China aims to encourage more travel and spending among its elderly by introducing a new fleet of 'silver trains.'

China is set to launch a fleet of special “silver trains” aimed at improving the travel experience for the country’s growing elderly population. These trains, designed to prioritize comfort and safety, are part of the government's broader strategy to encourage older citizens to travel more, thus stimulating spending and addressing the challenges of an ageing population, a demographic decline, and a sluggish economy.

The new trains will feature several enhancements tailored to elderly travelers, including more comfortable berths, handrails, oxygen bottles, and emergency call buttons, as reported by the state-run Global Times. To ensure further assistance, each train will be staffed with carers and professional medical personnel who can provide basic treatments and emergency medications.

The initiative, which is set to roll out a nationwide network of these specialized “silver trains” by 2027, was announced on Tuesday by China’s commerce and tourism ministry, alongside other government departments. The new service is expected to integrate seamlessly with China’s vast rail network, which already serves over four billion passengers annually. By comparison, the United States’ Amtrak, which operates the largest rail network in North America, carried just 32.8 million passengers last year.

As part of this initiative, China is encouraging popular tourist destinations to upgrade their facilities to better accommodate elderly visitors. The government has also invited catering brands and performing groups to propose services tailored to this demographic for the new trains.

The introduction of “silver trains” comes at a time when China is experiencing a demographic shift. Traditionally, Chinese workers retire early—at age 60 for men and as early as 50 for women. However, last year, the government announced plans to extend these retirement ages. According to Zhang Lingyun, a professor and executive editor-in-chief of Tourism Tribune, the elderly population, particularly retirees, are in a unique position to travel, as they have both the time and financial resources to do so.

These trains are part of China’s ongoing efforts to stimulate consumer spending, especially in the face of economic difficulties faced by younger generations, who are dealing with job insecurity and an ongoing property market slump. With the elderly population continuing to grow—those aged 60 and above accounted for 22% of the total population last year—China is increasingly turning to this group as a potential economic engine.

In line with this, China already has a significant network of tourist trains, with 1,860 operating nationwide. These trains primarily serve middle-aged and elderly travelers, who make up approximately 80% of the ticket sales.

Several rail companies have already begun targeting elderly passengers with specially tailored services. For example, a recent five-day sightseeing trip departing from Chengdu in southwestern China featured performances of traditional Chinese folk songs and the famous bian lian (face-changing) opera. The train was equipped with amenities such as a karaoke lounge, chess room, and reading areas, making it a more comfortable and engaging experience for elderly travelers.

As passenger Li Guangfu told CCTV, “Compared with other trains, this train is much more advanced in every aspect. It comes with stewards, medical staff, and dining cars. It has everything.” The success of these pilot programs highlights the growing demand for services aimed at older travelers and indicates the potential for the “silver trains” to become a significant part of China’s tourism and transportation landscape in the years to come.