DOCSLIB.ORG

Yunnan and Tibet China’S Western Frontier

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Yunnan and Tibet China’S Western Frontier STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY Yunnan and Tibet CHINA’S WESTERN FRONTIER September 1 to 20, 2016 a program of the stanford alumni association Many Chinese will tell you (and some will dispute) that James Hilton’s mythical utopia, “Shangri-La,” is located in the northern corner of Yunnan Province. You can decide for yourself while exploring this and other spectacular and diverse regions during this program. As we travel southwest from Shanghai to Yunnan and then ever higher to Tibet, visiting Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse, we’ll meet many of China’s ethnic minorities, some of whose traditions are in danger of fading away. We’ll experience the rich complexity of Buddhism and local culture in Tibet, as well as confront the competing claims of Chinese authorities and Tibetan exiles. Along the way, enjoy the stark beauty of this remote land, from the rugged mountains to the scenic lakes and glaciers that make up the heartland of the Tibetan Plateau. Join us on this most thrilling and incredible adventure! BREtt S. Thompson, ’83, DIREctoR, StanfoRD TRAVEL/Study Highlights DISCOVER the extraor- MARVEL at Tiger VIEW the Himalayas dinary diversity of colorful Leaping Gorge, hewn as we fly to Lhasa, where Dali in Yunnan Province, over the millennia by the we tour the iconic Potala home to some 25 of China’s Yangtze River that flows Palace, visit Jokhang 56 officially designated hundreds of feet below Temple and explore the ethnic groups. the gorge’s rim. Barkhor Market. POTALA PALACE, LHASA Faculty Leader DEBRA SATZ, the Marta Sutton Weeks Professor of Ethics in Society and professor of philosophy, is the senior associate dean for the humanities and arts at Stanford. She earned a doctorate in philosophy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and joined the faculty at Stanford in 1988. A widely published author, she conducts research on the ethical limits of markets, the place of equality in a just society and human rights. In 2004, Satz received the Walter J. Gores Award, Stanford’s highest teaching honor. Professor Satz has “We come away traveled to China to give talks to academic audiences on such issues as China’s increasing role in our globalizing from our trip to world and the compatibility of non-western values and China with strong human rights. Given her long-standing interests in such impressions and matters as national sovereignty and multiculturalism she valuable insights is “extremely excited to visit Tibet, which raises issues of national self-determination and ethnic and religious into this critically conflict in a particularly pointed way.” During our program important country.” she will provide a mix of historical lectures about the SCOTT KILNER, ’74, region and lectures on contemporary problems and ALONG THE SILK possibilities. ROAD, 2015 STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY SIGN UP ONLINE: alumni.stanford.edu/trip?tibet2016 OR BY PHONE: (650) 725-1093 Beijing Lanzhou Tanggula Pass C HINA Shanghai TIBET Shigatse Lhasa r NEPAL angtze Riv e Gyantse Zhongdian Y INDIA Lijiang Dali BANGLADESH TAIWAN a n BURMA e Bay of VIETNAM O c i c Bengal LAOS P a c i f for a welcome reception and a TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 Itinerary performance by the Shanghai DALI / LIJIANG Acrobatics Troupe. HYATT ON THE This morning enjoy a scenic THURSDAY & FRIDAY, BUND (B,L) boat ride on Erhai Lake, catch- SEPTEMBER 1 & 2 ing sight of the fishing junks that DEPART U.S. / SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 ply these broad, shallow waters. SHANGHAI, CHINA SHANGHAI / DALI Then explore a Bai fishing vil- Depart on flights to Shanghai, Depart Shanghai this morning lage. This afternoon drive to crossing the international date for Kunming from where we Lijiang, capital of the Naxi line in flight. Upon arrival on fly to Yunnan Province, which Autonomous Prefecture. Named Friday, transfer to our luxury shares borders with Burma, a UNESCO World Heritage site hotel, situated on the banks Laos and Vietnam in south- in 1997, 7,872-foot-high Lijiang of the Huangpu River and western China. We arrive in boasts a charming old town overlooking the historic Bund Dali, capital of the Dali Bai district made up of cobble- waterfront lined with Victorian Autonomous Region, in the stone streets, canals and stone and art deco buildings from the late afternoon. At an elevation bridges dating from the Ming European colonial era of the late of 6,232 feet, Dali sits tucked Dynasty. HYATT HOTEL (B,L,D) 19th and early 20th centuries. between the 12,000-foot-high HYATT ON THE BUND Cangshan mountain range and WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Erhai Lake. LINDEN CENTRE (B,L,D) LIJIANG SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 SHANGHAI Begin our exploration of Lijiang The bustling metropolis and MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 with visits to the Black Dragon DALI seaport of Shanghai is China’s Pool, the Naxi Cultural Museum, Early today visit the Bai villages most vibrant city and home to the Mu mansion and Lijiang’s of Xizhou and Zhoucheng to some 18 million people. This town square. After lunch, view their traditional houses morning enjoy a walking tour ascend by cable car to Spruce and explore their lively local of the classical Yu Gardens Meadow on the Yunshan markets. In the afternoon located in Shanghai’s old town Plateau from where we can stop at the multi-roofed San area. After lunch, head to view towering mountains with Ta Pagodas, a Dali landmark People’s Square and view the age-old glaciers tucked in their and among southwest China’s city’s dramatic new civic center. creases. HYATT HOTEL (B,L,D) oldest structures. Explore Dali’s Then visit the Shanghai Mu- ancient historic quarter by foot; seum with its cultural relics and THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 its quaint stone houses and LIJIANG classical art treasures spanning narrow streets offer a rare look Visit Ngulukou Village to more than 5,000 years. This into the China of centuries past. view the former home of the evening, join fellow travelers LINDEN CENTRE (B,L,D) eccentric Austrian-American Beijing Lanzhou Tanggula Pass C HINA Shanghai TIBET Shigatse Lhasa r NEPAL angtze Riv e Gyantse Zhongdian Y INDIA Lijiang Dali BANGLADESH TAIWAN a n BURMA e Bay of VIETNAM O c f i c Bengal LAOS P a c i SAN TA PAGODAS, DALI naturalist, Joseph Rock. Enjoy SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 about 13,000 feet. This after- a free afternoon of independent ZHONGDIAN noon visit the Tibet Museum, exploration and this evening Set on a high plain, Zhong- which displays an extensive take in a performance of dian is home to the Tibetans collection of Tibetan scrolls and traditional Naxi music and of the Kham region of Yun- the gold seal of the fifth Dalai dance. HYATT HOTEL (B,L,D) nan Province, noted for their Lama. SHANGRI-LA HOTEL (B,L,D) fierce character and superb FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 horsemanship. This morning MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 LIJIANG / ZHONGDIAN tour the spectacular Ganden LHASA Head north this morning Sumsanling Monastery where Continue our exploration of through picturesque more than 800 monks live and this Tibetan “Holy City” at its countryside on our way to the practice. In the afternoon walk hallmark structure: the im- Tibetan plateau, enjoying views around Shudu Lake, crossing mense Potala Palace. Thirteen of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain wildflower meadows where stories high and purportedly and stopping at Stone Drum yaks and horses graze among comprised of more than 1,000 Village, Tiger Leaping Gorge the rhododendrons. SONGTSAM rooms, the palace contains the and other points of interest RETREAT (B,L,D) Dalai Lama’s former residences, along the upper reaches of the immense tombs, numerous great Yangtze River. Late today SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 prayer halls and storage areas. arrive at the town of Zhongdian ZHONGDIAN / LHASA This afternoon, visit the heart of at an altitude of 10,000 feet; its Fly over some of the most for- Lhasa and its most important county was renamed Shangri- bidding and remote mountain pilgrimage site, the Jokhang La in 2001. SONGTSAM territory in the world to Lhasa, Temple, founded in 642 and RETREAT (B,L,D) capital of the Tibet Autonomous now a World Heritage site. Region, with an elevation of Explore the Barkhor, a vibrant and exotic market/bazaar that surrounds the Jokhang Temple. SHANGRI-LA HOTEL (B,L,D) TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 LHASA Another full day in Lhasa allows us the opportunity to visit the great Drepung Monastery, where approximately 800 monks reside. Continue to Sera Monastery in the MAITREiyA buddhA, shigATSE SHANGHAI prAYER FLAgs, TibET LIJIANG afternoon to watch the monks’ Dali Lama in the hierarchy SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 lively debating sessions and of the Gelugpa “Yellow Hat” LANZHOU / conclude our day at the sect, the largest and most disEmbArk TRAin / Norbulingka Summer Palace. influential of Tibetan Buddhist BEIJING SHANGRI-LA HOTEL (B,L,D) denominations. Explore the Travel through Xining, the larg- impressive complex of temples, est city on the Tibetan Plateau, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 prayer halls and residences then disembark in Lanzhou. LHASA / GYANTSE at the Tashilumpo Monastery, Enjoy lunch at a local restau- Embark on an overland drive where the 86-foot-tall Maitreiya rant and visit the Gansu Pro- this morning, crossing the Buddha figure sits covered with vincial Museum. This evening Ganba-la Pass en route to a over 600 pounds of pure gold, fly from Lanzhou to Beijing. picnic lunch at Yamdrok Lake gems and precious stones. Transfer to our hotel and check tucked amongst the mountains Return to Lhasa by train this in. GRAND HYATT HOTEL (B,L) of the Tibetan Plateau. Today’s evening. SHANGRI-LA HOTEL (B,L,D) stunning drive affords many MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 BEIJING dramatic views of the harsh FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Today enjoy a tour of Beijing’s mountain landscape, studded LHASA with alpine lakes and immense Revisit the Barkhor Market most famous landmarks: the melting glaciers, as we make area today and take advantage ancient Forbidden City, the our way to our hotel in Gyantse.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • China Shaping Tibet for Strategic Leverage
    MANEKSHAW PAPER No. 70, 2018 China Shaping Tibet for Strategic Leverage Praggya Surana D W LAN ARFA OR RE F S E T R U T D N IE E S C CLAWS VI CT N OR ISIO Y THROUGH V KNOWLEDGE WORLD Centre for Land Warfare Studies KW Publishers Pvt Ltd New Delhi New Delhi Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief : Lt Gen Balraj Nagal ISSN 23939729 D W LAN ARFA OR RE F S E T R U T D N IE E S C CLAWS VI CT N OR ISIO Y THROUGH V Centre for Land Warfare Studies RPSO Complex, Parade Road, Delhi Cantt, New Delhi 110010 Phone: +91.11.25691308 Fax: +91.11.25692347 email: [email protected] website: www.claws.in CLAWS Army No. 33098 The Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi, is an autonomous think-tank dealing with national security and conceptual aspects of land warfare, including conventional and sub-conventional conflicts and terrorism. CLAWS conducts research that is futuristic in outlook and policy-oriented in approach. © 2018, Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi Disclaimer: The contents of this paper are based on the analysis of materials accessed from open sources and are the personal views of the author. The contents, therefore, may not be quoted or cited as representing the views or policy of the Government of India, or Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) (Army), or the Centre for Land Warfare Studies. KNOWLEDGE WORLD www.kwpub.com Published in India by Kalpana Shukla KW Publishers Pvt Ltd 4676/21, First Floor, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 110002 Phone: +91 11 23263498 / 43528107 email: [email protected] l www.kwpub.com Contents Introduction 1 1.
    [Show full text]
  • PICMG 1.3 Brings a Quantum Leap the Next Standard in the Industrial Computing Contents
    MyAdvantech The Magazine for Global Advantechers and Partners Autumn 2007 No.1 Advantech’s TDCS Enables the Passage Across “The Roof of the World" Mobile Technology Lends a Human Touch to Healthcare Digital Signage Jazzes up Your Life PICMG 1.3 Brings a Quantum Leap The Next Standard in the Industrial Computing Contents Published by Viewpoint Advantech Co., Ltd. 05 Advantech’s Globally Integrated Publisher Enterprise Transformation K.C. Liu Address No.1, Alley 20, Lane 26, Rueiguang Road, Joyful eLifestyle Neihu District, Taipei, Taiwan 114 06 Mobile Technology Lends a Tel +886-2-2792-7818 Human Touch to Healthcare Website www.advantech.com 10 Information - Its Omnipresence Editorial Supervisor Corporate Marketing 12 Mobility First, Security Foremost Editorial Committee Sharon Chuu Charlene Tang Technology Forum Meg Chen Lynette Andersen 15 Programmable Automation Controllers Chuck Harrell Find Their Niche…Everywhere! Edna Garcia Rosanne Lee 18 Exploring Video Surveillance Trends Wolfgang Heinz-Fischer Monika Paitl 20 PICMG 1.3 Brings a Quantum Leap Martin Marshall 3 James Kiley MyAdvantech Andy Taylor Special Report David Antoniuk Jean Chu 24 Extraordinary Wonders on the Tibetan Plateau Jessie Lin Mandy Chen 26 Qingzang Railway Soars Skyward Monica Sun Art Director Inside Advantech Charlene Tang 30 Building a Hothouse for the Next Great Invention Editorial CONDÉ NAST INTERCULTURE GROUP – 32 Advantechers around the Globe Interculture Custom Media Director Sophia Liao Address 15F, No.51, Sec.2, Jilung Road, Taipei, Taiwan 110 Tel +886-2-2732-8899 Editor-in-Chief Nora Huang Managing Editor Peggy Lai Art Editor Jane Yang Initial Issue 2007.09.30 MyAdvantech is published for ADVANTECH Co., Ltd.
    [Show full text]
  • Sichuan/Gansu/Qinghai/Tibet (14 Days) We Love Road Journeys
    Tibetan Highlands: Sichuan/Gansu/Qinghai/Tibet (14 Days) We love road journeys. They are by far our favourite way of traveling. We think the world of western China and the countries that border on this region – think Vietnam, Lao, Thailand, Myanmar, for example. On the Road Experiences is all about sharing with like-minded travelers just how beautiful a road journey in these varied lands can be. Now turn the page to find out what we’ve come to love so much… p2 p3 Itinerary Map …where you will travel… p. 006 Yes, it is possible… p. 008 Journey of Discovery… p. 010 Day-by-day… p. 056 In closing... Any car you like, so long as it is an SUV… p. 077 Adventures and discoveries in local cuisines p. 078 What’s included/Best Months to Go... p. 080 Photo credits p. 083 p5 Itinerary Map Day1 Day8 Arrival in Chengdu – Dulan to Golmud – Apply for your temporary driving Across the Qaidam Basin to Golmud license and visit Chengdu’s beautiful Panda Reserve Day9 Golmud to Tuotuohe – Day2 Up, up, up - Onto the Plateau and Chengdu to Maerkang – into the highlands of Qinghai Through the valleys to the Gyarong Tibetan region Day10 Tuotuohe to Naqu – Day3 Cross the famous Tanggula Pass on Maerkang to Ruoergai – your way to Tibet itself Towards the very north of Sichuan on the way to Gansu Day11 Naqu to Damxung – Day4 Visit one of Tibet’s holiest lakes, Ruoergai to Xiahe – Lake Nam-tso Your first and only stop in Gansu province Day12 Damxung to Lhasa – Day5 Complete your journey with Xiahe to Qinghai’s capital, Xining – a beautiful drive to your final On your way to Qinghai destination Day6 Day13 Xining – In and around Lhasa – Spend a day in and around Xining for Visit Potala Palace and explore the a bit of rest and visit the spectacular old city of Lhasa Ta’er Monastery Day14 Day7 Depart from Lhasa – Xining to Dulan – Lift must go on...Farewell Lhasa On the way to Golmud..
    [Show full text]
  • Marginalia Spring 08.Indd
    THE MAGAZINE OF THE PIPER CENTER FOR CREATIVE WRITING | COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES ON PLACE WRITERS IN THE WORLD AIMEE NEZHUKUMATATHIL ON THIS WRITER’S LIFE PREVIEW: 2008 WRITERS CONFERENCE PROFILES OF LOUISE GLÜCK C.D. WRIGHT SPECIAL REPORT: MFA STUDENTS VISIT CHINA ALSOINSIDE DENISEDUHAMEL | DINTYWMOORE | LAURATOHE IN THIS ISSUE VOL 3, ISS 1 SPRING 2008 FEATURES EDITOR CONVERGING VOICES ..............................................................................................................4 Beth Staples Brian Diamond previews the 2008 Desert Nights, Rising Stars converence. COPYEDITOR DISCOVERING “MANY INDIAS” ..............................................................................................6 Veronica Lucero Liz Wimberly reflects on her trip to India. CONTRIBUTORS THE REAL WORLD ....................................................................................................................9 Aimée Baker Dinty W. Moore Charles Jensen explains why the work of Louise Glück matters. Matthew Brennan Aimee Nezhukumatathil Katie Cortese Arijit Sen Denise Duhamel AREA CODE ............................................................................................................................ 11 Leah Soderburg Robby Taylor considers what it means to write from the Southwest. Brian Diamond Rose Swartz Charles Jensen Robby Taylor Brian Lee Dinh Vong CREATIVE WRITING GOES TO CHINA .................................................................................. 17 Beth Staples travels from Tempe to Tibet. Nadine
    [Show full text]
  • April 2009 Bulletinfeature Articles | Interviews | News | Book Reviews | Calendar L 2009 Meteorological Services E 58 (2) - APRI
    Vol. 58 (2) - April 2009 BulletinFeature articles | Interviews | News | Book reviews | Calendar www.wmo.int 2009 L Meteorological services 58 (2) - APRI E VOLUM for transportation Meteorology and marine transportation 111 Weather monitoring and etin forecasting services for BULL provincial highways and MO railways in China W 118 World Meteorological Organization 7bis, avenue de la Paix - Case postale 2300 - CH-1211 Geneva 2 - Switzerland Tel.: +41 (0) 22 730 81 11 - Fax: +41 (0) 22 730 81 81 E-mail: [email protected] - Website: www.wmo.int Weather and climate change ISSN 0042-9767 implications for surface transportation in the USA 84 Meteorological services to aviation 94 Meteorology for travellers 104 Weather affects the operation of the transportation systems that we all rely on ... Climate, on the other hand, affects transportation infrastructure. M. McGuirk et al. Bulletin The journal of the Contents World Meteorological Organization In this issue .......................................................................................... 80 Volume 58 (2) - Avril 2009 World Climate Conference-3 .............................................................. 82 Secretary-General M. Jarraud Weather and climate change implications for surface Deputy Secretary-General Hong Yan transportation in the USA by Marjorie McGuirk, Scott Shuford, Assistant Secretary-General J. Lengoasa Thomas C. Peterson and Paul Pisano ............................................................... 84 The WMO Bulletin is published quarterly (January, April, July, October) in English, French, Meteorological services to aviation by Chi Ming Shun, Ian Lisk, Russian and Spanish editions. Carr McLeod and Kevin L. Johnston ............................................................ 94 Editor Hong Yan Associate Editor Judith C.C. Torres Meteorology for travellers by S.T. Christopher ........................................ 104 Editorial board Hong Yan (Chair) Meteorology and marine transportation by Peter Dexter and J.
    [Show full text]
  • Article in Press
    ARTICLE IN PRESS Quaternary Science Reviews 24 (2005) 1391–1411 Climatic and topographic controls on the style and timing of Late Quaternary glaciation throughout Tibet and the Himalaya defined by 10Be cosmogenic radionuclide surface exposure dating Lewis A. Owena,Ã, Robert C. Finkelb, Patrick L. Barnardc, Ma Haizhoud, Katsuhiko Asahie, Marc W. Caffeef, Edward Derbyshireg aDepartment of Geology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0013, USA bLawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry, Livermore, CA 94550, USA cUnited States Geological Survey, Pacific Science Center, 400 Natural Bridges Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA dInstitute of Saline Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, PR China eDepartment of Geography, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan fDepartment of Physics/PRIME Lab., Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA gCentre for Quaternary Research, Department of Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK Received 25 June 2003; accepted 24 October 2004 Abstract Temporal and spatial changes in glacier cover throughout the Late Quaternary in Tibet and the bordering mountains are poorly defined because of the inaccessibility and vastness of the region, and the lack of numerical dating. To help reconstruct the timing and extent of glaciation throughout Tibet and the bordering mountains, we use geomorphic mapping and 10Be cosmogenic radionuclide (CRN) surface dating in study areas in southeastern (Gonga Shan), southern (Karola Pass) and central (Western Nyainqentanggulha Shan and Tanggula Shan) Tibet, and we compare these with recently determined numerical chronologies in other parts of the plateau and its borderlands. Each of the study regions receives its precipitation mainly during the south Asian summer monsoon when it falls as snow at high altitudes.
    [Show full text]
  • 8-Day Yunnan Classic Tour to Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La
    www.lilysunchinatours.com 8-day Yunnan Classic Tour to Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-la Basics Tour Code: LCT - Yunnan Classic Tour - 8D-01 Attractions: Stone Forest, Dali Old Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge Overview: Drawn by the mysterious minority culture in Yunnan? This Yunnan classic tour is suitable for you! You will have a visit to Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-la, which have all the highlight sights and cultures covered, including the deepest canyons in the world, the magically formed limestone forests, the pure snowy mountains, the rich minority customs and so much more. Join us to experience the best of Yunnan! Highlights Get lost in the dense karst landscape of the Stone Forest; Have a close encounter of the mysterious cultures and traditions of Yi, Bai, Naxi and Tibetan people; Visit an old shaman in the Baisha village and understand the local religion; Take awe in the picturesque Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Erhai Lake; Enjoy the simple and primitive beauty of Shangri-la old town; Itinerary Date Starting Time Destination Day 1 Flexible Arrival in Kunming Day 2 09:00 a.m Stone Forest, Yuantong Temple, Green Lake Park Day 3 07:00 a.m Train to Dali, Xizhou, Erhai, Dali Old Town Day 4 07:00 a.m Dali to Lijiang, Black Dragon Pool, Mufu Palace, Lijiang Old Town Tel: +86 18629295068 1 Email: [email protected]； [email protected] www.lilysunchinatours.com Day 5 09:00 a.m Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yuhu Village, Baisha Village Day 6 07:30 a.m Tiger Leaping Gorge, (2h)Drive to Shangri-la Ancient Town Day 7 09:00 a.m Songzanlin Lamasery and Pudacuo National Park Day 8 Flexible Depart from Shangri-la Day 1: Arrival in Kunming Upon your arrival, your private driver will be waiting for you and ready to take you to hotel.
    [Show full text]
  • Political Repression Intensifies As Tibet Railway Opens
    POLITICAL REPRESSION INTENSIFIES AS TIBET RAILWAY OPENS A report by the International Campaign for Tibet Washington, DC | Amsterdam | Berlin www.savetibet.org INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR TIBET POLITICAL REPRESSION INTENSIFIES AS TIBET RAILWAY OPENS CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 LHASA THIS WEEK: 2 PREPARING FOR THE ADVENT OF THE RAILROAD A ‘FIGHT TO THE DEATH STRUGGLE’ AGAINST THE DALAI LAMA: 3 THE STEPPING UP OF SECURITY AND INTENSIFICATION OF ‘PATRIOTIC EDUCATION’ THE ‘POLITICAL FRONT-LINE’ OF THE MOTHERLAND: 5 CHINA’S STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND THE RAILROAD ‘EVEN THE BUDDHA CAN’T STOP IT’: 9 PERSPECTIVES ON THE RAILROAD BACKGROUND BRIEFING 11 Chinese migration to Tibet and the railroad 11 The Qinghai-Tibet railway - the route 12 FOOTNOTES 13 Cover Photo: New trains at the terminus at Golmud, Qinghai. POLITICAL REPRESSION INTENSIFIES AS TIBET RAILWAY OPENSINTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR TIBET 1 INTRODUCTION Th e world’s highest railway across the Tibetan plateau opened on July 1, 2006 in Lhasa in an increasingly repressive political climate. Security was tight in Lhasa as the government stepped up its patriotic education and “strike hard” campaigns, and Tibet’s Party chief emphasized a “fi ght to the death struggle” against the Dalai Lama and his supporters. Completion of the 1,142 kilometer rail link from Golmud (Ge’ermu) in Qinghai province to Lhasa in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) despite the high cost and considerable technical diffi culties refl ects the Beijing leadership’s political and strategic objectives in the region. Described by the offi cial press as the “center-piece” of China’s high-profi le campaign to develop the Western regions, the $4.1 billion rail link1 connects Lhasa with Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou via Xining, bringing Beijing much closer to achieving the goal set by Mao Zedong over 40 years ago to integrate Tibet with China.
    [Show full text]
  • Reference Report
    REFERENCE REPORT Qinghai-Tibet Railway nora® Rubber Floor Coverings on Top of the World The railways approaches Tibet from the north, carrying its Project: Qinghai-Tibet Railway, Lhasa to passengers 2,000km across the Kunlun and other mountains Xining, PR China and as many as 675 bridges over dry, icy, barren mountain landscapes to Lhasa in less than 48 hours. While travelling across Client: Bombardier Sifang (Qingdao) the Himalayan “Roof of the World” to the Tanggula Pass, it climbs Transportation Ltd. (BST) up to about 5,100m above sea level and thus holds the title as Products: noraplan® plus mobil (931) the world’s highest track and Tanggula Station, only 4m lover, the colours 2233 and 2302 world’s highest railway station ever built. The railway’s extreme Installed: 2002 – 2008 conditions – mostly through permafrost environment and at an altitude where the air contains 35–40% less oxygen than at sea level – passenger safety has been a major concern during the planning and construction process of the railway cars. Chinese The People’s Republic of China is famous for impressing the rest coach builder Bombardier Sifang (Qingdao) Transportation of the world with superlatives and records. With regard to its Ltd. (BST) (former BSP: Bombardier Sifang Power (Qingdao) transporation network, for instance, the country not only runs the Transportation Ltd., BSP) has been looking for materials that fastest trains and by 2012 probably more high-speed railways fulfil the high standards of quality and performance especially than the rest of the world combined. It has also the world’s highest required for this project.
    [Show full text]
  • Mani Shankar Aiyar
    Connectivity Issues in India’s Neighbourhood © Asian Institute of Transport Development, New Delhi. First published 2008 All rights reserved The views expressed in the publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations to which they belong or that of the Board of Governors of the Institute or its member countries. Published by Asian Institute of Transport Development 13, Palam Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi-110 057 INDIA Phone: +91-11-26155309 Telefax: +91-11-26156294 Email: [email protected], [email protected] Website: www.aitd.net Contents Foreword i Connectivity: An Overview iii Perspectives on Northeast Connectivity 1 Mani Shankar Aiyar Imperatives of Connectivity 10 B. G. Verghese Connectivity and History: A Short Note 20 TCA Srinivasa-Raghavan India-China Connectivity: Strategic Implications 26 Gen. V. P. Malik Maritime Connectivity: Economic and Strategic Implications 36 Vijay Sakhuja Infrastructure, Northeast and Its Neighbours: Economic and Security Issues 66 Manoj Pant India-China Border Trade Connectivity: Economic and Strategic Implications and India’s Response 93 Mahendra P. Lama Connectivity with Central Asia – Economic and Strategic Aspects 126 Rajiv Sikri China’s Thrust at Connectivity in India’s Neighbourhood 146 TCA Rangachari Foreword The land and maritime connectivity have played a crucial role in political and economic evolution of the nation states. With a view to exploring the developments in this area in India’s neighbourhood, the Asian Institute of Transport Development held a one-day seminar on May 24, 2008 at India International Centre, New Delhi. The seminar was inaugurated by Hon'ble Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • If You Have Time for but One Province in China, Yúnn
    © Lonely Planet Publications 216 云南 YÚNNÁN YÚNNÁN Y ú n n á n We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: if you have time for but one province in China, Yúnnán should be it. Strong words but hyperbole is remarkably understated when describ- ing Yúnnán. No other province can rival Yúnnán’s diversity in land and people. Guìzhoū is also an ethnic mosaic, Sìchuān’s rivers garner much of the Southwest’s glory and Guǎngxī’s scenery leaps from every encyclopaedia’s entry on China. Yet Yúnnán can top ’em all. Just gaze at a map. Yúnnán’s majestic, and often sacred, peaks thrust from the Tibetan ranges to the north, lush jungle lies a two-day bus ride south and a fertile plain spreads through the rest of the province. It’s also home to China’s highest number of species of flora and fauna – including 2500 varieties of wild flowers and plants – and known for its mild climate year-round. Indeed, the province’s nicknames include ‘Kingdom of Plants’ and ‘Garden of Heavenly Marvellous Flowers’; the capital’s nickname is ‘Spring City’. A huge attraction is the province’s astonishingly diverse populace. Home to nearly half of all China’s ethnic minorities, nearly 50% of the province is non-Han (Han are China’s main ethnic group). Village-hop this breathtaking province and greet a new minority group each day, many in time-capsule towns that you’ll never forget. Smacks of PR pulp? Well, just be prepared that if you start here, you may never get to another province.
    [Show full text]
  • Analysis of Plaaf Potential Against India
    ANALYSIS OF PLAAF POTENTIAL AGAINST INDIA RAVINDER CHHATWAL “Freedom lies in being bold.” — Robert Frost BACKGROUND China’s growing military build-up and increasing assertiveness against its neighbouring countries has been a reason for concern to many nations. China has territorial and maritime disputes with many of its neighbours. Their major dispute is with Taiwan. Both the countries claim to be the legitimate government of China. China claims Taiwan to be a part of its territory and has openly stated that it will be ready to use force, if required, to annex Taiwan. China also claims Senkaku islands, also claimed by Japan, as theirs. Another disputed area is Paracel islands which is occupied by China but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. China is also involved in a dispute with the Philippines over the Scarborough Shoal. The Spratly islands are another complex bone of contention between China, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. With India, the border dispute has not yet been resolved. In April this year the Chinese created tension on the border by intruding into the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Depsang in Ladakh. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops set up a camp 19 km inside the Indian side of the LAC. The PLA finally Group Captain Ravinder Chhatwal is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi. 61 AIR POWER Journal Vol. 8 No. 4, WINTER 2013 (October-December) ANALYSIS OF PLAAF POTENTIAL AGAINST INDIA withdrew their troops, after about three weeks, in May 2013, after diplomatic negotiations at the highest level and just ahead of the new Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang’s visit to New Delhi.
    [Show full text]