At 9:04 a.m. on November 1, with the crisp whistle, the “Special Xiongmao (Panda in English) Train· Anyi” Y455, adorned in red and blue with distinctive panda motifs, slowly pulled into Huaihua Station. This specially designed cultural tourism train, drawing inspiration from the Panda (China’s national treasure), made its inaugural arrival in Huaihua, bringing fresh vitality of tourism to Huaihua, a hub for transportation connecting Hunan, Guizhou, and Guangxi.
At the exit of Huaihua Railway Station and on the square, young men and women dressed in traditional costumes instantly lit up the ambience with their lively dancing and enthusiastic singing, sparking the interest of the 238 tourists getting off the train. “It’s my first time in Huaihua, and I didn’t expect such warm hospitality. It makes me really look forward to the rest of my trip,” said one traveler who was immediately captivated by the simple yet grand welcome upon arriving.
The tourists immediately set off for Zhijiang, renowned as the “International City of Peace”. At the Memorial Hall of the Victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the Acceptance of Japan’s Surrender, they were first shocked by the 11.52-meter-high blue-stone archway, which is shaped like the Chinese character “血（“blood” in English）”, facing the east like a sharp sword piercing the sky. It is a historical witness of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. As they stepped into the original surrender site and entered the surrender hall, dappled light filtered through the diamond-patterned window lattices, creating an ambiance as if the time had flowed backward to that triumphant moment.
The 61 newly unveiled historical photos from the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression exhibited at the Chinese People’s Victory Memorial Hall of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression instantly captivated the visitors, who observed them holding their breath in rapt attention. In the solemn ambience of the hall, they listened intently to the docent’s explanations about the ferocity of the Battle of Xiangxi (western part of Hunan) and the heroic efforts of Zhijiang citizens in supporting the war. Each visitor stood in silent reverence, undergoing what felt like a profound baptism of history.
“We must never forget history, and we must cherish peace even more,” said Aunt Li (a tourist) during an interview. “The trip here by “Special Xiongmao Train” is not just a trip, but a vivid lesson in patriotism.”
Strolling across the Longjin Wind-Rain Bridge, renowned as the “foremost wind-rain bridge in the Dong homeland”, the tourists marveled at the exquisite craftsmanship of this 400-year-old architecture. Along the corridor, shops on both sides offered a dazzling variety of handicrafts and local snacks. The calls of Dong ethnic young women vendors blended with the laughter of tourists, vividly displaying the local vibrant life.
Upon entering the Anjiang Agricultural School Hybrid Rice Memorial Park, the tourists were greeted by lush greenery lining both sides of the path. The fresh scent from plants and trees blends with the aroma of local delicacies, as specialties like Anjiang pomelos and Tuokou ginger are neatly displayed at stalls. The staff members offered samples to these tourists, who tasted the offerings with murmured approval. Many of the tourists paused to browse and made selections, eager to bring the authentic “Taste of Hongjiang” back home.
The tourists visited the “Baofan(viz. being well-fed with rice) Stele”, Yuan Longping’s Former Residence and the Family Style and Education Memorial Hall in sequence. Guided by the docents, they carefully looked at the yellowish written materials, historical photos and old relic displays, pausing from time to time to exchange their insights. “It’s so inspiring to see the place where Academician Yuan once worked,” Uncle Wang remarked emotionally, echoing the sentiments of the group. “We came to Huaihua just for its historical and cultural heritage. With better accessible transport, cultural trips have become much more available.”
Reportedly, the “Special Xiongmao Train” is a panda-themed train for tourists jointly launched by State Railway Group and cultural tourism departments from multiple regions. Designed around the “panda” theme, its exterior and interior decorations, along with various details, comprehensively showcase regional cultural characteristics through diverse forms. The compartments are equipped with eco-friendly materials and intelligent service systems, featuring panoramic sunroofs, cultural display screens, and leisure interaction areas. The exterior is artistically painted with the adorable image of pandas. This train connects multiple key cultural tourism destinations in southwestern and central China, aiming to promote high-quality development of regional cultural tourism economies through an integrated model of “transportation + tourism + culture”.
“ ‘Special Xiongmao Train’ is a top and unique tourist train in China. Its arrival is not only a great recognition for unique tourism resources in Huaihua, but also a strong boost to the whole tourism market within Hunan,” introduced the general manager of Hunan Overseas Travel Huaihua Co., Ltd. He added that the combination of Huaihua’s cultural heritage, rich local customs, and warm hospitality with the comfort, luxury, and unique experiences of the “Special Xiongmao Train” will undoubtedly create an unforgettable tour featuring “Beautiful Xiangjiang · Mysterious Western Hunan” for every traveler. This will leave every visitor with a lasting love for Huaihua, fond memories of Huaihua, and a desire to become both an advocate and a regular for Huaihua tourism.
The head of the Promotion Section of Huaihua Municipal Bureau of Culture, Tourism, Radio, and Sports stated that they will seize this cooperation as an opportunity to enhance collaboration with tourist cities and cultural tourism enterprises in the Sichuan-Chongqing region. This effort aims to deeply integrate cultural tourism IPs with local resources, strengthen cross-regional marketing initiatives, and jointly establish promotion alliances and share tourist source markets, thereby achieving mutual benefits and win-win outcomes.
（Translated by Yang Sigui）