

Lhasa to Chongqing Train Z224 Schedule (2024)

Which Seat Class to should I take, Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper or Hard Seat?

Compared with Hard Sleeper, Soft Sleeper provides passengers with larger space, better facility and cleaner environment. To get a more comfortable journey, we strongly suggest that you choose a Soft Sleeper. You will spend two nights and you can have better sleep in the Soft Sleeper Carriage. Check the following charts for more detailed information.

Comparison between Soft Sleeper and Hard Sleeper Chongqing to Lhasa Train

Notice: Since there are usually about 64 Soft Sleepers on each train to Tibet, so you’d better confirm your trip and book the train tickets as early as possible. Currently passenger can book the train ticket 30 days in advance.

Facilities on Chongqing to Lhasa Train – Life on the Train

Train to Tibet Travel and Tibet Travel Permit:

Tibet Travel Permit, also called Tibet Entry Permit, is a necessity to visit Tibet. This permit is issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau only, and can be applied by travel agency behalf of travelers only. It takes about 8 ~ 20 days to get the permit usually.

Tibet Travel Permit is also a must to book the train or flight ticket and board the train from inland cities to Lhasa. Taking a train to Lhasa from Chongqing, you have to keep the original Tibet Travel Permit in hands. Sometimes, the Tibet Travel Permit is not required to book the ticket, but it’s hard to tell when is the “sometimes”. So do not hesitate to contact us for the up-dated information.

>> Learn more details about Tibet Travel Permit Application

How to Book Chongqing Lhasa Train Tickets

Tickets can be booked on line or at the train station. If you are in Chongqing or other Chinese cities, you can go to the train station directly and book the ticket on your own. Remember to bring your passport and Tibet Travel Permit. You can also ask the ticket conductor to provide your preferred upper or lower berth if possible. Because the train tickets are very limited, you need to book in advance. And we can book it for you on line if you send your passport information.

How to Get to Chongqing North Railway Station

Chongqing North Railway Station is located in the Kunlun Road of Yubei District. It can be divided into two parts, including South Square and North Square. The Chongqing-Lhasa Train departs from the South Square and the Lhasa-Chongqing Train arrives at South Square. South Square can be easily reached by Subway Line 3.

How to Shorten the Chongqing Lhasa Train Travel

It is a long train journey between Chongqing and Lhasa which takes as long as about 43 hours. If you want to shorten this long travel and just experience the essential part, take a flight from Chongqing to Xining instead of train, taking just 2 hours and 5 minutes. In fact, scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway (connecting Xining and Lhasa) is the highlights of the whole journey. As you board on Xining, you can have a stay and explore the famous attraction (Taer Monastery and Qinghai Lake) and have some local food. What’s more, the stay in Xining allows you to adapt of higher altitude (2,200~3200m) before Lhasa (3,700m). In addition, it’s much easier to book a ticket with better seat or berth, because all trains to Lhasa from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing will have a stop at Xining Railway Station.

How to choose the Chongqing to Lhasa by train or Lhasa to Chongqing

Generally speaking, train from Chongqing to Lhasa and train from Lhasa to Chongqing both offer you an unforgettable journey because you will have a visual treatment. Lhasa-Chongqing Train enjoys the similar schedule with Chongqing-Lhasa Train. The trains will pass through the same attraction in daytime or at night. As a result, there won’t be great difference between the sceneries along the railway you can see. You can enjoy the numerous mountains covered with green trees in Nanchong, Guangyuan and Baoji. As you come to Gansu, the scenery will be quite different. You must be amazed by the splendid spectacle of the Yellow River. In the summer, you may be lucky to see some beautiful sunflowers. While passing through Qinghai, you won’t miss charming Qinghai Lake. Close to Delingha, you can see the fertile farmland and emerald forest belt. Then you will traverse two lakes and enjoy the enchanting lake views. However, Chongqing-Lhasa Train and Lhasa-Chongqing Train also enjoy different advantages.

If you want to have an up-stream Yangtze River Cruise (Yichang to Chongqing), you’d better choose a train to Lhasa from Chongqing after your cruise tour. From Chongqing to Lhasa, you will get an opportunity to adapt the plateau climate and high altitude gradually. Some tourists like to choose Tibet as their epilogue of China and fly to Kathmandu directly after the Tibet tour. So they need to have a train journey first.

If you aim to take a down-stream Yangtze River Cruise (Chongqing to Yichang), train from Lhasa to Chongqing is recommended. In addition, it’s much easier to book a ticket of train from Lhasa to Chongqing and choose the seat you prefer. If there isn’t any Chongqing-Lhasa trains ticket available, try Lhasa-Chongqing train.

FAQs of Chongqing to Lhasa Train

Where to recharge your mobile phones and electronic devices?

The powerplugfor chargers are located in the corridors OR under your table inthe cabin with the 4 soft sleepers (in between the 2 lower bunks).

Can touristshave shower in the train?

Unfortunately, there is no shower room in the train.Dobring some wet wipesin stores anda smalltowel, and small but equally important thing:toilet/tissue paper.

Is it possible to swap ticket with other people to stay with friends or family inthe same cabin?

Yes. It is acceptable.You may ask conductor to swaptickets with other passengers to stay with your family or friends.

Is smoking allowed in the cabin?

Smoking is strictly forbidden in the trainas thetrain is tightly sealed and pressurized and oxygen is pumped into the carriagewhen the train ascends to extreme altitude. It would be devastating if thetrain caught fire.

Is it necessary to carry Tibet Travel Permit all the time?

Make sure you have your passport, Tibet Travel Permit andticket with youas you could be checked many times during the longjourney.

It is advisable to havemany copies of Tibet Travel Permit.

How can we minimize the effect of altitude sickness?

The effect of altitude sickness onpassengers varies. Yet, to minimize or ease the impact of altitude sickness,one mayprepare somealtitude sickness tabletsbefore boarding the train and take some whenthe train climbs to plateau. There is no need to worry too much thealtitude sickness, the train is built withoxygen suppley system. It is easy to use.