How to Get from Xian to Lhasa

Leaving the walled city of Xian for the highlands of Lhasa feels like travelling between two worlds. Xian is the heart of old China and the start of the Silk Road; Lhasa sits on the Tibetan Plateau among prayer flags, golden-roofed monasteries and thin mountain air. The journey is one of the great trips in Asia, and it needs planning for both paperwork and altitude.

Xian to Lhasa by Train

Trains run from Xian west across Gansu to Xining, then up the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa. The Xining to Lhasa section alone takes about 20 hours 55 minutes, and Lanzhou to Lhasa about 23 hours 40 minutes.^[1] Xian lies further east than both, so plan on well over a day aboard, with a night or two in your berth and a dawn climb onto the plateau.

Soft Sleeper

Soft Sleeper compartments have four bunks with a lockable door and more cushioned bedding. They are the most comfortable way to spend the long ride, and good rest helps you acclimatise.

Hard Sleeper

Hard Sleeper berths are padded and open to the corridor, with six bunks in three tiers. It is the usual choice for travellers who want a bed without paying for a private compartment. The lower bunk has the most headroom.

Hard Seat

Hard Seat is the cheapest class and puts you among local travellers and pilgrims, but sitting upright for more than a day at altitude is demanding.

Xian to Lhasa by Flight

Flying is the quickest way to the Tibetan capital: flights leave Xian Xianyang International Airport (XIY) and land at Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA). On a clear day you look down on snow-capped Himalayan peaks and the vast, empty plateau.

The catch is the sudden change in height. Lhasa lies at about 3,650 metres (11,975 feet), so a flight puts you at that altitude within hours.^[2] Take it easy on your first day, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol. The train gives your body more time to adjust.

Comparing Your Options

Tips for Traveling from Xian to Lhasa

You need a special permit for the Tibet Autonomous Region in addition to your Chinese visa, and you arrange it through a travel agent in China. The 240-hour visa-free transit policy does not cover Tibet.^[3] Arrange the permit well before departure, because you will need it for your ticket and at check-in.

Altitude sickness is a real risk on this route. Rest on your first day in Lhasa, keep drinking water and skip alcohol. Pack in layers, because evenings on the plateau turn cold even in summer, and bring high-SPF sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses for the strong high-altitude sun.