Beijing, January 18. China’s high-altitude railway lines in Tibet have revolutionized transportation, injecting fresh momentum into the region’s economy during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). The Qinghai-Tibet Group of China Railway revealed staggering figures: the Lhasa-Nyingchi line transported 5.75 million passengers and 1.738 million tons of cargo.
The Lhasa-Shigatse line carried 7.955 million passengers and 4.284 million tons of goods, while the overall Qinghai-Tibet Railway handled over 12.25 million passengers and more than 34.5 million tons of freight to and from Tibet. These vital arteries have underpinned economic growth, social progress, and daily livelihoods across the plateau.
Rapid network expansion marked the period. The Lhasa-Nyingchi line’s opening formed a ‘Y’-shaped backbone integrating with Qinghai-Tibet and Lhasa-Shigatse routes, dramatically boosting capacity. By 2021, Tibet’s operational rail length exceeded 1,187.8 kilometers, crossing the 1,000-km milestone for the first time. In 2023, passenger traffic hit a record 2.959 million.
Tourism flourished with 24 scenic trains operating by 2025, a new high. The group enhanced accessibility in extreme terrains, inaugurating stations at Yanshiping and Budongquan—China’s highest. This eased travel for over 10,000 herders near Tanggula and Kunlun mountains.
Special services ramped up for Tibetan New Year and Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival, including group tickets for students and multilingual support at key stations. These efforts have woven railways into Tibet’s developmental fabric, promising sustained prosperity.