If someone is fit enough to experience the world’s highest railway journey over the frozen river, then Qinghai is the only answer. It is a place of mind-blowing scenic beauty and a destination of overseas tourists. Tibet Railway is the first highest altitude railway, connecting Xining, the capital of Qinghai province to Lhasa in Tibet of People’s Republic of China.
TANGGULA MOUNTAINS IN QINGHAI
Several world records with Qinghai –Tibet Railway:
Qinghai – Tibet Railway is the first highest altitude railway, connecting Xining, the capital of Qinghai province to Lhasa in Tibet of People’s Republic of China. It covers 1956 km with an average altitude of 4500 m and passes over the Tanggula Pass which is 16,640 feet above the sea level and is renowned to be the world’s highest railway track. Here Fenghuoshan Tunnel (4,905 m above sea level) is considered as the world’s most elevated tunnel on the frozen earth. The 550 km of the railway is laid on permafrost and it crosses 675 bridges, is another striking feature.
TIBET-RAILWAY-TRAIN ON HIGHEST ALTITUDE RAILTRACK
HIGHEST ALTITUDE TIBET-TRAIN TRACK
Engineering challenges involved:
To construct this marvelous piece of engineering, the Chinese engineers have confronted lots of technical difficulties. To overcome the problem of permafrost which makes grounds muddy in summer, they built elevated tracks with foundations beneath the ground by the help of concrete pipes to keep the railway bed frozen.
QINGHAI TIBET_RAILWAY WHILE CONSTRUCTION
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS QINGHAI
The engineers also installed several earthquake monitors along the Kunlun Mountain zone which is an earthquake prone area.
As the air in Tibet is comparatively thinner and pressure of the oxygen is below partial pressure at sea level, several oxygen factories were built along the track and special passenger carriages with oxygen supply are made.
As the air in Tibet is comparatively thinner and pressure of the oxygen is below partial pressure at sea level, several oxygen factories were built along the track and special passenger carriages with oxygen supply are made.
Qinghai-Tibet Railway- its future extensions:
On 25th April 2008, in a meeting between China and Nepal, it has been announced that Qinghai Railway will be extended from Lhasa to Zhangmu on the Nepalese border and the construction is planned to be completed by 2013.
Stations, Trains and its facilities:
Qinghai- Tibet railway was completed on 12th October 2005 and it was opened to service on 1st July 2006. Here the trains are built for high altitude environment and they run at a maximum speed of 100 km/ hour in the frozen earth and 120km/hour on non-frozen earth. There are special passenger carriages with oxygen supply. There are 45 stations of which 38 are monitored by the control center in Xining. To provide passengers a view to enjoy the stunning beauty of the nature, 9 scenery viewing platforms have been set up.
DINNING CAR OF TIBBET RAILWAY
PANTRY CAR - PREPARATION FOR DINING CAR
Scenic beauty and amazing places:
Once you will reach there you will find yourself in a solemn ambience where the deity of nature has bestowed all natural beauty to this place. While riding on a train over the breath taking bridges and never ending tunnels you will come across heart beating highland views beside the frozen Yarlong Tsangpo River. Railway lines stretching through the frozen region is a million dollar view. While walking up towards hill, you will find the Drepung, the world’s largest monastery. Other prominent places are Potala Palace, Yamdrok Lake, Kalais Kora Glacier, Palkhor Temple, Sera Monastery, Tashilumpu Monastery and Jokhang Temple.
RAILWAY PASSENGER TAKING PICTURES OF OUTSIDE SCENIC BEAUTY
SCENIC BEAUTY FROM INSIDE TIBET-RAILWAY-TRAIN
How to reach and where to stay:
One can approach Tibet by air and can avail both star and normal hotels to stay.
CHINA OPENS RAILWAY ON THE "ROOF OF THE WORLD"
QINGHAI RAILWAY-TIBET
QINGHAI-TIBET-BRIDGES ON PERMAFROST
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