For travelers seeking an epic journey through the heart of China, a new train route now connects the Yellow River's eastern delta to the high-altitude plateaus of Qinghai province – blending desert dunes, emerald lakes, and thousands of years of Silk Road heritage.

The Shandong–Qinghai tourism train made its maiden journey on Aug 19 from Dongying Railway Station in Shandong province. The route features Yellow River culture and links a rich array of attractions – from desert landscapes and plateau lakes to Silk Road sites and ancient Zhou, Qin, Han (c.11 century–221 AD), and Tang (618–907) dynasty cultural landmarks. It also incorporates Shandong's intangible cultural heritage (ICH), allowing passengers to experience the province's unique charm during the journey.

Liu Shaohua, deputy director of the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, said the train serves as a key part of efforts to implement the national strategy for paired assistance and to deepen cultural and tourism cooperation between Shandong and Qinghai.

The launch is part of Shandong's broader efforts to promote integrated transport and tourism development. Following the Qilu No 1 tourist train, the province has launched a series of themed trains covering cultural heritage, study tours, and ICH experiences, building a "1+N" train brand system.

Travelers attending the first departure ceremony of the themed tourism train start their trip at Dongying Train Station in Shandong province. [Photo/WeChat account: sdswhltwx]

The trip features various performances in the carriages. [Photo/WeChat account: sdswhltwx]