As the Tibet Railway traverses three mountain ranges and many rivers and lakes on its way to 'the Roof of the World' (Qinghai-Tibet Plateau), the scenery is majestic and breathtaking. There are 45 stations along the route offering passengers some incredible views. Nine of these stations have been designated for their particularly picturesque beauty and have special sightseeing platforms.

Famous sights along the line include Qinghai Lake and Bird Island, the Kunlun and Tanggula mountain ranges, Kekexili and Tuotuo River, etc together with the rare wild animals reward each tourist with lifelong unforgettable memories.

The Xining-Golmud rail segment passes Qinghai Lake, the largest salt water lake in China and home to the charming Bird Island. Nearby Ta'er Monastery is a religious activity center that is worth visiting.

During the Golmud-Lhasa segment one can see Kunlun Mountain, renowned as the ancestor of many mountains in the area. Its main peak is Mt. Yuzhu with an altitude of 6,178 meters (20,269 feet) above sea level. It is also one of the nine designated sightseeing stations along the rail line. To the southeast is Kekexili, known as the 'unmanned area' and 'paradise for wild animals'. It is situated between the Kunlun and Tanggula mountains.

Two scenic rivers - the Chumaer River which follows Tibetan antelope migration routes and the Tuotuo River which is the location of the mouth of the Yangtze River can be seen from the train. Meadows, grasslands, and jokul can be admired in Buqiangge. Not too far away is the world's highest railway station, the Tanggula station.

Cuona Lake is the highest freshwater lake in the world. It is the nearest lake to the rail line and is considered a "Heavenly Lake" by Tibetans. There's a wide variety of animals near the lake. Traditional horse races are held every year in Nakchu and Damxung. Between those two cities is the holy Namtso Lake. Only about 56 miles northwest of Lhasa stands Yangpachen, which is situated on the plateau and has natural hot springs in which visitors can bathe.

Two tunnels visible from the train are the Fenghoushan, the world's highest tunnel, and the Kunlun Mountain, the world's largest plateau tunnel. Both were built on permafrost, a mixture of soil and ice under 0 C. The destination of the railway is Lhasa, stands at 3,650 meters (11,975 feet) altitude and is the home to the magnificent Potala Palace.

Along the 1,956 kilometers railway are nine world-class tourist sites; twenty-three nationally designated sites and ten national nature reserves. Rivers, lakes, grasslands, glacier and forests are scattered along the route. Tibetan antelope, yak, wild donkeys, cranes, mandarin ducks and swans add vital force to this unique landscape.

Next  Nine Scenes along the Railway