Tim Wang's eLearning Blog

A new rail way route to Tibet, Guang Zhou to Lhasa officially launched today (Oct. 2nd). It has been advertised as the "most advanced train ride experience in China". Why say advanced? Other than the traditional supplies like air conditioning, water supplies, heating or entertainment systems, the trains are also equipped with oxygen supplies, anti-freezing mechanisms (dealing with freezing, snowy rail way tracks), anti-radiation protections, and a very power and sophisticated recycling system where assuring no waste will be spread around the railway track for the entire trip. The interior designs of the train also incorporated accessibility. All public areas such as washroom, dining room, pathways between trunks all have specially designed mechanisms to allow wheelchairs passing through. Here are some shots of the newest train to Tibet:

UPDATE: A New Route (Guang Zhou - Lhasa) has been launched today. Check it out HERE

UPDATE: Here is a great article and a video clip from the reporters who were among the first crew took a train ride into Tibet.

UPDATE: The Tibet train ticket price is announced, the highest price ("ruan wo" - 1 sealed cabin with 4 high end bed) is from Beijing to Tibet which would cost 1280 RMB (CAD $182) which is about 1/3 price of a plane ticket.

It's called "train to the roof of the world" - the official rail way from Beijing to Lhasa has been finished! Since Tibet land is an average of 4000 meters (13, 123 ft) above the sea level, the rail way building process has been extremely difficult. It took the Chinese people over 40 years to build! This long anticipated railway to Tibet will open in July. The train ride will be a quite luxury experiences:
- running at a fast speed: 160 km/hr. The overall distance between Beijing to Lhasa is over 4000 kilometer and the trip will take less than 48 hours;
- oxygen under every seat and bed and the train's general ventilation system keeps the oxygen level in the train above 25%. It's like a "moving oxygen bar"!
- anti-electricity shocks just like on the air plane. (since the train will ride at high altitudes where rain clouds are very low to the ground. These clouds carries high electricity charges and may shock the train)
- unlike the old time train rides, all of the wastes from the train are spread all over the rail way, the Tibet train is equipped with a sophisticated recycle system to protect the ecosystems on the world's roof
- restaurant, bar, showers, folk dance shows and karaoke rooms will be available on the train!
- satellite TV programs and other entertainment devices will accompany the riders through the 48 hours.

The estimated price for the train ride should be cheaper than the plane ride and the bus ride: <1000 Yuan (less than 200 CAD dollars) from Cheng Du to Lhasa. (From Beijing to Cheng Du is regular rail way).

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to hop onto the train!

But before you plan your trip, make sure you read this article: Travelling to Tibet? Tibet Travel Permit You will Need!

*NEW*
A New Way To Travel To Tibet - Tibet Rail Way Opens July 1st, 2006!!!

Travelling to Tibet? You Need Tibet Travel Permit!
Just recently, a faculty member here at UBC returned from his trip to China. One of the most frustrating issue he had was to get the Tibet Travel Permit. I only learned about this Tibet Travel Permit thing on my last trip back to China (1 month ago). One of my relatives works at the permit issuing office. This is what I learned from him:

A foreign citizen needs a Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet, this is different with the China Visa they get before they entering China. My suggestion is that you apply for China Visa without mentioning about the intended trip to Tibet and then apply for the permit once you entered China. You may apply for this permit from Beijing, Shanghai, Xi An, Xi ning and Cheng Du. I suggest you go to Cheng Du (which is the capital city of the Si Chuan province), there are many great sight seeings around the city where the home town of Panda is located near by as well. However, do apply for the Tibet Travel Permit as soon as you get to Cheng Du. Goto Tibet Travel Permit Issuing Office or a local travel agency, give them your name, gender, date of birth, passport number and nationality. You will also be asked for your occupation because journalists and people that could be involved in political matters are categorized for more complicated procedures. However a PSB permit can be granted if you are entering Tibet as a diplomats, journalists, and government officials under the arrangement by the Foreign Affairs Office of Tibet Government.

One should prepare for one week to ten days for the permit issuing process. The permit cost around 60 RMB which equivalent to CAD $8.

You can fly to Lhasa from Cheng Du for around RMB 1300 (CAD $200) one way. Taking bus will take days. However, there is a rail way being built which will connect Lhasa with the rest of China rail systems. This will greatly reduce the travelling cost. If you are going to China and got questions? Ask me! I'd be glad to help you out! :)

Here's a sample permit, they have updated the permit from a certificate looking package to a simple paper based permit:

The Chinese government is investing 330 million yuan (55 million CAD) renovating the world famous temple in Tibet - The Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple Monastery, Lhasa. Due to the nature of missing blue print of the huge architecture, the engineers have to re-construct 3D models using precise measurements in order to complete the renovation. The project will be completed in 2006. I am looking forward to finally visit the holy palace in each Tibitan's heart after this re-construction.