Hotel-like tourist train gearing up for April launch

A new customized tourist train featuring hotel-like services rolled off the production line on Friday in Qingdao, Shandong province, ahead of its planned launch in mid-April.

Developed by CRRC Sifang and China Railway Zhengzhou Group in Henan province, the train is themed around the Yellow River and will connect scenic destinations in Henan, including Luoyang, Anyang and Sanmenxia.

"The upgraded train adopts the style design of electric multiple units and provides hotel-like accommodations in terms of infrastructure, cabin layout, sanitation facilities and special accessibility," said Zhan Weipeng, a technical expert at CRRC Sifang.

The train is managed with hotel-style service standards and offers gourmet meals by renowned chefs, interactive cultural activities and a multifunctional car with a tea lounge, game room and karaoke zone, Zhan said.

Designed for comfort, particularly for elderly passengers, the train includes safety features such as fluorescent handrails, anti-slip flooring and stepladders. A dedicated medical area is equipped with emergency supplies and senior care items.

The train consists of 14 soft sleeper cars with double, triple and quadruple bed compartments, a dining car, a multifunctional car and a personnel car. Each compartment has an independent dry-wet-separation bathroom with a temperature-regulated toilet, anti-pinch door handles and an SOS emergency call system.

"In the double-bed compartments, the two single beds can be reconfigured as twin or king-size options, while quadruple-bed compartments feature privacy curtains. Triple and double-bed compartments both include multifunctional storage and minibars," Zhan said.

Advanced soundproofing ensures privacy, while double-decker windows maximize natural light, he said.

The train's exterior features wavelike patterns flowing dynamically along its body, inspired by ancient painted pottery techniques. The design captures the surging waves of the Yellow River, which flows through nine provinces and regions, including Henan and Shandong.

Inside, the train's decor incorporates cultural elements from Henan's heritage, creating a mobile exhibition of the province's history. Signs blending Chinese characters with modern visual elements provide intuitive guidance for passengers, offering a fresh cultural and tourism experience.

The launch of the customized train underscores the railway sector's role in driving regional economic and tourism growth.

"With elevated service standards, the train is expected to boost the integration of railway and tourism, injecting new vitality into the industries," China Railway Zhengzhou Group said in a statement.