Beijing is to launch a luxury train service to Lhasa this year, with ticket prices as high as US$10,000, a tourism official in Tibet says.
Liao Lisheng, director of policies and regulations at the Tibet Tourism Bureau, said the train would accommodate 108 passengers for a luxury seven-day ride, the Tibet Daily reported.
'The compartments will be divided in different classes and passengers will feel more comfortable with the frills, which include showers and living rooms,' Liao was quoted as saying. Reservations were required because of the limited tickets, he said. The bureau will lay out more detailed plans this month.
The regular Beijing-Lhasa train journey, which was rolled out in 2006, takes 44 hours and ticket prices go up to 1,262 yuan (HK$1,496).
Compared with the planned price tag for the luxury version, a six-day Paris-Istanbul train trip costs US$9,470 for shared occupancy of a double cabin and US$14,290 for a suite cabin.
Beijing has announced several times its intention to operate a luxury train service between the capital and Lhasa, but each time the plan was postponed.