Hong Kong’s new sleeper trains lure Gen Z members keen on ‘military-style travel’
Service preferred by some young travellers who want to keep expenses down by avoiding extra night at hotel and any delays to schedule
The new high-speed sleeper train service running from Hong Kong to Shanghai and Beijing has attracted young travellers who want to make the most out of trips while saving on accommodation cost, the Post has found.
A so-called military-style travel trend has emerged in mainland China in recent years mainly among members of Gen Z. It requires planning itineraries with military precision to ensure travellers can visit as many tourist hotspots as possible within a short time.
Launched last Saturday, the overnight sleeper train service is operated by China Railway and will run from Friday to Sunday every week, with the trip from Shanghai and Beijing taking 11 hours and 12½ hours respectively.
Iris Tang, 26, a student who came to Hong Kong with three friends on Monday, said sleeper trains allowed them to make good use of their time while saving on the expense of one night’s accommodation.
“Time is money. Flight delays happen all the time which might hold up the schedule while sleeper trains often depart on time, providing us a cost-effective option to travel,” Tang said. “The sleeper train travel time is perfect for ‘military-style travel’.”
Arriving in Hong Kong at around 8am on Monday following a ride from Changsha, Tang said she planned to visit numerous tourist spots, including Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui within a day.