Automatic ticketing system offered in Nyingchi, Tibet

Nyingchi prefecture in the Tibet autonomous region set up its first automatic train ticketing system, allowing residents the ease of buying tickets from home.

The system, which locals have coined the "trackless railway station", is part of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Corporation's initiative to increase service to people living in remote areas of Tibet.

"The ticketing system offers on-the-phone booking, Internet booking and seat reservation services," said Liu Xuebo, the head of reservation services at the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Corporation.

"With a valid ID card and a UnionPay bank card, people can purchase tickets for routes between China's Qinghai province and the Tibet autonomous region," Liu said.

"Tickets must be booked at least 20 days in advance."

The Nyingchi prefecture is one of Tibet's major tourism spots. It is located 500 km southeast of Lhasa, the capital of the region, where residents would have to travel hours to purchase train tickets.