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Along the Yunnan-Tibet Railway: a Spectacular Tourist Route

Many individuals aspire to see the Yunnan-Tibet railway come to fruition. Despite the current lack of railway connectivity, the area’s stunning scenery draws in numerous visitors each year who opt to travel by road or even cycle from Yunnan to Tibet. The railway, which passes through Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La before entering Tibet, would undoubtedly become the most sought-after tourist route due to the breathtaking landscapes along the way. Major cities en route: Kunming, Guangtong, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Deqin, Mangkang, Bome, Nyingchi, Tsetang, Gonggar, and Lhasa.

planned route

Engineering marvellous of Yunnan-Tibet Railway 

The Yunnan-Tibet Railway has been part of national planning for a considerable period. It was officially incorporated into the “Medium and Long-Term Railway Network Planning” of the country in 2016, and it is also considered one of the five most crucial railways leading to Tibet. It is expected to be the most picturesque of the five railways, but its construction will be the most challenging. As for when the Yunnan-Tibet Railway will be completed and operational, it is impossible to provide an exact timeline for the entire operation. However, some sections have already been opened, while others are still under construction. By examining the individual segments, we can gain a better understanding of the Yunnan-Tibet Railway’s particular circumstances.

A major railway line connects Yunnan Tibet Railway line

The Yunnan Tibet Railway commences from Kunming, the principal city of Yunnan Province, and stretches towards west Guangdong. This particular section is a component of the Chengdu Kunming Railway. After arriving at Dali, the railway turns northwest towards Lijiang, which is known for its stunning Erhai Lake. Subsequently, the railway passes through the renowned Tiger Leaping Gorge and reaches Shangri-La.

As per the feasibility study report (FSR) undertaken by the China Railway No.2 Bureau, the proposed direction is that the railway track will traverse Luole Mountain and Baima Snow Mountain to reach Dechen, situated at the Tibet and Yunnan border. The railway will cross the Langtang River and Meri Snow Mountain to enter the Tibet area. Afterwards, the railway will merge with the Sichuan Tibet Railway in Markham of Qamdo in Tibet and ultimately connect to the Lhasa Nyingchi Railway. The final destination of the railway will be Lhasa.

Kunming Lhasa Railway Line

The Kunming-Lhasa Railway commences at Kunming and traverses Chuxiong, Dali, Lijiang, and Diqing before entering Mangkang, Tibet. It intersects with the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, proceeds through Nyingchi, and ultimately reaches Lhasa. Certain parts of the route have already been inaugurated and put into use. The railway can be segmented into multiple sections, such as the Kunming-Guangzhou Railway, Guangda Railway, Dali Railway, Lixiang Railway, Xianglin Railway, Lhasa Nyingchi Railway, and more.

tibet Train

Kunming Chuxiong Railway Line

The railway line from Kunming to Chuxiong is known as the Kunming-Guangtong Railway. Upon reaching Guangtong, travellers have two options. They can head towards Chengdu, also part of the Chengdu-Kunming Line. Alternatively, they can connect with the Guangda Line to reach Dali and thus, form the Kunchu Line. The year 2017 marked the commencement of train services on the upgraded Kunming-Guangzhou line. Currently, the line is serviced by an EMU that can travel at a speed of 200 kilometres per hour.

chuxiong railway

Dali Lijiang  Kunming Railway Line

The Dali Railway is not a newly built structure. It has been refurbished on the original old track. The train runs at a speed of 160 km/h and connects with Dali, allowing the bullet train from Kunming to reach Lijiang in just 3 hours. Currently, the line is operational.

railway sections

Lijiang Shangrila Railway Line

The Lixiang Railway, which starts from Lijiang to Shangri-La, is under construction and will open in 2023. Travellers will be able to take the EMU train from Kunming to Shangri-La.

Shangri-la Nyingchi Railway Line

The Xianglin Railway, which runs from Shangri-La to Tibet’s Nyingchi, is in the feasibility study stage and has not yet been constructed. It is the most challenging section of the railway line in Yunnan and Tibet.

Lhasa Nyingchi Railway Line

The Lalin Railway refers to the rail line from Lhasa to Nyingchi. Construction is complete, and it open in 2021. It is a section of the Sichuan-Tibet line and part of the main line. The single line now being built has a design speed of 160 km/h. Moreover, the Tibet Tower Company built a public communication network for the line. The operator’s network signal coverage is also open, making it easier for passengers to travel and improving the railway’s operational quality. It also aids in handling emergencies such as rescue operations.

highway

Based on this analysis, only the Shangri-la Nyingchi section of the Yunnan-Tibet Railway will remain closed by the end of 2021. The Xianglin Railway is 900 km long, accounting for almost half of the Yunnan-Tibet Railway’s total mileage. It is the most geologically complex section of the entire line, passing through the Hengduan Mountains. It is impossible to give an exact opening time. The Xianglin Railway is critical for the whole Yunnan-Tibet Railway’s connection.

The Yunnan-Tibet Railway’s significance extends beyond tourism and travel convenience. It is also a railway line of critical strategic importance at the national level. Therefore, the Yunnan-Tibet Railway will undoubtedly open; it is only a matter of time.

Transportation options from Yunnan to Tibet at the moment

Currently, travellers embarking on a Tibet Tour from Yunnan have two modes of transportation available: air travel and driving. The former is a faster but more expensive option, while the latter is more economical.

Air travel: Those who wish to fly from Kunming to Lhasa can choose from six direct flights and eight connecting flights daily, with a flight time of approximately three hours. Additionally, over 15 connecting flights are available for those wishing to travel to Nyingchi from Kunming.

Driving: The Yunnan Tibet Highway is renowned as “The Paradise of Road Trips,” and many tourists opt to self-drive along this route to experience the breathtaking scenery. Starting from Kunming and passing through Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La, the Yunnan Tibet Highway merges with the Sichuan Tibet Highway at Markam, spanning over 2,000 kilometres and taking around 10 days to reach Lhasa. The journey includes stunning views of snow-capped mountains, forests, glaciers, and grasslands, making it an exciting but challenging drive. However, it is not recommended for inexperienced drivers due to the complex road conditions.

Train travel: Currently, there are no direct trains to Lhasa from Yunnan. However, travellers who wish to experience train travel can take connecting trains from nearby cities such as Chengdu or Chongqing, which take over 40 hours. Please note that trains depart from these cities every other day, not daily.

The scenic route along the Yunnan Tibet Railway

The Yunnan Tibet Railway is one of the “five railways to Tibet” with the lowest average elevation. Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La are popular tourist destinations in Southeast China, providing visitors with opportunities to enjoy leisure activities such as exploring old towns or Erhai Lake, strolling through Dali during the blossom season, sunbathing and playing with cats in ethnic homestays, cycling around Lugu Lake, and exploring the “Lost Paradise” where holy snow-capped mountains stand. In addition to the scenic natural beauty, there are also many historical sites of interest along the railway, especially in the Yunnan and Tibet regions.

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About the author

The Tibetan Travel website's creator, hailing from Lhasa, is a cultural enthusiast. They promote responsible tourism, connecting the world to Tibet's beauty and heritage. Awards recognize their contribution.
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