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Two Mad Explorers travel from Xining in Qinghai to Lhasa on the Qinghai–Tibet railway. Their 22-hour train ride includes hard-sleeper compartments, a view of Qinghai Lake, snow-capped mountains and nomadic herder tents. They share snacks and stories with a Tibetan passenger, try food during the trip and deal with altitude sickness using pills and hydration. The journey includes a frozen train door the next morning, a first glimpse of Tibet and their arrival in Lhasa, where they meet a tour guide. The route also offers a close view of life in the train, from hard-sleeper berths to meals and conversations with fellow passengers. The travelers remember a Tibetan man sharing snacks and stories and describe a bunk marked in permanent marker by another passenger. They face altitude symptoms despite taking precautions, then wake to frozen doors the following day. After seeing the first landscape of Tibet, they reach Lhasa and meet their tour guide, ready to continue the trip.
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Boarding the Qinghai–Tibet train
Two Mad Explorers travel from Xining in Qinghai province to Lhasa, Tibet, on the Qinghai–Tibet railway. They prepare for the 22-hour journey by acclimatizing to the altitude and buying supplies. The train has hard-sleeper compartments, and they describe the journey as a way to meet other passengers as well as cross a long distance. They see Qinghai Lake from the window and watch the landscape change toward the Tibetan Plateau, including snow-capped mountains and tents used by nomadic herders. A friendly Tibetan passenger shares snacks and stories with them.
Altitude, meals and arrival in Lhasa
The travelers take altitude-sickness pills and try to stay hydrated, but still feel the effects at the highest point. They have instant ramen and snacks and try local Tibetan food at a stop, including yak-meat bread. One of their train bunks is marked with a permanent-marker signature by fellow passengers. The next morning, they encounter frozen doors on the train. After their first glimpse of Tibet, they arrive in Lhasa and meet their tour guide. They also note that Tibet travel requires a permit and a tour group, and that the Xining–Lhasa railway was established in 2007. The train journey is a lower-cost alternative to flying and a distinct part of their trip.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What was the most memorable part of the train journey?
- A: The travelers remember seeing Qinghai Lake and snow-capped mountains from the train window. The scenery was a major part of their long ride.
- Q: What was the food like on the train?
- A: They had instant ramen and snacks, and tried local Tibetan food at a stop. They particularly enjoyed yak-meat bread.
- Q: How did they manage altitude sickness?
- A: They took altitude-sickness pills and tried to stay hydrated, but still felt some effects, especially at the highest point.
- Q: What was it like meeting local people?
- A: They met friendly passengers on the train and at a stop, and one Tibetan man shared snacks and stories with them. The shared food and conversation helped make the long train ride feel more social.
- Q: What is their impression of Tibet so far?
- A: They find the plateau scenery beautiful, with Qinghai Lake, snow-capped mountains and nomadic herder tents, and are excited to explore more.
