China Rail is planning to introduce two new train services from Guangzhou in southern China and Shanghai in eastern China to Lhasa in response to increasing demands for train travel to Tibet, according to an official in China's Railway Bureau.

The two new services, commencing on October 1 and October 2 respectively, are expected to begin with the following schedules:

T 164/5, Shanghai-Lhasa: Departs from Shanghai Railway Station at 4:11 pm on October 1 with stops at Wuxi, Nanjing, Benbu, Zhengzhou, Xian, Lanzhou, Xining, Golmud and Naqu stations along the way. It will reach Lhasa at 7:50 pm the third day after around 52 hours. The return train T166/3 will leave Lhasa on October 4.

The trains departing every other day will be comprise of 15 cars - two soft sleeping berth cars, seven hard sleeping berth cars, four hard cars, one dining car and one for staff members.

A hard seat will cost 406 yuan (about 50.8 U.S. dollars), a sleeping berth 800 yuan (US$100) and a soft berth 1,300 yuan (US$162.5).

T 264/5, Guangzhou-Lhasa: Leaves Guangzhou on October 2 with stops at the following stations: Changsha, Wuchang, Zhengzhou, Xian, Lanzhou, Xining, Golmud and Naqu. The return train will depart from Lhasa on October 5. This train will run every two days.

Detailed information on pricing and tickets is not available as yet.

China has already successfully introduced three train services to Lhasa from Beijing, Xining/ Lanzhou, Chengdu /Chongqing since the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet railway on July 1. These have been highly popular and transported a huge number of passengers.

The new train services will help ease the current demand for train tickets to Tibet and allow more people to visit and enjoy its scenic beauty.

A third route from Xian to Lhasa is planned for the future.