Riding the Rails in Tibet

Filed in archive Adventure on March 12, 2008

Tibet is a place of mystery, history, and political tension. The stark landscape and ageless culture make Tibet an attractive destination; but it can be a harsh place to journey. Topography and a slim transportation budget make the roads bumpy and sometimes dangerous. Traveling by air can be quite pricey. Riding a yak? Have you seen how much those things eat? You'd probably be responsible for paying for its room and board. That wouldn't be cheap.

The best way to see Tibet?

On the rails.

Until recently, there was no railway connecting Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, to the rest of China. However, in an effort to connect the Middle Kingdom with the independent minded people of this frontier region, the ties were laid. Outside of the geopolitics, what does this mean for travelers. The train (sometimes called "Sky Train" because of the great altitudes it reaches in Tibet) is, arguably the cheapest and unarguable the smoothest way to get to Tibet.

There are soft sleeper cars and cheaper options, including hard seats. Oxygen is pumped into the cars as the train climbs to higher altitudes.

But the best aspect of a trip to Tibet on the train: you can see the landscape of this beautiful region up close.