NANNING, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- With China's silver economy pivoting from basic care to premium experiences, many seniors are boarding a new train adventure via age-friendly carriages rolling out of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

In the Liuzhou rolling-stock plant of China Railway Nanning Group Co., Ltd., workers run final power tests on newly retrofitted train carriages that will soon glide across the region and serve as mobile resorts for seniors. Walnut-panelled walls and soft lighting have replaced the usual sterile décor, creating a lounge-like calm before the rail adventure begins.

Engineer Su Naijie ticks off the upgrades -- every bunk now boasts its own reading lamp and socket, upper-bed ladders are wider and guardrails are longer, while toilets at both ends of the carriage offer squat and seated options, each fitted with grab bars, emergency call buttons and flashing alarms. The goal is simple, namely comfort and safety without sacrificing the dignity of the silver-haired passengers.

This makeover is part of a nationwide push. Following a joint action plan to expand and improve senior-friendly tourism train services, issued by Chinese government agencies and state-owned enterprises earlier this year, local rail authorities across China have begun fitting carriages with age-friendly tweaks and launching itineraries that combine flexible routing, on-board medical staff and leisurely sightseeing.

On the Sunset Harmony express, 70-year-old Huang Zeqiu and some 600 fellow seniors get to spend 16 days visiting multiple provincial regions, ranging from Heilongjiang's birch forests in northeast China to Inner Mongolia's grasslands located in north China -- doing so without having to unpack a suitcase. Stations greet these seniors with green channels, dedicated waiting zones and one-stop boarding services.

Passenger Zhu Fengqing praised the convenience: "The big luggage stays on the train, medical staff are on call and the pace is perfectly relaxed."

"The train stops during the day, giving our passengers plenty of time to sightsee. In the evening, passengers return to the train, which then heads to the next stop," said train conductor Zhang Li. Such train schedules are designed to save daylight for excursions while reducing transit fatigue.

The carriage is also fully equipped with items such as reading glasses, sewing kits and first-aid boxes, Zhang added.

Meals on the train follow a light, balanced formula: steamed or slow-cooked dishes, stir-fries and whole-grain staples, all prepared by staff who shop at each stop for fresh ingredients.

Meanwhile, entertainment moves down the aisle. On a route from Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, to Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, staff in ethnic dress performed dances, while senior passengers responded with melodies using various musical instruments they had brought along.

Passenger Zhang Guiying's surprise hulusi solo earned a standing ovation. "The array of activities on the train was nothing short of spectacular, sparking lively interactions among passengers. The activities enriched our time onboard, making every moment count," said the 68-year-old.

By the end of 2024, China's population aged 60 and above had reached more than 310 million, accounting for 22 percent of the total. It is estimated that the scale of China's silver economy, which refers to economic activities related to the country's large elderly population, is currently around 7 trillion yuan (about 1 trillion U.S. dollars) -- and is expected to hit 49.9 trillion yuan by 2050.

In recent years, China's silver-haired population has gradually become the main force in terms of off-peak and low-season travel.

Last year alone, China operated 1,860 tourist trains carrying more than 1 million passengers. By 2027, the country's railway authorities plan to have designed over 100 specialized train travel routes for senior passengers. ■