Tibet Railway Route: Lhasa Train to Jokhang Temple
This route spans 2,814.8 km across Tibet and China, following the high-altitude railway journey to Lhasa. The route covers the world's highest railway line traversing the Himalayas, requiring special permits and guides for foreign travelers visiting China's restricted province.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Journey to Tibet
- End
- Jokhang Temple
- Stops
- 5
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Journey to Tibet — High-altitude expedition across the Tibetan plateau, offering stunning mountain vistas and insights into remote Himalayan cultures and landscapes.
- Lhasa Railway Station — Modern transportation hub serving Tibet's capital, featuring distinctive Tibetan architectural elements and connecting visitors to the region's spiritual and cultural heart.
- Train to Lhasa — Epic rail journey climbing to extreme altitudes through breathtaking Himalayan terrain, enabling access to Tibet's historically isolated plateau regions.
- Highest Railway in the World — Engineering marvel reaching elevations exceeding 5,000 meters, showcasing technological achievement while traversing Earth's most extreme mountainous environments.
- Jokhang Temple — The holiest temple in Tibetan Buddhism, located in central Lhasa. Major pilgrimage destination for Buddhists from across Tibet and China who perform ritual circumnavigations.
Useful for your trip
- Tip
- Foreigners need special permission with numbers and stamps to visit Tibet. Chinese citizens can visit more freely. This is why Tibet is referred to as China's 'forbidden province'.
- Tip
- You must be part of an organized tour package and have a guide with you at all times. You cannot travel to Tibet alone as a foreigner.
- Transport
- The train to Lhasa features 6-bed compartments with a small wooden table and corridor access. Journey takes approximately 20 hours. Oxygen is provided due to high altitude.
- Transport
- The railway to Lhasa is the highest railway in the world. Bring a book or entertainment as there are no charging points or reading lights by beds in compartments.
- Where to stay
- Hotel rooms in Lhasa are equipped with oxygen pumps due to high altitude. Oxygen can be manually activated and tubes supplied for nasal use if needed.
- Tip
- Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world. Breathing difficulty is common. Oxygen supplies are available in accommodations and on trains.
- Food
- Prepare for differences in Chinese dining culture: people eat with mouths open and cough frequently in restaurants. Bring food if you have specific preferences.
- Transport
- Highway 318 connects Shanghai to the Nepal border and passes through Tibet. Major construction projects are ongoing throughout the route.
- Tip
- Jokhang Temple is the holiest temple in Tibetan Buddhism, a major pilgrimage site. Many pilgrims walk from across Tibet and China to visit and circumnavigate it.
- Save money
- Entrance tickets to local attractions like theme parks are very cheap (approximately 1 GBP/quid). Tour packages typically include accommodation and guide costs.
Video on this route
I Investigated TIBET: China's Forbidden Province