A room with a view will give you the joy of having beautiful scenery, especially when you're tired and want to look at something picturesque while you relax. Going on a train journey is like having a portable room with a variety of different views.
When you're sitting or lying next to the window while being transported by the running train, you'll get to take in the sublime images of the distant mountains and say "hi" and "goodbye" to the lakes and wild animals that you pass by along the way. You may feel the joy of admiring the beauty of the natural wonders around you or sink deep into your own inner thoughts while witnessing the inspirational vitality of the varying landforms on this highest plateau. These are serene gifts offered to everyone, no matter if they are guests or residents.
Qinghai-Tibet Railway
Ever since the Qinghai-Tibet Railway was officially opened to the public and started its transportation service in July 2006, the railway has been the companion of and running parallel with the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. Previously, it had been crossing the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau alone and used to be the only land transport line for nearly half a century, starting from 1954.
This view guide aims to provide an introduction to the scenic attractions along the railway, starting from Xining to Lhasa. This allows you to prepare yourself for the view that you're most interested in.
The Qinghai-Tibet Railway departs from Xining, in the east, and arrives at the terminal station in Lhasa, in the west. The whole length of this railway is 1,957 kilometers, among which there are 960 kilometers built upon the area that is over 4,000 meters above sea level, and there are around 550 kilometers constructed on the permafrost region. It is a railway with an ascending altitude, and thus taking a Xining-Lhasa train is believed to be helpful with adapting to the high-altitude environment, which is one important reason that makes this train very popular.
Xining (Altitude: 2,275 meters)
Many travelers choose to fly to Xining approximately one day before the departure date of the train. Their train journey actually starts before getting on board because Xining, the capital city of Qinghai Province, is a culture integration center. This is where the Muslims (mostly Hui people), the Tibetans, and the Han Chinese all live together. If you have a few days for sightseeing in or around Xining, you may want to consider the following highlights: Ta'er Monastery is a Gelug Sect. monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. It is located 27 kilometers southwest of Xining, and Dongguan Mosque is within the downtown area. Plus, foodies should try the local dairy products, among which the milk and yoghurt both have a good reputation.
Qinghai Lake (Altitude: 3,100 meters)
As China's largest inland lake and largest saline lake, Qinghai Lake covers an area of 4,435.7 sq km. It is located 200 kilometers away from Xining. Teeming with natural pasture and fertile farming fields in the summer, Qinghai Lake is decorated with brilliant golden yellow flower fields and a vast sea of green grass forage. Every July or August, the road cycling contest is held around the lakefront. If you're fatigued on the train, then you should set your alarm so that you don't miss this gorgeous scenery. My first encounter with Qinghai Lake happened when the minibus I was in tried to climb up a winding road. When I turned my head and caught a look at a small part of the lake, the segment coming into my sight from a distance was like a pure deep blue gem under the transparently bright sky.
Qinghai Lake
Delingha (Altitude: 2,982 meters)
After four hours ride from Xining, the train will arrive in Delingha. The section crosses the region between Keluke Lake and Tuosu Lake. During summer and autumn, the lakeshores are at their most beautiful period because the wildflowers are blooming riotously and boost into a colorful profusion. Cattle, sheep and migratory birds can be spotted foraging at the lakefront.
Chaerhan Salt Lake (Altitude: 2,200 meters)
The roadbed of the rails is built on the salt crystallization. The section that crosses through the densely white salt lake is 32 kilometers long. And then after 60 kilometers, you'll arrive in Golmud.
Golmud (Altitude: 2,809 meters)
Golmud is the joint point of the first-stage project and the second-stage project of the Qinghai Tibet Railway. In 1984, the construction of the first stage of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway was completed. The second stage of the project, with Golmud as the first stop and Lhasa as the terminal station, was completed in 2006.
Yuzhu Peak (Altitude: 6,224 meters)
Shortly after passing by Golmud, Yuzhu Peak will come into sight. It is the highest peak in the eastern range of the Kunlun Mountains and has been a very popular peak for mountaineering activity due to the convenient transportation in the region and the relatively flat and gentle surfaces, which are very suitable for training beginners. The mountaineering period is also long, which starts in April and ends in October. The station built in the Yuzhu Peak region is at an altitude of 4,159 meters. It has an outlook for sightseeing, where passengers can see the Yuzhu Peak in the east and the Koh Xil Nature Reserve in the west. This is the place where Tibetan antelope, wild yak, Tibetan wild donkey (Kiang), and snow leopard exist.
Yuzhu Peak
Chumaer River and the 78-Arch Chumaer Bridge (Altitude: 4,495 meters)
Chumaer Station is in the core zone of the migration routes for Tibetan antelopes. At the train station, you can see the river system and the bridge built upon it that is especially designed for the protection of Tibetan antelope and other wild animals. The bridge is 2,565 meters long, with 78 arches for the free traversing of Tibetan antelopes and other wild animals. Every June, July and August are when pregnant Tibetan antelopes travel from the eastern part of the Kunlun Mountains, pass by the Chumaer River region, and enter their destination known as the Koh Xil Nature Reserve.
Tuotuo River (Altitude: 4,547 meters)
Tuotuo River is where the Yangtze River originates. At the Tuotuo Train Station, you'll get to see the scenery around at a designated outlook. The name Tuotuo is a Mongolian word, which means serene river.
Tanggula Train Station (Altitude: 5,072 meters)
This is the highest train station in the world. Many passengers may have symptoms of acute mountain sickness here. There is an outlook for passengers, where the Geladandong Peak (Altitude: 6,621 meters) can be spotted.
Tanggula Train Station
Cuona Lake (Altitude: 4,650 meters)
Cuona Lake is the mother lake of Nujiang River (Salween River). It is the highest freshwater lake in the world. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway passes by the eastern lakeshore of Cuona Lake. The bank of the lake has an abundance of aquatic plants. Some sections of the railway are only dozens of meters away from the lakeshore.
Namtso Lake (Altitude: 4,718 meters) and Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain (Altitude: 7,162 meters)
This broad mirror-shaped lake is as vast as the ocean. The existence of Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain in the southern edge seems to be a reminder that this big water mass is a lake on the plateau and that you're still within the continent. As one of the three sacred lakes for the Tibetan people, there are myths and legends about the lake and the mountain.
Namtso Lake
Lhasa (Altitude: 3,670 meters)
After passing by the geothermal hot spring Yangpachen (altitude: 4,200 meters), the train will arrive in Lhasa shortly. When you get off the train, the unique experience of encountering Tibet will be there waiting for you.
