Movie-themed train turns travels into cultural trips

When the Z174 train reached Shanghai Railway Station at 1:14 pm on Tuesday, the curtain came down on passenger Li Xin's enchanting 24-hour journey from Harbin in Heilongjiang province — much like a classic movie but without the scrolling credits at the end.

The train departed from Harbin West Railway Station on Monday, carrying Li and other passengers in movie-themed cars, where they watched films and learned about the art of filmmaking.

Launched by China Railway Harbin Group as its first movie-themed train, the service allows passengers to immerse themselves in a mobile movie museum and learn about Heilongjiang's history of film development.

Li, 43, runs a home textile business in Harbin. Since 2013, he has traveled regularly between Harbin and Shanghai for business.

"I prefer trains, which are stable, spacious and comfortable — ideal for long trips," he said. "Previously, I would pass the time by taking naps."

The latest trip was different. As soon as he boarded, he was struck by the vignettes from popular movies that adorned the aisles, window frames, luggage racks and walls. There were classic movie posters, vintage props, old projectors and clapperboards, all of which transported him back to the time when movies were synonymous with entertainment.

Zhang Yan, a publicity assistant in the railway's passenger service department, said that a movie-themed exhibition area has been created in one of the cars to showcase classic Heilongjiang movies and local artifacts.

The transformation of the entire train was done meticulously. "It's a mobile light and shadow space that integrates viewing with relaxing cultural experiences," Zhang said.

The train features multiple viewing options. For example, by scanning a QR code, a passenger can watch a film of choice for free on a smartphone. After dealing with his luggage, Li, the passenger, went straight to the on-demand system and selected several movies to watch.

The dining area has also been converted into a mobile viewing room equipped with a large screen and stereo sound effects, where scenes from movies play on a loop.

"We chose classic films that carry the memories of several generations," Zhang said, adding that interactive games such as movie quizzes are also on offer.

"The popular interactive movie dubbing experience invites passengers to get involved and brings strangers together," Zhang said.

Song Bowen, who works in the passenger service department, volunteered to assist passengers on the trip, imparting his knowledge of films.

"We help children experience film editing," he said. "My interpretation helps them understand the history of movies. In an era dominated by electronic devices, children show great interest in the old mechanics of filmmaking."

The train's conductor, Jia Fuquan, said he hopes that the train would be a vehicle for cultural education.

"With the arrival of the summer transportation peak, more tourists have been coming to Harbin," he said. "They can experience the development of Northeast China's movie culture and enjoy movies onboard."

Starting this year, the railway group has focused on creating a customized passenger service brand to reach out to niche segments. There are music fan trains, soccer fan trains and even trains themed around barbecue culture. During the Northeast Football City League tournament, the group launched several soccer fan trains.

During the journey, train staff conducted soccer quizzes that ended with winners being given exquisite customized gifts.

In mid-July, a train departed from Suifenhe Railway Station in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang, with the first group of 180 tourists bound for Vladivostok, Russia. It was the official trial of the China-Russia cross-border tourism train.

Chinese and Russian cultural interactions enhanced the experience for the tourists and enabled them to immerse themselves in the shared culture of the two countries.

Zhang Xuepeng and Sun Tao contributed to this story.

zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn