After the train departing from Lanzhou Station, it starts to experience the rising altitude. When the train runs westward after Xining Station, you’re able to see the dark blue Qinghai Lake - China's largest inland salt water lake. Some describe it as “a tear on the earth.” In late May every year, all kinds of migratory birds come to this lake for resting and multiplying here. About 30 kilometers away from Golmud, the train arrives at Nanshankou Station,the first station for the second phase of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Soon after, you will be greeted with Yuzhu Peak, which marks the beginning of the journey on the snow-capped plateau.
At 6178 meters above sea level, Yuzhu Peak is the main peak of the eastern section of the Kunlun Mountains. The snow-capped peaks are silvery white even in the midsummer,contributing to a famous and unique landscape - snow in June on Kunlun mountains. If you visit the viewing platform of the peak, you can have a close look at the crystal clear glaciers, which seem to be touched within an arm’s reach. It is so enchanting that you might linger there, not willing to leave. The train passes Amdo at nights and you are likely to see the stars on the sky, if the weather is fine.
When the train arrives at the Kunlun Mountain Pass, you’re entering Hoh Xil, an isolated region in the northwestern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in Qinghai province. You will see a highly abstract Tibetan antelope-shaped station with a sculpture of Tibetan antelope on the platform, which reminds us that the train has entered the mysterious Hoh Xil .
Hoh Xil, meaning "beautiful girl" in Mongolian, is one of the main source areas of the Yangtze River. Despite the harsh climate, Hoh Xil is home to more than 230 species of wild animals, 20 of which are under Chinese state protection, including the wild yak, wild donkey, white-lip deer, brown bear and the endangered Tibetan antelope or chiru. The train runs 200 kilometers in the Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve. If you’re lucky, you may see hordes of Tibetan antelopes linger in the grasslands or riversides of the waters. On the way from Naqu to Lhasa, the train passes through the Tanggula Station, the highest station on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway with an altitude of 5072 meters. To see the unstaffed station stands high on this no man’s land, you will find yourself haunted with sense of dismal .
And then you are about to enjoy the beauty of Cona Lake, a major lake of northern Tibet Autonomous Region, China.Its area is approximately 300 square kilometers, and it is at 4594 meters above sea level making it one of the world's higher freshwater lakes. Only 20 meters away from the Conahu Station, the lake can be observed on the right (west) as the train passes the station on Qingzang Railway, going south toward Lhasa. The mirror-like lake reflects the blue sky and white clouds, and the crispy bird songs are heard. Everything is so peaceful and holy.
After crossing the Lhasa River Bridge, you’re greeted with the magnificent Potala Palace on your left side.
