Tibet has always held sacred significance for many, with its heavenly proximity, stunning landscapes, and enigmatic legends. Its remote location and highland climate pose challenges for transportation, necessitating the construction of railways. The Qinghai-Tibet Line is renowned, and now, the Sichuan-Tibet Line brings exciting news. The Lhasa-Nyingchi section in Tibet will officially open on June 2019
Details about Lhasa Nyingchi Railway
Lhasa Nyingchi Railway is a 433 km national Class I fast railway, designed to reach speeds of 160 km/h. Construction began in 2014. It is a single-line electrified class with 34 new stations (17 in the initial period). Over 90% of the line is located at altitudes above 3000 meters, with complex geological conditions and a bridge and tunnel ratio of 74.66%. The line includes 120 bridges, and 47 tunnels, and crosses the Brahmaputra River 16 times. A total of 540 km of catenary and 791 km of additional lines were installed, along with 11 traction substations and 13,761 square meters of electric traction power supply houses.
Since gasification construction began on July 29, 2018, over 1,600 employees of the China Railway Electrification Bureau have participated in the building. To overcome low construction efficiency and difficulties in the plateau environment, builders have promoted the concept of mechanized substitution and developed new equipment such as a rigid suspension string processing platform, flip-mounted wrist arm pre-assembly platform, an automatic decoupling device for pillar assembly, mobile operation platform car in the tunnel, and dual-use operation platform car for highway and railway.
Eco-friendly Lhasa Nyingchi Train
To overcome the challenges of the plateau’s unique environment during construction, the China Railway Second Institute of Electrification focused on green energy-saving and ecological protection. They researched seismic design technology for complex mountain catenary systems in high seismic areas, as well as technology for electrified railway catenary systems in high-altitude permafrost regions.
The Lhasa Nyingchi Railway is a key project of the national “13th Five-Year Plan”. It offers superior traction quality and high speed compared to traditional railways powered by combustion engines. It utilizes electrified traction, providing green and energy-saving advantages. This railway is significant as it protects Tibet’s natural environment and promotes green development.
It connects three important cities in Tibet: Lhasa, Shannan, and Nyingchi. It will enhance the investment environment along the route, promote new urbanization, and inject vitality into local economic and social development. The construction of this railway is challenging, with bridges and tunnels comprising over 75% of the entire line. However, it has reduced the travel time from Lhasa to Nyingchi from a day to just three hours. This also makes it an important tourist route for those visiting Tibet.
Benefits for Tourism in Lhasa and Nyingchi
Lhasa, with the iconic Potala Palace, is one of the most famous cities in China. Its serene atmosphere, snowy mountains, and grand palaces make it a popular choice for travellers visiting Tibet. Unlike other parts of Tibet, Lhasa’s altitude is relatively lower, reducing the physical discomfort caused by high elevations. Therefore, it is fair to say that Lhasa is the most significant tourist city in the entire Tibet region. However, one challenge that travellers often face is the vast size of Tibet. If they do not drive themselves, they must endure long journeys to reach many other cities from Lhasa.
The construction of this railway has partially addressed this inconvenience. Nyingchi City, a well-known prefecture-level city in Tibet, is located in the middle and lower reaches of the Brahmaputra River basin. Covering an area of 76,000 square kilometres, it is the most important city in this region. Nyingchi is renowned for its breathtaking natural scenery, including the stunning peach blossoms in spring and the majestic giant cypresses in the valley.
The Remarkable Transformation of China’s Infrastructure and Its Impact on Tourism
In recent years, China’s development has astounded many countries around the world, and its citizens have experienced a notable improvement in quality of life. For many, travel has become a popular way to escape daily pressures, demonstrating both the scenic beauty of China’s vast landscapes and the advancements in transportation infrastructure that allow spontaneous journeys. This remarkable convenience owes much to the ongoing improvements in the country’s transport systems. Even remote regions like Tibet now benefit from large-scale transportation projects that continue to expand.
Tibet Welcomes a New Era of High-Speed Rail: Which Cities Will Be Connected?
Exciting news has arrived for Tibet, which now enters the era of high-speed rail. Historically, building high-speed rail or even highways in this region has been a daunting challenge. Take the case of the Metok Highway: as early as the 1970s, construction efforts were initiated, but extreme difficulty in the terrain led to intermittent progress. Frequent natural disasters and geological challenges also delayed construction, adding further obstacles.
Overcoming Natural Challenges in Road Construction
In Tibet, even when roads are completed, they often risk being damaged by flooding or landslides, which can undo years of progress. Building a highway in such a region seemed nearly impossible. Despite these significant hurdles, construction has persisted with a goal to improve local economies and reduce poverty. The Metok Highway, in particular, has undergone nearly 50 years of adjustments and planning to bring this dream closer to reality.
A Highway Through the Himalayas: A Feat of Engineering
Now, at last, the Metok Highway is completed, and it is a true marvel of road engineering. Although Metok County itself sits at an altitude of approximately 1,200 meters, the highway traverses elevations ranging from as low as 155 meters to over 7,000 meters. This extreme variation in elevation, coupled with numerous cliffside sections, has set a global precedent in road construction history. It’s a testament to China’s commitment to overcoming natural barriers, even when construction carries significant risk.
With transportation infrastructure rapidly advancing, Tibet is more accessible than ever before, inviting travelers to experience its unique landscapes and cultural heritage.
The Challenges and Achievements of Building Railways and Highways in Tibet
Building highways in Tibet highlights the significant challenges of constructing infrastructure in this unique region. Now, Tibet is set to enter a new transportation era with the construction of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway. Connecting Chengdu in Sichuan to Lhasa in Tibet, this high-speed rail is the second railway to reach Tibet, following the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, and is a major transportation corridor in Southwest China.
Key Phases of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway Construction
The Sichuan-Tibet Railway spans over 1,700 kilometers and is being built in three main phases: from Chengdu to Ya’an, Lhasa to Nyingchi, and Ya’an to Nyingchi. One section, the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway, extends 435.48 kilometers, with 403.1 kilometers of newly constructed track and a total investment of 36.6 billion RMB. Starting from Lhasa, the railway line moves eastward through Gonggar, Lhoka, and finally crosses the Yarlung Tsangpo River to reach Nyingchi. With 34 stations along the route, this ambitious project covers a scenic route across Tibet.
Speed and Connectivity: Transforming Travel Times with the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway
The Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway has transformed travel times, reducing the journey from Lhasa to Nyingchi from an entire day to just 3 hours and 29 minutes. This has established a “3-hour economic zone” linking Lhasa, Shannan, and Nyingchi, demonstrating the impact of improved connectivity on regional economies. Although the railway line is relatively short, the construction process took six years due to challenging terrain and extreme weather, marking the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway as an engineering marvel.
Engineering Feats in High-Altitude Terrain
Over 90% of the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway runs through high-altitude regions exceeding 3,000 meters, with steep mountain landscapes, freezing, and low oxygen levels posing significant obstacles. The route also faces geological hazards, including high winds, temperature fluctuations, and frequent landslides. The line crosses the Yarlung Tsangpo River 16 times, with 120 bridges, 47 tunnels, and a bridge-tunnel ratio of 74.66%, setting numerous world records. This route stands as a world-class scenic corridor upon its completion.
Scenic Highlights Along the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway
Along the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway, key stations such as Lhasa, Gonggar, Gyacha, Shannan, and Nyingchi offer access to some of Tibet’s most scenic and culturally rich areas. Tourists now have the option to experience these landscapes by train, in addition to self-driving routes. Once the full Sichuan-Tibet Railway is operational, high-speed train travel from Chengdu to Lhasa will enable visitors to quickly immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Tibet.