"This is the first time I've encountered so many people my age on a train!" said Fan Qinghua as she looked around the waiting area at Lanzhou Railway Station in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province.

The 60-year-old retiree from Lanzhou chose to travel on the Y692 tourist train tailored for the elderly, known as a "silver train," with her friends during the peak summer travel season.

Launched by China Railway Lanzhou Group Co., Ltd. (CR Lanzhou) and Pingliang city in Gansu Province, the train carried nearly 200 elderly passengers to scenic spots including Kongtong Mountain for a wellness-focused journey.

Since 2018, CR Lanzhou has collaborated with multiple cities and enterprises across Gansu Province to jointly launch tourist trains featuring tours around western China, including "silver trains" on routes themed around the Silk Road and Kongtong Mountain, better catering to the silver-haired demographic.

Lei Jie, a dedicated tourism steward assigned by CR Lanzhou, has been providing services on "silver trains" since 2019. "We plan routes and itineraries centered on the needs of elderly passengers," he said.

Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Wenwen

Editor Ⅱ: Bao Gang

Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong