Would you like to ride the world's highest train, slowly climbing from Qinghai Lake to Tanggula Pass and then to Lhasa? The Qinghai-Tibet Train is not only a transportation journey, but also a "rite of passage" that many Taiwanese dream of. However, the latest 2026 regulations have some requirements for Taiwanese travelers, so if you don't prepare in advance, you may not be able to buy a ticket or be denied boarding the train.
This complete analysis Latest Tibet Entry Policy, Ticketing Regulations, Cabin Selection, Countermeasures for Altitude Sickness, Procedures for Entering Tibet and Suggestions for Departing from TibetThe program is designed to make it easy for you to plan and avoid stepping on mines.
I.2026 Tibet Tourism Latest Policies: Must Read for Taiwan Residents Entering Tibet
1.Required documents: Letter of AdmissionTibet Travel Permit
Taiwan travelers must have a "Letter of Entry to Tibet"（The Tibet Travel Permit is the most important document to enter Tibet.
admission letter Can only be done through qualified local travel agencies in Tibet.We can't apply on our own. (We are eligible for 70 year old travelers).
Required: Scanned copy of Taiwan Compatriot Permit (clear), travel itinerary, dates of entry and exit from Tibet.
- Processing time: about 30-45 days (additional arrangements for expediting fees are required for expedited shipments)
- How to use the plane: The travel agency will arrange the tour guide to give the letter of entry to Tibet at the meeting place (usually Chengdu), and the group needs to enter Tibet together and take the designated flight.
- How to use the train: Scanned documents will be provided to passengers, and you will be required to present your letter of entry when traveling on the train.
2.Taiwan travelers to Tibet must travel with a tour group and are not allowed to travel independently.
Taiwan travelers, like other foreign travelersYou cannot travel freely into Tibet.
Tours must be organized through a travel agency.Arrange full itinerary, tour guide, accommodation and transportation.
If you want to travel to Shigatse, Everest, Ali, etc. during the trip, you will need to be represented by a travel agent."Travel Permit" and "Military Zone Pass".
3.Tibet Train Ticket Purchase Regulations
12306 is not very easy to buy (Taiwan compatriot card requires real-name authentication) and there is a limit to when tickets can be released!
If necessary, you can ask us to do shopping, this all depends on their own arrangements to discretion!
If it is difficult to grab tickets during the hot period (June-October), soft sleepers are often sold in seconds! Be sure to pay attention to the ticketing hours!
Payment Restrictions: Must have a mainland bank card or support Alipay / WeChat payment, some Taiwan travelers do not have the appropriate payment tools, remember to consult your adviser!
Second, the choice of cabin and experience: soft sleeper VS hard sleeper
There are three types of seats on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway:Soft sleeper, hard sleeper, hard seatThe first two types of bedrooms are the most popular. Below is a detailed description of the configuration, ambience, advantages and disadvantages of each type of cabin to help you choose the most suitable one.
Soft Sleeper
The "Soft Sleeper" is the first train on the Qinghai-Tibet Train.The most comfortable and private cabin in the worldEach compartment has more than ten small cabins, each with four beds, designed as bunk beds and with doors that can be closed to form a small independent space.
The first thing that strikes you when you walk into a cushion car is the quiet. Each compartment has soft lighting, clean sheets and thick mattresses, with a small ladder to climb on the upper bunk and a lower bunk where you can sit comfortably and chat or watch the scenery. There are reading lamps and clothes hooks next to each bed, and generally the cabins are equipped with individual sockets.
Soft sleeper advantage:
- More spacious and thicker mattresses.
- Doors can be closed for privacy.
- Includes reading light and socket, mobile power supply can be recharged at any time
- Suitable for travelers with seniors, children, Taiwan, Malaysia, etc. (who don't have the habit of traveling by train for a long period of time).
Soft lying defects:
- Highest prices, tight availability in peak seasons
- If the number of people is less than 4, you may need to share the cabin with strangers.
Hard Sleeper
The "Hard Sleeper" is the most cost-effective option, with several "cubbies" in each of the open compartments.6 beds per compartment, upper, middle and lower floors, no doorThe corridor is completely open to the beds, and there is only a simple partition.
The atmosphere in hard bedrooms is more lively, travelers will chat in the aisle or lower bunks, and occasionally some people take out snacks and playing cards to interact with each other. The beds are narrower than the soft beds, especially the upper bunks, where you will bump your head if you sit up, the middle bunks have a limited view, and the lower bunks are the most popular because you can sit and look at the view.
At night, when the lights go out, you can still hear the regular sound of the train and the footsteps on the aisles, giving you the feeling of "traveling in a group". It's a fun social experience for those who don't mind a good time.
Hard Bedroom Benefits:
- Reasonable price, affordable
- At least you can lie down and rest. It's more comfortable than a hard seat.
- Opportunity to interact and chat with travelers from all over the world, adding to the fun!
Hard lying defects:
- No door, low privacy
- Narrow beds, not very convenient to climb up and down to get things
- Charging sockets are only available in public places along the aisles, and you often have to queue up for them.
- You may be awakened at night by footsteps and talking.
Hard Seat
Hard seat is the cheapest option, similar to long-distance passenger chairs, the seats are tightly packed, there are many passengers, and it is very hard to sit still for as long as 20 hours.Not recommended for Taiwan travelersIf you are only traveling a short distance, such as Lhasa - Rikaze 3-4 hours, hard seat is an acceptable budget option. If you are only experiencing a short journey, such as a 3-4 hour train ride from Lhasa to Shigatse, a hard seat is an acceptable financial option.
Public Facilities and Experience on Board
Washroom Space
At both ends of each compartment, there is an open washbasin with hot and cold water taps, which is convenient for washing your face and brushing your teeth. During peak seasons, it is recommended to miss the rush in the morning and evening.
Toilet Configuration
There is one toilet at each end of the train, some squatting and some sitting. Please note that the toilets shake when the train is in motion.
Oxygen Preparation
The entire Qinghai-Tibet Railway is equipped with a "diffused oxygen supply system", which gradually increases the amount of oxygen supplied after departure from Golmud, so that passengers can adapt to the rising altitude.
Soft/Hard: There is an individual oxygen port next to each bed, which can be connected to an oxygen hose (purchased or brought on the bus) if needed.
hard seat (on trains or boats): Oxygen vents are available in the aisles and can be shared by more than one person.
Food trucks and catering
There is a dining car in the middle of the train, which serves a set meal (about RMB 60-90), including rice, stir-fry, and soup, during the main meal period. There are also trolleys selling simple meals in each compartment.
It is recommended that you bring your own snacks, instant noodles, and favorite beverages; boiled water is available on the bus at all times.
The high altitude and dry air of the Qinghai-Tibet Route means that hydration can help reduce altitude sickness.
IV. Altitude changes along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway (after Xining)
It is true that only from Xining is the real "Qinghai-Tibet Train", no matter where the train comes from, you have to change the train when you arrive at Xining!
Departure from Xining: Reminder of Altitude Change and Plateau Reaction
After departing from Xining, the train will travel through the Qaidam Basin, the Kunlun Pass, Coco-Cilili, and the Tanggula Mountains, with the altitude climbing from 2,275 meters to over 5,000 meters, which is the first time for many people to face the challenge of the plateau. In fact, the altitude changes along the way are very fast, we will suggest you to choose Lhasa -> Xining.
On the one hand, you are used to the high altitude in Lhasa, you can enjoy the beauty of the train ~, on the other hand, the altitude from Xining to Lhasa is actually very fast!
Qinghai-Tibet Train (Lhasa → Xining) Altitude Change Schematic - China2Go
Note: The folding line starts at 3650 m in Lhasa and goes up to 5072 m in Tanggula Pass, the information is a schematic approximation, and the actual data is based on the day's operation.
Common Conditions and Countermeasures:
- Headache, insomnia, fast heartbeat → Slow down your breathing, sit still and rest, and administer oxygen if necessary.
- Nausea, chest tightness → Notify the train crew, who can assist with oxygen or medical care.
- Poor sleep quality → Soft lying is quieter, helps the body relax and reduces the effects of altitude sickness.
If you are worried about high altitude sickness → We recommend taking a train out of Tibet.
For those who are worried about altitude sickness and fear that they will not sleep well when they first enter Tibet, I suggest:
- Take a plane to Tibet.Arrive in Lhasa directly, rest for 1-2 days to get used to the altitude, and start your trip from Lhasa downtown to a slower pace.
- Taking a train out of TibetWhen your body has adapted to the plateau, take the train out of Tibet, so that you can be in the best condition to enjoy the magnificent scenery of Coco-Colíli and the Tanggula Mountains, and will not be affected by the high altitude sickness on the train to sleep.
V. How to choose the most suitable experience of Qinghai-Tibet Railway for Taiwan travelers
The Qinghai-Tibet train journey time is relatively long, taking about 20-22 hours from Xining and 40+ hours from Beijing or Shanghai. It is recommended to check whether you have enough vacation time before deciding whether to take the whole journey.
More than just transportation, it is part of the journey itself. Along the way, the Qinghai Lake, Coco Sicily and Tanggula Pass are all must-see views of a lifetime. Choosing the right car and route can make your journey into or out of Tibet more comfortable and memorable.
If it's your first time taking a long-distance train
→ Recommended Soft SleeperThis will allow your body to rest sufficiently and minimize the discomfort of altitude sickness.
→ take a train from TibetIf you are worried about altitude sickness if you don't rest well, it is recommended that you take the train when you go out of Tibet.
If you have a limited budget but want to lie flat
→ hard sleeperIt's the best choice, much more comfortable than a hard seat, and saves you more than half the fare.
We definitely do not recommend the hard seat, in our experience it is very unsuitable for us Taiwanese travelers.
The scenery along this train line from Tibet to Xining is really beautiful, whether it is out of Tibet or into Tibet is very suitable, as long as there is time to assess the physical condition and needs, you can come to a trip dedicated to your Tibet!
CITS-China2Go Recommended Itinerary
I just want to experience the Qinghai-Tibet Train
Fly to Xining (or travel to Xining from Tibet only) + ride Z8991 Soft sleeper for evening busesAfter arriving in Lhasa, we will rest for half a day before starting the tour.
Experienced or looking for a challenge
Starting from [Beijing/Shanghai], we will experience 40+ hours of Sky Trail traversing and feel the altitude change from plains to plateaus.
Limited time but want to experience the railroad
Fly directly to Lhasa, and arrange one [Lhari Railway] (Lhasa - Shigatse round-trip train) in the itinerary.
This section of the route takes only 3-4 hours to see the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley and the Himalayas, making it a great little railroad experience.
Worried about altitude sickness
It is recommended to take the airplane into Tibet and the train out of Tibet.
In this way, you can first rest in Lhasa, adapt to the altitude, and then take the train out to Tibet to enjoy Coco-Colí and Tanggula Mountains after your physical condition has stabilized, avoiding the high altitude and difficulty in sleeping right after you get on the train.
Not enough time to experience the Tibetan Plateau Railway.
It is possible to take a trip on theLaji RailwayThis is a feature of some of CITS Global's trips!
Short rideThe single journey takes about 3-4 hours, so you can easily experience the Highland Railway without having to stay up all night and sleep on the train.
Beautiful scenery along the way: Traveling along the Yarlung Tsangpo River valley, you can see river valleys, grasslands, and the Himalayan snow-capped mountains in the distance, making it an excellent experience for taking photos and sightseeing.
China Travel Arrangement:Highway to get there, train to get back.The train is a great way to see the sights of Gyantse and Sakya along the way, and to experience the railroad on the way back, which reduces traveling time and effort.
👉 Extended reading:Temperature in Tibet throughout the year
Refer to Baidu Encyclopedia for some information:Qinghai-Tibet Railway (Baidu Encyclopedia)
Highly recommended, come to Tibet while you can! You can choose to join our 5-day! Qinghai-Tibet Railway + Lhasa Exploration Tour Whoo!
