World's longest high-altitude permafrost railway bridge marks 20 years of stable operation(1/3)

A train travels across the Qingshui River Grand Bridge in the Sanjiangyuan National Park, northwest China's Qinghai province, June 11, 2026. (Photo: China News Service/Zhao Linsong)

Located in the Sanjiangyuan National Park, northwest China's Qinghai province, the bridge sits at an average elevation of 4,620 meters above sea level. Stretching 11.7 kilometers and supported by 1,365 piers, it is the longest bridge on the Qinghai-Xizang Railway and the world's longest railway bridge built on permafrost in a plateau region.

Construction of Qingshui River Grand Bridge began in 2002, and it was put into service in 2006 when the entire Qinghai-Xizang Railway opened to traffic. The bridge has now been operating safely and steadily for 20 years.

Maintenance workers conduct inspection and maintenance work on the Qingshui River Grand Bridge in the Sanjiangyuan National Park, northwest China's Qinghai province, June 11, 2026. (Photo: China News Service/Zhao Linsong)

An aerial view of Qingshui River Grand Bridge in the Sanjiangyuan National Park, northwest China's Qinghai province, June 11, 2026. (Photo: China News Service/Zhao Linsong)