Charter 4-Person Soft Sleeper Train Car: We Got Impossible Train Tickets!

In early autumn 2024, I was looking at an email from a couple planning a trip to Chengdu and Tibet in October. Their request was short but unique: "We want to charter a 4-person soft sleeper compartment on the Chengdu to Lhasa train."

This kind of request is quite rare. This train, which crosses China's panda capital, Chengdu, to the mysterious Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, has always been known as the "sky road" by travelers. There's only one train per day, and around October each year, tickets are incredibly hard to come by. The moment a ticket becomes available, it seems to vanish instantly, even if you're quick enough to click on it.

But none of these challenges were a problem! I understood their insistence stemmed from a desire for privacy, and enjoying the scenery along the way most comfortably is, of course, every traveler's wish. I was determined to do my best to secure this for them!

Race Against the Soon-to-be-sold-out Tickets

"First, let's secure a direct soft sleeper train car for them!" Only 20% of the soft sleeper cars on this train allow for chartering an entire compartment, and tickets were limited and time was tight. I immediately contacted my long-time partner in the railway system to secure tickets.

However, waiting for a response wasn't my style. I also worked out Plan B and Plan C. If I couldn't get a chartered compartment for the whole trip, then they could go by plane and transfer to the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, or fly the entire route.

While Plan B would shorten the trip with flights, it would still allow them to experience the most scenic section of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, which is world-renowned. The changing scenery outside the window is like experiencing all four seasons in a single day, with snow-capped mountains, grasslands, ice lakes, forests, and loess landscapes all passing before their eyes. I didn't want them to miss that. Plan C, while lacking the romance of a train journey, had the advantage of speed.

Before finalizing the results, I prepared a detailed guide outlining the pros and cons of all three plans and sent it them. The next day, a message quietly appeared on WhatsApp: "I didn't expect you to have such comprehensive backup plans." Through hard work and a bit of luck, I ultimately secured the Plan A direct chartered compartment for them.

Adjusting Travel Plan: Making It the Most Suitable

After securing the train compartment, the real challenge began. Chengdu and Tibet are two of China's most popular tourist destinations year-round, and with only two weeks of free time, deciding which attractions to visit and in what order became a frequent topic of conversation between us on WhatsApp.

Chengdu's pandas were a must-see, of course. The surrounding area also boasts UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Buddha. Meanwhile, Tibet's astonishing vastness left the couple in a delightful dilemma.

This pleasant indecision didn't last long. After thoroughly understanding their travel preferences, I recommended attractions along the Lhasa-Shigatse route, focusing on nature and culture. These included classic sites in Lhasa like the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, and scenic locations near Shigatse like the holy Yamdrok Lake. I remained online constantly to discuss trip duration, sightseeing order, and altitude sickness prevention. Victory! The itinerary was finalized!

"Your patience made us feel like we were co-designing the trip." I'm very grateful for their kind words.

Winning Trust: Overcoming Competitor Challenges

When discussing pricing, they mentioned they'd also contacted another agency offering a cheaper, but very standard, itinerary. They were hoping to get a more budget-friendly price for their trip.

I offered a price adjustment and discussed the trip details with them, emphasizing that some services are truly priceless, and that our decade-plus of experience in Tibet was worth their trust. The train tickets, the itinerary, and my 24/7 availability ultimately won them over.

Meeting This Couple Again

Unexpectedly, this couple became walking billboards for us. After their trip, in March 2025, two Hong Kong tourists contacted our team—the one that can secure the most difficult train tickets - through their recommendation, and booked a tour.

In June 2025, the couple reappeared, this time with their Hong Kong friends, to book a Silk Road tour.

I'm truly honored by their repeated visits. The real rarity is never the train tickets, but the professionalism and sincerity conveyed during our interactions!