The train No. 5609/5610, a green train running between urban Chongqing and Xiushan County in the southeast of Chongqing Municipality, has recently gone viral online, as it transformed one of its carriages into a public study room.
Green trains are still used for shorter distance rail travel in some regions, offering passengers a gentle ride and often a dose of nostalgia. A long, homewardbound journey on a green train is a much cherished memory for many Chinese people. Yet all the noise and bustle in crowded passenger carriages make these slow trains one of the least desirable environments.
The recently opened study room provides students preparing for exams and people working remotely with not only a venue equipped with desks and chairs, but also the calming atmosphere and ambiance of a library.
On train No. Z150, which runs from Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province, a dining car has been transformed into a book bar, where passengers can borrow books and participate in literary events. Housing these study rooms, the iconic green train is no longer a dated means of transportation, but a modern space with welcoming features.