New tourist trains launched in Tibet

A Z6812 tourist train between Xigaze and Xining stops at Lhasa, capital of Tibet autonomous region, on Tuesday. [Photo by Daqiong]

An official launch ceremony for two new tourist trains operating in the Tibet autonomous region was held on Tuesday.

According to the region's tourism development commission, one of the new trains, Z68112/2, runs between Xining, capital of Qinghai province, and Xigaze, the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and Tibet's second-biggest city. The other one, Z8808/7, links Lhasa with Tibet's northern Nagqu city.

Previously, the region already had one train targeting tourists in operation since last July, linking Lhasa and Xigaze, and about 1.4 million passenger trips have been made since it began operation.

The tourist trains are decorated in Tibetan style and provide unique ethnic catering and services, which let passengers learn more about Tibetan culture and its beautiful scenery, said Xie Leilei, a worker on one of the Xining-Lhasa trains.

Xie said the tourist trains have a healthcare center, a baby care room and a private room for the convenience of passengers.