Overnight train romance — soft-sleeper journeys across China, 10 days

Day by day

1. Day 1 · beijing

   Arrive Beijing, Forbidden City

   Arrive Beijing. Forbidden City in the afternoon — pre-booked tickets. Jingshan Hill for the rooftop view. Evening: dinner near Nanluoguxiang before the overnight train.

   Attractions: forbidden-city, jingshan-park

   Stay in: Hotel near Beijing West station (the Z-train to Xi'an departs from West).

2. Day 2 · xian

   Arrive Xi'an by overnight train

   Board the Z91 (departs Beijing West ~21:00, arrives Xi'an ~06:30). The overnight soft sleeper covers the journey while you sleep — an efficient use of time and a classic introduction to Chinese train travel. Morning arrival in Xi'an. City Wall bicycle ride after breakfast. Muslim Quarter food street for dinner.

   Attractions: xian-city-wall

   Stay in: Inside the City Wall.

   Z91 overnight soft sleeper Beijing West → Xi'an, ¥320–420.

3. Day 3 · xian

   Terracotta Army, Shaanxi History Museum

   Full morning Terracotta Army site. Afternoon Shaanxi History Museum. Evening: Datang Everbright City and departure preparation.

   Attractions: terracotta-army, shaanxi-history-museum

4. Day 4 · chengdu

   Overnight train Xi'an to Chengdu

   Board the K245 or similar overnight service (departs Xi'an ~20:00, arrives Chengdu ~08:00). The route crosses the Qinling Mountains — heavily tunnelled, but the valleys and the dawn descent into the Sichuan basin are rewarding. Arrive Chengdu morning. Check in and rest.

   Attractions: wenshu-monastery

   Stay in: Jinli or Kuanzhai Xiangzi area.

   Overnight train Xi'an → Chengdu, approx 12h, soft sleeper ¥250–350.

5. Day 5 · chengdu

   Panda Base, Jinsha Museum

   Early Panda Base visit. Afternoon Jinsha Site Museum. Hot-pot dinner. Board the Chengdu–Lhasa train later (evening departure).

   Attractions: panda-base-chengdu, jinsha-site-museum

6. Day 6 · lhasa

   Qinghai–Tibet Railway — crossing the plateau

   On board the Z322 or Z224 Chengdu → Lhasa (approximately 44h total — the train spends two nights on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau). Day one on the train is the most dramatic: departure from Chengdu through Sichuan mountains, ascending through Qinghai. Supplemental oxygen is provided in the carriage above 4,000m.

   Z-class Chengdu → Lhasa, 44h, soft sleeper ¥500–700. Tibet Travel Permit required.

7. Day 7 · lhasa

   Plateau crossing — day two on the train

   Second day on board: the train crosses the Tanggula Pass at 5,072m (the highest railway point in the world). The plateau landscape stretches to the horizon — flat-bottomed river valleys, prayer flag poles, herds of kyang (wild asses) and the occasional Tibetan antelope. The sealed carriage and oxygen supply make this very different from trekking the route.

8. Day 8 · lhasa

   Arrive Lhasa, acclimatise

   Arrive Lhasa early morning. Rest completely for the first half of the day — altitude sickness risk is real (3,650m). Afternoon walk to Barkhor Square and a slow circuit of the Jokhang Temple.

   Attractions: barkhor-square

   Stay in: Lhasa city, near the old Tibetan quarter.

9. Day 9 · lhasa

   Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery

   Morning Potala Palace (timed visit, book through your tour agency). Afternoon Drepung Monastery — one of the largest monasteries in the world by historical resident population. Afternoon: Norbulingka if energy allows.

   Attractions: drepung-monastery, norbulingka

10. Day 10 · lhasa

    Sera Monastery debates, depart

    Morning at Sera Monastery — the monk debate sessions in the courtyard at 3pm (weekdays) are one of the most distinctive things you can observe in Tibet. Fly LXA → Chengdu for international connection.

    Flight LXA → CTU for onward connection.

Budget guide (CNY per day)

Per person total 10 days including overnight train fares (approx ¥1,500 total), Tibet guided tour package (permits + guide, approx ¥2,500–5,000), and return flight Lhasa–Chengdu (¥1,200). International flights excluded.