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There is an extensive rail system in the eastern and southeastern areas of China. There are also lines that run from Yinchuan in Ningxia province to Ürümqui in Xinjiang province and from Beijing through Lanzhou in Gansu province and Xining and Golmud in Qinghai province to Lhasa in Tibet.
This last section from Golmud to Lhasa has created the world's highest railway, a remarkable engineering achievement. There have been expressions of concern about effects this line may have on the environment and the culture of Tibet, but they remain to be seen. Reports by Central China TV International and the BBC (UK) have additional information about this line.
The Travel China Guide has a list of towns served by rail in China. Unfortunately, many places of interest to visitors are not served by the rail system.