Starting from January next year, there will be a new option for travelers shuttling between Beijing and Tianjin. According to the China Railway Beijing Group, the Tianjin Fantasy Express (津旅时光号) is scheduled to operate the "Tianjinbei Railway Station – Beijing Railway Station" route starting January 1, 2026, with services available on weekends and during public holidays. Tickets for the new route are now on sale via the "Railway 12306" app and the "i You Tianjin" (i游天津) WeChat mini-program.

The Tianjin Fantasy Express is China's first immersive themed cultural tourism train. On October 30 this year, the train successfully launched its initial route from the Tianjinbei Railway Station to the Jizhoubei Railway Station. With the new route extending to Beijing, the train will adopt "Fantasy Time" (奇幻时光) as its core design theme, integrating Tianjin's traditional culture and intangible cultural heritage art with modern technologies to create a "mobile cultural tourism landmark" running on the rails.

The upgraded Tianjin Fantasy Express comprises 10 themed carriages, designed around three core functional zones: the passenger seating zone, the VIP zone and the interactive experience zone. Through dramatic spatial design and functional integration, each carriage serves the purposes of performance viewing and interactive engagement.

In addition, the train will feature Tianjin's iconic intangible cultural heritage projects, with inheritors of intangible cultural heritage techniques delivering on-site demonstrations and launching interactive workshops, allowing tourists to make their works of traditional craftsmanship during their trips. For catering and creative cultural offerings, the train will feature Tianjin's time-honored brands and local snacks. Passengers can savor the classic flavors of Tianjin's renowned heritage brands on board and enjoy the city's local treats.

Ticket prices for the new route of the Tianjin Fantasy Express

Adult standard ticket: 160 yuan

Adult combo ticket: 210 yuan

Adult VIP ticket: 285 yuan

Exclusive discounts will be available in January 2026, with all adult tickets to be sold with a limited-time 20-percent discount.

Child standard ticket: 96 yuan

Child combo ticket: 126 yuan

Child VIP ticket: 171 yuan

Ticketing channels

1. "i You Tianjin" WeChat mini-program

Tap "Tianjin Fantasy Express" (津旅时光号) on the homepage, select your preferred time slot and fill in the required information to complete the purchase.

2. "Railway 12306" app

Enter the "Tickets & Tourism" (门票·旅游) section on the homepage, select "Special Tourist Trains" (旅游专列) and search for the Tianjin Fantasy Express to book tickets.

Train schedules for New Year's Day holiday 2026 (January 1–3) (for reference only)

1. Tianjinbei Railway Station → Beijing Railway Station

First Service (Train Y972): 10:03 – 11:42

Second Service (Train Y974): 15:08 – 16:56

2. Beijing Railway Station → Tianjinbei Railway Station

First Service (Train Y971): 12:56 – 14:38

Second Service (Train Y973): 17:52 – 19:40

(Source: Beijing Evening News)