For starters, the line from Beijing to Lhasa ranks as the highest line in the World. The Chinese railway network is connected to Lhasa; therefore, it is quite possible to depart from Beijing to arrive in the heart of Tibet in only 40 hours of travel. The route is 3,800 kilometers and crosses the Tanggula ►
For starters, the line from Beijing to Lhasa ranks as the highest line in the World. The Chinese railway network is connected to Lhasa; therefore, it is quite possible to depart from Beijing to arrive in the heart of Tibet in only 40 hours of travel. The route is 3,800 kilometers and crosses the Tanggula Pass at more than 5,000 meters above sea level. The thrills are expected here since even if up to Golmud the train does not go beyond 3200 m of altitude, the situation is different after that. It can climb up to 2000 m in elevation, which makes it possible to glimpse the surrounding landscapes with an extra dimension. That said, it is good to know that everything is planned on board the train to prevent passengers from feeling the effects of altitude too violently. On the Swiss side, the Glacier Express connects Zermatt with St Moritz. This route lasts about 8 hours, with a departure from the Valais resort of Zermatt to finish the race in Andermatt. All along the way, the view of the Matterhorn and the Brig will amaze travelers. But that's only part of it since the Glacier Express also passes through the Solis and Landwasser viaducts before climbing through winding tunnels. Then, the train makes an impressive passage through the Rhine Gorge and the Swiss Grand Canyon before climbing to the Oberalp Pass at 2044 meters. The Glacier Express also joins another mythical village in the Swiss Alps called St Moritz. On the side of Chamonix in France, the trains of Mont Blanc will capsize some fragile hearts for this ascent of the extreme. In this case, the departure of the Mont-Blanc Tramway is at Fayet station. The rack railway climbs quietly to the Nid d'Aigle at 2600 meters above sea level and passes through the center of Saint Gervais and the ski area of Les Houches (Col de Voza). Another alternative to the mythical train is the Montenvers which leaves behind the Chamonix SNCF station towards the Mer de Glace. This journey is really worth the detour to have a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc. Then there is the Tranzalpine, a 223-kilometer line that can be covered in 4h30. The crossing is through New Zealand from East to West, from Christchurch Harbour to Greymouth. Then, the train makes its way through several tunnels to climb into the Southern Alps. Here, the highest point of the ascent is the Arthur Pass which is 920 meters away. Moreover, one of the cars on the train is relatively well equipped to observe the landscapes and to make the most of the trip. Passengers are entitled to headphones to listen to the commentary of the guide. On the Norwegian side, Oslo is content to make the line between the two cities of the country: Bergen and Flamsbana. It is also recommended to make a stop along the way in Myrdal, and from there, there is another railway line that descends for about fifteen kilometers in the fjord of Flam. Thus, it is possible to admire the impressive view of the waterfalls. That said, the Bergen line offers a ride with nearly 180 tunnels and 300 bridges before reaching its highest point at 1219 meters. Finally, this non-exhaustive list ends with the Rocky Mountaineer train. It passes through incredible heights and rugged terrain across Western Canada. Seattle, Vancouver, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, and Calgary are some of the top destinations on this route. Here, nature lovers will be amazed. ◄
