Qinghai–Xizang Railway hits 100 million ton cargo milestone

The Qinghai–Xizang Railway has transported more than 100 million metric tons of goods in and out of the Xizang autonomous region since opening in 2006, according to China Railway Qinghai–Xizang Group.

Launched on July 1, 2006, the railway ended Xizang's history without rail access, turning the long-held vision of crossing the "roof of the world" into reality and opening a new era of connectivity with inland regions.

Over the past two decades, freight volume has grown steadily. From just 361,000 tons in 2006, annual throughput reached 8.31 million tons by 2025, with an average annual growth rate of 18 percent, data from the group showed.

Inbound cargo, mainly coal, cement, construction materials, and grain, has risen from 340,000 to 6.9 million tons, while outbound freight has expanded faster, from 21,000 to over 1.4 million tons.

"The railway ensures efficient delivery of essential supplies to the plateau while enabling specialty products such as highland barley and Tibetan beverages to reach national markets," said Zeng Qiang, deputy director of the group's Passenger and Freight Management Department.

Capacity and network coverage have also improved significantly. The Golmud–Lhasa section now has 58 stations, maximum traction loads of 2,880 tons, and 17 daily train pairs. With the integration of the Lhasa–Shigatse and Lhasa–Nyingchi railways, a Y-shaped backbone network has taken shape.

Xizang's rail network now exceeds 1,000 kilometers, with five freight stations and strengthened hubs in Lhasa, Shigatse, and Nyingchi. A system of seven regional freight centers and 47 service outlets covers Qinghai, Gansu, and Xizang, according to the group.

Beyond domestic logistics, the railway is expanding cross-border links. Since 2021, rail-road combined transport has enabled routes to South and Central Asia, with export volumes reaching 113,000 tons.