Qinghai-Tibet railway, world’s highest, begins operation in 2006 – SCMP archive

On July 2, 2006, the world's highest railway, the Qinghai-Tibet line, commenced operations with the departure of the first train from Beijing to Lhasa. This historic journey carried 600 passengers and 100 journalists, with some describing the train as a "hotel on wheels" due to its amenities.

Trains also departed simultaneously from Golmud and Chengdu, marking a significant milestone in transportation infrastructure. For students like Bianba, a 22-year-old from Lhasa studying in Beijing, the new railway presented a more accessible way to visit family. He noted that traveling by train was considerably cheaper than flying.

The cost of a hard seat ticket was 389 yuan, while hard sleeper berths ranged from 813 yuan to 1,262 yuan for a soft sleeper. In comparison, an air ticket from Beijing to Tibet exceeded 2,500 yuan, making the train a substantially more economical choice for many.

Aboard the train, passengers were immediately immersed in Tibetan culture, evident in the upholstery featuring auspicious Tibetan colors of yellow and red. This integration of local culture aimed to enhance the travel experience for those journeying to the "roof of the world."

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It’s much cheaper to go home by train.