| Tibetan mountain ranges and landscapes are | | | | m above sea level)l It is the world's longest |
| home to an immense diversity of species of | | | | plateau railroad, extending 1,956 kms from |
| rare plants and birds. Tibetan forests are | | | | Xining, Qinghai to Lhasa, Tibet.l The |
| also famous for its tremendous spectrum of | | | | Golmud-Lhasa section zigzags 1,142 kms across |
| herbs for Chinese medicines. But due to the | | | | the Tanggula and Kunlun Ranges.l Kunlun |
| freezing temperatures and geographical | | | | Mountain Tunnel is the world's longest |
| altitudes, China's tourist access to Tibet | | | | plateau tunnel built on frozen soil(1,686 m)l |
| region has been very limited until recently. | | | | The maximum design train speeds are 100 km/h |
| On July 1, 2006 Qinghai-Tibet Railroad | | | | in frozen zones and 120 km/h on non-frozen |
| commenced its passenger service, marking a | | | | areas. |
| remarkable milestone in China's | | | | |
| infrastructure building. This opens up a way | | | | Environmental Friendly |
| for adventurous tourists to travel from | | | | |
| Beijing to the remote Tibet by train with a | | | | Chinese authority responded to international |
| low budget. | | | | call for environmental friendly and |
| | | | sustainable development. 8% of the total |
| An estimated 90% of tourists would use the | | | | development cost was set aside for |
| railroad to reach Lhasa, Tibet. It is an | | | | conservation of environment. Recommendations |
| unique ground expedition across clear | | | | by the Academy of Environment Protection were |
| cascading streams, spectacular mountain | | | | taken seriously by the Chinese government |
| ranges, and the colorful landscapes almost | | | | before construction. Qinghai-Tibet Railroad |
| untouched by modern civilization. It would be | | | | was credited with the honor of being the |
| the dream of urban travelers to experience | | | | first environmental friendly railroad in the |
| nature with such a panoramic vision, | | | | world. |
| indulging and rejuvenating for a true getaway | | | | |
| from the hectic city-life. | | | | Train Schedule for Tibet |
| | | | |
| A Centennial Dream Comes True | | | | Tourists can join in this rail route from |
| | | | several different cities in China. |
| From its initial conception in the early | | | | |
| 1950s, the construction of Qinghai-Tibet | | | | 1. Western Beijing Train Station to Lhasa, |
| Railroad went through a lengthy 50 years to | | | | the whole journey is 4,064Km and takes 47 |
| build. The first section of 814 km, from | | | | hours and 28 minutes. The ticket fee is |
| Xining, capital of Qinghai Province, to | | | | RMB389 (USD48) for a hard seat, RMB813 |
| Golmud began operation in 1984. The | | | | (USD102) for a hard sleeper and RMB1262 |
| Golmud-Lhasa section commenced construction | | | | (USD160) for a soft sleeper. It leaves |
| in June 2001. On July 1, 2006, the 1,956-Km | | | | Beijing at 21:30 every night and arrives in |
| Qinghai-Tibet Railroad started its | | | | Lhasa at 20:58 on the third day. Another |
| full-length operation. Its 2 inaugural | | | | train leaves Lhasa for Beijing at 8:00 each |
| trains, "Qing 1" and "Tibet 2", started | | | | morning and arrives in Beijing at 8:00 the |
| service from Golmud and Lhasa separately. | | | | third day, via Xian, Lanzhou, Xining, Golmod |
| China President Hu Jintao labeled the project | | | | and Nacku. |
| as an unbelievable achievement both in China | | | | |
| and the World's railway construction. This | | | | 2. Chengdu Train Station to Lhasa, the whole |
| completed mission also realized a centennial | | | | journey is 3,360km. The ticket fee is RMB331 |
| dream of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the pioneer of | | | | for a hard seat, RMB712 for a hard sleeper |
| China's democratic revolution. | | | | and RMB1104 (USD140) for a soft sleeper. It |
| | | | leaves Chengdu at 18:18 on the odd days and |
| The Physical Deterrents | | | | arrives in Lhasa at 18:28 on the third day. |
| | | | It leaves Lhasa for Chengdu at 9:05 and |
| Geographical conditions from Golmod to Lhasa | | | | arrives in Chengdu at 9:55 the third day, Via |
| are especially harsh. Perennial icy soil as | | | | Guangyuan, Baoji, Lanzhou, Xining, Golmod and |
| hard as steel, thick blankets of Winter snow | | | | Nacku |
| and the high altitudes deterred and slowed | | | | |
| down project progress through the many years | | | | 3. Chongqing Train Station to Lhasa. The |
| of site execution. An American, Paul Theroux, | | | | whole journey is 3,654Km The ticket fee is |
| prophesized that Kunlun Range was a definite | | | | RMB355 for a hard seat, RMB754 for a hard |
| impossible geographical barrier for railroad | | | | sleeper and RMB1168 for a soft sleeper. It |
| to get to Lhasa. But the inauguration of | | | | leaves Chongqing at 19:20 on the even days |
| Qinghai-Tibet Railroad, now the world's | | | | and arrives in Lhasa at 18:28 on the third |
| highest railroad terminating in Lhasa, has | | | | day. It leaves Lhasa for Chongqing at 09:05 |
| proven Theroux's prophesy untrue. | | | | and arrives in Chongqing at 09:55 the third |
| | | | day, Via Guangan, Dazhou, Xian, |
| Key Facts of Qinghai-Tibet Railroadl | | | | Baoji,Lanzhou, Xining, Golmod and Nacku. |
| Qinghai-Tibet Railroad is the world's | | | | |
| highest.l 960 kms of its tracks are located | | | | Preparing for the cold temperatures, |
| 4,000 m above sea level.l The highest point | | | | Travelers to Tibet are advised to bring |
| is 5,072 m above sea level or 200 meters | | | | Winter clothing like ski jackets, winter |
| higher than the 2nd highest Peruvian railroad | | | | coats and thermal under-wears. |
| in the Andes.l 550 kms of the route run on | | | | |
| frozen soill Tanggula Railway Station is the | | | | For more travel resources visit |
| highest railway station in the world (5,068m | | | | |
| above sea level)l Fenghuoshan Tunnel is the | | | | Reprint of this article is permitted by |
| world's highest tunnel on frozen soil (4,905 | | | | including the above links. |