Lhasa-Shigatse Railway put into use

A high-elevation railway in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region goes into operation today.

A high-elevation railway in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region goes into operation today.

The 251-kilometer-long railway starts in the provincial capital Lhasa, running westward to the terminal station of Shigatse. The nearly three-hour-long journey involves 14 stations, traveling along the Yarlung Zangbo River and through the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon.

After ten days of trial runs, the first passenger train departed from Lhasa 9 am on Friday.

The railway links the eastern and western parts of Tibet. The opening is expected to boost the economic and social development of Tibet, and to improve residents' traveling conditions.