Passengers can choose between performances of traditional Chinese music or Jazz in two of the carriages, while another has an interactive VR experience area, which is popular with younger passengers.

"Around 60 percent of the passengers are over 50, so there is a chief physician from the traditional Chinese medicine department at the Heilongjiang Geriatrics Hospital onboard to offer consultation and treatment," Wang said.

"We have developed another two routes in the central and western parts of Heilongjiang to attract more tourists," he continued. "We also hope the train will attract more investors to Yichun and generate new momentum for tourism in the Lesser Hinggan Mountains region."

According to the China Railway Harbin Group, 110 long-distance dedicated sightseeing trains have traveled to Heilongjiang from all over the country since the beginning of this year, and 76 short- and medium-distance dedicated sightseeing trains have been introduced in the province itself. Between them, the trains have welcomed about 100,000 tourists over the course of the year, a record for Heilongjiang.

zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn