During the Spring Festival travel season, the "Yuhuan Small Station" cultural and creative market at Changbai Mountain Railway Station offers over a hundred types of cultural products for tourists to choose from. These include commemorative stamps, "One Station, One View" themed postcards, pinecone handicrafts, ginseng paintings, and the "Shenbai Charm" series of keychains. All these cultural and creative items are independently designed and produced by the station's youth cultural and creative team.
Jiang Zehu, the stationmaster of Changbai Mountain Station, explained that the team aims to break away from the traditional, single-purpose function of a station being merely a transit point. By integrating the scenic beauty of Changbai Mountain, Korean ethnic folklore, and railway elements, the station has been transformed into a distinctive cultural space, adding a unique dimension to the travel experience for passengers.
As a core hub station on the Shenyang-Jiamu High-Speed Railway's Shenyang to Changbai Mountain section, Changbai Mountain Station is not only a vital transportation link connecting the three northeastern provinces but also serves as the gateway to the nationally renowned 5A-level scenic area, Changbai Mountain. Since its inauguration in December 2021, passenger traffic at the station has increased year by year. A key focus for the station has been exploring the integration of "high-speed rail + culture and tourism," specifically how to enable passengers to "travel by high-speed rail, appreciate the scenery, and take away memories."
To achieve this, Changbai Mountain Station established a cultural and creative studio, recruiting over 30 young frontline employees from various roles such as passenger service and operations. To ensure each creative product is "rooted in authenticity, embodies a soul, and offers a distinct flavor," the team utilized their time off to gather inspiration. They visited the Changbai Mountain scenic area, explored Korean ethnic villages, and met with representatives of intangible cultural heritage to collect diverse creative materials.
Starting from scratch, the team gradually developed a distinct creative style, overcoming numerous challenges in both design and production. Lacking formal design training, they taught themselves various graphic software, practicing repeatedly to refine their lines and color schemes. Unfamiliar with craft production processes, they sought guidance from professionals, learning and improving through hands-on experience and continuous revision.
During the Spring Festival travel rush, the "Yuhuan Small Station" cultural market became a popular spot within the station. The cultural products serve as tangible mementos for passengers, allowing them to take home a piece of "Changbai Mountain memory" and preserve the "warmth of the railway experience." Li Xinrui, a member of the cultural and creative team, expressed pride in seeing passengers photographing and showcasing their designed products at the station.
To celebrate the upcoming Lunar Year of the Horse, the team specially designed mascot dolls named "Xiaoxiao" and "Momo." The names, chosen by team members, symbolize "galloping forward with determination and courage in the Year of the Horse." This year's Spring Festival period also saw the station organizing interactive activities in the waiting hall, such as cultural DIY sessions, fortune character rubbing, and intangible cultural heritage experiences, where staff guided passengers in creating personalized travel souvenirs.
Comments