New tourist trains launched in Tibet

An official launch ceremony for two new tourist trains operating in the Tibet autonomous region was held on Tuesday.

According to the region's tourism development commission, one of the new trains, Z68112/2, runs between Xining, capital of Qinghai province, and Xigaze, the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and Tibet's second-biggest city. The other one, Z8808/7, links Lhasa with Tibet's northern Nagqu city.

Previously, the region already had one train targeting tourists in operation since last July, linking Lhasa and Xigaze, and about 1.4 million passenger trips have been made since it began operation.

The tourist trains are decorated in Tibetan style and provide unique ethnic catering and services, which let passengers learn more about Tibetan culture and its beautiful scenery, said Xie Leilei, a worker on one of the Xining-Lhasa trains.

Xie said the tourist trains have a healthcare center, a baby care room and a private room for the convenience of passengers.

"Passengers who feel uncomfortable or sick while traveling through high-altitude areas could have a chance to receive a free medical checkup," said Xie.

Xie also said Tibetan trainmen account for half the train's entire staff, adding that the arrangement can help promote Tibet's tourism and culture.

The 1,956-kilometer-long Qinghai-Tibet Railway opened in 2006, and extended to Xigaze in 2014.

This is part of efforts by the regional government and the tourism development commission to turn the region into an important tourist destination, said Huang Lihua, the president of the Tibet Tourism Co Ltd.

"The tourism lines may keep more tourists in Tibet longer, and this will help to boost the region's economy and tourism development," Xie said.

"The new tourist train from Lhasa to Nagqu will help promote Tibet's northern Nagqu city to develop its rich tourism resources to the outside world."