Qinghai-Tibet Railway has sent 5,276 passengers since its operation on July 1, 2006, and the annual growth rate of passenger volume reaches 10.3 percent, according to Qinghai-Tibet Railway Company.

The railway has helped Tibet break through the transportation bottleneck that hindered the local economy, according to Bao Chuxiong, general manager of the railway company.

Also, the cost of transportation of both passengers and goods are greatly reduced, allowing for an increasing volume. The cost for per ton-kilometer was reduced from 0.38 RMB to 0.12 RMB.

Owner of a cargo at Lhasa Railway Station is preparing documents for his freight. [Photo/ Xinhua]

Statistics indicated that total weight of cargo increased from 24.91million tons in 2006 to 51.64 million tons by the end of 2011, up 15.7 percent annually.

Tourism also benefits from the railway. Tourists take up 30 percent of the total passengers visiting Tibet by train, according to industry insiders.

By the end of 2015, Tibet and Qinghai will respectively receive 15 and 20 million tourists annually.

Photo taken on June 30 shows that workers are unloading at Lhasa Railway Station. [Photo/ Xinhua]

A train is departing from Lhasa Railway Station on June 30. [Photo/ Xinhua]