Skip to ContentThe first transcontinental railroad crossed the Sierra at Donner Summit. The China Wall, Summit Tunnel and the snow sheds still stand there, and the Truckee-Donner Historical Society tells the story of the workers who built them.
Checked November 2, 2026. Dates, prices and hours change; the official page wins.
- 150 ftheight of China Wall (historical society)
- 1867year built (historical society)
- 8,000+workers (historical society)
- 15tunnels through the Sierra (society)
China Wall
The Truckee-Donner Historical Society describes a dry-fit stone retaining wall, no mortar, 150 feet tall, built in 1867 in the ravine east of Summit Tunnel 6 and filled with rubble from the tunnel. It says more than 8,000 Chinese workers built the wall and the railroad path, working six days a week. The society’s directions say to take I-80 to the Soda Springs exit and cross Rainbow Bridge; the wall is on the right. Directions reflect construction conditions when the article was written, so confirm road status.
Summit Tunnel and The Snow Sheds
The society counts 15 tunnels through the Sierra and more built later to shelter the line from snow, with about 35 feet of snow in a season at the summit. The granite sample pictured shows hand-drill marks from Tunnel 6. Public access to the tunnels is not confirmed.
Rainbow Bridge
The historical society article places Rainbow Bridge on Old Highway 40 next to the China Wall. Its completion year and details are not confirmed on a page we read; the Donner Summit Historical Society would confirm.
The Railroad Race
The society explains that the two railroads were paid by the mile of track laid, which pushed the race between them. The route had to stay under a 2.5% grade.
Workers faced isolation, accidents, lack of food and racism, according to the society.
What We Could Not Confirm
These items were not read on an official page when we checked, so we do not state them as fact. Who can confirm each one is named.
- Rainbow Bridge completion year and details.
- Public access and seasonal closure of Old Highway 40 and the tunnels.
- The number of workers: sources vary; the society says more than 8,000.
More to Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
Who built the China Wall?
The Truckee-Donner Historical Society says Chinese workers built it in 1867.
Sources
Cite this page: It’s Reno editorial team, “Central Pacific on Donner Summit,” itsreno.com, checked November 2, 2026.