China Nepal Railway - Lhasa to Kathmandu Train in Future

Lhasa Kathmandu Train Introduction
As the first international railway linking China and Nepal, the China Nepal Raiway attracts much attention since its possibility released. Travelling between Lhasa and Kathmandu by trains will come true in future.

Chinese Name: 中国-尼泊尔铁路（中尼铁路)

Starting Point/Terminal： Lhasa –Kathmandu

Designed Operating Speed: 120-160 km/h

Straight Line Distance： 540 kilometers (336miles)-only for Shigatse Gyirong section

Progress：Currently is in the preparation stage

Status: the first international railway links China and Nepal

Introduction and Possible Route
The Gyirong Port is located in Gyirong County of Tibet bordering between China and Nepal. It is one of the main foreign channels for Tibet and key joint of South Asia Trade Road. According to reports, the scheduled railway route includes two main sections: Lhasa-Gyirong and Gyirong to Kathmandu in Nepal. More specifically, sections in China consist of Lhasa Shigatse Train, the branch line of Qinghai Tibet Train, which was started in 2010 and was completed in 2014, and Shigatse Gyirong Train, which is in the phase of study and research. As to the further development, the authority of Nepal emphasized the hope to link the three main cities in Nepal, Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan with this international line many times.

News said that the running speed of China Nepal Train will be 120-160 kilometer per hours depending on complicated road conditions in two countries, officers from China estimated. The operation speed of 160 kilometer per hours maybe is achievable in Nepal but rather tough in Tibet area.

Why China Build China Nepal Railway?
Building the China Nepal Railway benefits both sides. Aimed at economic development and cargo transport in both countries, the Nepal party repeatedly advocates for the implement of this line as soon as possible. For China, many buddhists in Tibet and other regions seek for more profound buddhism study and communication. And the cross-border tourism is in great demand in China. Considering comprehensive reasons, China responds the request from Nepal actively and affirmably in friendship way. The railway also echoes China’s “One Belt and One Road” transportation strategy, which stands for the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st century Maritime Silk Road proposed by PRC’s President Xi Jingping.

Latest News and development History
1.On May 5 2017, the Investigation Report of Feasibility of China Nepal Railway and The Belt and road China and Nepal Co-building pointed out the urgency of its construction.

2.In the executive meeting on June 2016, China Ministry of Transport and National Development and Reform Commission approved the China Nepal Railway to be a key project and will start its construction during the 13th Five-Year Plan.

3.On May and August 2016, National Railway Administration and China Railway Corporation organized research groups to Tibet to do spot surveys along the whole line respectively. Then the China Railway No.1 Bureau initially identified the rough route of Shigatse to Gyirong section. More details are introduced in the relevant project feasibility study report.

4.On March 2016, China and Nepal signed 10 accords in areas ranging from tourism to trade, including the international railway project.

5.On August 2006, Tibet Autonomous Region President Qiangba Puncog expressed the future plan of Qinghai Tibet way to Shigatse and Nepal when meeting the vice-premier Cardega prasad sharma oli at that time.