(TibetanReview.net, Jan 21) – China again said the delayed special luxury tourist trains will run on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway but did not say when. The launch of the luxury tourist trains, for which there is no specific timetable yet, will actively promote the development of the tourism industry in Qinghai Province, as well as the growth of the tourism market along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, reported China’s online Tibet news service eng.Tibet.cn Jan 20.
The luxury service will be run by Tanggula Tourism Train Company, a US $150 million joint venture between Qingzang Railway Corporation, which runs the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, and US Rail Partners.
The special train service will have four stations within Qinghai Province, namely, Xining, Bird Island, Delingha and Golmud. The report, sourced from Xining Evening News, did not name the service’s stops in Tibet Autonomous Region.
The report said the special luxury trains would meet the standards of a five star train, equipped with 48 deluxe suites and 96 seats. The sightseeing journey from Beijing to Lhasa aboard the train will take five days and four nights, the report said.