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Tibet's First Bullet Train Line Enters Service

(CNN) — For the first time, travelers in Tibet can enjoy the area's mountainous views at high-speed. A 435-kilometer (250-mile) rail line connecting Tibetan capital Lhasa with the city of Nyingchi entered into service on June 25, giving all 31 provincial-level regions of mainland China access to high-speed train travel.

Building a high-speed railroad in Tibet, dubbed the "roof of the world," was no easy feat. Some 90% of the route, which took six years to construct, sits higher than 3,000 meters above sea level. The Lhasa-Nyingchi line features 47 tunnels and 121 bridges -- which account for about 75% of the whole route. This includes the 525-meter-long Zangmu Railway Bridge, the largest and highest arch bridge of its kind in the world.

A staggering RMB 36.6 billion ($5.6 billion) was spent to build the line, which is serviced by the Fuxing series of high-speed electric trains developed and operated by the state-owned China State Railway Group.

Traveling at high altitudes, the Fuxing trains are equipped with automated oxygen supply systems, which keep oxygen levels at a constant 23.6% -- slightly higher than the 21% average found in normal atmospheres.

The trains' windows are equipped with a special layer of glass designed to withstand the region's high UV levels. The Fuxing trains deployed on the nine-station Lhasa-Nyingchi line are powered by both internal combustion and electric engines. The dual-power engine allows them to achieve smooth traction throughout the 2.5-hour journey on both electrified and non-electrified railroads.

They operate at about 160 kilometers per hour -- far slower than the maximum speeds of 350 kph (217 mph) travelers experience on many of China's other lines.

The new Lhasa-Nyingchi route is part of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, a 1,740-kilometer line that will eventually link Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, with Lhasa, shortening the travel time between the two cities from 48 hours to 13 hours.

Construction has been divided into three phases. The first segment -- the Chengdu-Ya'an Railway -- opened in 2018. Lhasa-Nyingchi is the second completed segment. Work on the final Ya'an-Nyingchi Railway began in 2020 and is expected to be complete by 2030.

The Lhasa-Nyingchi line is Tibet's first electrified railway. The existing Qinghai-Tibet Railway, a 1,142-kilometer route powered by diesel locomotives, launched in 2006 and is said to be the world's highest train route, connecting Xining, in Qinghai province, to Lhasa.

Flexing China's economic power

Stretching into a disputed area between India and China, the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway is just a small part of China's rapidly-expanding high-speed network. Close to 40,000 kilometers of lines crisscross the country, linking all of China's major mega-city clusters. The network is expected to expand to 70,000 kilometers by 2035. Much like Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains in the 1960s, the Beijing government views its high-speed railway as symbolic of the country's economic power and increasing prosperity. For China's ruling Communist Party and its leader Xi Jinping, high-speed rail is also a powerful tool for social cohesion, political influence and the integration of disparate regions with distinct cultures into the mainstream.

"The building of these new railways forms part of Xi Jinping's grand plan of 'integrating the vast national market,'" Olivia Cheung, research fellow at the China Institute of the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), told CNN in an interview earlier this year.

"It is also meant to be reflective of his 'new development philosophy,' of which 'coordinated development' is a key concept. "His scheme is grand in that it extends beyond just simply connecting existing towns, but existing towns with new mega-towns that are being constructed from scratch. A famous example in which Xi takes a lot of pride is the Xiong'an New Area in Hebei province, around 60 miles southwest of Beijing."

Source: https://www.cnn.com/travel/

4 Tourists Ordered Off Bali For Violating Virus Restrictions

DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia on Monday ordered four foreign tourists to leave the resort island of Bali after violating health protocols as the country endures a devastating wave of COVID-19 illnesses and deaths.

A Russian who tested positive for the coronavirus upon her arrival in Bali last Thursday was recaptured that night after she escaped mandatory isolation at an appointed hotel, said Jamaruli Manihuruk, who heads the Bali regional office for the Justice and Human Rights Ministry.

She has been placed in an isolation facility in Bali’s capital, Denpasar, and will be deported as soon as she recovered from the virus, Manihuruk said.

Three others were accused of defying mask mandates in public after being found unmasked in a raid last Thursday in the Kuta tourist area to enforce health protocols and prevent more infections, he said.

The travelers from the United States, Ireland and Russia were placed in a detention room at the immigration office while waiting for their flights to their countries later Monday.

Indonesia has been hit hard by the virus, fueled by travel during the Eid holiday in May, and the spread of the delta variant of the coronavirus first found in India. Overall, the Southeast Asia country has reported more than 2.5 million infections and nearly 67,000 fatalities from COVID-19.

The most recent surge prompted new lockdown measures last month, particularly on Java, Indonesia’s most populated island, and on the tourist island of Bali.

Bali has recorded more than 55,300 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, including 1,634 deaths.

Under the new emergency measures, authorities in Bali toughened its mask mandate to impose a fine of 1 million rupiah ($70) for foreigners who did not use masks properly and to deport those who did not wear masks. Previously, foreigners were given guidance to use masks properly, were fined for a first offense and were deported after a second offense.

Maui Seeks To Quickly Implement New Tax On Tourists

KAHULUI, Hawaii (AP) — Officials on Maui are moving quickly to implement a new tax on tourists.

The move comes after state lawmakers overrode a veto by Hawaii Gov. David Ige this week.

Hawaii lawmakers overrode Ige’s veto of a bill that overhauls how the state funds the Hawaii Tourism Authority and allocates tourism tax revenue to the counties.

The new law allows Hawaii’s counties to collect a 3% tax from visitors staying at hotels and other short-term rentals.

Before the new law, the state collected a 10% hotel tax and distributed a share to each county. Now, the counties can levy their own surcharge to the tax and keep the money for local needs.

The bill would stop funding the tourism agency with money raised by the transient accommodations tax. Lawmakers intend to pay for the agency with money from the general fund, though for the current fiscal year they appropriated federal coronavirus relief funds.

“This will help tremendously,” said Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee.

Lee said that will bring Maui nearly triple the revenue, Hawaii News Now reported Thursday.

“Instead of $23 million, we’ll probably receive in the neighborhood of $50 to $70 million,” Lee said.

Maui has seen a sharp increase in tourism since pandemic restrictions have eased.

State Rep. Sylvia Luke, the House Finance Chair, said under the old system, Oahu got the bulk of the money because it is the most populous island in the state. Now counties will be receive money based on how many visitors they get.

Luke said Maui could benefit the most.

“The island is just overrun with tourists,” said Luke. “And you look at the population of Maui, compared to Oahu, there’s a lot more tourists per capita.”

California visitors Phil and Diana Asenas think the law is unfair.

“Taking a little bit of an advantage of people who truly want to get out and have been locked down for two years now,” said Phil Asenas.

“They’re definitely taking advantage of us,” Diana Asenas said. “But at the same time, if we want a vacation, we have to suck it up too. But it’s not right. It’s definitely not right.”

Warner Bros Studio Tour Expands With DC Universe, Potter

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Batman’s secret cave, Warner Bros Studio Tour’s cupboard under the stairs and the infamous “Friends” apartment are major centerpieces to the huge Warner Bros. studio lot expansion.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood recently reopened more than a year after doors were shuttered because of the coronavirus pandemic. Now, attendees will have a chance to explore the studio’s nearly 100 years of television and filmmaking history, highlighting the DC Universe and “Harry Potter.”

A firsthand look took place a couple of days before the tour opened in late June at the Southern California studio, which now welcomes families with children ages 5 and older.

Warner Bros. officials said the expansion — that includes a new building — took five years to develop in Burbank. Officials say the studio tour will follow all city, state, and federal COVID-19 safety protocols.

“One of the most incredible things about Warner Brothers is the incredible history of epic films that are legendary,” said “Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins, who helped reopen the tour.

Here are some of the tour’s key features:

STORYTELLING SHOWCASE

Selfie opportunities will be a plenty at the replicated, iconic “WB” water tower as attendees are able to walk along an aerial view of the sprawling studio lot. The walls are lined with mementos of the studio’s film, TV animation titles, dating back to 1923. Some of the highlights in this room include photos from classic films such as “Casablanca” and “Little Caesar.”

There is a dedicated wall area of the Oscar-winning film “Million Dollar Baby” and the boxing gloves worn by Hilary Swank. J.R.’ Ewing’s boots and hat from the television series “Dallas” are also on display. Several miniature soundstages with the words “PLEASE DO NOT SIT” are throughout the exhibit.

DC UNIVERSE

Step into the behind-the-scenes universe of DC superheroes and villains. One of the compelling aspects is the secret Batcave, where guests will find the authentic Batmobile from Tim Burton’s original “Batman,” the Tumbler from “The Dark Knight” and the Batwing from “Batman v. Superman.”

Costumes worn by Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and the Flash are on display. Other standouts include Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and Jared Leto’s Joker costumes from “Suicide Squad.” Along with Christopher Reeve’s “Superman” costume, the exhibit has Michael Keaton’s suit from the 1989 film “Batman” and Lynda Carter’s “Wonder Woman” costume from the classic 1970s television show.

In an interactive experience, visitors can touch the glowing Lasso of Hestia from “Wonder Woman 1984.”

Director of the recent “Wonder Woman” films, Patty Jenkins, said she enjoyed seeing the costumes worn from her movies along with the rest of the DC characters featured in the exhibit.

“For there to be a museum to celebrate, that seems like something that is so important,” she said. “Then to have things for my own films in there as well, it’s an incredible honor and a very surreal crossing of the line of those two things.”

HARRY POTTER & FANTASTIC BEAST

Create a photo opportunity inside Harry Potter’s cupboard under the stairs at 4 Privet Drive and understand the art of making potions on the re-created sets of “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts.”

Guests can sit underneath the Sorting Hat, which determines one’s Hogwarts house. And class is in session to learn about the unique creatures at Newt Scamander’s Shed of Magical Creatures.

“You get to experience the action, the magic and fun, and the props and costumes and the re-created sets,” said Bonnie Wright, who starred as Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter film series.

FRIENDS BOUTIQUE

Stage 48: Script to Screen is home to the “Friends” boutique that will be accompanied by the expanded Central Perk Café. The area features re-created sets inspired by the show including Joey and Chandler’s apartment, Monica’s apartment and Central Perk. Some costumes worn by the cast and other props from the show are from the 25th anniversary in 2019. Monica’s famous door frame and a “Friends” reunion-inspired spirit jersey, coffee mugs along with souvenirs and collectibles are included.

Central Perk offers a New York deli-inspired menu that includes a special blend of Central Perk coffee, pizza wedges, corned beef melts and cold sandwiches.

“I don’t think people are going to want to leave,” said Maggie Wheeler, who played the recurring role of Janice on “Friends.” The hit TV series starred Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow.

“It feels like the show,” Wheeler continued. “It feels like memory lane. I think people are going to be really, really excited to walk through and spend time here.”

CELEBRATE AWARDS SEASON

The tour concludes with an exhibit spotlighting costumes and props, including the jersey worn by the late Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson in the film “42” and the miniature blimp from Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner.” The trombone that Robert Preston played in “The Music Man” is also on display.

Guests will have an opportunity to hold an authentic Oscar trophy. (Be sure to grasp with both hands. It’s heavy.)

Lockdowns In Asia As Some Nations See 1st Major Virus Surges

BANGKOK (AP) — Several countries around Asia and the Pacific that are experiencing their first major surges of the coronavirus rushed to impose tough restrictions, a year and a half into a pandemic that many initially weathered well.

Faced with rapidly rising numbers of infections in recent months, authorities in such countries as Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam announced or imposed measures Friday that they hope can slow the spread before health care systems are overwhelmed.

It’s a rhythm familiar in much of the world, where repeated surges deluged hospitals and led to high numbers of deaths. But many Asian countries avoided that cycle by imposing stiff travel restrictions combined with tough measures at home.

Now some are seeing record numbers of new cases and even deaths, blamed in part on the highly contagious delta variant combined with low rates of vaccination and decisions to ease restrictions that have hit economies hard. Though overall numbers are nowhere yet near those seen during outbreaks in hotspots in Europe and the United States, the rapid rise set off alarm bells just as many Western countries with high vaccine rates began to breathe a sigh of relief.

Thailand reported a record number of new deaths on Thursday with 75 — and they came in at 72 on Friday. South Korea set a record for number of new cases on Thursday, only to break it on Friday with 1,316 infections, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. For the first time, Indonesia is seeing a surge that has hospitals turning patients away and oxygen supplies running out.

Of Thailand’s 317,506 confirmed cases and 2,534 deaths since the pandemic started, more than 90% have come since the start of April.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s handling of the surge has been widely criticized, including the decision to allow people to travel for April’s Songkran festival celebrating Thailand’s New Year.

Thailand already has strict regulations on wearing masks and other rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but the government announced even more stringent measures Friday for Bangkok and the surrounding area, including closing spas, limiting the hours of public transit, and restricting the opening times of markets and convenience stores.

“There is something wrong with the government policies, our vaccinations are too slow, and we should get better vaccines,” said resident Cherkarn Rachasevet, a 60-year-old IT analyst, who hustled to the grocery store to stock up on supplies after hearing new restrictions were coming, wearing four masks and a face shield.

She lamented that she isn’t due for her first shot until the end of the month.

Across the Asia-Pacific region, immunization rates have lagged for a variety of reasons, including production and distribution issues as well as an initial wait-and-see attitude from many early on when numbers were low and there was less of a sense of urgency.

In South Korea — widely praised for its initial response to the pandemic that included extensive testing and contact-tracing — critics are now blaming a current spike in cases on the government’s push to ease social-distancing because of economic concerns. Meanwhile, a shortage in vaccine supplies has left 70% of the population still waiting for their first shot.

The recent death toll has been low, however, and authorities attribute that to the fact that many who have been vaccinated were at-risk older Koreans.

Amid a spike in infections in the Seoul area, authorities announced Friday that starting next week they would impose the strongest restrictions yet. Those include prohibiting private social gatherings of three or more people after 6 p.m., shutting down nightclubs and churches, banning visitors at hospitals and nursing homes and limiting weddings and funerals to family-only gatherings.

No country has been worse hit in the region recently than Indonesia. The seven-day rolling averages of daily cases and deaths both more than doubled over the past two weeks.

Health experts say a partial lockdown imposed July 3 was too little too late and warned the current wave, which is mostly on the islands of Java, Bali, and a few cities on the island of Sumatra, will soon start to spread across the vast archipelago — and the health system is already buckling under the pressure.

Despite a strict national lockdown in nearby Malaysia under which residents are confined to their homes, with only one person per household allowed out to purchase groceries, new cases since it began June 1 continued to shoot up, and a record 9,180 daily cases were reported Friday. The total death toll more than doubled to 5,903 since June 1.

It’s the second national lockdown over the past year and the government said it will stay in place until daily infections fall below 4,000 and at least 10% of the population is vaccinated — but it comes at a tremendous cost, deepening economic hardships, with scores of businesses forced to shutter and thousands losing their jobs.

Vietnam also imposed tighter restrictions on Friday, locking down Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s largest metropolis and its economic and financial hub, for two weeks. The southern city’s 9 million residents are only permitted to leave home to buy food, medicine and for other urgent matters during that time.

Vietnam was able to limit its total coronavirus cases to 2,800 during the first year of the pandemic, and reported almost no new cases in the three months up to the end of April when they began to climb rapidly. In the last two months, the country has recorded some 22,000 new cases, and the less stringent restrictions imposed so far have been unable to stem the rise.

“It is a difficult decision to lock down the city, but it is necessary to curb the pandemic and get back to normalcy,” Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said during a government meeting Thursday evening.

Currently, about 4% of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine, though the Health Ministry said it hopes to inoculate 70% of the country’s 96 million people by the end of the year.

One exception to the regional rule appears to be India, where the delta variant was first detected — perhaps because its surge came first. The country has slowly emerged from a traumatic April and May, when a devastating spike in infections tore through the nation, hospitals ran out of beds and oxygen supplies, and overwhelmed crematoria were forced to burn bodies in pyres outdoors.

New cases and deaths are now decreasing, but with less than 5% of the country’s eligible population fully vaccinated, authorities are scrambling to distribute more shots and are investing heavily in field hospitals and ICU beds, and stockpiling oxygen supplies.

Japan and Australia also announced new restrictions this week. Japan is particularly being watched since its state of emergency means spectators will be banned at most venues a the upcoming Olympics.

With the detection of the delta variant last month in Australia’s New South Wales, state Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Friday that this is now the “scariest period” of the pandemic yet as she announced new restrictions in Sydney after the city reported 44 new cases, in line with the country’s approach to move quickly with targeted measures to stamp out new outbreaks.

“New South Wales is facing the biggest challenge we have faced since the pandemic started,” she said. “And I don’t say that lightly.”

Summer Vacations Are Back Just In Time For Exploring The State Of Yucatán

MÉRIDA, Yucatán — After months of pandemic restrictions, vacations are back, and the state of Yucatán has all the ingredients for a summer getaway for the ages. Yucatán is an ideal open-air road-trip destination that offers attractions related to archeology and history (e.g., ancient Mayan ruins and Hanequenera textile states going back to the 19th century), nature (cenotes and pink flamingos), sun and sand (the Riviera Yucatán), cuisine (cochinita pibil) and the living indigenous Maya culture, all within short distances of each other. It’s ideal for any traveler looking to experience a unique state in Mexico.

Approximately the size of Maryland, Yucatán is just over 15,000 square miles in area and connected by an easily navigated network of roads. To make the touring experience a little easier to manage, the state’s Ministry of Tourism has developed six tourism zones, each excelling in different offerings.

Mérida: Cultural and gastronomic capital of the south

The capital of Yucatán makes for a great home base for a visit to the destination. Mérida is home to more than 10,000 in hotels for all budgets, and Merida International Airport (MID) offers non-stop flights from Miami, Houston, Dallas, and San Diego via Tijuana’s International Airport. Oakland/San Francisco has a direct flight. Founded by the Spanish in 1542 on the site of the ancient Mayan city of T'ho, the city stands out for its wide offer of cultural, historical and artistic attractions. Not least among these is Mérida’s colonial-era downtown, featuring European architectural influences such as an outstanding predominant French style that can be admired in the large houses lining Paseo de Montejo, the main avenue of the city.

Mérida also offers myriad entertainment and gastronomy options. Visitors should start any visit in the historic downtown area, where they can not only admire the great variety of colonial buildings but also take in a host of museums, galleries, theaters, parks, outdoor cafés and bars — as well as more than 300 restaurants serving international cuisine and local dishes like huevos motuleños, Poc Chuc, Sopa de Lima.

Puerto Maya: From the turquoise sea to the pink explosion

The Puerto Maya region, located in the northeast of the state, is a coastal area offering a unique and colorful natural spectacle, with protected natural spaces and diverse fauna ranging from the deep blue of the cenotes’ (natural water holes) crystalline waters to the pink explosion of the flamingo population. Walk along the shores and admire the incredible exuberance that covers the Mayan coast of Yucatán. Travel the coast by boat and be a privileged spectator of the immense flocks of flamingos that cloud the sky as they fly by. Sail through the quiet mangrove to indulge your inner adventurer.

Puuc Route and Mayan Villages: A journey through history

The Puuc Route (puuc means "mounds" in Mayan) is a tour of archaeological sites that has undoubtedly become one of the favorite walks for both Yucatecans and visitors to the region.

This tour includes the archeological sites of Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, Labná, Oxkintok, Calcehtok Caves and the Loltún Caves. Throughout the tour, visitors will find structures that have been completely restored, others that are still in process and some that are still covered with grass, trees and dense vegetation. The latter are very similar to those found by the first explorers at the end of the last century.

Capital of the Mayan World: Land of the eternal Mayab

The Capital of the Mayan World is one of the most representative regions of the state, given that the municipalities that comprise it are important historical, cultural and archaeological centers, such as Ek Balam and the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Pyramid of Kukulkán at Chichén Itzá.

The modern Maya still live here, with much of native and historical tradition upheld among the people. The Mayans’ secret to keeping their indigenous culture alive seems to be their adaptability. Even though the culture could not avoid being influenced by modernity, it managed to preserve many of its traditional bases.

Riviera Yucatán: A hidden treasure between the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico

Talk about the Yucatán Riviera and you have to talk about the rich variety it boasts along its 235 miles or so of stunning coast, from the beaches of Celestún all the way to El Cuyo. Along the Riviera, visitors will encounter various ecosystems, such as tropical forests, cenotes and underwater caves, that come together to make for an unforgettable experience. Progreso is the state’s major cruise port.

The Riviera is home to a unique gastronomy, with ancestral recipes that, blended with the particular flavor of the seafood of the area, create a range of options to delight gourmands.

Cenotes and Haciendas Zone: A wonderful journey through the past and present of Yucatán

The Yucatán is known for its haciendas, built in the second half of the 19th Century with the support of old families that had owned large territorial properties since colonial times and became wealthy through trade in, among other things, henequen. Today, many historical haciendas serve as high-end hotels.

Moreover, the state is known for its wealth of cenotes, fantastic watersheds and caves that were flooded during the last Ice Age. Besides being time capsules in which incredible limestone formations can be observed, they constitute the main source of fresh water in the region, since there are no rivers on the surface, due to the layer of limestone found below the state.

Yucatán has long enjoyed a reputation as Mexico’s safest state, a position that was enhanced last week when the U.S. Department of State updated its travel warning to Mexico. The first update since placing the entire country under a Level 4 Travel Advisory (“Do No Travel”) because of Covid-19, the update moved the state to the lowest level of travel restriction, Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. This marks the first time a Mexican destination achieved Level 1 since the agency began issuing warnings for Mexico divided by state.