Tibet trains full in first two weeks
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2006-07-18 11:51 The Qinghai-Tibet railway has
carried 7,241 people from Xining, capital of Qinghai Province, to Lhasa, in its
first two weeks of operation, a local railway official said yesterday.
A Tibetan railway guard walks along
the Qinghai-Tibet Railway in Lhasa, Tibet, June 29, 2006. The
Qinghai-Tibet Railway will begin trial operations on July 1.
[Reuters] |
All trains from Xining to the capital of China's Tibet Autonomous Region were
full since July 1, said Gu Yanmei, deputy director of the Xining Railway
Station.
"All services to Tibet have been operating smoothly as of July 15," she said.
The Qinghai-Tibet Railway stretches 1,956 kilometers from Xining to Lhasa.
About 960 kilometers is located 4,000 meters above sea level. The highest point
is 5,072 meters.
Three passenger trains travel to Tibet from Beijing, Chengdu (or Chongqing)
and Xining (or Lanzhou) everyday.
Before opening the railway, flights from Beijing, Chengdu and several other
Chinese cities carried hundreds of people to Lhasa everyday. However, the train
has proved extremely popular due to its convenience, cost and the scenery en
route.
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