Tibet Train from Chongqing to Lhasa

The train from Chongqing to Lhasa departs every other day. The train from Chongqing to Lhasa currently takes about 34 hours, which is around 6 hours shorter than the 40 hours which is just opened in 2006. This is due to the open of the Lanzhou-Chongqing-Lanzhou Railway. In the future, when the Sichuan-Tibet railway from east to west in Chengdu opens, the train time from Chongqing to Lhasa will be further shortened.

Chongqing to Lhasa Train

It should be noted that since the opening of Chongqing’s trains to Tibet in 2006, trains have always departed from [Chongqing North] Railway Station. From July 10, 2019, the departure train station has been adjusted from [Chongqing North] to [Chongqing West]. Tourists entering Tibet by train from Chongqing need to pay attention to the change of the train station location. This article will mainly introduce you to the [Chongqing West] Railway Station related information and the Qinghai-Tibet train ride guide.

Chongqing-Lhasa Qinghai-Tibet train Z223 timetable

[Chongqing West Railway Station] Location and basic situation

Introduction to Chongqing West Railway Station

Chongqing West Railway Station was built in December 2014 and was completed and put into use in January 2018. It is located in Shapingba District, in the western suburbs of Chongqing, far from the urban area.

In the past, in the design of stations in mainland China, most of the ticket purchase and boarding points were separated, and passengers had to go back and forth in the outdoors to smoothly purchase tickets and pick up tickets. At present, most newly designed railway stations will concentrate all the functional areas related to the railway station in a comprehensive building. The services required by passengers can be solved in the station, without having to go back and forth between multiple buildings outdoors.

The newly designed station is more spacious and bright, and both the boarding area and the waiting area have changed significantly. It is worth noting that the location of Chongqing West Railway Station is relatively remote, related supporting facilities are gradually being improved, and the traffic situation is also changing.

Chongqing West Railway Station

Dining around Chongqing West Railway Station

Chongqing West Railway Station is an integrated building with a large area. Its functional partitions are diverse and complete, and it has reached the service level and scale of a large airport terminal.

In the station, there is basically an area where there will be more convenience stores, ordinary restaurants, fast food stores, etc. There are mainly two floors on the ground of Chongqing West Railway Station. The mezzanine on both sides is a commercial area, with more gift shops, convenience stores, restaurants and travel agency services.

Currently, Chongqing West Railway Station has been put into operation soon, and related businesses are still being further improved and developed, but there is no problem meeting passengers' basic dining needs.

Accommodation situation around Chongqing West Railway Station

The location of Chongqing West Railway Station is relatively remote, and there are fewer options for surrounding accommodation. Since the train from Chongqing West to Lhasa runs at 22:12 in the evening, passengers can choose to live in the more prosperous and convenient city center, check out in the afternoon and have dinner and go to Chongqing West Railway Station for the train ride.

How to get to Chongqing West Railway Station

How to get to Chongqing West from Chongqing Airport

Chongqing West Railway Station is located in the western suburbs of Chongqing, while Chongqing International Airport is located in the northern suburbs of Chongqing, which is quite far apart. The distance between Chongqing Airport and Chongqing West Railway Station is 45 kilometers. There is currently no direct subway between the two places. However, there is an airport bus special line K06 to reach Chongqing West Railway Station, which takes about 2.5 hours. In addition, you can also travel between the two places by taxi. It takes about 1.5 hours and the cost may be higher.

[Warm advice]: Do not go directly to Chongqing West Railway Station to take a train into Tibet on the same day as you arrive at Chongqing Airport. One reason is the inconvenience of transportation, and the other is that it takes too long to make the journey tired. You can spend a short stay in Chongqing for 1-2 days and then take the train to Tibet.

How to get to Chongqing West from Chongqing city center

As of the publication of the article (July 2019), Chongqing West Railway Station has not yet opened any subway lines, but it is already under planning and construction.

There are special-line buses to Chongqing West Railway Station for the main attractions in Chongqing and other railway stations. Tourists who want to save money can choose to take a bus.

For tourists with more luggage, taking a taxi to Chongqing West Railway Station is the most convenient and trouble-free way. The train departs at 22 o'clock in the evening, and passengers are advised to arrive at the train station before 20 o'clock in the evening. Because the new train station is relatively large, unfamiliar passengers may get lost and delaying travel time. Arrive at the train station early is to avoid delays and reducing losses.

Security Checkpoint of Chongqing West Railway Station

Guide to Chongqing West Railway Station

Check-in

Tourists from Hong Kong and Macau who hold the Home Return Card can pick up their tickets at the self-service ticket vending machine and the ticket window of the ticket office.

Tourists from Taiwan, China who hold the Taiwan Compatriot Card can only pick up the ticket at the artificial window, not at the self-service ticket vending machine. They must present the Taiwan Compatriot Card and the Tibet Entry Permit when picking up the ticket.

Foreign tourists with foreign passports can only pick up tickets through the artificial window. When picking up the tickets, they need to show their passports, Chinese visas and Tibet entry permits.

Waiting after security check

After getting the train ticket, go to the waiting hall to wait for the train. Ticket information will be verified before entering the lobby. Baggage also needs to go through a security inspection machine. Please cooperate with the inspection. Passengers holding the Tibet Entry Permit at the time of security check are required to present the Tibet Entry Permit.

After passing the security check, passengers and luggage will take the elevator to the lobby on the second floor to wait for the bus. Each train has a different waiting area, and the display between the two elevators will display train information and ticket gates.

Check-in

Ticket checking and boarding will start 15-30 minutes before the train starts. At present, the mainland uses a more advanced automatic ticket checking system. After checking the ticket, you can get off to the ground floor platform to get on the train.

The Chongqing-Lhasa train is an ordinary fast train with a green appearance, not a China Railway High-speed Train with a white appearance. Find the car number shown on the ticket, enter the corresponding car and compartment number, put down your luggage, and wait for the train to open.

Points for Attention when Taking Qinghai-Tibet Train at Chongqing West Railway Station

1. The Tibet Entry Permit is very important. Keep it properly after you get it. It will be used many times.

The Tibet entry permit is not required when buying a train ticket, but it is a necessary document when picking up the ticket and boarding the train. You can purchase train tickets up to 30 days in advance, while the Tibet entry permit must be processed at least half a month in advance. You can choose to purchase train tickets at least 20 days in advance and immediately confirm the group period and itinerary with the travel agency, and apply for the Tibet entry permit. You can also buy train tickets on your behalf after the travel agency has negotiated the itinerary and departure date 40 days in advance.

Please keep it properly after you get the Tibet entry permit. You will need the it when passing the security check, on the train, and when leaving the train station.

2. The Chongqing-Lhasa train does not depart every day. Pay attention to the departure date.

The train from Chongqing to Lhasa departs every other day, not every day from Chongqing West Railway Station to Lhasa. When buying a ticket, you must confirm the travel date, and carefully check the ticket information after you get the train ticket. Please go to the train station at the right time.

3. The railway station is far away and the travel time is quite long, so you must arrive early.

Chongqing West Railway Station, which has not been in operation for a long time, is far away from the urban area, and the infrastructure facilities are still being improved. Whether it is from the city center by car or from Chongqing International Airport, it takes more than 1 hour. Passengers who do not want to miss the train must allow enough time for security and ticket checking, and arrive at the train station at least 1.5 hours in advance.

In summary

Chongqing West Railway Station replaced the previous Chongqing North Railway Station as the new Chongqing Lhasa train departure station. The railway station is larger in scale and more modern in facilities. However, because of its remote location, the transportation here is not as convenient as Chongqing North Railway Station, and the transportation time is longer. Passengers who plan to take the train should reserve more time to facilitate the ride.

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