Love and dedication keep the Qinghai-Xizang Railway running

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At more than 4,000 meters above sea level in Lhasa's Damxung County, a young couple not only shares a family life but also a common mission: safeguarding the Qinghai-Xizang Railway, the world's highest railway.

Yang Junpeng and his wife Laba inspect a section of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway in Lhasa's Damxung County in Xizang Autonomous Region on June 30, 2026. /VCG

Yang Junpeng and his Tibetan wife, Laba, are both frontline railway workers responsible for maintaining a section of the railway. Their daily work includes track maintenance, equipment inspections and emergency response, helping ensure the safe and smooth operation of the "Heavenly Road."

Yang Junpeng (right) and a fellow worker carry out track inspections on a section of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway in Lhasa's Damxung County, Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 30, 2026. /VCG

A train traverses a bridge on a high-altitude section of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway in Lhasa's Damxung County in Xizang Autonomous Region on June 30, 2026. /VCG

Their story began on the railway. United by a shared sense of responsibility, the two grew close, fell in love and eventually married in 2022. Today, they are raising a family while continuing to serve side by side on the plateau.

Maintenance workers inspect a section of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway in Lhasa's Damxung County in Xizang Autonomous Region on June 30, 2026. /VCG

A train plies a section of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway in Lhasa's Damxung County, Xizang Autonomous Region, on June 30, 2026. /VCG

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the full operation of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway. Behind the trains that travel through the breathtaking highland landscapes are dedicated workers like Yang and Laba, whose commitment and perseverance help keep this vital rail link safe and reliable year after year.

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