Tips on Tibet Train

It is really a once-in-a-life journey to have a Tibet tour by train. The super highlight of this kind of Tibet tour is the Sky Train, the world’s highest train ride across the 5200 meter high mountain pass amidst the grand vistas of surreal mountain range and uniquely shaped Tibetan Landscape. It would be an unforgettable expedition across full bosomed clear streams cascading down beautiful mountain ranges, sharing kisses with glistering dew drops, an amorous ride with nature.

As the tour counselor for years, based on my experience, here are some advices for all the international travelers:

Like traveling in other parts of China, if you don't speak any Chinese or have little knowledge of this country, please bring a phrase book with you. Though the train attendants had some crash courses of English, it is surely not enough to cover different situations on board.

After going up more than 4500 meters above sea level, some weird things may happen at the altitude like ink-pens leak, vacuum-sealed food packages explode, some laptops and digital music players fail. So please get ready for what is going to happen on the way!

The trains may stop at some high-altitude stations with a fantastic view. Please keep warm if getting off the train. Catching a cold on the plateau will make you feel worse, even lead to a disastrous consequence. Please don't run and get excited at the height, otherwise, you may feel very uncomfortable afterwards due to lack of oxygen.

Please take light, high-carbohydrate meals for more energy, and avoid alcohol as it may increase the risk of dehydration.

You can use sunscreen, sunglasses, lip creams to protect your eyes and skin, for Tibet's high altitude and the atmosphere allow the sun's solar radiation to strike the earth with more intensity.

Please check with your doctor before coming to take the trip. Those who have heart problems, high or low blood pressure are not recommended to take the train ride and visit Tibet. For regular people, doctors may or may not suggest that you bring some high altitude medication based on your physical condition.

info comes from

Travel to Tibet

Accommodation conditions in Tibet

Accommodation conditions in Tibet have been greatly improved due to rapidly developing tourism in Tibet. In most cities and counties in Tibet, there are hotels and guest houses for lodging, but the equipment and service may be inferior to those of the other places of China. Even some famous international chain hotels in Lhasa, like Sheraton and Jardin secret, the service standard and
facilities of most 3, 4 even 5 star hotels are not what you would expect from the same rating hotels in Beijing or Shanghai.

Most of the standard rooms of the starred hotels in Lhasa have private washrooms with water heaters. In the guest houses there are own public bathrooms with fixed time service. Usually internet service is available in the business center or the separate internet bar in the hotels, and private internet service may be offered in the luxury rooms of a hotel. However, in some remote areas, the internet is not accessible due to the limited condition. Coffee is uncommon in the rooms, but many hotels have a separate cafe.

In Lhasa and Shigatse, starred hotels are more than other cities of Tibet. In Lhasa, accommodation ranges from guest houses to five star hotels. Except for the golden weeks of May Day Holiday, National Holiday and Shoton Festival, the hotels are not difficult to book. In Shigatse, Gyantse, Tsedang and Nyingtri, the highest standard is three stars. In Tingri, Zhangmu and Nagchu, the highest are two stars while in other smaller or remote areas, accommodation is mainly in guest houses, usually having a public bathroom with squat toilet. Therefore, when travelling to remote areas where only guest houses are available, you should bring a sleeping bag to keep warm and clean. You can bring a tent if you would like to camp for the night, such as at Namtso Lake.

In the off-season, most hotels go out of business due to fewer travelers. But in the high season, the prices are about 30% higher than those during the low season, sometimes up to twice as much.

Besides, if you want to get more close to local life and learn about local customs, Tibetans welcome you to their houses. Nowadays, Tibetans have opened their own hostels themselves, which are very popular with travelers. In Lhasa, there are many hostels of this kind in the old district, especially around Barkhor Street.

information comes from Travel to Tibet