The evolving transportation network in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region has unlocked more opportunities for local businesses and fueled tourism with convenient travel experience.
The network system, centered around the regional capital Lhasa and extending to Shigatse, Shannan, Nyingchi, and Nagqu, has created a "five-city, three-hour economic circle", reducing travel times and boosting connectivity.
A bustling yogurt shop near the Potala Palace, a popular tourist destination in Lhasa, has benefited from the improved infrastructure. The shop has witnessed a fivefold business expansion since its opening in 2007.
For 18 years, the shop has sourced yogurt from the Baiyang's family in Luo'ou village on the outskirts of Lhasa. Back then, Baiyang's father delivered yogurt to the shop every two days. Nowadays, the 12-kilometer journey has been a whole new experience for them.
"In the past, my father delivered yogurt by motorcycle. The roads were not good at that time and we drove slowly. After the roads were repaired three years ago, all the ranches are accessible. It might have taken more than an hour to deliver the yogurt before, but now it only takes a dozen minutes," Baiyang recounted.
The improved roads have also allowed the yogurt shop, owned by Gesang, to seek for more suppliers. Previously reliant on local suppliers, she now sources yak milk from Nagqu, 300 kilometers away.
"Yak milk cannot be stored for more than three hours, otherwise it will go bad. With better roads, we can source fresher yak milk from further afield. The barley flour on the cake is from Shigatse, and the ginseng fruit is shipped from Nagqu. Convenient transportation allows us to use the most authentic ingredients to make the most authentic yogurt," said Gesang.
The increased connectivity has fueled the rise of self-drive tourism, bringing in more visitors during the summer peak season.
"This train is dedicated to transporting cars through railways. It can carry 130 to 140 vehicles. Some people prefer to transport their cars to Lhasa and then drive to surrounding areas, saving more time and efforts," said Wu Hao, a logistics manager.
At present, the total length of roads in Xizang reached 124,900 kilometers. With more highways opening to traffic, travel times from Lhasa to Nyingchi have been reduced from 10 hours to just over 3 hours, and the journey to Shigatse has shrunk from six hours to a little over two hours.
Xizang's improved transportation network unlocks opportunities, fuels tourism
