Train from Shanghai to Lhasa

Day 6: Train from Shanghai to Lhasa

It's 5 in the morning when after spending our first night at the Shanghai to Lhasa train, what we have to say has been perfect, it's time to clear and approach the bathroom (to put it in some way) to go through sheet metal and paint and so start this first day that will take us to fully enter the trip to Tibet.
For us, traveling by train has always been a joy, especially in countries with which we are so culturally different, since it allows us to closely observe our travel companions, as well as giving ourselves to see everyday scenes that happen outside the train at the blow of a window.
The same does not happen when we travel by car, although on the train it seems that we are watching a movie go by in a fast camera, where we have to pay special attention to detail, to try not to miss any.
In this case we will spend nothing more and nothing less than 48 hours in the train from Shanghai to Lhasa, which we took yesterday after a day of the most complete touring the places that were pending from Shanghai in three days and where we spent the first night, we have to say, very comfortable.

As there is not much to tell as a newspaper of this Shanghai train ride To Lhasa, we will make a small introduction of what we have experienced these hours, and then, in the end, give a series of recommendations and advice that we believe, can be of help to anyone who considers enter Tibet by train, one of the ways that we believe, is more advisable, not only for the landscapes and the experience, but also for the acclimatization, since we cannot forget that Lhasa is at 3656m of altitude, something to take into account, especially if you arrive By plane.
Doing this tour by train from Shanghai to Lhasa allows us to adapt gradually, since it is rising gradually, although this does not ensure that we do not suffer from altitude sickness or that we should forget the recommendations to alleviate the symptoms, some of what we will talk about later.

First class compartment. Train from Shanghai to Lhasa

These hours on the train, as well as acclimatization, serve us in a certain pot to rest and enjoy the sweet pleasure of doing nothing, something we have to confess, we feel wonderful and more in a place like China where every step and every view is different from the previous one and sometimes, it can turn out to be somewhat chaotic.
At 11:14 in the morning, with British punctuality, we arrived at Xi'an, where we were already a couple of years ago and where the famous terracotta warriors of Xi'an, one of the great reasons for that trip and We now remember as we approach the city, with a kind of knot in the stomach, since we would love, being so close, to be able to visit it again.
Here the train from Shanghai to Lhasa makes a brief stop of 10 minutes that we use to stretch our legs and see a little the atmosphere of the station.

Shanghai to Lhasa train station

Although we had read that the first day the trip in train from Shanghai to Lhasa It was between gray landscapes, we have to say that since it has dawned, the day is quite clear, we imagine that due to being spring the green gives the landscapes something more color than usual and we have to say, at no time are we It is heavy or gray to be looking out the window, from our bunk, while enjoying coffee and reading time.

Landscapes from the train from Shanghai to Lhasa

In addition, when it is 2 in the afternoon, we cross a mountainous area, where we do not stop seeing villages with traditional Chinese architecture, which remind us of the restored buildings we saw in Pingyao, but here they are "real"and probably few tourists have seen.
It seems a lie but the time on the train flies, between readings, review of photos and several coffees, the morning progresses until it is time for food and we have to open our instant soups, fill them with boiling water and enjoy a typical Chinese lunch , which we do in the hallway, mixing the rest of the passengers, among which there are only 3 more Westerners in the whole train.

The meal time arrives on the train from Shanghai to Lhasa

After lunch we approached the restaurant, where this morning we "they threw"literally at 9 in the morning, after 10 minutes having coffee with milk, since they had no black coffee, with the excuse That they closed.
Being now noon, we decided to try our luck and as soon as we entered we found 5 waiters / cooks, plus a policeman, occupying 6 of the 10 available tables: one watching TV on the mobile, another playing, two others smoking and two sleeping directly in the tables, so after 30 minutes and without any of us paying the slightest case, we decided to return to our wagon and make our own soluble coffee, which we also have to confess, is much better than what we took this morning to All career

Shanghai to Lhasa train restaurant

After enjoying our coffee and a little reading time, 5 o'clock in the afternoon arrives at which time we take another walk through the train cars that are not closed, we read again and above all enjoy that window that we do not leave a second and more now that we are getting so close to what we so many times dreamed of while we were preparing to travel to Tibet.
There are a few minutes to 8 in the afternoon when we decided to open another of our instant noodle boats to make a dinner in the hall sitting in the seats to enjoy the scenery and also stretch our legs a little. After dinner we begin to fix our backpacks, since within almost an hour we will arrive at Xining, at 2400 meters of altitude, the stop where we have to change to take the train that will definitely take us to Lhasa.
We arrived shortly before schedule, when it is 20:45 and directly on the platform in front of us we have waiting for what will be our definitive train from Shanghai to Lhasa, where before entering we have to show train tickets, passports and entrance permits to Tibet, something that again corroborates the impossibility of entering Tibet without the corresponding permits that in our case has been managed by The China Guide, with whom we will discover Tibet and fulfill this traveling dream.

It is 9:30 p.m. when the train starts, we have one last coffee and we start what we can say is our real trip to Tibet, thinking about what is to come, in addition to the height that we will start to drink from now on, something which makes us be at least somewhat expectant of the symptoms that we observe in our body, which so far has not been any.
It's practically 10:30 at night when we leave our reading time, close the lights and start enjoying what is our last night in the train from Shanghai to Lhasa.

Train from Shanghai to Lhasa

Shanghai to Lhasa Train Route

1st day Train Route from Shanghai to Lhasa

2nd day Shanghai Train Route to Lhasa

Shanghai to Lhasa Train Details

The train from Shanghai to Lhasa has 15 wagons: 4 hard seats (3rd class), 8 hard berths (2nd class), 2 soft berths (1st class) and the restaurant car that is located right next to the first class .
- 3rd class (hard seats). The cheapest ticket, not recommended for 48 hours of travel. In our case we tried to reach them to see them, but the cars were locked, so it was impossible to see how they were.
- 2nd class (hard berth). This is the intermediate ticket, recommended by budget or by not having seats in first class. Each of the compartments has 6 bunk beds, 3 per row, without doors.
They share a turkish bath and a toilet area every 2 cars.

2nd class train from Shanghai to Lhasa

- 1st class (soft berth). The most expensive ticket of the three. The train ride from Shanghai to Lhasa is about $ 220 per person. In each compartment there are 4 bunk beds, soft, with bedding, two pillows per person, Nordic and slippers.
It has a door with a lock, television in each of the bunk beds, only with local programs, a table in the central area, a plug under the table and a kettle to heat water.
In each of the cars two bathrooms are shared, one to the turkish and another western, in addition to a toilet area.

1st class train from Shanghai to Lhasa

Toilet area on the train from Shanghai to Lhasa

When you leave the compartments, in the hall, in first class you find seats and different sockets to charge electronic devices.

1st class corridor on the train from Shanghai to Lhasa

Although it is announced that the restaurant car is available 24 hours, at least in our case, it was closed several times during the two days, so it is advisable to bring food and snacks for the trip, as well as drinks.
Throughout the day from the restaurant car you pass with a cart selling drinks, food and snacks for the different cars. In our case we wanted to buy water several times and they all told us they didn't have it, including once we went to the restaurant. We discussed it with the girl who attended the wagon, a reviewer, and made us accompany her to the restaurant and after four high words With the staff, he made us sell the water. It is something to keep in mind, especially when to avoid altitude sickness it is recommended to drink at least 2-3 liters of water per person per day.

Wagon train restaurant from Shanghai to Lhasa

From the Golmud stop to Lhasa, the points of interest are announced by public address, in addition to a brief explanation of each of them, in Chinese, Tibetan and English.

Something to keep in mind, due to the altitude, is that oxygen is available in the 1st class compartments (soft berth) and in the aisles of the entire train. In case of being bad due to altitude sickness, you just have to call someone from the staff to provide you with the oxygen tubes. We had read that there is always a doctor and nurses on the train to treat any medical problem, although we only saw the train staff attend to several people who needed medical attention due to the effects of altitude sickness.

Oxygen intake on the train from Shanghai to Lhasa

Tips for a trip on the Shanghai to Lhasa Train

- Although as we have said, there is a restaurant car available, right next to 1st class, we advise you to buy food, snacks and drinks. You can do it in the same train station in Shanghai, the prices are similar to the shops of the city and thus be able to be quiet 48 hours.
We recommend you buy instant noodles (about 6RMB per package), which you can do directly with the hot water available in all the cars. Different types of snacks, cookies for breakfast and water / drinks. If you buy directly at the station, at least 2 or 3 large bottles, you will avoid having to look for someone who want to sell you on the train.
- If you like coffee or tea, we recommend you take a thermos, although there is a kettle in first class, fill it with hot water and enjoy coffee in front of unique landscapes. Just don't forget to buy soluble coffee. We brought it from home, in case there wasn't, but we found the boat in all the supermarkets in Shanghai for about 45RMB.

Coffee on the train from Shanghai to Lhasa

- During the majority of the tour there is an Internet signal, so if you have a VPN you can enjoy additional entertainment.
- Although the landscape alone is an entertainment, it is good to bring a book, music or a movie to hang out.
- The earplugs come great in case you have a bunk neighbor a bit noisy, it is best not to leave them at home.
- Although you could put a suitcase at the bottom of the bunk, it is best to travel with a backpack because it adapts much better and is easier to store.
- Take the most necessary things by hand, the compartments are small and opening and closing backpacks every little while could be the worst of your nightmares.
- Avoid peak hours in the toilets, first thing in the morning and noon. It is best to go when there are no people to be calmer.
- Although they are cleaning the bathrooms, do not expect to find anything fancy, or first class, so it is best to be prepared for all.
- Take wet wipes and toilet paper and hand sanitizer gel, on the train you will not find any concept and they can be your best allies in different situations.

Train from Shanghai to Lhasa

Recommendations for altitude sickness on the Shanghai to Lhasa Train

Although we always avoid and recommend going to the doctor for any questions regarding health, whether about vaccination or in this case altitude sickness, we leave you the recommendations that we follow and that helped us to alleviate the symptoms of altitude sickness.
- We take EDEMOX to alleviate the symptoms of altitude sickness. 2 tablets per day (1 every 12 hours) starting two days before reaching maximum height and continuing two days later. In our case, having several altitude peaks during the trip, the arrival in Lhasa and the Everest Base Camp, the doctor made us a calendar with two guidelines to be covered at both times.
- Take glucose and caffeine tablets (biodramin with caffeine) 1 tablet every 8 hours. This also palliates the effects of altitude sickness.

As we say and we want to emphasize these recommendations, they are medical, so we advise you to talk to a doctor before taking anything, since according to your medical history, these recommendations may be more or less valid.

- Drink at least 3 liters of water a day.
- Do not eat copious food. It is advisable to eat hydrates, since they are slow digestion.
- Do not drink alcohol.
- Do not make unnecessary efforts.
- Move calmly, walk slowly and do not run.

The most frequent symptoms of altitude sickness are vomiting, headache, stomach ache and / or fatigue. During the train journey from Shanghai to Lhasa in our case we did not have any of them, but we did see quite a few people with vomiting, headaches and fatigue, in addition to needing oxygen in some cases.

Day 7: Train from the Clouds to Tibet - Lhasa