In a landmark development for high-altitude transportation, Drakmuk Railway Station commenced passenger operations on Thursday, establishing itself as the highest-elevation passenger station along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway corridor. Perched at 4,721 meters above sea level in the Tibetan Autonomous Region, this engineering marvel officially opened its doors to travelers at approximately 11:00 AM local time when over fifty passengers boarded the Z9817 service bound for regional capital Lhasa.
The station, situated in Drakmuk town within Amdo County of Nagchu City, represents a significant infrastructure upgrade from its previous status as an unattended facility. This transformation directly addresses growing transportation demands and tourism development opportunities in the surrounding region, which boasts natural attractions including the formidable Tanggula Mountain Range.
China Railway Qinghai-Tibet Group Co., Ltd., the line’s operator, anticipates the station will serve approximately 10,000 residents from twenty-five neighboring villages while simultaneously boosting local tourism infrastructure. The enhanced accessibility is expected to stimulate growth in hospitality sectors including catering and accommodation services throughout the Amdo County region.
The inauguration marks another milestone in the region’s transportation evolution since the initial operational launch of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway in July 2006. That historic achievement ended Tibet’s era without railway connectivity by establishing a vital link between Lhasa and Xining, Qinghai Province’s capital city.