History of Golmud

Golmud is a city with a relatively short but rich history, the emergence of which is closely linked to the economic and strategic development of the north-western territories of China in the 20th century. Unlike the country's ancient centres, Golmud is a prime example of modern planned urban development.

Foundation and Development

The history of modern Golmud began in the mid-20th century. In 1956, the Golmud Working Committee was established here, and by 1960, the State Council of the PRC officially founded the city of Golmud. Its appearance was not accidental—it was dictated by the necessity to develop the rich natural resources of the Qaidam Basin and to strengthen transport links with the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Key Factors of Establishment

• Geographical Location: The city is located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, making it the strategically important "Gateway to Tibet". This determined its key role as a transport and logistics hub.
• Transport Infrastructure: A decisive factor in Golmud's development was the construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Its first section, connecting Xining and Golmud, was put into operation in 1984, giving a powerful impetus to the city's growth. Later, with the extension of the railway to Lhasa, Golmud's importance as a transit point only increased.
• Natural Resources: The city's surroundings are rich in mineral resources, particularly potash salts, magnesium, lithium, and natural gas, the extraction and processing of which became the foundation of the local economy.

Economic and Cultural Features

From the very beginning, Golmud developed as an industrial and transport centre. Its economy is focused on the mining industry, fertilizer production, and servicing transport flows. The cultural appearance of the city was shaped by the influence of migrants from all over China who came here for work; therefore, it represents a modern multi-ethnic centre with a predominantly Han population. The city's name comes from a Mongolian word meaning "rivers", which is a reference to the Golmud Gol river, near which it is situated.

Key Dates in the City's History

The chronology of Golmud clearly demonstrates how, within half a century, a small settlement turned into a key transport and industrial hub of western China.

• 1954: General Mu Shengzhong and a detachment of road builders set up the first tent camp, marking the beginning of a permanent settlement.
• 1956: Establishment of a temporary working committee, becoming the first step towards forming an administrative unit.
• 1958: Discovery by geologists of large potash salt deposits in Qarhan Lake, determining the industrial future of the region.
• 1960: The State Council of the PRC officially grants the settlement the status of a city, confirming its administrative significance.
• 1979: Start of construction of the first railway section from Xining to connect the region with the central provinces.
• 1984: Commissioning of the Xining — Golmud railway line, opening an era of mass passenger and cargo transportation.
• 1992: Launch of a modernization programme for salt mining enterprises, allowing the city to become a leader in fertilizer production.
• 2001: Start of construction of the high-altitude railway section towards Lhasa, requiring unique engineering solutions.
• 2005: Inclusion of the city in the national pilot zone for circular economy to develop environmentally friendly production.
• 2006: Grand opening of the through railway connection with Tibet, transforming the city into a major transit hub.
• 2011: Launch of large-scale solar energy projects utilising the desert's high levels of sunlight.
• 2017: Completion of airport reconstruction, significantly increasing its capacity for tourists.

Stages of Development: From a Desert Camp to an Industrial Centre

The development of Golmud is a story of rapid urbanization in extreme high-altitude conditions. The city has journeyed from a tent camp of road builders to a modern industrial giant playing a key role in the economy of western China.

• Construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Highway (1954).
  The laying of this strategic route became the starting point in the city's history. The place where caravan paths intersected turned into a vital logistics node ensuring supplies to Tibet. This laid the urban planning foundation for the future city.
• Beginning of the Development of Qarhan Lake (1958).
  The start of industrial extraction of potash salts and other minerals defined the region's economic specialization. The creation of a potash combine turned Golmud into the "Salt Capital" of the country and attracted thousands of specialists who formed the cultural backbone of the city.
• Launch of the Xining — Golmud Railway (1984).
  Connection to the country's railway network became a powerful driver of growth. This allowed for a manifold increase in raw material exports and goods delivery, leading to a boom in the construction of residential quarters and social infrastructure.
• Creation of the Circular Economy Experimental Zone (2005).
  The assignment of this status marked a transition from simple resource extraction to deep comprehensive processing. This attracted state investment and contributed to the modernization of industrial zones, reduction of harmful emissions, and the introduction of high technologies.
• Opening of the Golmud — Lhasa Mainline (2006).
  The launch of trains to Tibet radically changed the city's status, making it the main tourist transit centre of the region. This gave impetus to the development of the service sector, the hotel business, and the renewal of the urban environment to welcome travellers.
• Renewable Energy Boom (2010s).
  Utilising the unique climate (high solar exposure) led to the construction of giant solar power plants. This diversified the economy, reduced dependence on fossil fuel extraction, and created a new, modern image of the city as a centre of "green" energy.

The architectural appearance of Golmud is a visual reflection of its short but turbulent history. Unlike the ancient cities of China with their centuries-old layers of eras, Golmud is a vivid example of 20th-century socialist urban planning. Here you will not find traditional pagodas, imperial palaces, or the winding streets of old quarters. The city was founded from scratch in the 1950s, and its architecture is entirely subordinate to functionality.

The dominant style in Golmud's development became Soviet modernism and functionalism. This is expressed in a strict, geometrically precise layout with wide straight avenues dividing the city into residential and industrial zones. The basis of the development consists of simple and practical apartment blocks, administrative buildings, and industrial facilities built of concrete and brick. The main goal was to quickly provide housing and infrastructure for arriving workers, so aesthetics gave way to practicality.

The modern stage of the city's development, which began in the 21st century, has added new features to its appearance. Due to economic growth and Golmud's transformation into an important logistics and energy centre, modern buildings have started to appear here: new hotels, shopping centres, and offices. They are built using glass and metal and reflect global architectural trends. However, these new structures have not radically changed the look of the city, the core of which still preserves the spirit of the industrial era of the middle of the last century.

The People Who Built the City on the "Roof of the World"

The history of Golmud is a history of grandiose construction projects and the development of a harsh land. Therefore, the city is associated not with artists or ancient rulers, but with engineers, geologists, and political leaders whose will and labour made its existence possible.

• Mu Shengzhong — A general of the People's Liberation Army of China and an engineer. He is considered the "founding father" of the region's transport system. In the 1950s, he led the construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Highway — the first road laid in these severe conditions. It was this transport artery that laid the foundation for the future location and development of Golmud as a strategic point.
• Wen Shilin — An outstanding Chinese geologist. In the mid-20th century, he led geological exploration expeditions in the Qaidam Basin. His work led to the discovery of colossal reserves of mineral resources, particularly potash salts in Qarhan Lake. These discoveries determined the economic fate of Golmud as a centre of the mining industry.
• Zhang Luxin — The chief design engineer of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Under his leadership, the project for the world's highest-altitude railway was developed and implemented, with Golmud becoming a key node. Thanks to his engineering solutions, it was possible to overcome permafrost and oxygen deficiency, turning the city into the "Gateway to Tibet".
• Deng Xiaoping — The paramount leader of China. Although he did not participate in construction directly, it was his pragmatic policy and decisions in the late 1970s that gave the "green light" to the resumption and completion of the construction of the first railway section to Golmud (1984). This was a crucial step in the industrialization of the city.
• Jiang Zemin — President of the PRC. In 2001, he officially launched the construction of the historic railway section from Golmud to Lhasa. This ambitious project, completed in 2006, finally consolidated Golmud's unique status and strategic importance for the whole of China.