Economic lifeline: Xizang's vital freight traffic routes

In the 70 years since the opening of Sichuan-Xizang and Qinghai-Xizang Highways opened, the two highways have become the economic lifeline of the Xizang autonomous region, handling over 90 percent of the freight traffic in and out of the area, said the region's traffic and transportation department.

On Dec 25, 1954, the combined 4,360-kilometer-long Sichuan-Xizang and Qinghai-Xizang Highways were simultaneously opened to Lhasa, Xizang, the first in the region. Currently, more roads have connected villages and towns in the region, according to the department.

Roads took the lead in improving the travel situation in Xizang. Railways and air routes gradually followed, and a modern three-dimensional transportation network is now rapidly developing in the region.

On July 1, 2006, the Qinghai-Xizang Railway, the world's highest-altitude railway, was completed and opened for traffic, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Four years ago, the Sichuan-Xizang Railway started construction, leading to another steel "sky road" reaching the Tibetan Plateau.

Since the official opening of air travel in March 1965, Xizang has developed 180 operational air routes. Starting from Lhasa, one can reach various parts of the country within a day.