Golmud Railway Station (Qinghai-Tibet Railway)
格尔木站
The dividing station between Phases I and II of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway. Trains from here cross the Kunlun and Tanggula Mountains to Lhasa, widely regarded as one of the most spectacular railway journeys.
Golmud Station is where the Xining–Golmud section (opened in 1984) and the Golmud–Lhasa section (opened in 2006) of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway meet. A new station building opened in 2020. The Golmud–Lhasa section is 1,142 km long, with 960 km above 4,000 metres. The highest point is Tanggula Station, at 5,068 metres. Trains are equipped with diffuse oxygen supply for high-altitude travel. For travel tips: most Tibet-bound trains depart from Golmud in the evening or at night. To enjoy the scenery of the Kunlun Mountains, Hoh Xil and the Tuotuo River in daylight, choose a train that passes through in the morning or take a daytime service from Golmud. On many sections, seats on the right (east) side offer better views, with chances to see Tibetan antelope, Tso Nao Lake and the Tanggula Mountains. The full journey takes about 14–15 hours, and a hard sleeper ticket costs a little over 500 yuan (check the 12306 website for current prices). Passengers travelling to Tibet must fill in a Passenger Health Registration Card on the 12306 website or at the station. Note: avoid alcohol and strenuous activity after boarding. If you develop a headache, ask the attendant for oxygen. Tickets are tight in peak season, so buy as soon as sales open.
Opening hours
According to train schedule