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Updated November 2026.
To highlight how simple the Singapore to China rail journey can be – I travelled with little more than passport, wallet, phone and clothes. No pre-arranged visas or cash in hand. However, I do recommend using an international eSIM or local eSIMs along with key travel apps, which I share in more detail below.
Continuing by rail towards Hong Kong? My Hong Kong stopover itinerary explains how to explore the city by metro (MTR) and make the most of a Tourist Octopus Card once you arrive.
I also completed this journey in 2 separate stretches. First from Singapore to Bangkok in 2022, just post-covid, then Bangkok to China in 2025. The stories follow those journeys, while the practical railway and border information has been refreshed for November 2026. I also shared these journeys in more detail (Singapore to Bangkok and Bangkok to China, then China Tours) otherwise this is more of a summary of the entire route.
The final cross-border section has its own detailed guide: Laos to China by Train (Vientiane to Kunming), including train booking, the Boten–Mohan border crossing and my first-hand journey. This article covers the broader route from Singapore.
For those really dedicating themselves to the journey it is also possible to travel by MRT from the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia on Sentosa Island in Singapore. However, I personally prefer a more laissez faire, last minute approach to travel, and I kind of fail at the first hurdle here with the train from Singapore to Malaysia.
Route at a glance: Singapore (Woodlands) → JB Sentral → Kuala Lumpur → Butterworth/Penang (optional) → Padang Besar → Hat Yai (optional) → Bangkok → Vientiane Khamsavath → transfer to Don Noun → Kunming, China. There is no single through ticket, and I would allow extra time for border crossings. Book Malaysian trains with KTM, check Thai train schedules with SRT and use the official LCR Ticket app for the Laos–China section.
Travelling south instead of north? The companion Thailand to Singapore by Train guide covers Bangkok’s sleeper trains, the Malaysian rail network and the final Woodlands border crossing.
Singapore to Johor Bahru by Train
It is possible to take a train from Singapore to Malaysia, a short 5 minute, 2.2 kilometre stretch, from the Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore to JB Sentral in Johor Bahru in Malaysia.
However, bookings need to be organised in advance, and I’ve never found myself with the time to do so. Instead I followed a similar route by bus, from the Woodlands Bus Interchange to JB Sentral.
The bus, like the train, normally takes 30 to 60 minutes, including immigration on both sides, but during peak travel times the bus can take hours.
By bus passengers must disembark twice—first at Singapore immigration and then again at Malaysian customs—before continuing into JB Sentral Station in Johor Bahru.
By the KTM Shuttle Tebrau is a 5-minute train service from Singapore’s Woodlands Train Checkpoint to Johor Bahru’s JB Sentral. Tickets must be booked in advance, especially for weekends.
While it is possible to continue the journey to Kuala Lumpur on the same day, a very early start is necessary, and times at immigration can be unpredictable with the bus journey.
During weekends, for example, when Singaporeans hop the border for more affordable entertainment in Malaysia, we’ve been caught in immigration queues for up to 4 hours.
An overnight stop in Johor Bahru is still a pleasant option if your Singapore border crossing takes longer than expected, but with the direct JB Sentral–KL Sentral ETS connection now running, it is no longer automatically necessary. There is plenty to explore within a short distance of JB Sentral if you decide to stay.
Entry requirements for Malaysia: Most foreign visitors entering from Singapore must complete the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within three days before arrival, unless exempt. This is separate from a visa. The new Singapore–Johor RTS Link is currently targeted for February 2027, subject to approvals; the current all-rail journey uses the KTM Shuttle Tebrau from Woodlands Train Checkpoint.
Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur by Train
JB Sentral to KL Sentral
Updated for 2026: Malaysia’s southern ETS line now connects JB Sentral directly with KL Sentral. You no longer need to change trains at Gemas. Check the official KTM timetable or compare tickets through 12Go. On my original 2022 journey, I changed trains at Gemas, but that’s now just a bit of the story rather than advice for today’s travellers.
I would still book in advance, especially on weekends and holidays. Use the official KTM booking site or compare the journey on 12Go Asia.
The electric ETS trains are comfortable, with reclining seats, toilets and pleasant scenery along the way.
It is also best to book a forward-facing seat, otherwise you’ll be travelling backwards, which can feel a bit weird.
So our next destination is Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. While possible to continue on to Butterworth on the same line, for a potential stopover in Penang, it will be late, with a tight window to reach the ferry connection to Penang Island.
Otherwise Kuala Lumpur is one of the must-visit destinations on this train itinerary, and I’ll be sharing the best stopovers and destination highlights along the way (our guide to Kuala Lumpur here).
After arriving to KL Sentral station there is an easy connection to Kuala Lumpur’s convenient Monorail system. In turn the monorail connects to the convenient LRT and MRT lines making it easy to explore the city.
I personally recommend staying in the KLCC area, ideally with hotel views over the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, the Crown Jewel of Southeast Asia, before travelling out to other areas. However it is the most expensive part of KL.
Otherwise many opt for the lively Bukit Bintang area which is handy both for the monorail, and Jalan Alor food street, which is normally my first port of call anyway (our Malaysian food guide here).
For those new to Kuala Lumpur I’d recommend at least 2-3 days to explore the city, then maybe some side quests to Batu Caves or Selangor, before embarking on the next stretch to Penang Island.
Hotels in Kuala Lumpur: I recommend stopping here rather than rushing north. Browse KL Sentral and nearby Kuala Lumpur hotels on Trip.com, then check the onward KTM ETS timetable for Butterworth or Padang Besar.
Kuala Lumpur to Penang by Train
KL Sentral to Butterworth
You can rush through the journey, skipping Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur, especially with the new direct ETS services. But I’d rather make time for two of Southeast Asia’s most worthwhile stops: Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
Next stop Penang, hopping on the monorail to KL Sentral station, to pickup train tickets to the port city of Butterworth. While the island of Penang is our next destination it does require a short ferry ride to reach from the port of Butterworth. But it is very much worth this fairly simple detour.
Otherwise, for those in a hurry, it is possible to bypass Penang, to continue north towards the Thai border for onward travel to either the southern Thai city of Hat Yai or the overnight train to Bangkok.
So the train journey to Butterworth normally takes around 3 and a half to 4 hours on the ETS Electric Train lines depending on the service. There are 3 options here with the only real noticeable difference being the number of stops and time taken to reach Penang.
Train categories, stopping patterns and journey times change. Check current KTM timetables before choosing a departure for Butterworth and your Penang ferry connection.
Again, each option is comfortable with reclining seats, clean toilets, dining car, and alternating backwards-facing seats. But the scenery and views are a bit more diverse on this stretch, passing wetlands, before reaching the coast on the run up to Butterworth.
From arrival at Butterworth is the onward journey to the island of Penang. A fairly simple connection walking to and through the nearby Penang Sentral transit hub following the signs to Penang Sentral and then to the ferry.
The passenger ferry runs between Butterworth and George Town, with a relatively short crossing. Check official ferry details rather than relying on fixed intervals or old ticket prices.
Not long ago they used car ferries for this crossing, back in the good old days, but they were cancelled following Covid in 2021, and now it’s a pedestrian-only route.
Otherwise vehicles, including taxis and buses leaving Butterworth, can use the nearby bridge crossing to Penang Island.
After crossing the Penang Strait, the ferry arrives to Georgetown, a designated UNESCO World Heritage city famous for its colonial architecture, colorful street art, rich multicultural heritage, and diverse street food.
It is also an easily walkable city and a short walk finds the main tourist areas from the arrival terminal.
In Georgetown, I would normally recommend staying around the Chulia Street area, which, while a bit touristy, offers some great boutique and heritage hotel options, as well as some of the best food in Penang and Malaysia.
While Penang is an island destination, I don’t think I’ve once seen sand in my many visits. For a beach retreat, I would always hop on another boat from Penang to Langkawi, but again this crossing was also cancelled over Covid and travel to Langkawi is easier from the mainland.
However, I am more than happy exploring the diverse melting pot of culture and cuisine in Penang, one of the best foodie cities in the world, and an essential highlight of this awesome southeast rail journey. Here for our quick guide to Penang
Staying in Penang: For a few nights in George Town, see George Town hotels on Trip.com. From Butterworth, KTM services continue north to Padang Besar; check the current KTM timetable for train connections.
Penang to Hat Yai by Train
Butterworth to Hat Yai Junction
Leaving Penang, we follow the same route as our arrival, only in reverse, taking the ferry to the pier at Penang Sentral, then follow the signs through Penang Sentral to the Butterworth train station. From Butterworth it’s then a couple of hours on the train to the border crossing between Malaysia and Thailand at Padang Besar.
This stretch is a long stretch, travelling from Penang to Bangkok, crossing at the Thai-Malay border, before an overnight train to the capital city of Thailand. However there is also the possibility of an overnight stay in Hat Yai.
For the current border process, Padang Besar train times and sleeper connection, I keep a separate Malaysia to Thailand by train guide updated with the practical details.
This is actually a route I would take relatively often when living in Thailand, with regular visa runs to the Thai consulate in Penang, something which is no longer necessary with the new Thai e-visa system. While I don’t miss the visa runs I do miss my regular visit to Penang.
The old Bangkok–Butterworth through sleeper was discontinued in 2016. Travellers now change between Malaysian KTM and Thai rail services at Padang Besar, as explained in my Malaysia to Thailand by Train guide.
Otherwise, from Butterworth to the border, travel is now on commuter trains, which are not quite as comfy as previous trains. No toilets, no food services, and it’s not possible to reserve trains or seats in advance.
However, I’ve personally never had any issue finding seats available at Butterworth Station, and there is always a standing option if stuck. While standing does sound terrible there will be many comings and goings through the 2 hour journey to reach the border so it won’t take long for a seat to be free.
Butterworth to Padang Besar takes roughly two hours by KTM Komuter. Check the current KTM timetable and work backwards from your chosen Thai overnight train, allowing time for immigration.
The timing does work well with midday hotel checkouts in Penang, however, earlier starts give the option for a quick stopover in the southern Thai city of Hat Yai which I do recommend.
At Padang Besar, passengers complete Malaysian exit and Thai entry immigration. Queues vary, and Malaysia is one hour ahead of Thailand, so check which time zone the onward train timetable uses.
Thailand’s visa exemptions depend on your passport and the latest requirements. Non-Thai nationals entering overland need to submit the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within three days before entry, even when visa-exempt.
There are then two option for onward travel from Padang Besar; either to hop onto the Special Express overnight train to Bangkok, or to forward on to Hat Yai where there are better options for onward train travel.
From the Thai border to Hat Yai there are regular 3rd class trains, taking around 45 minutes, which for me is the best part of this journey. Old school carriages, revolving fans, clickity-clack, head out the window. Proper train travel. Woo wooo!
While I do love high-speed trains for speed and efficiency, and have travelled all over Japan on the superfast shinkansen network, from the southern islands to northern Hokkaido, they do lack the romance and adventure of the old school locomotives.
It’s like ditching the EV for a classical car, and for me, the old, unreliable trains of Thailand, will always be my favourite mode of transport, regardless of how slow and inefficient they are. They kind of get there when they get there.
Hat Yai to Bangkok by Train
Hat Yai Junction to Krung Thep Aphiwat
There is no hurry with the border crossing for those on a relaxed schedule, and Hat Yai is a worthwhile stopover, so I’d recommend travelling early from Penang, and maybe even consider an overnight stay in Hat Yai. Just be sure to grab your onward tickets at Hat Yai Junction (Hat Yai Train Station) before going on to explore.
While Hat Yai is the largest city of southern Thailand, it’s still relatively small, and the city centre can easily be covered on foot from the train station. Otherwise it is used more as a waypoint for most visitors passing the city en route to the southern islands of Thailand. Most notably, the island of Ko Lipe.
These islands can also be used as an alternative maritime route, with ferries from Penang to Langkawi, then Langkawi to Ko Lipe. However, the Penang – Langkawi route was rerouted during covid, and the Langkawi to Ko Lipe route is seasonal, and, well, you’d be missing out on all the awesome trains.
Hat Yai Junction offers a wider choice of northbound services than Padang Besar alone. These include sleeper trains such as Special Express 32, with first-class private cabins, as well as the direct Padang Besar sleeper. Check the official Thai timetable and 12Go ticket availability rather than fixed departure times.
Personally I would go with the more modern CNR train, which is newer, cleaner, more comfortable, and the journey is an hour faster than the next fastest option. While I’ve always winged this journey in this past, you might want to book the CNR train in advance to ensure seat/berth availability.
When travelling as a couple (Fanfan prefers to fly and meet me there), I’d choose first-class cabins where they are available, for example on suitable services from Hat Yai. When travelling solo, I prefer a lower berth in second class with its nighttime window views. Train 46 direct from Padang Besar normally offers second-class sleepers, not first-class cabins.
In 2nd class, when boarding and during the day, the train carriages are set with seats, only to be converted into bunk beds in the evening by a train attendant. Two bunks, upper and lower, each with a mattress, pillow, blanket and a curtain for privacy. Then, the following morning, the bunk beds will be folded back into seats for the remainder of the journey.
While these express trains all arrive in Bangkok early morning, there are some worthwhile stops along the way. First in Surat Thani, the jump off point for the islands of the Gulf of Thailand, including Ko Samui, Ko Tao, and Koh Phangan. Then there’s the laid back resort town of Hua Hin where the main beaches are within walking distance of the train station.
Otherwise Bangkok is the final destination on this line with the train arriving to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal at around breakfast time the following morning. It is then easy to connect to the convenient MRT underground trains, which in turn connect to the BTS skytrain stations.
For me, Bangkok would actually be the starting point for most of these rail journeys, given I live there. Or to be specific, the Asoke area of Bangkok which makes for a convenient base for tourists given its handy location at the interchange of the skytrain and underground train lines in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok.
However Bangkok is rather huge, and I regularly find myself staying out in other parts of the city, like the Chao Phraya riverside, or Chinatown, maybe even Silom or the Siam shopping district. Fortunately all these areas are easily connected by skytrain and metro lines these days, as well as travel back to the Krung Thep Aphiwat Station for the next leg of the journey.
Hat Yai alternative: If the direct Padang Besar–Bangkok sleeper does not suit your plans, Hat Yai has a wider choice of onward trains, including first-class cabins on selected services. See Hat Yai–Bangkok train options on 12Go and Hat Yai hotels on Trip.com if you want to stop overnight.
Bangkok to Vientiane by Train
Krung Thep Aphiwat to Vientiane Khamsavath
(Check here for a more comprehensive guide from Bangkok to China by Train)
The next stretch from Bangkok to Vientiane is the halfway point of a 48-hour journey to Kunming in the Yunnan Province of China. Again it is a stretch I’ve covered a bunch of times on visa runs to Vientiane which are not longer necessary with Thailand’s new evisa system.
Until recently I would have forwarded by tuk-tuk from the border, until the introduction of a direct train between Bangkok and Vientiane in 2024 made the journey much easier. The train leaving from Krung Thep Aphiwat Station arriving to the Vientiane Khamsavath Railway Station in Laos.
Again I travelled with little more than passport, wallet, phone, and clothes. No laptop, printed paper, or pre-arranged visas. I also travelled solely with Thai baht and neither took or received Lao Kip during my 24 hours stay in Laos.
However, I did pre-book train tickets for both stages of the Bangkok to China journey just to be safe. First was booking the Vientiane to Kunming train using the LCR Ticket App (Lao-China Rail) then Bangkok to Vientiane using d-ticket the official website for the state railway of Thailand (SRT).
So the journey from Bangkok to Vientiane takes roughly 12 hours which includes border procedures and onward travel to the city centre. This involves an overnight sleeper train from Bangkok, leaving the main Krung Thep Aphiwat station in Bangkok, with around a 10 hours to reach the border crossing at Nong Khai. Before immigration and crossing the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge into Laos.
Again I recommend the lower berth 2nd Class Sleepers for this journey with better space and window views at night. Bookings are made on D Ticket (the official State Railway of Thailand website). Just be sure the origin station is Krung Thep Aphiwat and the destination is Vientiane Khamsavath in Laos.
It’s also best to book in advance as berths for the direct train as they can sell out fast. However, there are alternative options if fully booked. I found this on my recent booking where the direct trains from Bangkok to Vientiane were fully booked at least 2 weeks in advance.
Fortunately it is simple to just switch to the earlier Nong Khai train and follow the same line from there. There are also benefits of the earlier Nong Khai train, which is cleaner and more comfortable, and you can grab breakfast and queue for immigration before the direct Bangkok to Vientiane train arrives.
If the direct Bangkok–Vientiane sleeper is fully booked, there are other options to Nong Khai and onward connections to Vientiane. On my 2025 trip, the cheaper cross-border section had third-class seating, but check the current price and availability on SRT D-Ticket rather than relying on an old fare.
After passing immigration on the Thai side, a quick biometrics check and stamp out, the train crosses Friendship Bridge and takes roughly 35 minutes in total to reach the Vientiane Khamsavath Station. Here you will need to clear immigration before onward travel to Vientiane City Centre. Note, this is not the same station for the Laos China high speed railway.
Visa requirements for Laos depend on nationality. Many visitors need a visa or may be eligible for a visa on arrival; the official Lao eVisa site confirms that Khamsavath Railway Station accepts eVisas, and warns that the approval letter must be printed. For my 2025 journey I left the application too late, so I used visa on arrival instead.
Instead I opted for a Visa on Arrival, which may have proved the better option, as the queues for arrivals were much larger with local Thai and Lao travellers. Meanwhile there was only a handful in the queue for Visa on Arrival.
Note, payment for visas can be made in US Dollars, or Thai Baht, with the US Dollar proving better with currency exchange. However, to keep it simple, I just opted to pay in Thai Baht.
Lao border forms and visa procedures change over time. Check the official Lao eVisa information; it lists Khamsavath Railway Station as an authorised eVisa entry point and specifies that eVisa approval letters must be printed.
It is normally a 20–30-minute road transfer from Vientiane Khamsavath station to the city centre, depending on traffic. Compare taxi and shared-transfer fares locally rather than relying on an old fixed minibus price. Thai baht was widely accepted on my visit, but having some Lao kip is useful.
Things can be a little tricky when arriving to Vientiane without a phone with data connection so it’s a good idea to save a map to the hotel. There are taxis and tuk-tuks but no fixed pricing.
Fortunately Vientiane is a fairly small city to navigate on foot and it’s not far a walk to reach the riverside tourist areas. Otherwise, for those with data connection, the rideshare app Loca is another handy option.
While Vientiane is the main destination on this instance (our guide to Vientiane here) it is also possible to bypass the capital of Laos on the same day with onward travel to Vang Vieng (our guide here) or Luang Prabang (still on the to do list).
To continue into northern Laos and China, transfer by road from Khamsavath to Don Noun, Vientiane’s separate Laos–China Railway station. While domestic trains continue to Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, the international services to Kunming depart earlier in the day. An overnight stay in Vientiane is usually the practical option for the full through journey.
Vientiane to China by Train
Vientiane Don Noun to Kunming South
The international trains to China depart from the Laos–China Railway station at Don Noun, outside Vientiane city centre. There are now multiple international departures on published timetables, rather than only the early service I used. Check my updated Laos to China guide and official LCR Ticket app before travelling.
To be safe, I booked a hotel taxi for the early departure, allowing around 20–25 minutes for the road journey to the station and extra time for security and any ticket collection. Check current taxi fares locally rather than using what I paid in 2025.
The full journey takes around 9 hours and 30 minutes to Kunming and I personally opt for first-class seats as there is not a large markup on both prices or comfort. I was seated on the left side of the train, which is best for views passing the scenic destinations like Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, but I was also riding backwards which felt a bit weird. It’s best to double check your seats when booking.
Otherwise the train was relatively empty until Luang Prabang where it quickly filled with holidaymakers on their return journey to China.
So it takes roughly 3 hours 20 minutes from Vientiane to reach the Boten Border crossing where we hop off for immigration leaving Laos. Here you must disembark with your luggage for security and passport checks before we’re boarding the train again.
It is then a short 10 km crossing through Friendship Tunnel into China to disembark, again, with luggage, at the Chinese checkpoint at Mohan for passport control and immigration.
China’s visa requirements depend on nationality. I travelled on an Irish passport in 2025, when Irish citizens were already eligible for visa-free entry for up to 30 days. As of November 2026, eligible ordinary British and Irish passport holders can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days, under policies announced through 31 December 2026. Check the British and Irish official notices before later travel. In 2025 we completed paper arrival cards on the train; since November 2025 China also provides a free online arrival card before arrival, with paper forms still available at the border.
Immigration is otherwise fairly quick and simple as the international traveller queue is relatively small when compared to travellers from China and Laos. Then it’s roughly 20 minutes before we’re ready to board again.
From the China border it is a 4 hour 30 minute or so train journey to Kunming, with a number of stops en route, and passengers come and go. So it’s easy to switch seats without an issue. The train then arrives to, also Kunming South Station (Kunmingnan) where onward travel should be simple with a prearranged e-sim and the handy apps.
Onward Travel in China
I do recommend downloading some handy apps before starting the journey from to China, because once on the train to Vientiane it’s a straight journey to the border and these apps make travel a whole lot simpler once in China.
The key railway apps are LCR Ticket for the Laos–China route and 12306 for onward trains in China. I use Trip.com for hotels, Alipay and WeChat Pay for payments, Amap for navigation and DiDi for taxis. I share more about these in my Yunnan guide. Beyond apps, video recording glasses can be useful for hands-free footage of scenic trains and city arrivals. Check local rules before filming at border controls.
From Kunming, China’s high-speed rail network reaches an extraordinary range of destinations including Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, with different trains and journey times depending on the route. The surrounding Yunnan Province is worth exploring in its own right, especially Lijiang and Shangri-La (see my Yunnan itinerary). If you’re planning more stops along the Chinese rail network, my Xi’an city guide covers another of my favourite places to explore. For up-to-date domestic China train timetables and official prices, use China Railway 12306, or compare options through Trip.com China train bookings. Prices and departure times depend on the actual date, and third-party booking fees may apply.
Otherwise, on this visit, we travelled north to Sichuan province, for the megacities of Chengdu and Chongqing. Both around 7 hours on the high speed trains. Pandas, fiery hot pots, and some of the best food not only in Asia but the world (our simple Chinese street food guide).
China remains one of my favourite destinations for rail travel, with an enormous network of modern trains and increasingly practical travel apps. Entry rules and visa-free eligibility can change, so check the official visa guidance before setting out. I also share more of my experiences in why China deserves more attention as a travel destination.
Singapore to China by Train: Frequently Asked Questions
Can you travel from Singapore to China entirely by train?
Yes, you can make the overland journey using several connected rail networks through Malaysia, Thailand and Laos. You still need to change trains at international borders, and there is a road transfer in Vientiane between Khamsavath and Don Noun stations.
Is there a direct train from Singapore to Kunming?
No. Take the Shuttle Tebrau to Johor Bahru, KTM trains through Malaysia, a Thai train via Padang Besar to Bangkok, a sleeper to Vientiane, and the Laos–China Railway to Kunming. The journey is booked in separate sections.
Do you still have to change trains at Gemas?
No longer as a required part of this route. Direct KTM ETS trains now connect JB Sentral and KL Sentral, so the Gemas transfer from my 2022 journey is historical rather than current advice.
Can you travel from Bangkok to Vientiane and Kunming on the same day?
The Bangkok–Vientiane journey is an overnight train, and the Laos–China international departures leave from a separate Vientiane station. Plan a sensible connection and usually an overnight stay in Laos before continuing to Kunming.
How do I book the different train tickets?
Book the Singapore–Johor Bahru and Malaysian trains through KTM, Thai trains through SRT D-Ticket, and the Vientiane–Kunming international service through the LCR Ticket app. 12Go Asia is also useful for comparing parts of the journey.
Do British or Irish passport holders need a visa for China?
As of November 2026, eligible ordinary British and Irish passport holders can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days under policies currently published through 31 December 2026. Always check the official British or Irish visa notices for your actual dates. China also offers a free online arrival card.
Interested. How yo go about
This is a brilliantly detailed guide. I really appreciate all the practical info about the border crossings, the slow trains, and especially the visa updates for Laos and China. The bit about the old, rickety trains from the Thai border brought back so many memories. There is something so romantic about those slow trains, even if they are inefficient.
Since you mentioned taking the high-speed trains onwards to places like Chengdu and Chongqing, it makes me think about how far the rail network actually extends in China. If anyone is looking to extend this epic overland journey even further west, the train to Lhasa via the Qinghai-Tibet Railway is the ultimate finale. It’s a completely different beast, climbing up to 5,000 meters with oxygen pumped into the cabins, but it shares that exact same spirit of slow, romantic, long-distance rail travel.
Thanks for putting this masterpiece together. People don’t realize how doable these multi-country rail trips actually are until they read a guide like this. Definitely saving this for my next big Asia trip!