Stretching 1, 956 kilometers from Xining, Qinghai Province to
Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, the world's highest railway was
completed on October 15, 2005. This is the first railway into Tibet
– known as the "roof of the world."
Tourism Warming up Ahead of Railway
Operations
A Beijing travel agency tour guide said that he had traveled to
many places and countries but Tibet. According to him, his travel
firm would arrange tours to the plateau soon with the operation of
the rail link.
Similarly, to seize opportunities which result from the railway,
China Comfort Travel Service established an office in Qinghai last
April. Huang Yi, who manages the office, believes the railway
provides a catalyst for tourism development.
He said: "Tourists will feel more comfortable and secure
traveling by train. Beautiful scenery along the line and
interesting Tibet folkway will be great attractions for visitors."
The firm also plans to open an office in Tibet, he
explained.???
Five Cities First
Beneficiaries
The Qinghai-Tibet railway links the Lianyungang-Lanzhou line in
the south and the Eurasia Land Bridge in the north. The wonderful
scenery along the line, for instances, the Tuotuo and Tongtian
rivers, Tanggula Mountain and Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, provides
superb sights and huge opportunities for photography and filming.
?
Railway service between Lhasa and five cities of Xining,
Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai and Guangzhou will go into trial
operation in July. It will take about 20 hours traveling from
Xining, to Lhasa and around 48 hours from Beijing to Lhasa.
Running from Lhasa Station three branch lines will be
constructed within three to five years which will link Lhasa to
Nyingchi in the east, to Xigaze and Ngari in the west with the
third linking Xigaze with Yadong.
Sightseeing platforms
Sightseeing platforms have been built at nine of the 34 stations
along the Golmud-Lhasa section of the line. Travelers can get a
good look at the imposing scenery and take photos on the 500m long
and 1.25m high viewing platforms.
Along the route railway station buildings, their names and some
tunnels embody the characteristics of Tibetan culture with
strenuous efforts made to integrate the railway with the beautiful
natural scenery.
On the train itself a full range of services are available.
There's oxygen to alleviate altitude sickness, medical treatment is
available, as well as a food and drink service and even
entertainment. ?
In preparation for the expected big increase in tourist numbers
in the coming years, Lhasa is busy building a range of support
facilities. Three clusters of hotels have been formed: medium and
top grade hotels around the Lhasa and Tibet Hotels, lower grade
hotels near Bakor Street, and top of the range establishments close
to Lhasa Bridge. Further medium and top grade hotels are planned
around Lhasa Railway Station.
(China.org.cn June?25, 2006)