| Tibetan mountain ranges and landscapes are home to | | | | level)lFenghuoshan Tunnel is the world's highest tunnel |
| an immense diversity of species of rare plants and | | | | on frozen soil (4,905 m above sea level)lIt is the |
| birds. Tibetan forests are also famous for its | | | | world's longest plateau railroad, extending 1,956 kms |
| tremendous spectrum of herbs for Chinese | | | | from Xining, Qinghai to Lhasa, Tibet.lThe |
| medicines. But due to the freezing temperatures and | | | | Golmud-Lhasa section zigzags 1,142 kms across the |
| geographical altitudes, China's tourist access to Tibet | | | | Tanggula and Kunlun Ranges.lKunlun Mountain Tunnel |
| region has been very limited until recently. On July 1, | | | | is the world's longest plateau tunnel built on frozen |
| 2006 Qinghai-Tibet Railroad commenced its passenger | | | | soil(1,686 m)lThe maximum design train speeds are |
| service, marking a remarkable milestone in China's | | | | 100 km/h in frozen zones and 120 km/h on |
| infrastructure building. This opens up a way for | | | | non-frozen areas. |
| adventurous tourists to travel from Beijing to the | | | | Environmental Friendly |
| remote Tibet by train with a low budget. | | | | Chinese authority responded to international call for |
| An estimated 90% of tourists would use the railroad | | | | environmental friendly and sustainable development. |
| to reach Lhasa, Tibet. It is an unique ground | | | | 8% of the total development cost was set aside for |
| expedition across clear cascading streams, | | | | conservation of environment. Recommendations by |
| spectacular mountain ranges, and the colorful | | | | the Academy of Environment Protection were taken |
| landscapes almost untouched by modern civilization. It | | | | seriously by the Chinese government before |
| would be the dream of urban travelers to experience | | | | construction. Qinghai-Tibet Railroad was credited with |
| nature with such a panoramic vision, indulging and | | | | the honor of being the first environmental friendly |
| rejuvenating for a true getaway from the hectic | | | | railroad in the world. |
| city-life. | | | | Train Schedule for Tibet |
| A Centennial Dream Comes True | | | | Tourists can join in this rail route from several |
| From its initial conception in the early 1950s, the | | | | different cities in China. |
| construction of Qinghai-Tibet Railroad went through a | | | | 1. Western Beijing Train Station to Lhasa, the whole |
| lengthy 50 years to build. The first section of 814 | | | | journey is 4,064Km and takes 47 hours and 28 |
| km, from Xining, capital of Qinghai Province, to | | | | minutes. The ticket fee is RMB389 (USD48) for a |
| Golmud began operation in 1984. The Golmud-Lhasa | | | | hard seat, RMB813 (USD102) for a hard sleeper and |
| section commenced construction in June 2001. On | | | | RMB1262 (USD160) for a soft sleeper. It leaves |
| July 1, 2006, the 1,956-Km Qinghai-Tibet Railroad | | | | Beijing at 21:30 every night and arrives in Lhasa at |
| started its full-length operation. Its 2 inaugural trains, | | | | 20:58 on the third day. Another train leaves Lhasa for |
| "Qing 1" and "Tibet 2", started service from Golmud | | | | Beijing at 8:00 each morning and arrives in Beijing at |
| and Lhasa separately. China President Hu Jintao | | | | 8:00 the third day, via Xian, Lanzhou, Xining, Golmod |
| labeled the project as an unbelievable achievement | | | | and Nacku. |
| both in China and the World's railway construction. | | | | 2. Chengdu Train Station to Lhasa, the whole journey |
| This completed mission also realized a centennial | | | | is 3,360km. The ticket fee is RMB331 for a hard seat, |
| dream of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the pioneer of China's | | | | RMB712 for a hard sleeper and RMB1104 (USD140) |
| democratic revolution. | | | | for a soft sleeper. It leaves Chengdu at 18:18 on the |
| The Physical Deterrents | | | | odd days and arrives in Lhasa at 18:28 on the third |
| Geographical conditions from Golmod to Lhasa are | | | | day. It leaves Lhasa for Chengdu at 9:05 and arrives |
| especially harsh. Perennial icy soil as hard as steel, | | | | in Chengdu at 9:55 the third day, Via Guangyuan, |
| thick blankets of Winter snow and the high altitudes | | | | Baoji, Lanzhou, Xining, Golmod and Nacku |
| deterred and slowed down project progress through | | | | 3. Chongqing Train Station to Lhasa. The whole |
| the many years of site execution. An American, Paul | | | | journey is 3,654Km The ticket fee is RMB355 for a |
| Theroux, prophesized that Kunlun Range was a | | | | hard seat, RMB754 for a hard sleeper and RMB1168 |
| definite impossible geographical barrier for railroad to | | | | for a soft sleeper. It leaves Chongqing at 19:20 on |
| get to Lhasa. But the inauguration of Qinghai-Tibet | | | | the even days and arrives in Lhasa at 18:28 on the |
| Railroad, now the world's highest railroad terminating | | | | third day. It leaves Lhasa for Chongqing at 09:05 and |
| in Lhasa, has proven Theroux's prophesy untrue. | | | | arrives in Chongqing at 09:55 the third day, Via |
| Key Facts of Qinghai-Tibet RailroadlQinghai-Tibet | | | | Guangan, Dazhou, Xian, Baoji,Lanzhou, Xining, Golmod |
| Railroad is the world's highest.l960 kms of its tracks | | | | and Nacku. |
| are located 4,000 m above sea level.lThe highest | | | | Preparing for the cold temperatures, Travelers to |
| point is 5,072 m above sea level or 200 meters | | | | Tibet are advised to bring Winter clothing like ski |
| higher than the 2nd highest Peruvian railroad in the | | | | jackets, winter coats and thermal under-wears. |
| Andes.l550 kms of the route run on frozen | | | | For more travel resources visit |
| soillTanggula Railway Station is the highest railway | | | | Reprint of this article is permitted by including the |
| station in the world (5,068m above sea | | | | above live links. |