The Qinghai-Tibet Railway, also known as the "Sky Road", is one of the highest railways in the world. It starts from Xining, Qinghai Province, China, and crosses to Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region. It is 1,956 kilometers long and passes through many magnificent attractions such as Qinghai Lake, Kunlun Mountains, and Tanggula Mountains.
The construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway is divided into two sections: the Xining to Golmud section is 814 kilometers long, was completed in 1979 and put into operation in 1984; the Golmud to Lhasa section is 1,142 kilometers long, and the newly built section is 1,110 kilometers long. Construction started on June 29, 2001, and was officially opened to traffic on July 1, 2006.
Altitude changes along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway
Important: Along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the altitudes of stations vary greatly.Taking the train into Tibet does not completely prevent altitude sickness, and it is important not to believe rumors.
Beautiful scenic spots on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway
Qinghai Lake
After leaving Xining, the train began to gradually rise, and after about an hour, we could see the magnificent scenery of Qinghai Lake. The lake and the blue sky met, forming a magnificent landscape.
Kunlun Mountains
The most exciting section of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway is from Golmud to Nagqu. After leaving Golmud, you enter the Kunlun Mountains, where the peaks are tall and straight, covered with snow all year round, showing the wonder of "Kunlun Snow in June".
Hoh Xil No Man's Land
Starting from Kunlun Pass, you will enter the Hoh Xil No Man's Land in a few minutes. This is the largest no man's land in China and the third largest in the world. It is also a paradise for plateau wildlife, where you can watch rare wild animals such as Tibetan antelopes, yellow sheep, Tibetan wild donkeys and wild yaks up close.
Tanggula Mountains
Tanggula Mountain Station is the highest point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, reaching an altitude of 5,070 meters, and is also the highest railway station in the world. The Tanggula Mountain Crossing Section is the most challenging part of the entire Qinghai-Tibet Railway construction.
Cona Lake
It is said that the Cona Lake was once the bathing place of the Queen Mother of the West and is regarded as a "holy lake" by local Tibetans. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway runs along the shore of the Cona Lake, and snow-capped mountains and grasslands can be seen outside the window, with blue sky and white clouds interweaving. The beautiful scenery is unforgettable.