China on Friday launched its first cross-province and cross-sea tourist train, linking the southwest Qinghai-Xizang Plateau with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Hainan ahead of the 2026 Spring Festival travel season.
During the 14-day journey, the train will take tourists on a route combining rail, road, and sea, allowing them to explore iconic attractions in cities such as Changsha in central China, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macao, Zhuhai, and Haikou in south China.
Passengers will be provided considered services including seamless transfer and luggage carrying throughout the entire journey. More than 70 percent of the passengers are seniors, averaging 65 years old; the oldest tourist is 81.
This train was one of the special trains launched for the upcoming 2026 Spring Festival holiday to meet consumers' different need for tourism.
China launches first tourist train connecting Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, Greater Bay Area, Hainan
The China Media Group (CMG) held the first rehearsal for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala on Saturday, fine-tuning the highly anticipated TV event amid the festive atmosphere of the traditional Chinese New Year.
The rehearsal seamlessly integrated innovative technologies with vibrant stage visuals, offering a first glimpse of the gala's overall impact under the theme "Galloping Steed, Onward Unstoppable.”
Inspired by traditional Chinese culture, the Year of the Horse gala incorporates zodiac themes that symbolize perseverance and progress. The production merges art and technology, using AI, AR, and XR to create immersive, blended-reality visuals. Horse-themed artistic installations shape a dynamic stage, while original songs and opera pieces convey the spirited ethos of the zodiac year.
Robots, which made their debut in last year's gala, will once again take the stage at the Spring Festival Gala, showcasing the country's technological advancements.
Known as "Chunwan" in Chinese, the gala has been broadcast live annually since 1983 and is regarded as a major cultural symbol for the Chinese New Year celebrations in China. This year's gala will air on Feb 16, the eve of the Chinese New Year.
The gala has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the most-watched annual television program worldwide. Just over a year ago, the Spring Festival itself was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
CMG holds first rehearsal for 2026 Spring Festival Gala
