The summer travel season is now in its second half, but data from various regions shows that tourist traffic remains strong. During interviews, reporters found that connecting train stations to scenic spots for the "last mile" has become more convenient.

Wuyishan in Fujian Province is a traditionally popular tourist destination. This summer, sightseeing trains will run directly into Wuyishan National Park, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the mountain and water scenery. If you arrive at Wuyishan Station by high-speed rail, you can also take a free bus jointly offered by the railway and local cultural and tourism departments to the scenic area and resort.

Zhang Wei, stationmaster of Wuyishan North Station of China Railway Nanchang Bureau: Based on the arrival of passengers, we have coordinated with the public transportation department to increase the frequency of shuttle services and dynamically add 6 free shuttle bus lines directly to the scenic area to ensure that passengers can get on the bus as soon as they get off the train and go directly to the scenic area.

In Jingdezhen, the millennium-old porcelain capital, the tourist bus network has also been upgraded. Three new tourist bus lines have been added to both the north and south squares of Jingdezhen North Railway Station, directly connecting to scenic spots. Tourists can take these lines directly from the station to the attractions without having to transfer, making travel smoother.

Xu Xintao, a passenger service officer at Jingdezhen North Station of China Railway Nanchang Bureau: This summer, we have opened three tourist bus lines at the North and South Squares respectively, covering popular attractions such as the Imperial Kiln Museum, China Ceramics Museum, and Sanbao Pottery Valley. Passengers can directly reach the scenic spots after exiting the station without having to transfer.

Beyond transportation connections, train tickets are also linked to scenic area admissions. Taking Pingxiang Station as an example, tourists who present their high-speed or regular train tickets arriving at Pingxiang Station or Pingxiang North Station within five days can enjoy discounts of 10-20% on Wugong Mountain admission tickets, nearby hotels, and outdoor equipment. This offer will continue until the end of this year.

Xie Lingyang, General Manager of Jiangxi Wugong Mountain Tourism Development Co., Ltd.: Since the introduction of preferential policies, the proportion of tourists entering the park with tickets has gradually increased. The consumption conversion rate of off-peak tourists at the end of the summer vacation is even higher, which has effectively driven the improvement of the quality and income of surrounding businesses such as accommodation, catering, and cultural and creative industries in the scenic area.

Check-in at the high-speed rail station

Seamless connection between high-speed rail and airplane

During this year's summer travel season, there has been a significant increase in cross-regional travel, with some hub airports and surrounding high-speed rail stations seamlessly connected, making travel more convenient for passengers.

CCTV reporter Zheng Liankai: Trains traveling to and from Beijing-Shanghai, Beijing-Tianjin, Tianjin-Xingtai, Tianjin-Baoding, and Tianjin-Qinhuangdao all arrive at the waiting hall of Tianjin West Railway Station. Since the start of the summer travel season, Tianjin West Railway Station has handled nearly 3 million passengers. 8% of passengers traveling from Tianjin West to Daxing Airport complete their check-in procedures here.

On the north side of the waiting hall, passengers can clearly see the signs for Beijing Daxing Airport and Tianjin West Railway Station City Terminal, where check-in counters for China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines are located.

CCTV reporter Zheng Liankai: I completed the check-in and baggage drop-off procedures in less than two minutes and got my boarding pass.

The city terminal is equipped with 6 check-in counters, providing comprehensive services such as flight display, inquiry, check-in, and baggage handling. It is open from 7:30 to 19:30 every day and can connect with multiple airlines.

Jiao Zirui, head of the City Terminal module at the Public Area Management Department of Daxing Airport: We can provide services for passengers of China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, and Chongqing Airlines. Currently, the check-in cut-off time for China Eastern Airlines flights has been reduced to 2 hours and 10 minutes. Since its operation began a year ago, the Tianjin West Railway Station City Terminal has served 30,000 passengers.

Sun Aiguo, deputy stationmaster of Tianjin West Railway Station: Compared with last year, the number of passengers checking in, dropping off luggage, and transferring between air and rail at Tianjin West Railway Station has increased significantly. Since the start of this summer travel season, this passenger flow has reached nearly 6,000.

After completing check-in procedures, passengers can board the train according to its operating schedule. Currently, the number of trains from Tianjin West to Daxing Airport that offer baggage check-in has increased to six.

Lu Yuan, train conductor of Tianjin Passenger Transport Section: We have designated the empty area in carriage number four as a dedicated luggage storage area for airport passengers. We will also increase patrols and pay close attention to the carriages during the journey to ensure that every passenger's luggage arrives at its destination safely.

CCTV reporter Zheng Liankai: The fastest train from Tianjin West Railway Station to Daxing Airport Station takes only 39 minutes. After exiting the railway station, it's just over 100 meters to the airport security checkpoint. However, the train journey from Tianjin West to Daxing Airport takes anywhere from 39 to 62 minutes. Be sure to check your flight schedule and train travel time before boarding.

New regulations for connecting train tickets

Many cost-effective combination strategies

During the summer travel rush, direct tickets are often sold out for popular routes, making connecting tickets a new option for many. Reporters noted that new regulations apply to connecting train tickets this summer, and discounts are available for tickets combining rail and water transport.

This summer travel season, the most popular connecting tickets are those for seat swapping within the same train. These tickets are purchased in segments of the same train, but the seating arrangement differs. When no direct tickets are available for the passenger's chosen route, the system will automatically recommend a different seat. Passengers choosing this type of ticket should note that for shorter trains with 8 carriages, seat swapping is not required. However, for trains with 16 carriages, passengers must carefully check their carriage location, as they may need to disembark at a transfer station and walk to the other end of the platform to board.

The biggest change to connecting tickets is the expansion of exclusive benefits for student travelers. When students purchase connecting tickets within the discount range, only one student discount will be deducted for consecutive trips within 5 days. This new rule is very friendly to students returning home for summer vacation or on study tours.

Choosing to travel by rail-water intermodal transport offers even more discounts during the summer. In Shandong, passengers taking the China Railway Ferry who purchase train tickets to or from Yantai or Dalian within ten days can enjoy a 20% discount on full-price ferry tickets (excluding first-class seats). (Source: CCTV News)