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Sichuan Tibet Railway Facts and Maps
Departure Station: Chengdu West Station, Sichuan Province
Arrival Station: Lhasa Station, Tibet Autonomous Region
Length: Approximately 1,900 kilometers
Train Duration: Estimated to be around 13 hours
Stations along the Way: Chengdu, Ya'an, Kangding, Litang, Batang, Chamdo, Nyingchi, Lhasa
Designed Operating Speed: 160-200 km/h
Estimated Completion Time: After the start of construction in 2014, the entire Sichuan-Tibet Railway is projected to be completed around 2030, but this may change depending on various factors such as funding, construction challenges, and environmental concerns.
What to See After Completion
Dadu River: The Dadu River is known for its stunning landscapes, steep gorges and beautiful river views.
Xindu Bridge: Xindu Bridge is often called a "Photographer's Paradise" due to its beautiful natural scenery. It features vast grasslands, winding rivers, and colorful forests, especially in autumn.
Chamdo Cultural Attractions: Chamdo is a rich cultural destination with numerous monasteries, temples, and historical sites. One of the highlights is the Chambaling Monastery, a significant site for Tibetan Buddhism.
Bomi Lulang Forest: The scenery here is breathtaking, with lush green forests, crystal clear rivers, and snow-capped mountains in the background.
Yarlung Tsangpo River Scenery in Shannan: The river and its surrounding area in Shannan offer spectacular views of fertile valleys, rugged gorges, and traditional Tibetan villages.
Sichuan Tibet Railway Progress
Chengdu to Ya’an Railway - Completed in 2018
The Chengdu-Ya'an high-speed railway is about 140 kilometers long, and the journey takes approximately one hour.
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Ya’an to Nyingchi Railway - Under Construction
The Ya'an to Nyingchi section is the most challenging part of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway due to its high altitude and complex geological conditions. It starts in the eastern city of Ya'an (雅安) and heads west, passing through Tianquan (天全), Luding (泸定), Kangding (康定), Yajiang (雅江), and Batang (巴塘). Then, it crosses the Jinsha River (金沙江) and enters the Tibet Autonomous Region. It continues through Gongjue (贡觉), Chamdo (昌都), Bomi (波密), and finally reaches Nyingchi (林芝), where it connects with the Lhasa - Nyingchi Railway.
The newly constructed main line for this section spans approximately 1,011 kilometers. The bridge-tunnel ratio is about 94.8%, comprising 838 kilometers of tunnels and 120 kilometers of bridges.
Nyingchi to Lhasa Railway - Completed in June 2021
This section, also known as the Lhasa - Nyingchi Railway, is about 435 kilometers long, and the journey takes about 3.5 to 5 hours.
| Train No. | Departure | Arrival | Time | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C925 | Lhasa | Nyingchi | 9:50 - 13:20 | 3 h 30 min |
| Z8901 | Lhasa | Nyingchi | 11:30 - 16:23 | 4 h 53 min |
| C926 | Nyingchi | Lhasa | 13:40 - 18:11 | 4 h 31 min |
| Z8902 | Nyingchi | Lhasa | 17:10 - 21:43 | 4 h 33 min |
Available Ways to Travel from Sichuan to Tibet
Chengdu to Lhasa Flights - Top Recommendation
Flying stands out as the most efficient and hassle-free travel option from Chengdu to Lhasa. With an array of airlines running daily flights between these two cities, the commute typically takes around 2 hours. Chengdu serves as a significant aerial hub for Tibet, offering more than thirty flights daily during the peak season. Destinations extend beyond Lhasa to include Nyingchi and Shigatse, making air travel from Chengdu a popular choice for many Tibet-bound visitors.
Chengdu to Lhasa Train via Qingzang Railway
The rail journey from Chengdu to Lhasa, traversing Guangyuan and Lanzhou before merging with the Qinghai-Tibet Railway from Xining to Lhasa, offers an alternative route. Trains depart from Chengdu West Station every other day at 9 pm, reaching Lhasa around 8 am on the third day, making the total journey time approximately 35 hours. This train ride provides a unique experience, albeit longer than flying.
Sichuan Tibet Highway - Currently Unavailable for Foreign Visitors
The Sichuan-Tibet Highway, comprising two routes the National Highway 318 or the Southern Sichuan-Tibet line, renowned for its stunning natural landscapes due to its high-altitude variations, and the National Highway 317 or the Northern Sichuan-Tibet line, celebrated for its rich Tibetan cultural and historical vistas presents an enriching overland travel experience. However, it's important to note that the Sichuan-Tibet Highway is currently off-limits to foreign visitors.
How to Plan a Sichuan Tibet Train Tour?
A 12-day itinerary is generally suitable for a Sichuan-Tibet train tour, which includes exploring Chengdu, taking a train journey, and experiencing the classic Tibet tour.
Day 1-3: Spend the first three days exploring the surroundings of Chengdu. On the evening of the third day, board the train to Lhasa. Considering that the train from Chengdu to Lhasa departs every other day, you can adjust the number of days spent around Chengdu accordingly.
Day 4-5: Enjoy the scenic views from the train. Upon arrival in Lhasa on the morning of the third day after boarding the train, check into a hotel and take some time to acclimate to the high altitude.
Day 6-7: Spend two full days exploring the city of Lhasa. Visit famous landmarks like the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and stroll around Barkhor Street.
Day 8-11: Dedicate four days to a round trip to Everest Base Camp. This unforgettable journey offers breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world.
Day 12: End of the trip.
Take Tibet Train Tours with Asia Odyssey Travel
As a seasoned travel agency specializing in Tibet travel for over 10 years, Asia Odyssey Travel has established offices and local teams worldwide, including major Chinese cities conveniently connected to Lhasa, Tibet (Xizang), by train and flights. Expanding tour destinations in China provides a Panoramic Tibet Travel Experience with diverse optionsThat's why we have meticulously crafted Tibet Train Tours starting from various major Chinese cities, ensuring an immersive, all-inclusive journey with a wide range of choices.
You can opt for our Tibet Train Tour starting from Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Xian, Xining, Chongqing, Hong Kong and more cities in China or even from Bhutan or Nepal!
There is no need to worry about booking train tickets to Tibet, language barriers, or anything you can think of, as we have you covered every step of the way! If you prefer to travel at your own pace Asia Odyssey Travel will always map out the Best Travel Plan for you, so you can simply hop on the train and start your Grand Tour of Tibet!
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