For many who have devoted years of hard work to their careers and families, retirement presents a much-anticipated new chapter in life, one that often involves considerable planning and investment.

Xu Hui, a Beijing resident in her early 50s, has already begun making plans for her retirement, which is three years away.

Her retirement journey will kick off aboard the Silk Road Tourist Train, along a scenic route that follows the ancient Silk Road and showcases renowned attractions such as the Ta'er Monastery, a Tibetan Buddhist site in Qinghai Province, and the Mogao Caves, a world-famous collection of Buddhist cave grottoes and mural art dating from the fourth to the 14th centuries in Gansu Province.

"When I was younger, I always dreamed of exploring the ancient Silk Road routes on my own, but I was often sidetracked by other priorities—my children's exams, my partner's illness, career opportunities and so on. Now, I'm determined to hit the road as soon as possible when I retire, to embrace this opportunity and avoid the inconveniences and challenges that come with aging," Xu told Beijing Review.

To her delight, China's railway operators plan to up the number of the country's so-called "silver-haired tourist trains" (or "silver trains"), which, designed specifically to meet the needs of elderly travelers, are in pilot operation and will be promoted nationwide in the near future. Xu said that if these trains can make travel more convenient for seniors, she is eager to expand her travel plans.

"I often experience pain in my knees and ankles, especially during long journeys. If the train really is elderly-friendly, I will definitely add Yunnan and Hainan provinces to my wish list," she added.

Right on track

On February 11, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced a plan to introduce more silver trains aimed at providing quality services for seniors.

"In recent years, the tourist train market has seen substantial growth, with the share of consumption

from 'silver-haired' tourists increasing steadily," Kong Dejun, head of the Department of Trade in Services and Commercial Services of MOFCOM, said during a press conference on the same day.

"The expanding aging population considerably impacts socio-economic development, requiring immediate action. The elderly consumer group is growing and by increasing the number of silver trains, we can fine-tune tourism service offerings, enhance the wellbeing of seniors and stimulate consumption in the service industry," Kong added.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, as of late 2024, people aged 60 and above in China accounted for 22 percent of the country's total population, while those aged 65 and above accounted for 15.6 percent. These data indicate that China has a rapidly aging population, a trend that has both social and economic implications for the country.

Statistics from China State Railway Group Co. Ltd. (China Railway) show that tourist trains, or specialized train services designed to cater to the travel needs of tourists, have been gaining popularity among elderly customers.

In 2024, the company operated 1,860 tourist trains, a nearly 50-percent increase compared to 2019 and a record high in China's tourism railway history. These trains primarily operated on popular tourist routes, traversing Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the northwest, Yunnan Province in the southwest, and Heilongjiang Province in the northeast. Over 1 million passengers traveled on these trains, with elderly tourists representing nearly 80 percent of the total.

"Nowadays, most young and middle-aged people in China choose to travel on weekends and in holidays. But senior customers, having more flexible

schedules, can travel at any time. The future development of silver trains will not only stimulate market demand but also help alleviate traffic pressure during peak travel times. We plan to implement a more flexible and differentiated pricing strategy for silver trains, which will include bigger discounts during the off-peak travel season. This will encourage more senior travelers to journey during the off-peak travel season, making it very economical for them," Zhu Wenzhong, Deputy Director of the Customer Service Department of China Railway, said at the press conference.

"Over the past few years, we have launched many successful tourist trains, including the Panda Express, a tourist train connecting several panda tourist attractions in southwest China, the Hulun Buir Express, a grassland-themed train running across Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and the Silk Road Tourist Train. However, the overall tourist train market in our country is still in the developmental stage," Kong said.

"The expansion of the elderly population, combined with the rising demand for cultural and tourism consumption, presents tremendous potential for the development of the silver train market. Building upon our existing successful tourist trains to introduce products that address the needs of senior tourists is a fundamental step," Kong added.

Targeted services

The main difference between tourist trains and regular trains is that the former are specifically tailored to accommodate the travel itineraries of tourist groups. They offer flexibility in route planning, direct connections between multiple destinations and opportunities for sightseeing while in transit. Tourist trains are designed to follow the passengers' schedules, allowing travelers to explore during the day and rest comfortably at night.

What sets silver trains apart from other tourist trains, as highlighted at the press conference, is their focus on providing facilities, staff, and services specifically designed to address the needs of senior customers during long trips.

"The silver trains will be equipped with commonly used medications for elderly passengers, along with on-board medical personnel to provide consultations and assistance. Essential equipment and facilities, such as handrails, oxygen tanks, first-aid kits and emergency call buttons, will be installed in a few months," Zhu said. "We will also upgrade the lighting, seating, restrooms and other amenities on the silver trains to accommodate the physical needs and lifestyle habits of elderly passengers."

Xu believes that these improvements will make long trips more manageable for her.

"I find the current lighting on trains at night to be insufficient for people like myself. Moreover, I would feel much more at ease if the trains were equipped with additional medical facilities," she said.

"We plan to design over 100 signature rail routes for silver tourism and develop 160 dedicated elderly-friendly carriages by 2027, and there will be more than 2,500 silver trains in operation by that time. Furthermore, we will introduce a specialized silver train for each province to expand tourism resources across different regions," Zhu added.

In addition to upgrading train facilities, China Railway is working with the related government departments to enrich the travel experience outside of the train for elderly customers.

"We will collaborate with local tourism departments to develop more travel routes that are suitable for elderly groups, thereby lifting the appeal of silver trains," Man Hongwei, head of the Resource Development Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said at the press conference.

"Meanwhile, in addition to implementing basic preferential policies for elderly groups, tourist attractions across the country will be encouraged to introduce more supporting measures specifically for silver trains. This includes offering discounted ticket packages for rail rides and tourist attractions. Support will also be provided to tourist attractions to ensure that elderly tourists have access to convenient services, such as park entry and transportation connections," Man said.

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon

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