RZD plans to explore the possibility of launching tourist trains to China in 2027. This was announced by Ivan Kolesnikov, Deputy General Director of the holding, at the "Travel!" forum.
Currently, RZD's international tourist trains already run to Belarus, Abkhazia, and North Korea. China could be the next destination if the route proves to be in demand and economically viable.
Trains to China are being developed, and we expect that this proposal will be worked out by us next year.
For such routes, RZD uses not ordinary trains, but trains with tourist infrastructure. These can include sleeping cars with showers and entertainment systems, dining cars, lecture cars, bar cars with karaoke, spas, and other service areas.
Interest in railway tourism in Russia is growing. In 2025, RZD tourist trains carried about 1.3 million passengers, which is 18% more than a year earlier. In 2026, the holding expects to increase this figure by another 10–14%.
The route network is also expanding. Currently, RZD has 120 tourist trains, including 78 long-distance trains and 42 suburban trains. In the schedule for 2027 and early 2028, their number should increase to 131, and the number of long-distance routes to 87.
If the route to China appears, it will become part of RZD's broader international program. Earlier, the holding had already launched the "Belarusian Voyage", the train "To Korea" from Vladivostok to Rajin, and the tourist train "Dioscuria" between Sirius, Gagra, New Athos, and Sukhumi.