Travel along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Author: Tan Yibo / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The Kekexili National Nature Reserve, known as the "Beautiful Maiden," boasts unique and diverse natural landscapes and a rich variety of wildlife. It is the birthplace of Fuwa, the snow leopard mascot of the 29th Olympic Games. Tan Yibo, who twice ventured into Kekexili as a volunteer, wrote this book, which greatly helps readers understand the tourist attractions of Kekexili. Today, the unique natural landscapes and profound ethnic culture of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are becoming a tourist paradise desired by urbanites. As we step into this mysterious realm and immerse ourselves in the embrace of blue skies, white clouds, snow-capped mountains, grasslands, as well as religious and folk cultures, can we not also feel infinite gratitude for the spiritual solace bestowed upon us by the Roof of the World? The publication of this book, Traveling Along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, perfectly helps us find the source of that solace and gratitude.
Yang Xin, President of Green River Environmental Protection Promotion Association, a renowned scientist, explorer, and photographer:
I am grateful for the journey across this beautiful plateau, which has made the world in front of me grow larger; I am grateful for the creatures of this pure land, which have taught me humility and reverence for life; I am grateful that my frail life has thus been adorned with magnificent colors. The snow-capped mountains remain, with the sun setting red time and again. Do I still see the snow-capped mountains, or do the snow-capped mountains see me? Friends, when traveling, please remember to respect and protect this rare of the world.
Cao Fengying (Namtso), author of Tibet Travel Guide and Inner Mongolia Travel Guide, known online as "Blue Bird," was born in the 1970s. She loves traveling and dancing. From covering travel news to specializing in travel sections, tourism has become an indispensable part of her career. She is straightforward like someone from Chongqing and generous like someone from Qinghai. Deep down, she is like Sanmao—a woman who loves wandering and drifting. She enjoys outdoor activities and tries various new projects, once soaring like a bird in the sky and dancing like a ballet on ice. Her admiration lies in the snow-capped mountains of "there," and her idea of a "romantic thing" is to count stars with a loved one by Qinghai Lake.
Wildlife Scenery Along the Railway
Approximately 14 species of rare wildlife frequently inhabit both sides of the railway, primarily mammals and birds. Based on the population of large mammal species along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the Golmud to Lhasa section can be divided into four segments:
1. Nacita to Beibei of Kunlun Mountain
2. Kunlun Mountain to Tuotuo River
3. Tuotuo River to Tanggula Mountain Pass
4. Tanggula Mountain Pass to Lhasa
In the Nacita to Beibei of Kunlun Mountain segment, large mammals are mainly distributed in the Yebu Valley of the upper reaches of the Kunlun River. There are about 100 to 150 wild yaks foraging and drinking along both banks of the Kunlun River, along with dozens of Tibetan wild ass. In the East and West Dada, there are over ten herds of Tibetan gazelle (commonly known as "yellow sheep"), numbering more than 100, and over 40 white-lipped deer that frequently appear in the area. The mountains in this segment are home to about 1,500 to 2,000 blue sheep and hundreds of argali in the highlands on both sides of the river valleys.
The Kunlun Mountain to Tuotuo River segment passes between the Kekexili and Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserves, an area most concentrated with rare wildlife such as Tibetan gazelle, wild yaks, Tibetan wild ass, and Tibetan gazelle. It is also the main route for the reproduction, migration, and foraging of wildlife in both regions. Tibetan gazelle are primarily concentrated in the northern part of Wudaoliang along the Chumar River and the northern side of the Tuotuo River in the Gulu Valley. To the south of the Sonan Dajie Nature Reserve, thousands of Tibetan gazelle cross the Qinghai-Tibet Highway each year to give birth around Zonai Lake in the heart of Kekexili. Tibetan wild ass are mainly active along both banks of Buxunquan, Wudaoliang, and Xiushui River, numbering no fewer than 4,200. The activity range of Tibetan gazelle is similar to that of Tibetan wild ass, with about 10 to 15 populations along the route, numbering 200 to 300. Wild yaks are mainly distributed in the middle and upper reaches of the Chuma River, with at least two large populations, numbering 300 to 400.
In the Tuotuo River to Tanggula Mountain Pass segment, rare wildlife such as white-lipped deer, Tibetan wild ass, Tibetan gazelle, and argali are distributed. White-lipped deer are mainly active in the area from Tuotuo River to Tongtian River; Tibetan wild ass are active in the southern part of Tongtian River, numbering more than 600; argali are found near the Tanggula Mountain Pass.
The Tanggula Mountain Pass to Lhasa segment is primarily agricultural and pastoral areas with relatively dense populations, making it difficult to see large or medium-sized wildlife along the route. However, wetlands in Anduo, Naqu, and Damxung are habitats for large numbers of rare birds such as black-necked cranes, white-tailed eagles, and bar-headed geese.
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