[8] The line will be 1,629 km (1,012 mi) long,[4][5] and significantly cut travel time from Chengdu to Lhasa from 48 to 13 hours.

The Nyingchi segment alone runs through the Yarlung Tsangpo river valley 16 times, and required the construction of 47 tunnels and 121 bridges.

[citation needed] The Ya'an to Nyingchi segment is 1,011 km (628 mi) and has a design speed of 120–200 km/h (75–124 mph).

A combination of diffusion and distributed oxygen systems are installed to help alleviate altitude sickness for passengers on the trip.

[13] The railway will greatly reduce travel times and increase connectivity between Lhasa and the eastern cities of the country.

Prior to the Sichuan-Tibet railway, one must travel via Golmud and Lanzhou to make this journey by rail.

The line is a serious engineering challenge, and serves the purpose of integrating local communities, as well as the interior and coastal regions of China.

The railway is also expected to have major positive impact on tourism in the western parts of the country.