World’s Highest Railroad: China to Tibet

One of the most exciting new travel opportunities in China is the railway connecting Golud, China to the city of Lhasa in Tibet. The railway, which was completed in 2006, is the highest in the world, crossing Tanggula Pass at over 16,000 feet. 1215 miles long, the railway winds through high plateaus and part of the Himalayas, and part of the line is built on permafrost. 80% of the railway is over 33,000 feet in altitude and the train is equipped with supplemental oxygen for passengers, making it literally a breath-taking journey. The railway makes overland travel exceedingly more comfortable than the old buses that rattled their way through the plateau, and the train is fast – it's just a 2 day journey all the way from Beijing. The views are magnificent and the train is very comfortable and inexpensive. A luxury service is planned but has been delayed because of the financial crisis and 2011 is the projected new target for its opening. Tourists are required to apply for a special visa before entering Tibet in addition to the standard China travel visa and can be obtained through Chinese travel agencies, though this may not be necessary in the near future. There are those who feel it is unethical to visit Tibet and that the railway further strengthens China's dominance over Tibet, but the Dalai Lama has spoken out in favor of tourism to Tibet and says that it is a positive thing for the outside world to see the oppression first-hand. Another possible beneficial aspect of tourism to Tibet is that it opens up communication from the people living there to the rest of the world, whereas before Tibet was isolated. It is up to the individual to decide whether or not travel to Tibet is appropriate. For all the people who call China home, from its farthest reaches to the densely populated cities, the world continues to open up through new technologies. Through the use of the internet to the new wireless technology that is about to hit China with the rollout of 4G networks, the Chinese populace is more connected to the rest of the world than ever. Cheap international calls, high-definition wireless streaming capabilities and many other technologies are making their debut in the world's biggest economy. World's Highest Railroad: China to Tibet is a post from: Traveling China from Traveling China http://www.chinaya.org

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