How China’s Slow Trains Are Transforming Rural Communities: The Unexpected Lifeline Boosting Prosperity Across Guizhou!

In the picturesque mountain landscapes of Guizhou Province, southwest China, slow trains are proving to be more than just a means of transportation. For many residents of Wengdang Village, a small community nestled in the mountains, these trains are lifelines—connecting them to opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have. For Wu Shoufen, a 42-year-old member of the Miao ethnic group, the rhythmic clatter of the green-painted train has become a part of her weekly routine.

Every few days, Wu walks a short distance from her home to Jialao Railway Station, carrying baskets of fresh vegetables. From there, she boards train No. 5639 for a 30-minute journey to Kaili City, where she sells her produce at the market. The train is more than just a mode of transport for Wu—it’s an essential part of her business, one that has greatly improved her family’s standard of living.

A Lifeline for Remote Communities

The No. 5639 and its return service, No. 5640, run at a leisurely pace of less than 50 kilometers per hour and cover a 337-kilometer journey between the provincial capital Guiyang and Yuping Dong Autonomous County. The trip takes about seven hours, stopping at 16 stations and linking more than 100 ethnic villages along the way. With ticket prices as low as 6 yuan (about 86 U.S. cents), the service is not only affordable but also subsidized, making it a crucial resource for the local population.

For Wu and other villagers, this train service is the primary means of accessing larger markets and earning a living. The journey, which once seemed a tedious and costly effort for locals, has now become a way for them to connect with a larger economic network, leading to stable incomes and improved standards of living.

Turning Trains Into Mobile Markets

One of the most unique aspects of these slow trains is how they have become mobile markets. As the trains roll through Guizhou’s mountainous terrain, they also serve as makeshift marketplaces. Villagers bring their fresh vegetables, fruits, and other produce to sell, and passengers can buy directly from the train’s designated produce display area. This innovation allows people like Wu to sell their goods quickly without worrying about transportation costs eating into their profits.

Locals from Wengdang Village and other surrounding areas regularly use this service to sell fresh farm products, providing a steady income for many families. Yang Guangfen, a village official, shared that more than 30 villagers take advantage of the train service to sell their produce, with many elderly residents and homemakers finding new sources of income through these opportunities. The convenience and affordability of the service are vital for these communities, many of which have historically been isolated.

The Green-Painted Train Supermarket: A Community Solution

One of the key drivers of this success has been the Green-Painted Train Supermarket initiative, which was created by Hu Guichuan, a 46-year-old conductor with nearly three decades of experience on this line. In 2015, Hu observed that many elderly farmers struggled to sell their produce due to limited access to market information. To address this, he created a WeChat group that connected village farmers, train staff, and urban buyers.

In this group, farmers post photos of their harvest, and buyers place orders directly from their phones. In some cases, the trains themselves have become delivery channels, with goods being loaded at one station and picked up at another. This innovative solution has helped improve market access for rural farmers, allowing them to increase their sales while bypassing middlemen.

As the Green-Painted Train Supermarket grew, it attracted more than 140 members, expanding to include buyers and sellers from across the region. One of the regular buyers, Yang Guangping, who runs an agritainment business near Kaili, now sources ingredients directly from these trains, appreciating the freshness of the produce. “The vegetables come straight from the fields. They are incredibly fresh, and my customers love the taste,” Yang shared.

Attracting Tourists with Authentic Local Life

The charm of these slow trains isn’t just limited to locals. The trains’ nostalgic, rustic appeal has drawn the attention of urban tourists and travelers seeking a more authentic, slow-paced experience. Wang Xiamin, a young traveler from Jiangsu Province, took the No. 5640 service to experience the unique journey. She was captivated by the lively chatter and vendors’ calls, which gave her a glimpse into local life in rural China. She even bought wild shallots and paddy fish—items rare in her hometown.

As Chinese New Year approaches, the trains become even more festive. The train staff has set up temporary New Year convenience stores in each carriage, selling holiday goods like festival calligraphy couplets and traditional holiday decorations. This adds a joyful, seasonal touch to the already vibrant atmosphere on the trains.

Slow Trains in a Fast-Moving World

Despite China’s extensive high-speed rail network, which spans more than 50,000 kilometers, the slow trains continue to operate in more than 80 rural regions across the country, providing a vital service to communities that might otherwise be left behind. These humanitarian slow trains are subsidized by the Chinese railway authorities and remain a lifeline for people in remote areas. During peak times, such as the Spring Festival, these trains allow families in rural areas to visit their loved ones, ensuring they don’t miss out on traditional celebrations.

While China’s high-speed rail network is widely regarded as one of the best in the world, the slow trains provide a different kind of connectivity. They serve the less visible, often overlooked areas of the country, where traditional trains are not just transportation—they are a means of survival and community building.

The Road Ahead: Continued Growth and Development

As Li Chunlin, deputy head of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, has noted, the country will continue to operate slow trains during key holidays like the Spring Festival to ensure that residents in rural areas can visit their families and participate in cultural events. These trains are seen as a key part of China’s broader rural revitalization strategy, helping to accelerate prosperity and economic inclusion for remote communities.

The slow trains are not just a means of transportation; they are catalysts for economic growth, tourism, and cultural exchange. By linking remote mountain villages to urban centers and markets, they create opportunities for local farmers and small businesses, while also providing an opportunity for tourists to experience authentic rural China.

Conclusion: A Lifeline for Rural Prosperity

In Guizhou Province, slow trains have become more than just an affordable means of travel—they are a cornerstone of local prosperity and community resilience. By connecting remote villages to markets, creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, and fostering cultural exchange, these trains have become a vital part of the region’s economic fabric.

For Wu Shoufen and many others in Wengdang Village, the trains represent a lifeline—one that bridges the gap between isolation and opportunity, between tradition and modernity. As these trains continue to roll through the mountains of Guizhou, they are accelerating prosperity in ways that go far beyond simply getting from point A to point B.

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