Tourists pose for a photo before their departure. [Photo/Xinmin.cn]

A special tourist train started running between Shanghai and Kashgar, a city in Southwest Xinjiang, on August 3rd.

At 10:08 a.m. on Thursday morning, 530 tourists went aboard Train Y206, the first special tourist train from Shanghai to Xinjiang, starting an exciting journey which lasts 17 days.

The train, which departs from Shanghai Railway Station, will go westward and stop by Xining, Zhangye, Dunhuang, Turpan and other historical cities along the ancient Silk Road. Before returning to Shanghai, tourists will stay in Kashgar for four days to fully experience the local culture and history.

The purpose of the tourist project is to support the development of tourism in Xinjiang, which lies in China’s far west. According to Xu Weiwan, Director of the Shanghai Tourism Bureau, both Shanghai and Kashgar are important cities in implementing the Belt and Road Initiative. Shanghai will make full use of its status as an international city to help boost Kashgar’s tourism and expand its global presence.