10 years on, plateau railway paves path to prosperity
Updated: 2016-06-22 09:19
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||
LHASA -- Kelsang, 62, is delighted to see more tourists visiting his hometown.
For the past 20 years, he has made a living by providing horses to Buddhists and tourists wanting to make the mountainous journey to Yumbulagang, Tibet's first temple, in Shannan Prefecture.
He makes more than 300 yuan ($45.6 dollars) a day during peak season. "Much better than toiling in the fields," he said.
Kelsang said his income increased after the Qinghai-Tibet railway opened 10 years ago, and more tourists could access the plateau area in southwest China.
Since July 1, 2006, the 1,956 kilometer railway, which at its highest point is 5,072 meters above sea level, has linked Xining, capital of Qinghai Province, to Lhasa, capital of Tibet.
It is the world's highest and longest plateau railroad and the first to connect Tibet Autonomous Region with the rest of China.
In 2015, 20.2 million tourists visited Tibet, 11 times more than before the railway opened. Moreover, tourism revenue last year exceeded 28 billion yuan, 15 times more than a decade ago.
Liu Wengang, a train operator, said train tickets sold very quickly. Often, during the peak season from April to September, they sell out a month in advance.
To meet demand, six passenger trains run every day. The number of cargo trains has also doubled to 10 trains daily.
"The Qinghai-Tibet Railway has activated the potential of Tibet, which was untapped for years, and attracted investment," said Liao Yidong, vice chairman with Tibet Federation of Industry and Commerce.
Chinese dairy giant Mengniu announced earlier this month it would invest 200 million yuan in to a dairy farm and processing project in Lhasa.
Yang Haijiang, a planner with Qinghai-Tibet Railway Co., said the line now has 18 loading stations, including industrial zones and coal bases, with trains transporting industrial salt, fertilizers, alkali, coal, aluminum, and iron ore out of the plateau from these stations.
According to Yang, more railway lines are also planned on the plateau, such as one connecting Nyingchi, Tibet, with Ya'an, Sichuan Province.
"With these lines forming a network, 'the roof of the world' will become more accessible," said Yang.
According to Tibetan government statistics, GDP surged from 25 billion yuan in 2005 to 102.6 billion yuan in 2015, with an annual growth rate of over 10 percent. The figures in Qinghai also rose, from 64 billion yuan in 2005 to 241.7 billion yuan in 2015.
- US Ambassador to China Baucus says he is a 'WeChat nut'
- Classes inspired by ancient arts offer moral teachings
- School's artificial grass found to be highly toxic
- Agency lists tiny hallway for sale: 1.5 million yuan
- Armed police mend gap in E China river defenses
- Over 90% Chinese netizens access news on mobile phones: report
- US urged not to rock the boat by flexing its muscles
- UK's EU referendum polls show 'Leave', 'Remain' tied up
- DPRK yet to confirm suspected missile launches
- Chinese panda expert concerned by sick panda in US
- British MPs pay tribute to murdered MP Jo Cox
- DPRK deploys Musudan ballistic missile in east coast
- Rising above the clouds: Mist envelops Qingdao
- Top 10 classic Walt Disney animated films
- Croatia rally to stun Spain 2-1 to top Euro 2016 Group D
- Top 10 overseas M&As of Chinese auto companies
- Now and then: Famous venues of the Long March
- Things you may not know about Summer Solstice
- First lady visits Fryderyk Chopin Museum in Poland
- Chinese factories score a goal with Euro 2016
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Anti-graft campaign targets poverty relief |
Cherry blossom signal arrival of spring |
In pictures: Destroying fake and shoddy products |
China's southernmost city to plant 500,000 trees |
Cavers make rare finds in Guangxi expedition |
Cutting hair for Longtaitou Festival |
Today's Top News
Abe's blame game reveals his policies failing to get results
Ending wildlife trafficking must be policy priority in Asia
Effects of supply-side reform take time to be seen
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi to meet Kerry
Chinese stocks surge on back of MSCI rumors
Liang avoids jail in shooting death
China's finance minister addresses ratings downgrade
Duke alumni visit Chinese Embassy
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |