Hong Kong’s first panda-themed high-speed train will begin operating on Saturday, offering passengers the unique opportunity to “meet” members of the Hong Kong panda family on designated journeys to and from Shenzhen and Guangzhou over the next 12 weeks.
The Panda Train, a transformation of the Vibrant Express train, features numerous panda motifs on the exterior, showcasing iconic Hong Kong landmarks such as the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, and Golden Bauhinia Square. Inside the train, panda patterns adorn the seats and luggage racks.
IN PICTURES: Panda train, let's go!
The Hong Kong West Kowloon Station has also been adorned with panda-themed decorations, welcoming passengers with authentic Hong Kong-style panda embellishments in the B1 ticketing hall.
The train will operate on the routes between the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and the Guangzhou South Station, Shenzhen North Station, and Futian Station.
It will depart Hong Kong at 8:23 am on Saturday, marking the inauguration of its three-month service. It will operate through April 4 primarily on Saturdays and Sundays, and on Jan 29, the first day of the Chinese New Year.
During weekdays, the panda-themed train may surprise passengers as it will randomly operate on the aforementioned routes, offering unexpected encounters with the “panda companions”.
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Leung Ching-man, MTR Corp general manager of marketing and customer experience, said that the beloved giant pandas have become immensely popular, and by infusing the panda-themed ambience into neighboring cities through the high-speed rail connection, they aim to entice travelers to embark on an immersive journey in the city and boost the local tourism industry.
The current Hong Kong’s panda family comprises six members — Ying Ying, Le Le, An An, Ke Ke, and a pair of twin cubs, Gaje and Sailou, the cubs’ nicknames, which mean “elder sister” and “younger brother” respectively in Cantonese.
Last month, MTR launched a two-month-long panda-themed event featuring panda-themed metro stations and train promotions, which has been widely welcomed by passengers.
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Also in December, the city rolled out a high-profile campaign to drive tourism development with the popularity of new pandas born or arrived in the city. Highlights of the events include a grand outdoor panda carnival and a series of exhibitions featuring 2,500 panda sculptures at iconic tourist attractions.
Contact the writer at stephyzhang@chinadailyhk.com
