The Tibet Sky Train to Lhasa

Opened in July 2006 this controversial engineering marvel is the highest train in the world reaching an altitude of 5,072 meters at the Tanggula pass. The trip instantly became a classic China rail trip and, for many, the preferred way to reach Lhasa from Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu.

However, for foreigners, this train trip is logistically difficult as a permit is required before a ticket can be issued and tickets can only be issued shortly before departure.

We sell the ticket as part of our Tibet tours which can also be tailored to start in either Shanghai or Chengdu. Please note that we cannot sell tickets on this Qinghai to Tibet train without a tour in Tibet due to the strict Tibet Travel Permit requirements.

► Total length of the railway is 1,956 km (Xining to Lhasa).

► It was opened on the 1st July 2006.

► Passenger trains run from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xining, Lanzhou and Guangzhou.

► The line includes the Tanggula Pass which, at 5,072 m (16,640 feet) is the world’s highest section of rail track.

► The 1,338 m Fenghuoshan tunnel is the highest rail tunnel in the world at 4,905 m above sea level.

► The 4,010 m Guanjiao tunnel is the longest tunnel from Xining to Golmud and the 3,345 m Yangbajing tunnel the longest from Golmud to Lhasa.

► More than 960 km, or over 80% of the Golmud to Lhasa section is at an altitude of more than 4,000 m.

► There are 675 bridges totalling 159.88 km and about 550 km of the railway is laid on permafrost.