(Yicai) May 21 -- China State Railway Group has teamed up with domestic online travel agencies to launch specialized “silver-hair” tourist trains, aiming to capitalize on the growing market potential presented by the country’s rapidly aging population.

One such train carrying 555 senior citizens recently departed from Harbin, the capital of China’s northernmost Heilongjiang province, on a 15-day tour covering thousands of kilometres and defined for the southwestern regions of Guizhou province, Chongqing, and Sichuan province.

These trains cater to long-distance journeys of thousands of kilometres and shorter trips of less than 200 km. Passengers can take in scenic and historical sites along the routes while accessing tailored services provided by the travel companies.

Another train with nearly 100 seniors on board also set off recently from Shanghai for the nearby city of Zhenjiang on a three-day wellness-focused excursion.

These “silver-hair” tourist trains offer special services tailored to elderly passengers, such as modified car layouts, health-conscious meal options, and onboard medical services, insiders told Yicai.

Trains are increasingly becoming the transport mode of choice for senior citizens seeking leisure and wellness experiences, according to Tang Hongyan, head of senior travel services at Shanghai Zhongxing International Travel Agency.

“Our company develops mid-to-long-distance and even outbound travel products for the elderly mainly using trains as the main means of transport,” she pointed out. “Train travel is expected to become a major business opportunity in the future.”

Some 1,860 tour trains operated in China last year, up 50 percent from the pre-pandemic level in 2019, serving more than 1 million passengers, according to a China Central Television report. Nearly 80 percent of them were seniors, highlighting the vast market potential.

Editor: Martin Kadiev