Many senior travelers in China have embarked on specialized tourism trains to enjoy picturesque landscapes nationwide during the three-day Qingming Festival holiday, which started on Friday.
Qingming Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that falls on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox. Often seen as a time to enjoy the greenery of springtime and to visit the graves of ancestors, the holiday has also become a busy period for cultural and tourism activities in China.
On Saturday, the first panda-themed tourist train named after Shifang, a county-level city in Sichuan Province, departed from Anjing Station for Jianshui in Yunnan Province. More than 460 senior tourists are set to enjoy an eight-day immersive cultural tour through southwestern China's stunning landscapes.
"We have plenty of free time, and we want to take this opportunity to travel around Yunnan," said a passenger surnamed Yang.
This train will pass through Kunming, Dali, Lincang, Jianshui, Hekou, and other locations along the way, where passengers will visit iconic sights including Wengding Village of the Wa ethnic group, which is dubbed "China's last primitive tribe," the 1,000-meter-long cliff mural corridor and Bada terraces, taking in the beauty of spring.
"This year, the demand for travel has been strong during the Qingming Festival holiday. Our silver-haired train products were sold out soon after they were launched," said Xu Kexin, a staff member from the panda-themed tourist train operated by China Railway Chengdu Bureau Group. In Yunnan, another special silver-haired train connects travel landmarks in Lijiang, Baoshan, and Tengchong, with upgraded features like non-slip handrails, barrier-free facilities, and smart health monitoring systems. A 24-hour butler service is also available on board.
Meanwhile, in Zhanjiang City, south China's Guangdong Province, the Y440 silver-haired train departed for the city of Harbin in Heilongjiang Province with 738 senior travelers aboard. Passengers are treated to a variety of cultural and recreational activities along their journey, making the trip a festive experience.
"It is brand new in every way. I felt so happy upon entering the carriage," said a passenger surnamed Han.
Specialized trains take senior travelers to enjoy picturesque landscapes during Qingming Festival holiday
