China operated over 600 tourist trains in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of more than 20 percent as the country revolutionizes rail travel through immersive cultural experiences, according to Globalpeople. The transformation includes everything from hydrogen-powered locomotives to LED-equipped carriages that serve as "mobile cultural galleries," fundamentally shifting how tourists experience China's vast landscapes and rich heritage.
Yellow River Train Pioneers Hotel-Style Rail Travel
On April 20, 2024, the Yellow River themed train departed from Zhengzhou on its inaugural cross-provincial route to southwest China's Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, representing the first of its kind in central China's Henan Province, according to Globalpeople. The train was launched by China Railway Zhengzhou Group Co., Ltd., with carriages transformed into hotel-style rooms featuring distinctive amenities that cater specifically to elderly travelers.
"We've transformed carriages into hotel-style rooms, each with distinctive features," said Ma Tachuan, manager of the train, according to Globalpeople. Each compartment features two parallel beds with both standard and USB charging ports at the headboard, plus a dry-wet-separation bathroom. The train includes enlarged windows for enhanced scenic viewing, lowered door thresholds, non-slip carpets, fluorescent handrails, and an SOS emergency call system.
Passengers can enjoy an immersive experience of intangible cultural heritages like Henan opera performances and traditional dough figurine making. During a Dragon Boat Festival and International Children's Day 2024 three-day family tour package, a collective birthday party was held aboard the train, leaving 67-year-old passenger Dong Weiping feeling deeply moved, according to Globalpeople.
LED Technology Creates Mobile Cultural Galleries
China's first immersive themed cultural tourism train, the "Tianjin Time Tour," officially embarked on its voyage featuring cutting-edge LED display technology, according to Unilumin. The Montage Fantasy Interactive Performance Carriage and the Immersive Time-Tunnel Carriage were collaboratively created by Unilumin Group, alongside China Railway Beijing Group, Tianjin Tourism (Holding) Co., Ltd., and Thinda Environment Technology Group.
These carriages feature a full suite of Unilumin LED display terminals and UHD Metasight solutions, transforming the train from a retro green carriage into a "mobile cultural gallery," according to Unilumin. Upon entering the performance carriage, a massive LED screen unfolds along the carriage walls, creating a dynamic, fantasy stage where mountains, seas, clouds, and starry skies flash by in succession as passengers co-create storylines with main non-player characters.
Hydrogen-Powered Innovation Leads Green Transportation
Qingchun, China's first hydrogen-powered tourist train, operates without the need for overhead catenary power lines, making it both energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, according to Travelandtourworld. The train was developed by CRRC Changchun and introduced in Changchun, a city in northeastern China known for its rich history and vibrant cultural scene.
The hydrogen-powered system ensures that tourists can enjoy their journeys while minimizing their environmental footprint, particularly significant as the tourism industry continues to grow with increasing numbers of travelers seeking greener alternatives to traditional transport, according to Travelandtourworld. The train's design incorporates elements that showcase the unique characteristics of the destinations it serves, providing tourists with a truly immersive travel experience as passengers enjoy scenic views of China's natural beauty.
AI Integration Enhances Personalized Travel Planning
Artificial intelligence is becoming a trusted travel companion for many tourists in China, with travelers able to quickly receive detailed AI-generated travel itineraries by inputting travel dates, budgets, interests, and specific requirements, according to En. McKinsey's research suggests generative AI could unlock between $2 trillion and $4 trillion in annual value across industries, according to Weforum.
In July 2023, enhanced AI travel assistant TripGenie was launched, providing more convenient, personalized and intuitive travel planning that creates a personalized, editable itinerary in under a minute, according to Weforum. In building an AI ecosystem for travelers, conversion rates have doubled, while TripGenie has increased order conversion rates and user retention rates, demonstrating the technology's practical impact on tourism planning.
Cultural Integration Drives Tourism Innovation
Tourist trains have become a new trend in the integration of culture and tourism in China, transforming ordinary journeys into memorable experiences through upgraded facilities, attentive service, and special activities, according to Globalpeople. The product design has shifted from sightseeing tourism toward leisure travel, with trains currently operating three different tourist routes across various provinces including Shanxi and Hainan.
Han Zhiwei, deputy general manager of Henan Zhongyuan Railway Tourism Group Co., Ltd., has overseen the development of these cultural tourism initiatives that emphasize comfort and accessibility. The trains feature emergency supplies and emergency doctors to handle unexpected situations, ensuring passenger safety while maintaining the immersive cultural experience.
Future of Immersive Rail Tourism
The success of these innovative tourism trains represents a scalable and replicable new cultural tourism model that has won continuous praise from inaugural passengers and attracted attention from authoritative media outlets like CCTV and People's Daily, according to Unilumin. This innovative approach aligns with China's commitment to advancing sustainable travel, particularly in the tourism sector, as the country continues to experience substantial growth in domestic and regional tourism.
As captured in a photo taken at Anjing Railway Station in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province on November 10, 2024, these panda-themed and culturally immersive trains demonstrate how traditional rail transportation is being transformed into comprehensive cultural experiences. The integration of advanced technology, sustainable power systems, and cultural programming positions China's tourist trains as a model for immersive travel experiences that could influence tourism development globally.