Beijing Train Arrives in Lhasa
2 min readBeijing Train Arrives in Lhasa
The first direct passenger train from China’s capital of Beijing has arrived in Lhasa，the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region.The inaugural train，carryingsome 800 passengers，arrived at Lhasa Railway Station at 8：55 p.m.on Monday.It started its 4060 kilometer journey from Beijing West Station at 9：30 p.m.on Saturday.Along the way，it passed major cities such as Shijiazhuang，Xi’an，Lanzhou and Xining.The train arrived in Xining，capital of northwest China’s Qinghai Province at 6 p.m.on Sunday.From there…it began its run on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway，which went into operation on Saturday.The 1956-kilometer-long Qinghai-Tibet railway stretches from Xining to Lhasa.It is the world’s highest and longest plateau railroad.And also the first railway to connect the Tibet region with the rest of China.
Qinghai-Tibet Railway Reveals Wonder
China’s west is renowned for its mysterious beauty.In the past，many of its natural wonders have been almost impossible to reach.But with the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet railway，this is all about to change.
Distinctive Tibetan singing and dancing reflects local characteristics of Qinghai.In China there are 55 minority groups，Qinghai alone boasts 42 of them.
Different minority groups have formed their own traditions as well as unique festivals and cultural activities.
Situated on the northeastern side of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau，Qinghai is the fourth largest province in China.Over half its area is between four and five thousand meters above sea level.
This is the biggest ceremony in the year for Tibetan Buddhism.It’s held in You Ning Monastery，located 30 kilometers east of the downtown area.It’s a very holy place for local Buddhists to worship.During the ceremony，people take part in prayer.
One hundred and fifty kilometers away from the provincial capital Xining lies one of the world largest salt-lakes-Qinghai Lake.It stretches endlessly into the horizon，resembling a huge emerald encased in plateau and grasslands.Northwest，lies Bird Island.Nowadays it’s a National Nature Protection resort.From March to September over one hundred thousand rare birds migrate from Southeast Asia to lay their eggs here.
About 100 kilometers north of Lhasa is Namco Lake.Namco means“Heavenly Lake” in Tibetan.It’s a famous Holy place of Tibetan Buddhism.Visitors can spend a night at the site living in one of the tourist tents.However，due to the lack of oxygen overnight，visitors should consider bringing an extra oxygen tank.
