Elderly at and above 60 years old are become a pillar of China's tourism, driving its surge in the first half (H1) of 2025.
According to travel booking platform Qunar.com, destinations like Sanya in the south, Harbin in the northeast, and Urumqi in the northwest ranked among the top options for these silver-haired travelers in H1, with hotel bookings by this age group rising 37 percent during the May Day holiday.
In addition, 75 new "silver-haired trains" were launched in H1, catering to the growing demand for elderly-friendly travel options. To date, China has cumulatively launched over 360 such trains.
The boom also extends to the water. The Ministry of Transport introduced 36 domestic "golden waterway tourism routes" in late June. Located across 23 provincial level regions, these routes link urban landscapes, natural scenery, and cultural attractions, offering a comfortable all-in-one trip for seniors.
Adding to the evolving travel needs of seniors, the National Bureau of Statistics reports that per capita spending on education, culture, and entertainment reached 1,499 yuan (about 209 U.S. dollars) in H1, up 11.8 percent year on year.
China's silver tourism booms in H1
The Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway, the first electrified railway in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, has transported more than 6.25 million passengers and over 2 million tonnes of cargo since it began operation five years ago, according to the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.
Stretching 435.48 kilometers, the railway was designed for speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour. More than 90 percent of the line lies at elevations above 3,000 meters, and it crosses the Yarlung Zangbo River 16 times. Bridges and tunnels account for about 75 percent of the route.
The railway opened on June 25, 2021, ending the absence of rail service in southeastern Xizang and bringing Fuxing high-speed trains to the plateau.
Over the past five years, monthly passenger trips on the railway increased from about 59,000 in its early days of operation to a record 153,800. Travel time from Lhasa to Shannan and Nyingchi has been reduced to as little as 1 hour and 2 minutes, and 3 hours and 49 minutes, respectively.
The freight-carrying capacity of trains operating on the line has risen from 902 tonnes in 2021 to 1,415 tonnes in 2026. Average daily cargo volume this year has increased 35.7-fold compared with the level recorded in 2021.
The railway has generated strong economic benefits, helping form a three-hour economic circle linking cities including Lhasa and Nyingchi, facilitating the flow of people, goods, capital and information, and promoting regional industrial development and sustainable economic growth.
Over the past five years, the average annual GDP growth rates of Nyingchi and Shannan have remained above 8 percent and 5.8 percent, respectively, both exceeding the national average.
Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway carries over 6.25 mln passengers in last five years
