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