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The Tibet Railway extends 1,956 kilometers from Xining , Qinghai Province to
Lhasa , Tibet and is the world's longest railroad built atop a plateau. Construction
started on June 29th, 2001 and opened to traffic on July 1st, 2006. The Golmud-Lhasa
section extends 1,142 kilometers with the highest elevation being some 5,072 meters above
sea level at Tanggula Range making it also the highest railway in the world. Great
forethought, ingenuity and creativity overcame the engineering difficulties during
construction, the design of the train itself, and the efforts made to protect the
environment, flora and fauna.
As the Tibet Railway traverse three ranges and many rivers and lakes, the sceneries along
the Railway to Tibet are marvellous and majestic. 45 railway stations offer vistors
picturesque seneries among which nine sightseeing stations have sightseeing platforms.
Some of the famous charming sights along the line are Qinghai Lake and Bird Island, Kunlun
and Tanggula mountain ranges, Kekexili, Tuotuo Rivers, Yangpachen, and Potala Palace etc.
Not only rivers, lakes, grasslands and forests, but also Jokul can be admired along the
line.
Because Tibet is such a mountainous area and at such a great altitude, during the
construction of the railway to Tibet, three challenges regarded as the world problems are
encountered - permafrost, a fragile ecosystem, and lack of oxygen. However, all these
difficulties were overcome after several years' research - winding roads replaced by
bridges, 33 migration routes are offered for wild animals, and the garbage created during
construction has been removed.
As the Tibet Railway is built on the plateau area, it has its unique characteristics
compared with other railroads, no matter concerning its trains and railway stations or the
environmental and wild animals' protection measures that have been taken.
The trains to Tibet and the 45 railway stations are a combination of the full-bodied
Tibetan building style coupled with advanced construction methods. As the lack of oxygen
is the primary threat to passengers, two systems are employed to supply enough oxygen.
Passengers can also breathe oxygen through masks conveniently located beside their seats
should anoxia appears. Doctors on the trains offer expert medical care at any time, day or
night Among all the stations along the line, Lhasa and Tanggula stations are of the most
characteristic ones with the latter being the highest railway station in the world.
Great measures have also taken to avoid pollution to the local environment both during and
after construction. In order to protect the natural lifecycles of rare and wild animals
such as Tibetan antelopes living on the plateau, 33 migration routes are also
incorporated.
The Tibet Railway winds its way like a Dragon across the 'roof of the world' and is a
great achievement and a modern wonder in both China's and the world railway history. At
the same time, as Tibet is the only region that has no railway, the completion of the
Tibet Railway marks a new age for the Chinese railway history and makes Tibet much more
accessible to lovers of Tibet.
Dreams Travel offer the tours to take the train to Tibet both from Chengdu and other
cities like Beijing,Shanghai,Guangzhou,etc..
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