The inaugural train of the Southern Express - Baiyun tourist service arrives at Zhangjiajie West Station in Hunan province on Aug 26. [Photo by Xiang Jianrui and Tuo Haixia/For chinadaily.com.cn]
The inaugural train of a new tourist service from Guangzhou, Guangdong province, arrived at Zhangjiajie West Station in Hunan province on Wednesday morning, establishing a direct rail link between the southern metropolis and the popular scenic destination.
The train departed from Guangzhou Baiyun Station on Tuesday. Jointly launched by Hunan Culture, Sports, and Tourism Industry Group, Guangzhou Baiyun Industrial Investment Group, and China Railway Guangzhou Group, the service aims to boost tourism between the two regions.
The inaugural train of the Southern Express - Baiyun tourist service arrives at Zhangjiajie West Station in Hunan province on Aug 26. [Photo by Xiang Jianrui and Tuo Haixia/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Upon arrival in Zhangjiajie, passengers from China and abroad were greeted at the station by a traditional drum dance performance of the local Tujia ethnic group. Among the passengers were travel industry representatives from Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
The train is themed around the history of Chinese scholars, featuring design elements inspired by Hunan's cultural heritage. Its exterior showcases imagery of Zhangjiajie's landscapes.
The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is among Hunan's most popular destinations for inbound tourists. [Photo by Liu Ying/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Following the trial period, the train will operate on a regular basis, providing a dedicated route for international visitors traveling from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, according to Liu Shengbo, general manager of Hunan Huatian International Travel Service.
Liu Shaoweng, chairman of a Thai travel agency and a passenger on the inaugural journey, praised the train's elegant design and comfortable travel experience. "High-end travel is not about rushing from place to place, but about slowing down and immersing yourself in the scenery," he remarked. This new train service meets the needs of high-end inbound tourists, he said.
The journey offered him firsthand experience of Zhangjiajie's natural beauty and tourism services, he added, reinforcing his confidence in the destination's appeal to Thai travelers.
