The G1069 high-speed "Kite Special" train departed from Beijing South Railway Station on April 13, marking the official start of the railway transport season for the 43rd Weifang International Kite Festival.

Passengers are treated to an immersive experience before they even reach their destination. The train features a specially curated "Kite Culture" carriage, decorated with vibrant banners and traditional handcrafted kites. To build excitement, the journey includes interactive quizzes with prizes and the distribution of custom Weifang-themed souvenirs, offering travelers a festive preview of the celebrations ahead.

Station personnel welcome passengers to the dedicated Weifang kite-themed train. [Photo/Shandian News]

In a first-of-its-kind initiative to boost regional tourism, the Jinan Railway Bureau has introduced significant fare and attraction discounts. Between April 13 and 19, passengers on the special train can use their tickets to secure a 40 percent discount on admission to 36 major attractions across Weifang.

This promotion extends from April 18 to 27 for travelers on several other key routes (including the D6034, D6088, G5536, and D818 trains) connecting Weifang with Jinan and Qingdao, making the festival more accessible than ever.

To manage the seasonal surge, stations along the route have implemented enhanced safety and service protocols. Operations are supported by optimized passenger flow plans and additional guidance staff, while volunteer desks provide multilingual consultations and travel assistance.

The train carriage is adorned with Weifang's signature kites. [Photo/Shandian News]

To bridge the gap between the station and the festival, railway authorities have partnered with local transport departments to operate direct shuttle buses, whisking passengers from Weifang's railway stations straight to the kite-flying grounds.