The 25th anniversary of the T122/T123 train. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

The T122/T123 train linking Changchun in Northeast China with Guangzhou Baiyun in the south celebrated its 25th anniversary on Oct 21, with music, songs, and heartfelt messages filling its carriages.

The Guangzhou train crew at the Changchun passenger transport depot organized the celebration, which featured erhu performances, a vocal duet, interactive message sharing, speeches by frequent passengers, and a spontaneous saxophone performance by a traveler.

The 25th anniversary of the T122/T123 train. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

As the first regular-speed express train from Changchun directly to South China, T122/T123 has carried more than 80 million passenger trips over the past 25 years. Covering 3,316 kilometers across seven provinces and one municipality and crossing the Yellow and Yangtze rivers, it has become a vital link for migrant workers and families traveling between Northeast China and the Pearl River Delta.

The journey has not always been smooth. During severe winter weather in southern China in 2008, the train was stranded for six days and six nights. Crew members repeatedly went out to procure food and fuel and worked together to supply passengers with drinking water and heating. The train was also held for 57 hours amid heavy rainfall in Henan province in 2021, with staff wading through floodwaters to obtain food, water, and essential medicines.