Tibet Train Tours & Travel
Traveling to Tibet by train is one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway climbs to over 5,000 metres above sea level, passing glaciers, wild grasslands and salt lakes before descending into Lhasa. Foreign visitors require a Tibet Travel Permit in addition to a China visa — CTT handles permit applications as part of every booked Tibet tour.
Tours can begin from Beijing (Train T27/Z21), Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Lanzhou or Xining. Most itineraries include Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Drepung and Sera Monasteries in Lhasa, with optional extensions to Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse, Shigatse, Namtso Lake and the Everest Base Camp area.
Lhasa by Train
Board the T27 from Beijing West or connect via Xian and Lanzhou. Overnight sleeper trains reach Lhasa in under 48 hours from Beijing.
Tibet Travel Permit
Foreign travelers must hold a Tibet Travel Permit. CTT arranges this as part of every private Tibet tour — no separate application needed.
Combined China & Tibet
Combine Tibet with Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chengdu or a Yangtze River cruise for a full China travel itinerary by rail.
Tibet Tour Highlights
- Potala Palace — the iconic winter palace of the Dalai Lama, rising 13 floors above the Lhasa valley
- Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Street — the spiritual heart of Lhasa with pilgrims circling the temple all day
- Drepung & Sera Monasteries — two of the great Gelukpa monasteries with resident monks and impressive debate courtyards
- Yamdrok Lake — a sacred turquoise lake south of Lhasa, visible from the Kamba Pass at 4,998 m
- Gyantse & Shigatse — the Pelkor Chörten stupa and Tashilhunpo Monastery, seat of the Panchen Lama
- Namtso Lake — one of the highest saltwater lakes in the world at 4,718 m, a full-day trip from Lhasa