- Oxygen systems on Qinghai-Tibet train help passengers adjust to high altitude
- Train route spans 1,956 km, reaching 5,072 m at Tanggula Pass
- Passengers enjoy scenic views of mountains, grasslands, and rivers
Who would have thought that one day you would need oxygen catheters just to travel? On China's Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the world's highest train route, the journey comes with its own “hospital-style” setup – except you are not in a hospital bed. This extraordinary journey takes you all the way to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Most of the 1,956-km-long line runs at an altitude of around 4,000 metres (13,123 ft) above sea level, with its highest point soaring to 5,072 metres (16,640 ft) at Tanggula Pass. At this altitude, the air has about 40 per cent less oxygen than at sea level.
To make the journey safer and smoother, there are two main oxygen systems designed to help passengers adjust to the high altitude, according to Tibet Tourism.
The first is the dispersion oxygen system. This system mixes extra oxygen into the train's air conditioning, so the overall oxygen level inside each coach is raised to about 23.5 per cent. The train usually activates this system after reaching Golmud (2,829 m).
The second is the direct oxygen outlet system. This allows passengers to inhale oxygen through small pipes connected to outlets near their seats. In hard sleeper compartments, each berth has oxygen outlets fixed along the side walls.
In hard seat coaches, oxygen outlets are placed at regular intervals along the carriage walls and sometimes even under the seats. Each outlet is shared by about 4 to 6 passengers. In soft sleeper compartments, each berth has its own oxygen outlet placed near the bed.
Qinghai-Tibet Train Route And Scenic Beauty
The journey to reach Lhasa via the Qinghai-Tibet train is very beautiful and special. The train goes from cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xining all the way to Lhasa in Tibet.
During the journey, passengers can enjoy breathtaking views throughout the route. They see wide blue skies and white clouds. There are vast grasslands with herds of yaks and sheep. The train also passes snow-covered mountains, including the Kunlun range and major rivers like the Yangtze. The journey goes through remote natural areas such as the Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve.
Ticket Price For Soft Sleeper, Hard Sleeper, And Hard Seats
If you are travelling from Delhi to Lhasa, you will need to take a flight via Beijing. It costs approximately Rs 55,000. From Beijing, you then have to take a train to Lhasa, and the price depends on the type of seat you choose.
There are three types of seats. Soft sleeper is the most comfortable option, with each cabin having four berths. The compartments are spacious, have a lockable door, and include facilities like a table, TV screen, luggage space and oxygen outlets. It costs around ¥1144 (Rs 675) for the upper bunk and ¥1186 (Rs 700) for the lower bunk.
Next is a hard sleeper. Each compartment has six berths, with basic pillows and quilts provided. There is no door for privacy, and the space is tighter. Prices range from ¥720 (Rs 425) for the upper bunk, ¥742 (Rs 440) for the middle bunk, and ¥763 (Rs 450) for the lower bunk.
Hard seats are the cheapest option and only offer regular seating for the long journey. It costs about ¥360 (Rs 212).
