How was the “Grand Loop” in the desert built?

On June 16, 2022, the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway (hereinafter referred to as the "Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway") was officially opened for operation. This historic moment marks a new leap forward for Xinjiang's railway network. This railway not only closely connects the Hotan region with Ruoqiang County, but also connects several counties and cities around the Taklimakan Desert through a 2,712-kilometer desert railway loop, injecting new vitality into this ancient land.

The Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway starts from Hotan City in the Hotan Prefecture of Xinjiang in the west and ends at Ruoqiang County in the Bayinguoleng Mongol Autonomous Prefecture in the east. It is 825 kilometers long and has a designed speed of up to 120 kilometers per hour, making it a national Class I single-track railway, and the conditions for electrification are reserved. This railway is like a giant dragon crossing the desert. It not only shows the miracle of human engineering technology, but also makes significant contributions to environmental protection. However, the construction of the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway was not smooth sailing. Because it is located on the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, the second largest mobile desert in the world, the railway line faces severe challenges of wind and sand. In order to ensure the safe and stable operation of the line, the construction unit has taken a series of innovative measures. They replaced roads with bridges and built five sand-crossing bridges with a total length of 49.7 kilometers, cleverly allowing wind and sand to pass under the bridge, effectively reducing the threat of wind and sand to the line. At the same time, 50 million square meters of grass grids were built, and 13 million shrubs and trees such as Haloxylon ammodendron, Tamarisk, and Seabuckthorn were planted to form a solid green barrier to prevent sand and protect the road. The opening of the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway has greatly shortened the time and space distance between Hotan and Ruoqiang, Korla, Urumqi and other places. Now, it takes only 11 hours and 26 minutes from Hotan to Ruoqiang, 17 hours and 50 minutes from Korla to Urumqi, and only 24 hours and 23 minutes to Urumqi. This convenient transportation condition not only promotes the travel and communication of people of all ethnic groups along the line, but also brings them more development opportunities. In addition, the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway is also a convenient logistics channel. The rich agricultural products such as cotton, walnuts, red dates and mineral resources along the line can be directly connected to the outside of Xinjiang through the railway, injecting new impetus into Xinjiang's economic development. The completion and opening of this railway not only ended the history of no trains in Lop, Cele, Yutian, Minfeng and other counties in Hotan Prefecture and Qiemo County in Bayinguoleng Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, but also further improved the structure of Xinjiang's railway network and accelerated the pace of construction of the western frontier railway network.

▏How is the Hetian-Ruoqiang Railway constructed?

1. The “Sea of ​​Death” is not afraid of the challenge of wind and sand

The Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway, a giant steel dragon stretching from west to east in the Gobi Desert, faces a severe wind season of up to 7 months. The wind and sand here are raging, visibility is extremely low, and the construction conditions are extremely difficult. However, the builders were not intimidated by these difficulties. With their firm belief and tenacious perseverance, they fought a desperate battle with the harsh environment such as wind and sand, high temperature and severe cold. During the construction process, they need to cross 460 kilometers of uninhabited areas, where there is no water, no electricity, no roads, no people and no signals. They work hard every day, and 30,000 steps and 10 kilograms of sweat are the norm. They run around the field with a kettle, running deep and shallow on the sand. These seemingly ordinary work details constitute the extraordinary daily life of the builders of the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway.

2. Assembly technology realizes "bridge instead of road"

Faced with the mobility and semi-fixed sand dunes in the desert, the traditional railway construction method seems to be stretched. However, the builders of the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway, with their outstanding innovation ability, successfully adopted the application technology of prefabricated concrete structure. They transported the bridge components to the site for assembly after they were prefabricated in the factory, just like building blocks. This construction method not only greatly simplified the process, but also significantly improved the work efficiency. What is more striking is that in areas where the wind and sand are particularly serious, the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway adopted the design of "bridges instead of roads". They built a large number of "sand bridges" to allow wind and sand to pass under the bridges, thereby greatly reducing the impact on the line and train operation. This innovative measure not only demonstrated the wisdom and courage of the builders, but also set a new benchmark for the construction of desert railways.

3. Build a railway and create an oasis

The southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, where the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway is located, is an area with arid climate, high wind speed, open terrain and large temperature difference. There are abundant sand sources and low visibility here, and sand damage has become the biggest problem restricting railway construction. However, the builders of the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway did not back down. They put forward the construction concept of "sand control first" and successfully controlled the wind and sand disaster by combining plant sand control with engineering sand control measures. During the construction process, they first set up a reed sand control project, laying 590,000 square meters of 0.3-meter grass grids, 439,000 square meters of 0.8-meter neutral sand storage barriers, and 21.8 kilometers of 1.5-meter high vertical sand storage barriers. These sand control projects effectively mitigated the harm of wind and sand to the construction process and provided a solid guarantee for railway construction. In addition, they also carried out sand fixation on the dangerous sand dunes around the railway, laid fine mesh and other sand control facilities, and effectively prevented the impact of sand damage on the railway. In addition to engineering sand control, vegetation protection is also a key link. China Railway 24th Bureau Group has adopted a sand prevention model of "external barrier and internal consolidation, external high and internal low", set up a 1.5-meter-high vertical sand barrier on the outside of the railway, and planted drought-resistant crops such as Haloxylon ammodendron, Tamarisk, and Populus euphratica on the side close to the railway. These plants can not only effectively slow down the erosion of wind and sand, but also improve soil structure and increase soil fertility.

▏One stop, one view, a journey through history

1. Hotan Station: Cradle of Desert Oasis

- Features: Hotan Station, as the starting point of the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway, is not only a transportation hub, but also a cultural intersection. In the square in front of the station, sculptures and murals tell the ancient legends of this land, while the surrounding markets show modern vitality and prosperity.

- Historical story: Long ago, Hotan was an oasis in the desert and an important node on the ancient Silk Road. It was once the center of trade and cultural exchange between the East and the West, leaving behind countless historical sites and precious cultural relics.

- Specialties: Hotan's specialty is Hetian jade, which is famous for its warmth and fineness, and is a favorite of collectors and art lovers. In addition, Hotan's carpets are also world-renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship and unique patterns.

2. Ruoqiang Station: Echoes of the Ancient City of Loulan

- Features: Ruoqiang Station attracts travelers with its ancient and mysterious atmosphere. The station is decorated with the theme of Loulan culture, and the murals and sculptures reproduce the glory of the ancient city of Loulan.

- Historical story: The ancient city of Loulan in Ruoqiang was once a shining pearl on the Silk Road, but due to various reasons, the ancient city was eventually swallowed by the desert, leaving behind countless unsolved mysteries.

- Specialties: Among Ruoqiang's specialties, the most famous are red dates and cotton. The red dates here are large, thick and sweet, while the cotton is famous for its long nap and soft texture.

3. Kashgar Station: A Treasure House of Handicrafts

- Features: Kashgar Station is famous for its unique ethnic customs. The decoration inside the station incorporates traditional Uyghur art such as wood carvings, carpets and bronze ware, making people feel like they have walked into a treasure house of handicrafts.

- Historical story: Kashgar, formerly known as "Kashgar", is one of the important cities on the ancient Silk Road. It was once a center of cultural exchange, where various civilizations collided and merged.

Specialties: Among the specialties of Kashgar, handicrafts are particularly prominent, especially copperware and handmade carpets, which are loved by people for their exquisite craftsmanship and unique design.

4. Aksu Station: Home of Orchards

- Features: Aksu Station welcomes every passenger with its fresh fruity aroma. Outside the station are orchards, with flowers blooming like a sea in spring and abundant fruits in autumn, with different styles in each season.

- Historical story: Aksu has a long history and was once the territory of many countries in the ancient Western Regions. The culture here integrates the characteristics of multiple ethnic groups and forms a unique regional culture.

- Specialties: Among Aksu's specialties, apples and walnuts are the most famous. Apples here are rich in sugar due to the large temperature difference between day and night, while walnuts are large in size, thin in shell and rich in nutrition.

5. Korla Station: City of Swans

- Features: Korla Station is famous for its tranquil lake and elegant swans. There are often swan sculptures in the square in front of the station, and the decoration inside the station also reflects the theme of swans.

- Historical story: Korla, formerly known as Loulan, is an important city on the Silk Road in history. The lakes and wetlands here have always been the habitat of swans and other water birds, so it is known as the "Swan City".

- Specialties: Among the specialties of Korla, the fragrant pear is the most famous. The fragrant pear here is loved by people for its juicy, sweet flesh and rich aroma.

6. Nalati Station: Call of the Grassland

- Features: Nalati Station attracts tourists with its vast grassland and fresh air. The decoration inside the station is based on grassland culture, which makes people feel the breadth and tolerance of nature.

- Historical Stories: The Nalati region was once an activity area for ancient nomadic peoples, leaving behind many legends and stories about grassland heroes.

- Specialties: Among the specialties of Nalati, kumis and handicrafts are the most famous. The kumis here is popular for its unique fermentation process and rich grassland flavor.

7. Kanas Station: A Poem of Lakes and Mountains

- Features: Kanas Station attracts travelers with its magnificent scenery of lakes and mountains. In the square in front of the station, sculptures and murals depict the mystery and beauty of Kanas Lake.

- Historical story: Kanas area has been a place where many ethnic groups live together since ancient times. The mountains, rivers and lakes here have witnessed the changes of history and the integration of cultures.

- Specialties: Among Kanas's specialties, wild mushrooms and honey are the most famous. Wild mushrooms here are highly valued because they grow in an unpolluted natural environment, while honey is loved by people for its purity and high nutritional value.

8. Karamay Station: City of Oil

- Features: Karamay Station is famous for its modern industrial atmosphere. The decoration inside the station reflects the elements of the oil industry, making people feel the vitality and prosperity of the city.

- Historical story: Karamay is one of China's important oil bases, and the development of the oil industry here has witnessed the industrialization process of New China.

- Specialties: Among Karamay's specialties, petroleum products and petroleum-related handicrafts are the most famous. The petroleum products here are recognized by people for their high quality and wide application.

9. Shihezi Station: Imprint of Military Reclamation Culture

- Features: Shihezi Station attracts tourists with its unique military reclamation culture. The decorations and murals in the station show the history and culture of the military reclamation period, making people feel the difficulty of that difficult period.

- Historical story: Shihezi is one of the birthplaces of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. The military reclamation history here witnessed the development and construction of China's border.

- Specialties: Among Shihezi's specialties, cotton and melons and fruits are the most famous. The cotton here is loved for its long-staple and soft texture, while the melons and fruits are popular for their sweetness and juiciness.

10. Urumqi Station: Fusion of Multiple Cultures

- Features: It attracts tourists with its fusion of diverse cultures. The decorations and murals inside the station show the diverse cultures and ethnic customs of Xinjiang.

- Historical story: Urumqi is the capital of Xinjiang. Historically, it was a place where many ethnic groups lived together, leaving behind a rich historical and cultural heritage.

- Specialties: Xinjiang Dapanji and grapes are the most famous among Urumqi's specialties. Dapanji here is loved by people for its unique cooking process and rich taste, while grapes are popular for their sweetness and juiciness.

(Picture from the Internet)

Author | Kiwi graduated from Lincoln University in New Zealand. He has a strong interest in popular science knowledge and has published popular science articles in many popular science journals. He pays attention to facts and actively explores cutting-edge technology.

Preliminary review | Chen Jiaqi, Li Shuhao

Review | Wei Xinghua

Final Review | Han Yonglin