Qinghai-Tibet Railway brings dramatic changes to Nagqu, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The per capita annual income of local herdsmen increases to 8,200 yuan (about 1,248 U.S. dollars) in 2015, up by more than 5,000 yuan (761 U.S. dollars) in 2006. In addition, the number of local economic cooperatives rises to 243, a growth of 174 compared with 2010. Since Qinghai-Tibet Railway was opened to traffic, Nagqu's animal products have been transported to Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Moreover, Qinghai-Tibet Railway transports an increasing number of tourists to Tibet. With rich tourism resources such as lakes, snow-capped mountains and hot springs, Nagqu will strive to develop tourism in the future.

 

Nagqu lies in the northern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Nagqu Town is the transport hub for northern Tibetan contacting with other parts of the region and other parts of China. Transportation networks in Nagqu are relatively complete. All counties (districts) and townships within Nagqu Prefecture are accessible by highways. It is also the home to yak and north Tibet sheep.

 

He Jianping, deputy director of Nagqu County, said that when Qinghai-Tibet Railway began to be opened to traffic, the per capita annual income of local herdsmen is only less than 3,000 yuan (456.6 U.S. dollars). It almost doubled in 2015. Qinghai-Tibet Railway brings a large number of people and products to Nagqu, which increase the local income and promote the social and economic development.

 

Nagqu Railway Station also has the largest logistics station in Nagqu Prefecture. A large amount of goods are transported to Nagqu County by Qinghai-Tibet Railway, lowering the local prices and changing citizens' consumption ideas.

 

Previously, the local herdsmen only grazed yaks, sheep and horses and owned a large number of animal products but did not sell them. After the operation of Qinghai-Tibet Railway, many animal products can be transported to Lhasa and a lot of tourists traveling to Tibet buy them, increasing income of local herdsmen.

 

In Nagqu Prefecture, there are nine villages and three towns. Among them, five villages (towns) are along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway line. With the increasing number of tourists to Nagqu, the local government develops more tourism resources and improves service facilities in recent years.

 

China's first Dark Night Nature Reserve pilot project was launched in Tibet. The Dark Night Park will be built in Lhoma Town, Nagqu Prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region. Here is a good place for enjoying fascinating starry night.