BEIJING -- The Olympic torch will ride on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway in June, moving from Tibet Autonomous Region to Qinghai Province.
The train will "pick up" the torch on June 21 from Lhasa. According to Xinhua, the torch will then arrive in Golmud on the 22nd and move around Qinghai Province until June 24. Train conductors and other personnel are excited that the torch will be literally, going with them to work.
The first stop for the torch in Qinghai is Golmud, the first station in the province on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. On the next day, the torch heads to the "most beautiful lake in China," Qinghai Hu, where 10 equestrians, 20 bicycle riders, and 134 other torchbearers will carry the torch on horse, bike, or by foot. Next and last stop is Xining, where the famous Tibetan Kumbum Monastery will host a torch transfer ceremony.
Staff members of the Olympic organizing committee told reporters that the selection process for the Qinghai leg began on June 25, 2007 and ended on January 31, 2008.
While in Qinghai, the torch will follow a relay route that aims to reflect the province's history, culture, natural landscape, ethnic customs, and social achievements, all while fully integrating the spirit of the Olympic Games. .
As one of the concepts of this year's Games is "green," the torch traveling through such a ecologically sound province hopes to bring more attention to and spread more awareness of protecting the environment.
One of the most noteworthy torch bearers in Qinghai is 39 year old Ah Fu. This rural worker suffered from polio at the age of six, which left him in a wheelchair. Nonetheless, in 2001, Ah Fu traveled 28 days by himself to the capital of the country in order to celebrate Beijing's successful bid for the Olympics,.
Although Ah Fu will not head to Beijing to personally witness the Olympics, he is proud to be a part of the torch relay. Residents from Ah Fu's village say that, if given the opportunity, they will go to the scene of the torch relay so that they may present blessings for the Olympic Games in person
