China’s 40-day Spring Festival travel season has concluded, with official data revealing a historic surge in cross-regional travel. According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, the total number of cross-regional passengers reached an all-time high, with railway passengers alone hitting 510 million, marking a 6.1% increase compared to the previous year.
As railway operations return to normal post-Spring Festival, attention is shifting to China’s rapidly expanding “silver hair tourism” market. A growing number of tourism projects tailored for elderly travelers are set to launch in the coming months.
Beijing Tushun International Travel Agency announced on Sunday that it will begin operating elderly tourism trains starting in March. The agency plans to run two trains on March 15 and March 18, each accommodating around 400 passengers. One train will head to southern provinces like Guangdong, while the other will travel to eastern China, taking advantage of the region’s warm weather and early spring scenery. The March 15 train has already been fully booked.
These trains are equipped with four-person sleeper cars and onboard medical staff to ensure the safety and comfort of elderly passengers. Last year, the agency operated over 100 such trains, and this number is expected to grow significantly by 2025.
The trend of elderly-friendly tourism is also gaining traction in cities like Shanghai and Hangzhou. On February 14, the first elderly tourism train of 2025 departed from Shanghai to the Yangtze River Delta region. The train offers a comfortable travel experience, featuring barrier-free facilities, medical support, and services such as tour guides, luggage assistance, and in-room dining.
Experts highlight that as China’s elderly population continues to grow, so will the demand for senior-friendly travel, bringing both economic and social benefits. Zhou Rong, a senior researcher at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China, noted that seniors aged 70 and above are expected to drive a significant portion of this demand.
The “silver tourism” market is transitioning from a niche sector to a mainstream one. Zhou emphasized that developing elderly tourism not only boosts consumption but also enhances the physical and mental well-being of older adults.
China has made notable strides in promoting elderly consumption, with “silver tourism” emerging as a key focus. On January 16, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and other government departments jointly released an action plan outlining 12 key tasks to expand the supply of elderly tourism trains, improve senior-friendly facilities, and create a more supportive environment for “silver tourism.”
The plan aims to establish a nationwide “silver tourism” train system by 2027, offering diverse routes, themes, and services to better meet the needs of elderly travelers and unlock new growth opportunities in the service sector.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s population aged 60 and above reached 310.31 million in 2024, accounting for 22% of the total population. Among them, those aged 65 and above numbered 220.23 million.
“China’s elderly population is large, and most are in good health, which presents immense potential for elderly tourism consumption,” Zhou said.
The silver economy is expanding rapidly. A report by China Radio and Television Group estimates that the scale of China’s silver economy will reach 7 trillion yuan ($965.3 billion) in 2024, accounting for approximately 6% of the country’s GDP. By 2035, this figure is projected to grow to 30 trillion yuan, representing 10% of GDP.
This growth underscores the increasing importance of catering to the needs of China’s aging population, with “silver tourism” poised to play a central role in the nation’s economic and social development.
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