Advice on Taking the Qinghai-Tibet Train
As the Qinghai-Tibet train was just open in July 2006, millions of Chinese tourists flocked into Tibet in this economical way. It is quite difficult to book the train tickets sometimes, especially in July and August. Comparatively, taking train out from Lhasa is easier to operate for tour operators. In fact, flying in and riding out by train is a better choice for most tourists. In this way, people can get used to the altitude in Lhasa at the height of 3650 meters above sea level. Then taking the train to the highest point of 5072 meters above sea level. Otherwise, once tourists have some unease on the way to Lhasa by train, it may affect the tour program.
Like traveling in other parts of China, if you don’t speak any Chinese or have little knowledge of this country, please bring a phrase book with you. Though the attendants had some crash courses of English, it is surely not enough to cover different situations on board.