Gateway Cities to Tibet - Golmud to Lhasa Transportation

Golmud is situated in Qinghai Province, western China with an elevation of 2,809 meters (9,216 ft). It is the must-pass railway station of Qinghai-Tibet Railway, which leads to Lhasa, Tibet very easily and quickly as the important gateway city to Tibet. So it is worthy visiting when you are en route to Tibet.

Gateway Cities to Tibet - Golmud to Lhasa Transportation

Railway

Golmud lies along the Qinghai–Tibet Railway as one of the larger stopover station that ends at Lhasa from Beijing, Xining, etc, which usually takes approximately 12 hours from Golmud to Lhasa.

The section of Golmud-Lhasa railway of 1,142 kilometers long is the most challenging part of the Qinghai-Tibet railway while it was constructed, and now Golmud Station is getting famous to tourists on the way to Lhasa by train.

To be frankly, it is not easy to board the train from Golmud to Lhasa as the short-distance tickets are all usually purchased by people very earlier. It is better to book the train tickets from Beijing to Lhasa, Shanghai to Lhasa, etc.

Highway

The Golmud-Lhasa highway, extending 1,050 km, is part of the 1,930-km Qinghai-Tibet highway (China National Highway 109) connecting Xining and Lhasa. This route is liked by foreign tourists who prefer experiencing an adventure Tibet tour.

It is more than 1200 kilometer along with the rate-limiting of 60-80 of car, 40-50 of the bus, which usually takes about 25 hours.

The route of Qinghai-Tibet highway is: Ganzi - Daotanghe - Chaka - Golmud - Wudaoliang - Tuotuo River - Yanshiping - Tanggula Mountain Pass - Anduo - Naqu - Dangxong - Yampachen - Lhasa.

Flights

Golmud Airport is located 20 kilometers northwest from the city proper, at an elevation of 2,842 meters. There is no non-stop flight from Golmud to Lhasa, which only if provides the flights to Xining and Xian(via Xining). Tourists need to stop over to Xining or Xian and then fly to Lhasa.

By Train

As we told you before, it is not easy to book the train tickets from Golmud to Lhasa especially during the golden time of Tibet tour. As one of the larger station of Qinghai-Tibet railway the scenery of Golmud will be also greatly appreciated from the window of the train.

By Bus

It usually costs 210RMB (luxury sleeper), 180 RMB (general sleeper), 105 RMB (seat) of taking a bus from Golmud to Lhasa. It generally takes 36 hours.