I spent fantastic day in the train enjoiing the views of Tibetan plateau…
After two controls in the new-built Lhasa railway stationI boarded the soft sleeper car. This is the highest category on China Rail. But I must tell you it is disappointing… Except the big, panoramic windows I was not impressed. They do not offer any soap or towel. Bring your own toilet paper. There is one European toilet in the car but for some stupid reason they are closing it on every station. Yes – there is an individual screen for every berth, but they do not offer ANY program. There is a hot water distibutor in each car but the offered water is only warm, so your tea or coffee has no full value… The conductor is rather rude and does not speak any English. They do not give ANY announcements through the loudspeakers and any form of the timetable is available so print one for you in advance…
Well, for me it is just the part of the adventure, but let you know in advance what to expect.
But yes, I spent a great day going through the Roof of the World, enjoing sunny wearher and the landscapes of the snowy mountains, pastures with thousands of yaks, remote settlements. It was 3.40 pm when we passed little and completely deserted Tanggula station – the highest Railway Station in the world on the level 5068 m. Why they do not stop here or just slow down for the pictures? Chinese are not proud of their record?
Then we started the slow descend, but still riding on the level 4500 – 4600 m – till the evening. I saw many wild donkeys an Tibetan antelopes… And the long chain of lorries climbing up the parallel road G109 to Tibet…
In the late morning our thrain reached big city of Lanzhou in Guansu province. Different world!!!
