Plateau railway worker ensures safe travel in China's Xizang-Tibet Online

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Plateau railway worker ensures safe travel in China's Xizang

June 17, 2026Source: Xinhua

Passengers prepare to get on a train at the Amdo Railway Station in Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
Li Wengang checks a passenger's ID card at the Amdo Railway Station in Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 12, 2026 shows a train running through Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
Li Wengang (R) records information for a passenger who lost belongings at the Amdo Railway Station in Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
Li Wengang guides passengers in exiting the Amdo Railway Station in Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)
Li Wengang walks past a stone sculpture at the Amdo Railway Station in Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
Li Wengang (R) and his colleague Wang Yaowen work at an office of Amdo Railway Station in Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)
Li Wengang (L) and his colleague Wang Yaowen have breakfast at the canteen of Amdo Railway Station in Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
Li Wengang (L) works at the Amdo Railway Station in Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 12, 2026 shows a train stopping at the Amdo Railway Station in Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
Li Wengang guides passengers at the Amdo Railway Station in Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)
Li Wengang has a video chat with his mother at the dormitory of Amdo Railway Station in Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 13, 2026 shows a train running through Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
Li Wengang checks medical aids at the Amdo Railway Station in Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 13, 2026 shows a train running through Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
Li Wengang gets dressed and prepares to work at the Amdo Railway Station in Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 12, 2026 shows a train running through Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 12, 2026 shows a train running through Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 12, 2026 shows the Amdo Railway Station in Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
Li Wengang sees a train off on the platform at the Amdo Railway Station in Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 12, 2026 shows a train running through Amdo County of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Li Wengang, 36, has worked at Amdo Railway Station in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region since September 2017. His daily duties include security checks, ticket checks and maintaining order in the waiting room.

Located at an altitude of 4,702 meters, Amdo Railway Station has a harsh working environment, with strong winds, low temperatures and an oxygen level less than half that of lowland areas. Built 20 years ago, the station was originally designed to hold no more than 150 people. During holidays, passenger flows often surge, bringing greater pressure to Li and his colleagues.

Li has braved these challenges with patience and perseverance. He overcomes altitude sickness, helps local herders use ticket gates, and has learned basic Tibetan to better serve passengers. When he misses his family in Gansu, video calls offer him comfort.

Li witnessed the transformation of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway during the past 10 years. Once a 20-hour trip, now it takes about 15 hours by train to travel between Amdo County and Xining City in northwest China's Qinghai Province. In 2020, electronic gates were put into use, bringing convenience to both passengers and railway station staff members.

Asked about his hopes, Li answered that safe journeys for every passenger is all he wants. Like Li, many railway workers on the plateau are working day and night to help thousands of passengers travel safely.