The Most Luxurious Train in the World...

[rogerluli]

We've talked before about the highest rail line in the world. But now China is going to up the ante and build a "5 star hotel" train to whisk the well-heeled from Beijing to Lhasa in real style...

 

China will launch "the most luxurious train in the world" to ply the route from Beijing to Tibet's capital Lhasa, state media reported Sunday.

 

However, a ride on the train, which will begin operations on September 1, will be about 20 times more expensive than the ordinary fare of about 2,000 yuan (280 dollars), Xinhua news agency said.

 

"The interior of the train will be decorated according to the standards of a five-star hotel, making it the most luxurious train in the world," said Zhu Mingrui, general manager of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Corporation.

 

"Such a train can only seat 96 passengers. The fare would be about 20 times the normal price and also much more than an airline ticket," he said.

 

There will be three trains, which will head from Beijing to Lhasa every eight days. The luxury journey will take five days.

 

Each train will have 12 passenger cars, two dining cars and a sightseeing car. Each passenger car will have four ten-square-metre (108-square-foot) suites featuring a double bed, a living room and bathing facilities.

 

The train line to the Himalayan "roof of the world" went into operation in July 2006.

 

Chinese authorities see the 1,142-kilometre (710-mile) railway as an important tool in modernizing and developing Tibet, which has been part of China since its troops occupied the region in 1950.

 

However, critics say that the line is allowing the Han Chinese, the national majority, to flood into Tibet, leading to the devastation of the local culture as well accelerating environmental degradation of the region.

[Guest Mike and Lily]

We've talked before about the highest rail line in the world. But now China is going to up the ante and build a "5 star hotel" train to whisk the well-heeled from Beijing to Lhasa in real style...

 

China will launch "the most luxurious train in the world" to ply the route from Beijing to Tibet's capital Lhasa, state media reported Sunday.

 

However, a ride on the train, which will begin operations on September 1, will be about 20 times more expensive than the ordinary fare of about 2,000 yuan (280 dollars), Xinhua news agency said.

 

"The interior of the train will be decorated according to the standards of a five-star hotel, making it the most luxurious train in the world," said Zhu Mingrui, general manager of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Corporation.

 

"Such a train can only seat 96 passengers. The fare would be about 20 times the normal price and also much more than an airline ticket," he said.

 

There will be three trains, which will head from Beijing to Lhasa every eight days. The luxury journey will take five days.

 

Each train will have 12 passenger cars, two dining cars and a sightseeing car. Each passenger car will have four ten-square-metre (108-square-foot) suites featuring a double bed, a living room and bathing facilities.

 

The train line to the Himalayan "roof of the world" went into operation in July 2006.

 

Chinese authorities see the 1,142-kilometre (710-mile) railway as an important tool in modernizing and developing Tibet, which has been part of China since its troops occupied the region in 1950.

 

However, critics say that the line is allowing the Han Chinese, the national majority, to flood into Tibet, leading to the devastation of the local culture as well accelerating environmental degradation of the region.

 

40,000 Yuan? I think I'd rather fly!

[rogerluli]

We've talked before about the highest rail line in the world. But now China is going to up the ante and build a "5 star hotel" train to whisk the well-heeled from Beijing to Lhasa in real style...

 

China will launch "the most luxurious train in the world" to ply the route from Beijing to Tibet's capital Lhasa, state media reported Sunday.

 

However, a ride on the train, which will begin operations on September 1, will be about 20 times more expensive than the ordinary fare of about 2,000 yuan (280 dollars), Xinhua news agency said.

 

"The interior of the train will be decorated according to the standards of a five-star hotel, making it the most luxurious train in the world," said Zhu Mingrui, general manager of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Corporation.

 

"Such a train can only seat 96 passengers. The fare would be about 20 times the normal price and also much more than an airline ticket," he said.

 

There will be three trains, which will head from Beijing to Lhasa every eight days. The luxury journey will take five days.

 

Each train will have 12 passenger cars, two dining cars and a sightseeing car. Each passenger car will have four ten-square-metre (108-square-foot) suites featuring a double bed, a living room and bathing facilities.

 

The train line to the Himalayan "roof of the world" went into operation in July 2006.

 

Chinese authorities see the 1,142-kilometre (710-mile) railway as an important tool in modernizing and developing Tibet, which has been part of China since its troops occupied the region in 1950.

 

However, critics say that the line is allowing the Han Chinese, the national majority, to flood into Tibet, leading to the devastation of the local culture as well accelerating environmental degradation of the region.

 

40,000 Yuan? I think I'd rather fly!

 

I hear what you're saying but it is for 5 days. We've flown and taken trains pretty extensively in China and I prefer the train. Soft sleepers are quite comfy and for seeing the countryside it can't be beat. We will definitely be taking the train to Lhasa some day but I'm sure it will be the cheapo version. Laopo thinks we're saving money also because most of our train excursions have included an overnight so you save the money for a hotel, but bring your own containers of noodles because the food is not so great...

[IllinoisDave]

However, critics say that the line is allowing the Han Chinese, the national majority, to flood into Tibet, leading to the devastation of the local culture as well accelerating environmental degradation of the region.

Hmmm...Sound familiar?

[rogerluli]

However, critics say that the line is allowing the Han Chinese, the national majority, to flood into Tibet, leading to the devastation of the local culture as well accelerating environmental degradation of the region.

Hmmm...Sound familiar?

 

Too many critics...Too little time...

[sleepless in Houston&CQ]

Roggie

 

This price is crazy!! but

I'm sure the price will come down and become

more in line with what folks can afford.

 

After all not everyone works for the gummit like you do.

[rogerluli]

Roggie

 

This price is crazy!! but

I'm sure the price will come down and become

more in line with what folks can afford.

 

After all not everyone works for the gummit like you do.

 

Hey Bobbert I don't work for the US mint and get free samples ya' know...

[homersimpsons]

What's the toilet like? Is it like the bus where it's basically just a hole?

 

I didn't realized that most bus and trains in China have only a hole as a toilet till my last bus trip from Guangzhou to Nanning this year during the winter storm.

 

Now I know why they didn't let me use the toilet till we left the city! My god...so all that feces and urine smell on the road were really human feces from buses and train

[DMikeS4321]

40,000 Yuan? I think I'd rather fly!

 

Good Grief!! I'd rather WALK!!!!

[sleepless in Houston&CQ]

Roggie

 

This price is crazy!! but

I'm sure the price will come down and become

more in line with what folks can afford.

 

After all not everyone works for the gummit like you do.

 

Hey Bobbert I don't work for the US mint and get free samples ya' know...

 

 

Roggie your best friend "we will keep him nameless" Trigg told

me that you Did Work for the Mint and always got a few new bills

after each run.."20,50,100."

just to test, kinda like to make sure they was ok and would be easy

to pass off to others.......

Well thats the rumor

[Guest Mike and Lily]

What's the toilet like? Is it like the bus where it's basically just a hole?

 

I didn't realized that most bus and trains in China have only a hole as a toilet till my last bus trip from Guangzhou to Nanning this year during the winter storm.

 

Now I know why they didn't let me use the toilet till we left the city! My god...so all that feces and urine smell on the road were really human feces from buses and train

 

Just a hole going directly onto the road! My god, that is nasty! No wonder China has environmental issues!

[rogerluli]

What's the toilet like? Is it like the bus where it's basically just a hole?

 

I didn't realized that most bus and trains in China have only a hole as a toilet till my last bus trip from Guangzhou to Nanning this year during the winter storm.

 

Now I know why they didn't let me use the toilet till we left the city! My god...so all that feces and urine smell on the road were really human feces from buses and train

 

Just a hole going directly onto the road! My god, that is nasty! No wonder China has environmental issues!

 

Sure but it's great for the plants and trees growing alongside the road...