Sichuan's "Panda Express" tourist train combines a train with a cruise, offering seniors a cross-border journey from Sichuan province's Chengdu to Shandong province's Yantai, then onwards to Incheon and Seoul in South Korea.

Over 100 similar senior-focused trains will be launched this year in China, catering to the travel demands of seniors. The initiative aims to not only enrich the lives of seniors but also boost the tourism economy.

Shandong will introduce the "Friendly Shandong"-themed tourism train this year, providing similar services. In the past year, the province has been harnessing train travel to boost tourism, offering experiences such as night tours of Taierzhuang, the Heze Peony Festival, and the Weifang Kite Festival special train.

This year, Shandong plans to develop premium tourism trains, enhance existing special lines, and create thematic routes focusing on cultural tours, heritage tours, red history tours, rural excursions, leisure vacations, and health tourism for seniors.

Additionally, various regions and scenic spots have introduced preferential policies for seniors, such as half-price or free tickets for those above 60. These discounts will also be reflected in the prices of tourist train products, ensuring that elderly travelers can enjoy affordable travel services.

The "Panda express" takes seniors from Chengdu to Yantai, then onwards to South Korea. [Photo/Dazhong News]

The "Friendly Shandong"-themed tourism train opens this year, offering a better travel experience for seniors and visitors. [Photo/Dazhong News]