A passenger train linking southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region to the northeastern province of Liaoning will start running on Feb. 4, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Company said on Friday.

It will set off from the regional capital of Lhasa and pass through Beijing before reaching its terminal in Shenyang, taking 48 hours to complete the 4,500-km journey.

Company officials said they hope the new service will help Tibet's economic and social development.

Boasting stunning plateau scenery and unique ethnic culture, Tibet is popular with tourists and scientists. The northeast of China is an old industrial base with rich natural resources.