Recently, it is learned from China Railway Qinghai-Xizang Group Co., Ltd. that the company has operated a cumulative total of over 170 tourist-dedicated trains since 2019, including 61 trains bound for Xizang. In particular, 14 tourist-dedicated trains have run from Xining to Lhasa in 2024, serving 7,528 tourists. Both the number of tourist-dedicated trains operating to Xizang and the number of tourists served have hit new five-year highs.

Tourist trains heading for Xizang traverse the Qinghai-Xizang Railway and the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway, connecting renowned scenic spots and attractions such as Qinghai Lake, Mount Kunlun, Hoh Xil, the Three-River Sources National Nature Reserve, and the Potala Palace. As more tourist-dedicated trains are put into operation, tourists from various regions are flocking in, injecting continuous development vitality into the areas along the railway routes and driving the prosperity of industries including accommodation, catering, and cultural and creative products. In Lhasa, tourists follow the trains to visit various attractions and immerse themselves in the unique folk culture. In Nyingchi, sales of characteristic handicrafts have soared by nearly 200%.

Qinghai and Xizang provinces have leveraged "customized" tourist trains to achieve resource sharing, complementary advantages, and mutual tourist referrals, jointly constructing a brand-new "fast travel, slow tour" tourism pattern. Yin Runcheng, the head of the Development Section of the Economic Development Department of China Railway Qinghai-Xizang Group Co., Ltd., introduced that as of early June, the company had operated 65 tourist-dedicated trains this year, representing a year-on-year increase of 260%, and had transported a cumulative total of over 13,000 passengers, with "silver-haired" tourists (referring to elderly travelers) accounting for more than 70%. The company also plans to operate 20 more tourist-dedicated trains bound for Xizang in the future.

Reporter: Wen Feng

Translator: Peng Qing, Zhi Xinghua

Review: Dong Xiuli

Supervisor: Li Chengye, Drakpa Wangchen