If you’re dreaming of traveling by high-speed train from Chengdu to Lhasa, your dream will soon come true. The upcoming Sichuan-Tibet Railway will connect Chengdu and Lhasa, offering a faster and shorter route to the Tibetan Plateau compared to the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Let’s dive into what this exciting railway project means, explore its sections, and discover how you can currently travel between Sichuan and Tibet.

Sichuan Tibet Railway is Under Construction, with Both Ends Open.

The Sichuan-Tibet Railway is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by 2030. Construction began on opposite ends of the railway line in 2014, and two sections of the line are already completed and open for use.

One major advantage of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway will be the reduction in travel time from Chengdu to Lhasa. The current route covers a distance of 3,070 kilometers. However, the new line will shorten the journey to around 1,629 kilometers. This new route will even be shorter than the Xining to Lhasa route, which is the main part of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

The line begins in Chengdu and is being built in three stages. The first section, from Chengdu to Ya’an, covers about 140 kilometers and is already complete. The final section, from Nyingchi to Lhasa, spans 403 kilometers and is also operational, with the central portion still under construction.

First Section: Chengdu to Ya’an Railway (140 km, Opened)

The first section of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, connecting Chengdu to Ya’an, has been operational since December 2018. Located southwest of Chengdu, at the edge of the Sichuan Basin, Ya’an sits where the lowlands meet the Tibetan Plateau. Though only 140 kilometers, this stretch of railway has become an essential route for travelers heading into western Sichuan.

With a design speed of about 200 kilometers per hour, the Chengdu to Ya’an Railway has significantly reduced travel time. Dozens of bullet trains depart from Chengdu daily, making the journey in just 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the number of stops along the way.

It's important to note that Chengdu has three railway stations—Chengdu South, Chengdu East, and Chengdu West—all offering trains to Ya’an. Be sure to double-check your departure station when booking tickets to avoid any mix-ups.

Second Section: Ya’an to Nyingchi Railway (1011 km, Under Construction)

The second section will run from Ya’an to Nyingchi, located in the easternmost prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Covering around 1,011 kilometers, this is the longest and most complex section of tracks to be laid, passing through mountains at the eastern ends of the mighty Himalayas.

The route will run roughly parallel to the G318 Sichuan-Tibet Highway and will pass through Litang, Zogang, and Bomi on its long route to Nyingchi. Construction of the Ya’an to Nyingchi section began in 2020 and is expected to continue until 2030.

Third Section: Nyingchi to Lhasa Railway (403km, Opened)

The Nyingchi to Lhasa Railway, the final section of the Sichuan Tibet Railway, has also been put into operation since 2021. It makes travel between these two popular tourist destinations much faster.  

Covering a distance of around 403 kilometers, the line passes directly through the mountains, with around 75 percent of the tracks being made up of bridges and tunnels. It boasts stunning scenery, passing through picturesque mountains, deep valleys, and crystal-clear rivers.

The bullet train from Lhasa to Nyingchi departs two times every day, and only takes about 4 hours to complete the journey. With this new railway section, you can now experience the beauty of eastern Tibet with ease and comfort.

Lhasa to Nyingchi Train Schedule

Train No.	Dep./Arr.	Duration	Frequency
C881	07:55 / 11:36	3h 41m	Daily
Z8901	10:50 / 15:29	4h 39m	Daily

Nyingchi to Lhasa Train Schedule

Train No.	Dep./Arr.	Duration	Frequency
C882	12:00 / 15:42	3h 42m	Daily
Z8902	16:30 / 20:51	4h 21m	Daily

How to Travel from Sichuan to Tibet by Train At Present? Chengdu to Lhasa via the Qinghai-Tibet Railway

For now, while waiting for the full Sichuan-Tibet Railway to be completed, you can still make the journey from Sichuan to Tibet by taking the Chengdu to Lhasa route via the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Currently, this is the most popular way to travel from Chengdu to Lhasa by train, offering both an affordable and scenic experience.

Covering approximately 3,070 kilometers, the train from Chengdu to Lhasa departs every other day at 21:11, and takes around 34 hours and 30 minutes to reach Lhasa Railway Station. The trains offer three types of seating classes, including hard seats, hard sleepers, and luxurious soft sleepers. For a comfortable travel experience, it is recommended to book a soft sleeper berth.

From Chengdu, the train follows a looping route to reach the plateau, passing through Guangyuan, Lanzhou, Xining, Delingha, and Golmud before reaching Lhasa. Along the way, you’ll see Kunlun Mountain, Tuotuo River, Tanggula Pass, and more stunning views along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

Chengdu to Lhasa Train Schedule

Train No.	Dep./Arr.	Duration	Frequency
Z322 (Chengdu-Lhasa)	21:11 / 07:41	34h 30m	Every Other Day
Z324 (Lhasa-Chengdu)	19:00 / 07:03	36h 03m	Every Other Day

Other Available Ways to Travel from Sichuan to Tibet

Besides the train journey, there are two other main ways to travel from Sichuan to Tibet: by air and overland.

(1) Chengdu to Lhasa by Flight

Flying from Chengdu to Lhasa is the quickest way to reach Tibet, with over 20 direct flights available daily. Flights from Chengdu to Lhasa depart as early as 6:20 am and continue until 8:15 pm, with an average flight time of only about 2.5 hours. If you’re short on time, taking a flight from Chengdu to Tibet is a convenient option.

The main airlines operating Chengdu to Lhasa flights are Tibet Airlines, Air China, and Sichuan Airlines. Flights depart from either Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport or Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, both of which can be reached by metro from downtown. It is recommended to double-check your departure airport before heading to your flight.

(2) Chengdu to Lhasa by Overland

Another option for traveling from Chengdu to Lhasa is to take an incredible overland trip. Probably one of the most beautiful overland journeys on the planet, the road route from Chengdu to Lhasa takes you through mountains and valleys at the eastern end of the mighty Himalayas.

The route follows the famous G318 National Highway, parts of which are considered some of the most dangerous roads in the world. The road heads west from Chengdu, passing through Kangding and Xinduqiao before crossing into Tibet at Markam, then continues through Zogong, Bomi, and Nyingchi on the way to Lhasa.

Covering an immense distance of 2,146 kilometers, the overland trip from Chengdu to Lhasa is an epic journey, taking you through diverse natural landscapes such as valleys, canyons, glaciers, and forests. Along the way, you’ll pass amazing sites like Midui Glacier, Rawu Tso, and the beautiful, sacred Basum Tso.

Conclusion

Although the Sichuan-Tibet Railway may still be several years from completion, once finished, it will provide a faster and more comfortable way to reach Tibet. In the meantime, there are other exciting options for those eager to visit. You can take the Chengdu to Lhasa train via the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, catch a direct flight, or take an adventurous overland journey. If you still have any questions about traveling to Tibet, please feel free to contact us for further assistance.