How to Get to Lhasa from Hong Kong - by Train or Flight?

The distance from Hong Kong to Lhasa is around 2,423km. There is no direct train or flight to Lhasa from Hong Kong, so for the tourists traveling from Hong Kong to Tibet, they need to transfer in Chengdu, Guangzhou, or Xining of mainland China.

Basically, there are 4 easy and convenient ways to transfer from mainland China to Tibet by either train or flight, select one based on your personal preferences and budget.

Different Travel Routes from Hong Kong to Lhasa

Generally speaking, there are 4 major ways to reach Lhasa from Hong Kong and each has its merits and demerits.

Way 1: HongKong---flight---Chengdu---flight---Xining---train(21h)---Lhasa

Benefit:

This is the second fastest way to access Tibet. You can first fly to Chengdu, one of the major overland gateways to Tibet, and enjoy giant pandas and later board Xining-Lhasa train, the essence of Qinghai-Tibet Railway, to Lhasa. In addition, it only takes around 24 hours from Xining to Lhasa by train. The train ticket booking is much easier than booking Tibet-bound trains from Beijing and Shanghai during peak travel season.

Meanwhile, taking train to Lhasa can effectively minimize the potential altitude sickness risk for travelers who start your journey from places with low or minus altitude.

Disadvantage: none

Xining to Lhasa Direct Train Schedule（2026）

View detailed information about Xining to Lhasa Train.

Way 2: HongKong---flight---Chengdu---train(44h)---Lhasa

Benefit:

This travel route is cost-effective and promises great sightseeing in Chengdu and stunning scenery for the train ride from Chengdu to Lhasa. Meanwhile, travelling to Tibet by train can allow your body to have gradual ascent from basin to plateau with extreme altitude. In other words, it can prevent you from developing acute altitude sickness symptom (such as shortness of breath, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, dizziness, insomnia, etc.)

Disadvantage: Compared with travelling to Tibet from Xining-Lhasa train, the Chengdu-Lhasa train takes much longer time, around 44 hours.

Chengdu to Lhasa Train Schedules and Tickets（2026）

View detailed information about Chengdu to Lhasa Train.

Way 3: HongKong---flight---Chengdu---flight---Lhasa (the entire fly itself only takes around 5:30h, transfer to airport not included)

Benefit:

Most time-saving and efficient, so far this is the fastest way you can find to travel from Hong Kong to Tibet.

Disadvantage: higher cost and higher risk of developing altitude sickness due to abrupt ascent.

Way 4: HongKong--- Kowloon-Guangzhou Train (2h)---Guangzhou---train(52:41h)---Lhasa

Benefit: If you are a big fan of train journey, this travel route to Tibet will be the ultimate journey you are looking for. After you take Kowloon-Guangzhou Train to Guangzhoug and then you can board Guangzhou-Lhasa train and spend the next 52:41hours from the south all the way to central and west of China and eventually reach Lhasa. During the long train journey tourists can have the bigger picture of the most diverse landscapes and cities in China.

Disadvantage: For the elderly or small children, the lengthy train ride (4980km from Guangzhou to Lhasa)could be a huge challenge and potentially make them feel restless and drained.

Guangzhou to Lhasa Train Schedules and Tickets（2026）

Latest Timebale and Schedule of Hongkong Lhasa Train 2026

Guangzhou to Lhasa Train Z264 Stops（2026）

View detailed information about Guangzhou to Lhasa Train.

Tibet Travel Documents for Hong Kong Citizens

The Hong Kong citizens don't need a Tibet travel permit to enter and travel Tibet, just bring your Chinese SAR passport and Home Return Permit.

What to See on Hong Kong to Lhasa Train?

The train journey from Hong Kong to Lhasa provides a scenic and captivating experience, allowing you to witness some of China's most breathtaking landscapes. The specific sights and scenery you encounter on the Hong Kong to Lhasa Train depend to some extent on the timing of your visit to Tibet. Find out the best time to visit Tibet.

To optimize your Tibet journey, it is recommended to consult the train timetable and communicate your preferences to your travel agency when selecting a train from Hong Kong to Lhasa. This will enable you to experience the desired attractions at the most suitable times during your train ride. Here's an overview of the scenery you can anticipate along the train route:

Qinghai Lake

As you near Qinghai Province, you will be greeted by the immense beauty of Qinghai Lake(青海湖), one of the largest saltwater lakes globally. The lake's mesmerizing turquoise waters and the majestic snow-capped mountains form a breathtaking scenery along the train route.

If you happen to travel during the summer months of July or August, you might be fortunate enough to witness the blooming of vibrant yellow rapeseed flowers. These blossoms create a captivating spectacle, covering the surrounding hills and valleys in a colorful carpet. The flowers are a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world each year.

Yuzhu Peak

With an altitude of 6,178 meters, Yuzhu Peak is a major attraction of the train journey. As the Tibet train runs below the spectacular Kunlun Mountain range, you will be deeply impressed by the snow-topped summit of Yuzhu peak in the distance. To the mountaineers in China, Yuzhu Peak is no stranger. It has served as a great destination for entry-level mountaineering and climbing training for years.

Delingha: Colorful Landscape Chongqing to Lhasa Train Ride Through

The Delingha (德令哈) region of Qinghai Province in China offers a remarkable blend of natural landscapes, from serene lakes to towering mountains, making it a picturesque destination for train journeys. In the Delingha region, red willows and Danxia landforms are often found together. This creates a unique and visually stunning landscape. As the train passes through this region, you will be treated to views of red willows silhouetted against a backdrop of colorful Danxia landforms along the Qinghai-Tibet railway.

Kekexili Nature Reserve

Believed to be a haven for the wildlife, Kekexili Nature Reserve, also known as Hoh Xil, is the largest (83,000 square kilometres) and highest (4800m) nature reserve with one of the most diverse flora and fauna in China. It is home to a variety of alpine wildlife, such as Tibetan antelope, wild yak, Tibetan wild ass, white-lipped deer, and brown bear, etc. If you happen to take the Tibet train from May to July, you may have a higher chance of catching a glimpse of the migration of lively Tibetan antelopes.

Tuotuohe National Scenic Area:

During your train journey from Lanzhou to Lhasa, you will have the opportunity to witness the scenic beauty of Tuotuohe (Mar Qu, Ulan Moron, 沱沱河) National Scenic Area. As the train passes by the Tuotuohe River, which meanders through this picturesque area, you will be treated to awe-inspiring vistas of snow-capped mountains, verdant meadows, and the shimmering turquoise waters of the river. The optimal time to admire the scenery of Tuotuohe from the train is in the morning, when the sun illuminates the landscape.

The train travels through Tuotuohe National Scenic Area for approximately 15-20 minutes, offering a relatively brief but captivating experience. The closest proximity to the scenic area occurs when the train is traveling in an easterly direction.

Lhasa River: Tibet Train Ride Right along side with It

The Lhasa River (拉萨河) is renowned as one of the five major tributaries of the Yarlung Zangbo River (雅鲁藏布江). Translated from Tibetan, "Yarlung Zangbo" means "snow water from high mountains."

During the train ride from Chongqing to Lhasa, you will have the opportunity to catch glimpses of the Lhasa River. The train passes through multiple sections where the river flows, with the closest proximity occurring between Delingha and Lhasa. At certain points, the train even runs parallel to the river, providing captivating views of its pristine waters.

Explore Tibet with Travel Tibet China

With more than 10 years of local expertise in Lhasa and Tibet, our dedicated team at travel tibet china brings you carefully curated Tibet tours for an authentic and unforgettable experience.

Drawing upon our extensive experience, we have meticulously crafted a range of Tibet tour packages, including Lhasa tours, Mount Everest Tours, Mount Kailash Tours, Tibet Trekking Tours, Tibet Train Tours, and Tibet Overland Tours. Whether you prefer the comfort and flexibility of a private tour or the budget-friendly option of a group tour, we have you covered without compromising on quality.