The Lijiang-Shangrila Railway originates from Lijiang Railway Station in Yulongnaxi Autonomous County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, and connects to Shangri-La Railway Station in Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Designed for a maximum speed of 140 kilometers per hour, the railway spans a total length of 139 kilometers and is classified as a national Class I electrified single-track railway. The entire line includes 13 stations: Lijiang Railway Station, Lashihai Railway Station, Daluo Railway Station, Xinshang Railway Station, Hutiaoxia Railway Station, Luosiwan Railway Station, Huajiaopo Railway Station, Wanlamu Railway Station, Tangbu Railway Station, Xiaozhongdian Railway Station, Luji Railway Station, Judugu Railway Station, and Shangri-La Railway Station. Among these, Lijiang Railway Station is an existing railway station, while others are all newly constructed. Lijiang Railway Station, Lashihai Railway Station, and Shangri-La Railway Station provide passenger services, Xiaozhongdian Railway Station handles both passenger and freight services, and the rest serve as railway technical operation stations.
The Lijiang-Shangrila Railway is located at the forefront of the collision zone between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate, making it one of the regions with the most intense crustal movement in China. With elevations ranging from 2,400 meters at Lijiang Railway Station to 3,274 meters at Shangri-La Railway Station, the railway presents difficult challenges associated with typical plateau railway construction. Since the project commenced in December 2014, CR has organized various participating units and workers to overcome significant difficulties and challenges, for high-quality construction. The project, spanning nine years, involved the construction of 34 bridges and the completion of 20 tunnels and is to be completed as scheduled. It’s worth noting that the Grand Bridge over the Jinsha River features a main span of 660 meters and a vertical distance of approximately 250 meters from the bridge deck to the river surface. This is equivalent to more than 80 floors in height. During the construction of tunnels through Yulong Snow Mountain, Haba Snow Mountain, and other locations, geological challenges such as high ground stress and large deformations were successfully addressed through the innovation and development of world-leading large deformation control technologies, accumulating valuable experience for the construction of plateau railways in China.
Before the official opening for operations, CR meticulously organized relevant units, strictly followed regulations and standards, and conducted comprehensive testing, acceptance, and safety evaluations of various professional equipment for the Lijiang-Shangrila Railway. This included optimizations and adjustments to rail conditions, catenary performance, train control, communication signaling systems, and more. Currently, the railway meets the safety and stable operation requirements for both passenger and freight trains, ensuring all conditions are met for the commencement of operations.
In the initial phase of operations, the railway authority will arrange for the daily operation of eight passenger trains, providing connections from Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang Railway Station to Shangri-La Railway Station in as little as 4 hours and 30 minutes, 3 hours, and 58 minutes, and 1 hour and 18 minutes, respectively. To deliver better railway operation and meet diverse passenger travel needs, a flexible discount and differentiated market-based fare mechanism will be implemented between stations along the railway. This mechanism aims to provide passengers with more choices. During the initial period of operation, ticket prices will be discounted to 90% of the published fare at most and 70% at the lowest. Published fares can be checked through the railway’s “12306” platform. Additionally, the railway authority will arrange for the operation of two freight trains. Construction materials, daily necessities, and other goods can be efficiently transported to Shangri-La via the railway, while local livestock products and special products can be shipped to various parts of the country.
The Lijiang-Shangrila Railway is a vital component of the Yunnan-Tibet Railway in China's “Medium-and Long-Term Railway Network Plan.” After its opening, it will significantly enhance transportation services in ethnic minority areas. It is of great importance for promoting ethnic unity, consolidating border stability, and facilitating high-quality economic and social development in Yunnan.
