The Chinese railway system has introduced a novel summer service that allows travelers to have their cars transported directly to tourist destinations for self-driving adventures.Under the new service, travelers and their cars go separately but are reunited at their destination.Ms.
Zhang Rui, a car owner from Chongqing, had long planned a self-driving trip to Lhasa with her child.
However, the long distances and challenging road conditions presented a physical challenge. "The one-way self-driving trip from Chongqing to Lhasa covers over 2,000 kilometers and would take four to five days if I drove myself.
I'd find it quite tiring, and the road conditions are challenging," Zhang explained.So, as Zhang Rui learned about the new railway car transport service, she promptly made a reservation to have her car transported by train while she traveled to Lhasa by train or plane.
She would be reunited with her car at the destination upon arrival."I have a pickup truck, and the cost of transporting it from Chongqing to Lhasa by rail is 4,400 yuan ($616).
Compared to a self-drive trip, this option saves me over 40 percent on expenses like fuel, tolls, and accommodation, while also saving me time," added Zhang.Jian Changyan, an official working at the Chongqing Railway Logistics Center, said, "During the summer vacation, we have launched a dedicated railway car transport line from Chongqing to Lhasa.
The line operates two trips per week, with an estimated travel time of six to eight days."Car transport lines have also been launched from Lhasa to several other cities, including Chongqing, Chengdu, Beijing, and Shanghai.According to Chongqing railway official Zhang Yuliang, the exterior of the vehicle is inspected, including the paintwork, tires, roof, and chassis.
Checks are then undertaken for any prohibited items inside the car.
Once everything is in order, the car owner is informed about the luggage requirements for the vehicle and a handover form is signed.
 "The staff members in charge of cargo transport safety on the local railway system then drive the vehicle to a designated parking lot for loading and transportation," explained Zhang.The process is straightforward and convenient, and has been widely praised for providing tourists with greater flexibility when planning self-driving trips.