In March, the ice and snow in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region began to melt. Last weekend, at Erdaoqiao Station on Urumqi Metro Line 1, when a subway stopped at the platform, everyone waiting on the platform was surprised to find that the subway train's interior was decorated with apricot blossoms, giving them a feeling of spring in the air.

The special subway train for the Turpan apricot blossom festival was jointly created by the Urumqi City Rail Group Co., Ltd. and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of Turpan City. The special subway train would stay in operation for one month. This is the second consecutive year that the two partners have worked together for the themed special subway.

From March 20 to April 10, 2024, the 7th Turpan apricot blossom festival was held in Turpan City, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. According to He Nan, the deputy general manager of Urumqi City Rail Group Co., Ltd., locals and tourists in Urumqi could learn about Xinjiang and its Turpan City through this special subway train. “The apricot blossom-themed subway train is expected to become a new trend, allowing more passengers to participate in the apricot blossom festival and visit Turpan.”

Xu Ping, the director of Operation and Management Department at Urumqi City Rail Group Co., Ltd., introduced that Urumqi Metro Line 1, which began operating in 2019, has become a valuable platform to let people know the beauty of Xinjiang. To further boost Xinjiang's tourism industry, the company has created several themed subway trains, including the Afanti-themed subway train, the reading-themed subway train, and the special subway train for the first metro wedding show. Moreover, Urumqi City Rail Group Co., Ltd. plans to develop a mobile museum-themed special subway train to help promote Xinjiang's culture.

(Reporter of People's Daily: Yang Mingfang)