Lijiang-Shangri-La railway expected to open within 2023
Thermal sliding test on the Lijiang-Shangri-La section of Yunnan-Xizang/Tibet Railway
Thermal sliding test on the Lijiang-Shangri-La section of Yunnan-Xizang/Tibet Railway was completed on November 4, laying a foundation for the section’s opening to traffic within this year.
Before the test, the 139.7km Lijiang-Shangri-La railway had gone through fine tamping and adjustment, with the Jinsha River Bridge’s steel top accepted in static inspection.
Thermal sliding test on the Lijiang-Shangri-La railway section
The Jinsha River Bridge’s steel top in static inspection
The Lijiang-Shangri-La section runs north from Lijiang all the way to Shangri-La in northwest Yunnan, and the altitude rises from 2,400 meters to 3,400 meters. It is equipped with 34 bridges and 20 tunnels, which in all account for 73.4% of section length.
When the railway is put into operation, it will link up the Lijiang old town, the jade-dragon snow mountain, the tiger-leaping gorge and other scenic areas. It is expected to revitalize tourism and economy in the ethnic minority areas of northwest Yunnan.
The Jinsha River Bridge under construction
Fine tamping and adjustment on the Lijiang-Shangri-La railway section
Fine tamping and adjustment on the Lijiang-Shangri-La railway section
Reporting by Li Chenghan and Wang Yixiang (Yunnan Daily); Trans-editing by Wang Shixue