According to Qinghai-Tibet Railway Company, the seat occupancy of its new trains has declined in winter, but it still stays above 50%.

Compared with the busy time in the summer months of 2006, ticket sales are much smoother now, and the main passenger flow no longer tourists, but pilgrims and migrant workers in Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu and Sichuan.

Due to a lack of travel services in winter, Tibet travel has entered an icy stage. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway Company and local tourism departments are considering developing their own winter travel products so that the tourist flow can increase.