China completed the construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Railroad in 2006. This 1,142-km railroad line runs across the snow-covered Plateau of Tibet, effectively linking the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, to the northwestern province of Qinghai. Also known as the Pan-Himalayan Railroad, this record-breaking railroad rises to 5,072 meters, earning the title as the world's highest passenger train with more than eighty percent of the track 13,000 feet or 3,962 meters above sea level. The Qinghai-Tibet Railroad is a great engineering achievement. Since it was built at high altitudes, both engineers and workers had to breathe bottled oxygen for fear of altitude sickness while working on the construction of the track. Additionally, there were many other challenges they had to cope with, including the soil that can rise and sink as the season changes. Some sections of track had to be laid on ground that is permanently frozen. Due to global warming, the rising temperatures may cause this permafrost to melt, making the land sink to a lower level. The track may become bent or curved as a consequence. Nevertheless, some smart countermeasures were taken so that the engineers managed to cool off the roadbed by keeping the permafrost stable. The cost savings to travelers resulting from the completion and operation of the Qinghai-Tibet Railroad are tremendous. Compared with typical fares for direct air travel, a typical train fare between Beijing and Lhasa is much cheaper. Moreover, travelers get to enjoy the magnificent sights and scenery along the way, making the long trip more than worthwhile. It is hoped that with better linkage to the world, the tourism industry will play an increasingly important role in Tibet's economy.