oneworldtalk

Qinghai Tibet Railway

http://getaway.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=277674

July 12, 2007 The Buddhist Kingdom of Tibet is believed by some to be Shangri-La. Its colourful people and incredible history have inspired travellers for decades, but has been so difficult to reach.

Since the formation of the Tibetan Autonomous Region in the early 1950s, the Chinese government has wanted a railway connecting Tibet to the rest of China. Shortage of technology and money prevented the project from starting, but now it is a reality with a line running into the heart of Lhasa, Tibet's largest city. Trains run from Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xining and Lanzhou.

The section between Golmud and Lhasa was inaugurated in July 2006, at last connecting China proper with the Tibet Autonomous Region. Carriages on that section are either deep green and yellow or deep red and yellow. Signs are in Tibetan, simplified Chinese and English.

The railway runs from Qinghai to Tibet and is the world's highest. Trains were specially built to handle the altitude. Tanggula Pass is the world's highest rail track at 5,072 metres. The 1,338 metre Fenghuoshan Tunnel is 4,905 metres above sea level and the Yangbajing Tunnel is a little lower at 4,264 metres. More than 960 kilometres — over 80 percent — are at an altitude of more than 4,000 metres and there are 675 bridges along the route.

Operational speed is 120km/p and slows to 100km/h in sections laid on permafrost.

The journey from Beijing to Lhasa takes 47.5 hours and covers 4,064kms. The cheapest option is a hard seat, the next is a lower hard sleeper, a bunk in a basic sleeping car or the most comfortable way is in a lower soft sleeper, a bunk in a more luxurious sleeping car. There is an extra charge for forward-facing seats and berths.

The train is equipped with two oxygen sources. One is released throughout the cabins upon reaching Golmud and heading into Tibet and there are personal oxygen canisters in case passengers feel light headed. These are available between Golmund and Lhasa.

Getaway's journey began in Xian in Shaanxi province, home to seven million people. The important city was China's ancient capital for 13 dynasties spread over 1,100 years and is renowned for being the eastern terminus of the Silk Road.

Xian is a city of contrasts, showcasing prehistoric ruins alongside typical scenes from a vibrant, modern Chinese city. Its city centre is bounded by city walls and its four main streets branch out from a large belltower. It has various temples, museums and a Muslim quarter. It's a good idea to rent a bicycle and peddle your way around the city.

A huge drawcard is the amazing Terracotta Army, a collection of 8,099 life-size Chinese figures of warriors and horses near the Mausoleum Qin Shi Huang, founder of the Qin dynasty in 221 BC. The funerary figures were uncovered in 1974 by peasants who were digging wells.

The figures were spread over three underground platforms measuring 76 metres high and covering 120,000 square metres. In 1978 a fourth pit shaped in the Chinese character for 'middle' was discovered, and in 1980 two bronze chariots with four horses were discovered.

At Golmud, a 3800 horsepower GE specialty application locomotive is added to the train. It is capable of operating efficiently at five kilometre altitudes which enables it to climb the Tibetan plateau.

Golmud is a new industrial city on a plateau in the mid-west of Qinghai province. It is close to the borders of the Gobi Desert, the Kunlun Mountains and the Cai Erhan Salt Lake. It is dusty and desolate and for China, sparsely populated with just 140,000 residents made up of Han, Tibetan, Mongol, Hui and other ethnic groups. It is rich in mineral resources and is predicted to become an important industrial city.

Next week the journey to Tibet continues.

Costs
Travel Directors operates The Himalayan Express 19-day tour, including the Qinghai Tibet Rail Journey. Packages start at $7447 per person twin share and include return airfares from Australia, transfers, accommodation and most meals. Departures are scheduled in September and October, 2007 and April, May, September and October 2008. Contact Travel Directors for information on other tours.

It is recommended travellers to China see their doctor at least six weeks before departure as there are specific vaccinations recommended. Other health precautions and preventions may also be recommended and are best discussed with your doctor. For further information visit
www.welltogo.com.au

Mountain Designs
Ph: (07) 3114 4300
Website: www.mountaindesigns.com

Let us be mindful that whatever investments poured into communications will earn substantial returns when mining of Tibetan resources take off. Not a question of "if" in view of resource hungry and booming Chinese economy. Tourism is just one of the many sources of income from the rail link. However, economic development has its costs.

Must people be materially rich to be happy? What is spiritually lost may never be recovered.

Not just mining of minerals but mineral water, a precious resource for the polluted and so-called progressive world.

http://www.tibetjustice.org/tringyiphonya/num17.html

Most western media tend to portray a one-sided story of Tibet. There is no doubt that the Chinese are investing in Tibet for economic gains. Atrocities were committed by some Chinese local officials. Securing its borders has historically been seen as a necessity for the Central Chinese government to exercise effective control over the vast and harsh territory. However, in the course of policy implementation, some dissident, criminal elements and innocent bystanders among the Tibetan population would have been sacrificed along the wayside. Suffice to say, not all the incidents involving the Chinese use of force are politically motivated. Some were undertaken to curb crime and restore order.

Within Tibetan society, there are tribal conflicts. Looting and killing is not uncommon in the vast interior where there is no strong enforcement of law and order. The movie "Seven Years in Tibet" starring Brat Pitt took viewers to have a glimpse of the unsafe conditions in the remote mountainous areas where banditry was rampant.
The "good" that came out of Chinese governance is probably introducing a semblance of order in Tibetan society and generating wealth. Not all Tibetans feel the same way about Chinese intruders or aggressors. There is no clear cut black and white, good and evil, and no one could claim the sole ownership of one or the other. Nevertheless, the Tibetans paid a price with the erosion of many cultural practices deemed peripheral. Isn't this true of most societies that chose the path of so-called economic advancement? Some Tibetans yearn for the past glories but the pragmatic ones have seized upon these opportunities. Is there a deliberate Chinese policy of cultural extermination? To be fair, there have been official Chinese moves to retain some aspects of Tibetan cultural heritage. Majority of Chinese children who are ethnic Han learn and appreciate Tibetan, Mongolian and Uyghur minorities' cultural dances and songs in their school curriculum.

Poor Man:


I believe one will never lose spiritually especially when one prescribes to the teachings of the Buddha. After all, material things are impermanent. Temples can be destroyed but the teachings of humanity, love and compassion will remain. The initial anger of confrontation between zealots from both opposing teams, hopefully, will never occur again. This, however, does not appear possible with the constant agitation from western press, leaders and Hollywood stars. As China opens up its frontiers to insiders as well as outsiders, they will discover that the Buddhist spirit is very much alive.

Actually I went on umrah last year to Tibet. I strongly recommend travellers to go as it is an unusual tourist destinations. Not to mention the beautiful historical temples, the unique food, especially the steamboat. I took the Tibetan Qinghai railway as well. One can see many natural landscapes including wildlife as well. The people themselves are really unique. We were warned the first day that we must be ask any political question by our guide. The Buddhism is also differently practised. I really enjoyed my 12 days tour and I think Tibet is going to be modernize pretty soon. New buildings are up unlike the ancient ones. The altitude problem infested many of my travelmates who have no choice but to consume some local medication. My advice..do travel and see Tibet...one of the best places in the world..

* Minor editing by Admin. Interesting post, hope to see more of them.

Drecl:
Perhaps you can share with us some of the pictures you took while in Tibet. Some of us may not be fortunate to travel to this remote part of China. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words.

We have many tour agents in our location promoting tours to Tibet. I am just wondering whether the scenery on the way to Lhasa is as beautiful as the Bow Valley Parkway and Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies that our local journalist once described as “heaven on earth”.

Perhaps Little Egret and Kebau could post their photos of Canadian scenery for the benefit of those who have not been but would like to visit these places one day.

Little Egret :


Kebau :

http://oneworldtalk.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=405

Orange blossom:

How to post photos. I tried posting some images of the Rockies scenery, but failed. Your advice will be welcome. Thanks

Little Egret, I think the best way to post pictures is to put a link to your photo stored in photobucket or flickr. It's free. There are a few examples in travel and home/garden forums. Please let me know if you have further questions.

Here are 9 scenic photos of the Canadian Rockies:

These photos are re-posted in Canadian Rockies thread:
http://oneworldtalk.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=481

Nice pictures of Banff! Trans Canada Highway through the Rockies is not spectacular without the sights of Moose, Deer or the Black bear. Little Egret, hope you did make a side trip to Kananaski Provincial Park. Great place or hiking and fly fishing.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98zW4NALGxg[/youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98zW4NALGxg

A writeup on 24 hours in Lhasa by Louise Southerden was published in today's Sydney paper.
Does the description fit a modern day Shangri-la? A charming and eclectic mix of old and new.



Read more : http://www.theage.com.au/travel/24-hours-in-lhasa-20091118-ila2.html