On track after years of toil
November 1954 Sichuan-Tibet and Qinghai-Tibet highways open to traffic
May 1956 First runway for military aircraft built near Lhasa
Since 1956 Ministry of Railways starts full-scale planning for 2,000km line between Lanzhou and Lhasa
September 1958 Work on first phase of Qinghai-Tibet Railway, between Xining and Golmud , starts in secret
March 1961 Construction halted due to cuts in government spending
March 1974 Work on Xining-Golmud section resumes
May 1984 815km section from Xining to Golmud opens
February 8, 2001 Second phase, between Golmud and Lhasa, approved by State Council
June 29, 2001 Construction of 1,142km Golmud-Lhasa section starts
October 19, 2002 Fenghuoshan Tunnel, world's highest frozen-earth tunnel, completed
August 2003 Track crosses Hoh Xil Nature Reserve (Kekexili), China's least-populated area and home to endangered antelopes
August 24, 2005 Track laid at railway's highest point, Tanggula, 5,068 metres above sea level
October 15, 2005 Track laying completed
July 1, 2006 Passenger services to start