"Golmud, situated at an altitude of 7,000', is at present at the end of the railway line that is planned eventually to be built through to Lhasa. It was a newish town, built on the usual modern Chinese plan, of one long wide street flanked with trees and a number of large but not very attractive buildings. There were a few side streets and a market, but from what I got chance to see, it appeared to have little else. Despite its rather bleak appearance the town was graced by a background of beautiful snow capped mountains. 
 
The Qinghai-Tibet Highway. This 1127km section of road between Golmud and Lhasa, which is claimed to be the highest in the world, was completed by the People's Liberation Army during 1953. Until recently the route had been one of the roughest in the world, but in 1985 it was widened and asphalted.
 
After a full day of travelling, we reached the highest point on the highway, which at at 5180 metres, also made it the highest pass in the world. Shortly after that I passed out. It is the only time I have ever experienced altitude sickness. By the time I came round a few miles further on, we had reached the army camp at Tanggula Shankou, and where we were to spend the night. Although I was able to walk I felt very weak, and was glad of two others to help me. The room in the army camp was very basic, with just 8 metal framed beds in it. I was passed caring and was glad to just lie on one and go to sleep. The next thing I knew was 6 hours later, when I was woken and offered  a cup of tea. I was still very weak and had a job to lift the cup. Getting out of bed was even harder, as I seemed to have so litttle strength in my legs, and had to be helped first to the loo, then onto the mini bus, where it was thought I might travel better than on the jeep. After a few hours we passed a row of Buddhist symbols strung with prayer flags, and we felt we really were in Tibet." - MH