Optimism Rides Along With New Rail Link
Du Jie, mayor of Qinghai Province's Golmud City, is optimistic
for the economic development of Qinghai Province and Tibet
Autonomous Region following the completion of the Qinghai-Tibet
Railway. He believes tourism will benefit the most among a range of
industries and activities. Famous scenic spots including Tar'er
Lamasery, Sun and Moon Mountain, Qinghai Lake, Sanjiangyuan – the
starting point of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang rivers, the
Qarhan Salt Bridge, the Summer Snow on the Kunlun Mountain, Yaochi,
Hoh Xil, Yangbajing, Lake Namco and the Potala Palace are sure to
enjoy increased visitor numbers.
Industry insiders have also highlighted the positive effect the
Qinghai-Tibet Railway will have on west China's tourism. Taking
into account the numerous scenic spots along the line it's possible
that a world-class tourism economic belt could be
established.
The Railway runs through central areas of west
China and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau where the Yangtze, Yellow and
Lancang rivers flow from and which has long been credited as the
"water tower of China".
Traveling to the source of the Yangtze River could
very well become one of those world famous "must see" destinations.
Other major tourist attractions include: Asia's largest salt lake –
the Qarhan Salt Lake in Qaidam Basin which is nicknamed China's
"cornucopia"; the world's largest and longest salt bridge which
runs through the Qarhan Salt Lake; the animal paradise of Hoh Xil
with rare animal species like Tibetan antelope, and the Yuzhu
Mountain which offers superb opportunities for mountaineering.
Qinghai and Tibet are also where ethnic minorities,
including Tibetans, Hui and Tu, live in
compact communities. The history, arts, handicrafts, folk customs
and activities of these minorities will also be attractive to
travelers as these natural and cultural resources are
irreplaceable.
The mysteries of Buddhism
Qinghai and Tibet are where Tibetan Buddhism
prevails and prospers. The world renowned Tar'er Lamasery and Potala Palace have spectacular religious
festivals. The Potala Palace sits at the highest altitude of any of
the world's palaces and is famous around the globe for its historic
and artistic significance. The Kunlun Mountain ranges along the
railway have long been worshiped by Taoists with the Yuxu Peak and
Yaochi believed to be the location where Xiwangmu (Queen
Mother of the West) – a most senior Taoist goddess – holds annual
banquets.
Ecological tourism
The railway runs through China's most primitive
plateau area which boasts various topographic features: vast
grasslands, expanses of gobi and clear lakes. The Hoh Xil between the Kunlun and Nyainqentanglha
mountain ranges is perhaps the most famous and attracts scholars
and researchers from around the world to carry out scientific
research in this paradise of Tibetan antelope, wild donkey and wild
yak. The source of the Yangtze River located at the Nyainqentanglha
Range's Geladandong Mountain has quite splendid landscape and
topographic features. In Qiangtang Plateau in northern
Tibet, there's the birds' paradise of Xainza and the wild animal
kingdom of Shuanghu (twin lakes). There's also the holy lake,
Namco, the world's highest salt lake sitting at an altitude of
4,718 meters.
Mountain tourism
Kunlun Mountain Ranges' Yuzhu Peak is 6,178 meters above the sea
level and has glaciers on both its southern and northern sides. The
lower glaciers at the southern side are 5,100 meters high and
present reasonable challenges for amateur mountaineers. The
northern side has more complicated topographic features and give
ideal challenges for experienced climbers.
Industrial tourism
The Qarhan Salt Lake is the world's largest inland sedimentation
salt lake. Among the 60 billion tons of minerals in the lake, there
are potassium, magnesium and lithium….the largest deposits of these
minerals to be found anywhere in China. The country's biggest
production base of sylbite is located there.
The salt bridge across the Qarhan Salt Lake is also
a real wonder. Without using steel or wood, the bridge has a weight
capacity of 600 tons per square meter.
Travelers along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway will also
be able to experience other spectacular bridges and tunnels across
an ever changing geographical landscape.
Lu Chunfang, director-general in charge of the railway
construction, said that as a millennium project involving a huge
investment, the social and economic benefit of the railway would,
to some extent, be realized through the boost to the tourist
industry along the length of line. Buildings and other structures
along the track such as stations, bridges and tunnels will become
landmarks of unique ethnic characteristics of areas.
Because of the new rail link the mystical, natural
and cultural landscape will enjoy renewed vitality and be enjoyed
by many more people, he added.
(China.org.cn June 26, 2006)