Starlight Yanzhao Express: China's Panoramic Tourist Train (2026 Guide)

The Starlight Yanzhao Express — China's first panoramic sightseeing tourist train

If you're in Beijing and looking for a unique weekend experience, forget the Great Wall for a moment. There's a train that turns the journey itself into the destination — the Starlight Yanzhao Express (星光·燕赵号), China's first panoramic sightseeing tourist train in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Launched in July 2025 by China Railway Beijing Group, Hebei Provincial Development Commission, and China Tourism Group, this isn't your average bullet train. It's a slow-travel experience — think leather seats, panoramic windows, an LED sky canopy, live performances, and intangible cultural heritage workshops, all while rolling through mountains, rivers, and historic towns.

What Is the Starlight Yanzhao Express?

The Starlight Yanzhao Express (Y961–Y964 series) is a dedicated tourist train that connects Beijing with popular destinations in Hebei Province. Unlike regular high-speed rail, this train prioritizes experience over speed — traveling at 50–120 km/h through scenic corridors that high-speed trains bypass entirely.

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Routes & Schedule (2026)

The Starlight Yanzhao Express currently operates four routes from Beijing Railway Station:

1. Beijing ↔ Chengde (Y963/Y964)

Frequency: Every Saturday & Sunday
Schedule: Departs Beijing ~8:35 AM, arrives Chengde ~2:40 PM (approx. 6 hours)
Stops: Xinglong County (兴隆县), Liudahezi (六道河子)
Best for: Mountain scenery, Yan Mountains, railway market culture
Price: From ¥375 one-way (standard seat)

2. Beijing ↔ Qinhuangdao / Beidaihe (Y961/Y962)

Frequency: Daily except Tuesday (summer schedule)
Schedule: Departs Beijing 7:59 AM → Tangshan North 9:33 → Beidaihe 10:55 → Qinhuangdao 11:15
Return: Qinhuangdao departs ~14:37, arrives Beijing ~18:30
Best for: Seaside escape, summer retreat at Beidaihe
Price: From ¥159 one-way

3. Beijing ↔ Zhangjiakou (Winter Ski Season)

Frequency: Weekends during ski season (November–March)
Schedule: Departs Beijing 8:33 AM, arrives Zhangjiakou 12:40 PM
Best for: Ski trip + scenic ride, Chongli ski resorts
Price: ¥319 one-way

4. Beijing ↔ Wuqiao (Holiday Specials)

Frequency: May Day holiday periods and select weekends
Acrobatics Capital
Price: Combo tickets with Wuqiao attractions available

Train Layout & Carriage Guide

The train has 7 passenger carriages, each with a different theme and function:

Carriages 3, 4, 6, 7: Standard Sightseeing Seats

Layout: 1+2 configuration (three seats per row)
K-seat (观景座): Side-facing seats oriented toward large windows — best for sightseeing
Standard forward-facing seats: Comfortable leather seats with tray tables
4-person booth seats: Foldable large table, reclining seats with massage function
Amenities: Power outlets, USB charging, small tables

Carriage 2: Entertainment Car

Observation skylight + LED sky canopy
Multimedia screens showing Yan-Zhao cultural performances
Cultural product bar selling souvenirs and drinks
Children's coloring area (colorful markers provided for window drawing)

Carriage 5: Private Compartment + Dining

Luxury private compartment — sofa, tea table, private bathroom

2 luxury private compartments — the most exclusive seats on the train
Each has: sofa, tea table, private bathroom
Price: ¥2,388 for 4 passengers (Beijing–Chengde full route)
燕赵佳膳

Carriage 8: Panoramic Observation Car

The highlight — rear-facing panoramic window with LED sky canopy

Large rear-facing panoramic window (rare in Chinese railway vehicles)
open sky
Electrochromic (smart-tinting) glass — adjust transparency with a button
Onboard snack bar selling drinks and light food
Open performance space for live shows and photo opportunities
No separate ticket needed — all passengers can access this car

Seat Types & Pricing

Seat Type	Location	Best For	Price (Beijing–Chengde)

Segment pricing tip: If boarding at an intermediate station, you pay less. However, your 12306 ticket always shows the full origin-to-destination route — you cannot board at Beijing with only an intermediate segment ticket.

What's the Experience Like On Board?

Live Performances & Cultural Activities

The train is essentially a moving cultural stage. Throughout the journey, you'll encounter shadow puppetry (皮影) demonstrations, paper cutting (剪纸) workshops, sugar painting (糖画), Peking opera (京剧) excerpts, crosstalk comedy (相声), folk dance performances, and acrobatics shows (on the Wuqiao route).

Food & Drinks

STAR EXPRESS
Snack bar in Carriage 8 selling drinks and local specialties
Full meal service in Carriage 5 for compartment passengers (rice + 3 dishes + soup)
星光列车
Scan QR codes on your seat to order food and souvenirs remotely

The Windows & Sky

Oversized panoramic windows — much larger than regular trains
Side skylights + LED sky canopy in Carriages 2 and 8
Electrochromic smart glass — tap a button to adjust tint (great for photos)
The rear window in Carriage 8 gives a rare backward-facing view of the receding landscape

Best Photo Spots

Carriage 8 rear window — panoramic mountain views
Between Carriages 7–8 (smoking room area) — best angle for the train curving through mountains
LED sky canopy in Carriage 2 — stunning blue sky effect
Cloisonné enamel (掐丝珐琅) decorative details throughout the train
The exterior livery at the platform before boarding — each carriage has a different theme

How to Book

Method 1: 12306 App

Open the 12306 app
Tickets & Tourism
星光燕赵号
Select your route, date, and seat type
Complete real-name registration with passport or Chinese ID

Method 2: WeChat Mini Program

星光列车
Browse available routes and dates
Select seats and pay directly

Critical Booking Notes:

Real-name system: bring the original passport or ID used for booking
No seat reuse: your ticket always shows the full origin-to-destination route
Confirmation call: customer service will call/text 3–4 days before departure
Boarding closes 5 minutes before departure — arrive early
Children must have their own valid ID

Route Recommendations for Foreigners

Best First-Time Experience: Beijing → Chengde (Weekend)

Most established route, richest cultural programming, stunning Yan Mountain scenery. ~6 hours one-way, ~¥375 per person. Book a K-seat in Carriage 6 or 7 for the best mountain views. Combine with Chengde Mountain Resort (避暑山庄).

Best for Seaside Lovers: Beijing → Beidaihe (Summer)

Best for Adventure: Beijing → Zhangjiakou (Winter)

2022 Winter Olympics host region, world-class skiing. ~4 hours one-way, ¥319. The train includes ski coaching sessions on board. Combine with Chongli ski resorts (万龙, 云顶, 太舞).

Tips & Things to Know

Do:

Arrive 30 minutes early — Beijing Railway Station is large and busy
Bring your passport — real-name verification is mandatory
Sit in Carriage 8 as soon as you board — it fills up fast for the best views
Bring a camera — this train is incredibly photogenic
Try the local snacks — Chengde donkey roll (驴打滚), Baoding donkey burger (驴肉火烧)

Don't:

Don't expect high-speed — this is a slow scenic train (50–120 km/h)
Don't assume daily service — check the current schedule before planning
Don't board at Beijing with a segment ticket — you'll be denied boarding
Don't skip the bathroom before boarding — the train restrooms can feel tight

Is It Worth It?

Yes, if you enjoy slow travel and the journey being part of the experience, you're traveling with family or elderly parents, you want a unique cultural experience without leaving the train, or you're based in Beijing and want a weekend trip without hotel planning.

Maybe not, if you're on a tight budget (¥375+ per person just for the train ride), you prefer getting to destinations quickly, or you're not interested in cultural performances or scenic train rides.

Bottom line: The Starlight Yanzhao Express is not about transportation — it's about the experience. Think of it as a half-day cultural cruise on rails. For the price of a nice dinner in Beijing, you get 4–6 hours of live performances, mountain scenery through panoramic windows, traditional craft workshops, and a genuinely unique Chinese travel experience that almost no foreign tourists know about yet.

Quick Reference

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