15 Hours in Tibet

One of the best ways to see Tibet is not by foot, car, or plane, but by the new high-speed and high-altittude train called the Lhasa Express, which opened last July. Not only does the speedy train save you time--it takes only 15 hours compared to the government train's 48 hours--but it has all the best views. The train stops at all the best hot spots along the way to Tibet's main drag, Lhasa, the holy center of Tibet and home of sacred sites such as the Jokhang Temple. You'll pass through the Kunlun Mountains, a long mountain range in Tibet, which features the Kunlun Goddess, the highest mountain in the range. There's also the Tanggula Pass, which is so elevated that it makes the Lhasa Express higher than any other railway in the world. Beyond just the overwhelming mountain views are the signs of life--the herds of gazelles and antelopes, lakes, streams and rivers. Another stop is at the TuoTuo River, the source of the Yangtze River, and starts in the glaciers of the Tanggula Mountain Range.

Don't forget that this super-luxury train reaches new heights in the mountainous Tibet area--80% of the trip is above 13,000 feet. That means that the train needs to pump oxygenated air throughout the cars, and also comes with oxygen tubing in case of altitude sickness. Despite this, it's good to take precautions to avoid suffering from the vertical changes, and to let the medical staff know if you are feeling any altitude sickness symptoms, such as nausea and headaches.

The best way to catch it is to take the express Shangri-La train from Beijing to Golmud, a city in the Qinghai province in China. Then catch the Lhasa Express in Golmud to head toward Lhasa. The fares are at most $158 for a soft sleeper car, and as little as $28 for a hard seat (no sleeper). Not too bad for a close-up look at Tibet's stunning mountains and dizzying views.