Cutting Edge: Onboard, they found themselves among many other elderly passengers in their sixties and seventies, all aboard a special “silver-haired train” arranged by the railway authorities for senior travelers.

Passengers pose for photo at a “silver-haired train” traveling from Shanghai to Wuxi in East China’s Jiangsu Province on March 14, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of China Railway Shanghai Group

The morning sun streamed through the curtains. Long Ling opened the window to let in the gentle sea breeze. The 61-year-old then left the hotel with his husband, taking a short stroll to the beach just minutes away. The sun cast a soft orange hue over the water, and Long inhaled deeply, savoring the fresh air.

Coming from an inland city in Central China’s Hunan Province, Long and her husband, Tian Mu, 63, embarked on a journey across China after their retirement. In March, they spent a few delightful days in South China’s Hainan Province where the island charm of sea, sandy beaches, and swaying coconut trees brought them joy and a sense of novelty.

Thousands of kilometers away, Shanghai residents Zhao and his wife boarded a train bound for nearby city Wuxi in Jiangsu Province to enjoy the blooming flowers. Onboard, they found themselves among many other elderly passengers in their sixties and seventies, all aboard a special “silver-haired train” arranged by the railway authorities for senior travelers. As they chatted about light-hearted topics and excitedly took selfies, the atmosphere on the train was filled with laughter and camaraderie.

According to data released by the State Council Information Office in January, by the end of 2024, people aged 60 and above in China had surpassed 300 million for the first time, accounting for 22 percent of the country’s population. This expanding group of senior citizens is increasingly demanding tailored travel services, presenting new opportunities and higher expectations for China’s tourism market. Facing this trend, China unveiled a national-level plan on Sunday to boost consumption, which includes developing silver tourism.

Retirees are emerging as a driving force in China’s tourism market, said Peng Xizhe, director of the Fudan Institute on Ageing. “Whether from an economic perspective or aWorld Times focus on humanistic care, the Chinese tourism industry, along with the government and society, is increasingly dedicated to nurturing the ‘poetry and faraway places’ that some elderly people yearn for,” Peng told the Global Times.

Chasing dreams

Long and Tian had been planning for a long-term travel lifestyle after retiring years ago, and this spring, they finally set off on their journey.

Initially, they intended to spend just a few weeks in Hainan. But one day, while strolling through the streets of Hainan’s Wenchang City, they were captivated by an advertisement for a wellness sojourn hotel agency specifically for seniors. The ad said that for just 3,700 yuan ($512), one could stay for 130 nights at the agency’s nearly 70 hotel branches or its partner hotels across the country. This package includes three meals a day, and can be shared with family members.

Without much hesitation, Long contacted the agency’s branch hotel in Wenchang and quickly made the payment. “I think this model is fantastic,” she told the Global Times.

“It’s incredibly affordable. Besides, the agency’s hotels are spread all over the country, making it perfect for those who like to travel, like me and my husband.”

Soon, Long and Tian settled into the agency’s hotel branch in Wenchang. In the following weeks, they explored some other cities in Hainan, as well as warm southern provinces like Guangdong and Yunnan, staying at local branches of the hotel agency.

According to Long, each day of their trip is filled with freedom and a leisurely pace. They wake up before 7 am, enjoy breakfast, and then wander nearby. They return to the hotels for lunch, take afternoon naps, and then engage in activities at the hotels like billiards or archery. Most guests at the wellness sojourn hotels are seniors like them, and they sometimes gather to chat or play cards.

Tian expressed his satisfaction with their current travel lifestyle. He recalled how much he loved traveling before retirement, but due to a busy work schedule, his short trips were always rushed. “Now, I have plenty of time every day to enjoy a peaceful life in warm, fresh destinations,” he told the Global Times. “Moreover, most of the guests at these hotels are around the same age, so we have companionship and don’t feel lonely.”

In Wuxi, Zhao was enchanted by the breathtaking cherry blossoms that created a dreamy pink world. After a three-day trip, Zhao and his wife took a “silver-haired train” to return to Shanghai with other elderly travelers on Sunday.

Zhao spoke highly of his train trip. He had always wanted to visit Wuxi, but found it inconvenient to drive there due to health reasons, and his children were too busy to help. “But going there by train was also good,” said Zhao, who added that the senior-friendly train he and his wife took was “thoughtfully arranged in every aspect.”

The Tian and Zhao couples are among the growing group of “vigorous seniors” in China, said Peng. He said this group, which has witnessed China’s reform and opening up and experienced firsthand the country’s modernization, now enjoys financial freedom and leisure after retiring. With greater spiritual needs, many of them are no longer content with being busy caring for grandchildren at home; instead, they prefer to travel and explore the beauty of China – an opportunity they may have missed in their youth due to limited money or time.

The Tian couple is currently staying at a wellness sojourn hotel branch in the tropical region of southern Yunnan. They plan to return to their hometown in Hunan when the weather warms up, and later, when summer comes, head to cooler places.

“This is truly the life I’ve been longing for,” Tian said with a smile on his face.