Exploring new horizons: Growing elderly population in China embraces 'poetry and faraway places' amid silver economy boom
探索新视野：中国不断增长的老年人口在白银经济的繁荣中拥抱“诗和远方”
Editor's Note:
编者注：白银经济是指以老年人口（通常指60岁及以上）为主要服务对象的经济形态，涵盖为满足老年人生活、健康、娱乐、社交等需求而产生的产品、服务及相关产业。随着全球人口老龄化加剧，这一经济领域正快速发展，成为新的经济增长点。
With China's population of seniors over 60 surpassing 300 million, ensuring a happy and fulfilling life for all elderly individuals has become a pressing concern for both families and the nation. How can the new generation of seniors in China break away from traditional norms and embrace a different lifestyle, supported by AI technology, multiculturalism, and an elder-friendly society?
随着中国60岁以上的老年人口超过了3亿，确保所有老年人过上幸福充实的生活已成为家庭和国家的紧迫问题。在人工智能技术、多元文化和老年友好型社会的支持下，中国新一代老年人如何打破传统规范，拥抱不同的生活方式？
The series "Old Age, New Trends" will explore emerging trends in the silver economy, the creative social norms among senior citizens, and innovative eldercare services. It will examine the opportunities and challenges presented by an aging society, highlighting the diverse lifestyles of seniors and the booming eldercare industry in China. Beneath these new trends lies a reflection of Chinese modernization, which aims to provide more secure systems and dignified lives for its senior population.
《老龄化，新趋势》系列报道将探索白银经济中的新兴趋势、老年人中创造性的社会规范以及创新型老年护理服务。报道将审视老龄化社会带来的机遇和挑战，强调老年人多样化的生活方式和蓬勃发展的中国养老产业。在这些新趋势背后，折射出中国的现代化的核心追求——为其老年人口构建更安全的保障系统，提供有尊严的晚年生活。
Passengers pose for a photo at a "silver-haired train" traveling from Shanghai to Wuxi in East China's Jiangsu Province on March 14, 2025. (Photo/Courtesy of China Railway Shanghai Group)
2025年3月14日，乘客们在从上海开往中国东部江苏省无锡的“银发列车”上合影留念。（图片来源：中国铁路上海局集团）
The morning sun streamed through the curtains. Long Ling opened the window to let in the gentle sea breeze. The 61-year-old then left the hotel with his husband, taking a short stroll to the beach just minutes away. The sun cast a soft orange hue over the water, and Long inhaled deeply, savoring the fresh air.
晨光透过窗帘洒进房间，龙灵打开窗户，让柔和的海风吹进来。这位61岁的老人随后和丈夫离开酒店，散步走到仅几分钟路程远的海滩。阳光在水面投下柔和的橙色，玲珑深深吸气，沉醉于新鲜的空气之中。
Coming from an inland city in Central China's Hunan Province, Long and her husband, Tian Mu, 63, embarked on a journey across China after their retirement. In March, they spent a few delightful days in South China's Hainan Province where the island charm of sea, sandy beaches, and swaying coconut trees brought them joy and a sense of novelty.
龙女士和她63岁的丈夫田牧先生来自中国中部湖南省的一个内陆城市，退休后，他们踏上了环游中国的旅程。三月，他们在中国南方的海南省度过了几天愉快的时光，那里大海、沙滩和摇曳的椰子树构成的岛屿风情，给他们带来了快乐和新鲜感。
Thousands of kilometers away, Shanghai residents Zhao and his wife boarded a train bound for nearby city of Wuxi in Jiangsu Province to enjoy the blooming flowers. Onboard, they found themselves among many other elderly passengers in their sixties and seventies, all aboard a special "silver-haired train" arranged by the railway authorities for senior travelers. As they chatted about light-hearted topics and excitedly took selfies, the atmosphere on the train was filled with laughter and camaraderie.
千里之外，上海居民赵先生和他的妻子登上了开往江苏省无锡市的火车，准备赴一场春日花事。这趟由铁路部门专门为老年旅客安排的"银发列车"上，六七十岁的乘客比比皆是。他们聊着轻松的话题，兴奋地玩着自拍，列车洋溢着欢声笑语，充满同辈相伴的温情友情。
According to data released by the State Council Information Office in January, by the end of 2024, people aged 60 and above in China had surpassed 300 million for the first time, accounting for 22 percent of the country's population. This expanding group of senior citizens is increasingly demanding tailored travel services, presenting new opportunities and higher expectations for China's tourism market. Facing this trend, China unveiled a national-level plan on Sunday to boost consumption, which includes developing silver tourism.
根据国务院新闻办公室2024年1月发布的数据显示，截至2024年底，我国60岁及以上人口首次突破了3亿，占全国人口的22%。这一不断扩大的老年人群体对个性化旅游服务的需求日益增加，为中国旅游市场带来了新的机遇，也提出了更高的期望。面对这一趋势，中国政府于本周日出台了一项促消费的国家级计划，其中明确提出要发展老年旅游产业。
Retirees are emerging as a driving force in China's tourism market, said Peng Xizhe, director of the Fudan Institute on Ageing. "Whether from an economic perspective or a focus on humanistic care, the Chinese tourism industry, along with the government and society, is increasingly dedicated to nurturing the 'poetry and faraway places' that some elderly people yearn for," Peng told the Global Times.
复旦大学老龄研究院院长彭希哲指出，退休人员正在成为中国旅游市场的新兴驱动力。“无论是从经济角度，还是人文关怀的维度，中国旅游业正与政府和社会共同努力，越来越致力于培育一些老年人向往的‘诗和远方’，”彭先生在接受《环球时报》采访时说道。
Chasing dreams
追梦
Long and Tian had been planning for a long-term travel lifestyle after retiring years ago, and this spring, they finally set off on their journey.
龙女士和田先生在多年前退休后，就一直在筹备这种长期旅行的生活方式。今年春天，他们终于踏上了旅程。
Initially, they intended to spend just a few weeks in Hainan. But one day, while strolling through the streets of Hainan's Wenchang City, they were captivated by an advertisement for a wellness sojourn hotel agency specifically for seniors. The ad said that for just 3,700 yuan ($512), one could stay for 130 nights at the agency's nearly 70 hotel branches or its partner hotels across the country. This package includes three meals a day, and can be shared with family members.
起初，他们只计划在海南待几周。然而某天漫步在文昌市的街头时，一则专为老年人服务的康养旅居机构广告吸引了他们的目光。广告显示，仅需3700元人民币（约合512美元），即可在该机构全国近70家的酒店分店或合作酒店入住130晚，套餐还包含一日三餐，可以和家人共享。
Without much hesitation, Long contacted the agency's branch hotel in Wenchang and quickly made the payment. "I think this model is fantastic," she told the Global Times.
龙女士几乎没有犹豫，立即联系了该机构在文昌的分店酒店，很快完成了支付。“我认为这个模式太棒了，”她告诉《环球时报》。
"It's incredibly affordable. Besides, the agency's hotels are spread all over the country, making it perfect for those who like to travel, like me and my husband."
“价格非常实惠。而且这家机构的酒店遍布全国各地，对我和我丈夫这样喜欢旅行的人来说再合适不过了。”
Soon, Long and Tian settled into the agency's hotel branch in Wenchang. In the following weeks, they explored some other cities in Hainan, as well as warm southern provinces like Guangdong and Yunnan, staying at local branches of the hotel agency.
很快，龙女士和田先生便入住了该机构在文昌的酒店分店。在接下来的几周里，他们不仅探索了海南其他的一些城市，还前往广东、云南等气候温暖的南方省份，全程都住在该酒店代理机构在当地的分机构。
According to Long, each day of their trip is filled with freedom and a leisurely pace. They wake up before 7 am, enjoy breakfast, and then wander nearby. They return to the hotels for lunch, take afternoon naps, and then engage in activities at the hotels like billiards or archery. Most guests at the wellness sojourn hotels are seniors like them, and they sometimes gather to chat or play cards.
龙女士说，他们旅行的每一天都都悠闲自在。他们早上7点前起床，享用早餐，然后在周边闲逛。中午回到酒店用餐、午休，然后在酒店体验台球、射箭等活动。健康旅居酒店的大多数客人都是像他们一样的老年人，他们有时会聚在一起聊天或打牌。
Tian expressed his satisfaction with their current travel lifestyle. He recalled how much he loved traveling before retirement, but due to a busy work schedule, his short trips were always rushed. "Now, I have plenty of time every day to enjoy a peaceful life in warm, fresh destinations," he told the Global Times. "Moreover, most of the guests at these hotels are around the same age, so we have companionship and don't feel lonely."
田先生对现在的旅居生活十分满意。他回忆起，退休前虽然热爱旅行，但由于工作繁忙，每次的短途旅行总是匆匆忙忙。“现在，我每天都有足够的时间在温暖宜人的地方享受平静的生活，”他对《环球时报》说道，“而且这些酒店的客人大多年龄相仿，我们可以相伴，不会觉得孤单。”
In Wuxi, Zhao was enchanted by the breathtaking cherry blossoms that created a dreamy pink world. After a three-day trip, Zhao and his wife took a "silver-haired train" to return to Shanghai with other elderly travelers on Sunday.
在无锡，绚烂的樱花令赵先生陶醉不已，漫天粉霞构筑出一个梦幻世界。为期三天的旅行结束后，赵夫妇和其他老年旅客在周日一起乘坐“银发列车”返回上海。
Zhao spoke highly of his train trip. He had always wanted to visit Wuxi, but found it inconvenient to drive there due to health reasons, and his children were too busy to help. "But going there by train was also good," said Zhao, who added that the senior-friendly train he and his wife took was "thoughtfully arranged in every aspect."
赵先生对这趟火车之旅赞不绝口。他一直想去无锡看看，却因健康原因不便自驾，儿女们抽不开身陪同。“但坐火车去那里也不错，”赵先生表示，他和妻子乘坐的老年友好列车“处处都安排得很周到。”
The Tian and Zhao couples are among the growing group of "vigorous seniors" in China, said Peng. He said this group, which has witnessed China's reform and opening up and experienced firsthand the country's modernization, now enjoys financial freedom and leisure after retiring. With greater spiritual needs, many of them are no longer content with being busy caring for grandchildren at home; instead, they prefer to travel and explore the beauty of China - an opportunity they may have missed in their youth due to limited money or time.
彭先生指出，田夫妇和赵夫妇正是当代中国日益壮大的“活力银发族”代表。他说，这个群体既是改革开放的见证者，又是现代化进程的亲历者。如今退休后，他们不仅拥有财务自由，更追求精神享受。许多人不再满足于含饴弄孙的家居生活，相反，他们更喜欢去旅行，探寻年轻时因经济或时间所限未能领略的华夏之美。
The Tian couple is currently staying at a wellness sojourn hotel branch in the tropical region of southern Yunnan. They plan to return to their hometown in Hunan when the weather warms up, and later, when summer comes, head to cooler places.
田夫妇目前正居住在云南南部热带地区的一家康养旅居酒店分店。他们计划等天气回暖了再回湖南老家，等到夏天来了，再前往凉爽的地方。
"This is truly the life I've been longing for," Tian said with a smile on his face.
“这才是我一直真正向往的生活，”田先生笑着说道。
Better serve
更优质的服务
As more and more seniors hit the road, the Chinese government and the tourism industry are making greater efforts to better serve this group.
随着越来越多老年人加入旅游行列，中国政府和旅游行业正在加大力度提升针对这一群体的服务质量。
In December 2024, China released a set of guidelines aimed at deepening the country's elderly care service reforms, advocating for the development of silver tourism and a long-term stay market, and promoting the establishment of wellness sojourn destinations tailored to local conditions.
2024年12月，中国出台了一套旨在深化国家养老服务改革的指导方针，倡导发展银发旅游产业和长居市场，推动因地制宜建设康养旅居地。
Encouraged by the government, many regions in China have begun projects related to the wellness sojourn of seniors. A service platform named "Dong Nan Xia Bei" being built under the effort of Beijing Association of Senior Care Industries, for instance, has gathered information on approximately 144 retirement travel and long-term stay agencies across the country. Through this platform, the elderly can explore options based on their needs and preferences, such as geographical locations and pricing, allowing them to choose the agencies that best suit them, the People's Daily reported in March.
在政府的鼓励下，国内许多地区已经启动了与老年人健养旅居相关的项目。以北京市养老行业协会牵头建设的"东南夏北"服务平台为例，目前已整合了全国约144家旅居养老及长住服务机构的信息。据《人民日报》3月份报道，老年人可以通过该平台，根据自己的需求和偏好，如地理位置和定价，探索选项，自主选择最适合自己的机构。
Data from China Railway showed that in 2024, Chinese railway departments operated 1,860 tourist trains, with senior travelers making up nearly 80 percent of the passengers. For elderly travelers looking for short trips, the "silver-haired trains" have become an ideal choice.
中国铁路数据显示，2024年，中国铁路部门开行旅游列车1860列，其中老年旅客占近80%。对于寻求短途旅行的老年旅客来说，“银发列车”已成为理想选择。
The "silver-haired train" that the Zhao couple took to Wuxi featured staff to assist with luggage, offered light and easily digestible meals, and stocked common medications on board. "This spring, we will continue launching similar tourist trains to popular flower-viewing destinations near Shanghai," a staff member at China Railway Shanghai Group told the Global Times.
赵先生夫妇所乘坐的这趟无锡方向"银发列车”，不仅配备专职行李员，还提供清淡易消化的饭菜，并在车上备有常用药物。中国铁路上海局工作人员向《环球时报》透露，“今年春天，我们将继续推出类似的旅游列车，前往上海附近的热门赏花目的地。”
Emerging industry
新兴产业
China, where people aged 60 and above now exceed 20 percent of its population, expects this figure to reach 30 percent by 2035, with the elderly population to exceed 400 million by then, according to the National Health Commission.
国家卫健委数据显示，当前60岁及以上人口占比突破20%，预计到2035年这一数字将达到30%，届时老年人口将超过4亿。
"This represents a huge [market] potential in sightseeing, cultural entertainment, and activities, thereby creating a comprehensive tourism industry chain tailored for the elderly," Peng said.
彭先生指出，“这意味着老年群体在观光游览、文化娱乐及活动体验等领域蕴含巨大市场潜力，从而催生出一条为老年人量身定制的综合旅游产业链。”
Peng said that, at present, this rapidly expanding market still has many areas that require improvement. He calls for collaboration between the government and the industry to enhance regulation and establish standards.
彭先生还指出，目前这一快速扩张的市场仍存在诸多待完善之处。他呼吁政府与行业加强合作，以加强监管和标准体系建设。
The Tian couple shared some inconveniences they encountered while staying at branches of their wellness sojourn hotel agency. "Only some of the branches are equipped with handrails and accessible pathways, which are not very friendly for the guests with mobility issues," Tian said. "The agency did not purchase insurance for us, nor did they have partnerships with medical institutions."
田夫妇分享了他们在健养旅居酒店分店住宿时遇到的一些不便。“只有部分分店配备了扶手和无障碍通道，这对行动不便的客人来说不是很友好，”田先生说道。“机构既没有给我们买保险，也没有和医疗机构合作。”
Nonetheless, Tian expressed a general satisfaction with his stays at the hotel branches with his wife, as well as this emerging industry as a whole.
尽管如此，田先生总体上对他和妻子在酒店分店的旅居体验以及整个新兴行业表示满意。
As the sun began to set, Tian and Long wrapped up their leisurely stroll and returned to their hotel in Yunnan. It was a warm and comfortable day. Long lay on the bed and carefully selected a few photos they had taken earlier that day to share in their family WeChat group.
夕阳西下，田先生和龙女士结束了悠闲的漫步返回云南的酒店。这是一个温暖舒适的日子，龙女士倚在床边，精心挑选着几张当天早些时候拍摄的照片，准备分享到家庭微信群。
"The scenery here is beautiful, and our hotel is quite nice!" she wrote, accompanied by a smiling emoji at the end.
“这里风景很美，我们酒店也挺不错的！”她写道，最后还配了一个微笑的表情包。
