As the 2025 Spring Festival travel season approaches, some of China’s Fuxing high-speed trains are undergoing rigorous cleaning to ensure they are ready to serve millions of passengers.

A viral video showcasing the trains’ cleaning process — dubbed “bathing” by netizens — has sparked widespread interest, with viewers calling the process both “adorable” and “impressive.”

China's self-developed high-speed Fuxing trains, known for their sleek design and speeds of up to 350 km/h, accumulate dirt and grime during their journeys across the vast country.

The "train bathroom" at the second EMU Depot of China Railway Nanning Group.

At the second EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) Depot of China Railway Nanning Group, the cleaning process is more than just cosmetic. To maintain their performance and appearance, each train is cleaned and inspected approximately every 48 hours as part of routine maintenance.

The cleaning process

The cleaning process begins with the train slowly entering an automated washing line, referred to as its “bathroom,” at a speed of 5 km/h.

The depot is equipped with six such washing lines, each connected to a maintenance track, allowing for seamless cleaning and inspection.

Before the train arrives, staff prepare a custom cleaning solution, mixing water and specialized detergents to tackle the unique cleaning challenges posed by high-speed rail operations.

Once inside the wash bay, sensors activate a network of water jets and brushes. The train is pre-soaked with water before being sprayed with the cleaning solution. Angled brushes, side brushes, and undercarriage brushes then scrub the train’s exterior from top to bottom.

This automated process takes just five minutes, leaving the train spotless and ready for further inspection.

Due to the aerodynamic shape of the train’s nose, some areas are not accessible to automated brushes. After the initial wash, technicians conduct a manual cleaning to address these hard-to-reach spots, ensuring every inch of the train is spotless.

While the train undergoes final cleaning, mechanical engineers inspect critical components, including the roof, carriages, and undercarriage, to ensure the train is in perfect working condition.

Ready for the Spring Festival

Once cleaned and inspected, the Fuxing trains are ready to transport passengers during the Spring Festival travel rush, or “Chunyun”, which will officially begin on Jan. 14 and end on Feb. 22 this year, lasting 40 days.

According to the latest updates from the national Spring Festival travel teleconference, the season is expected to witness 9 billion cross-regional trips across all modes of transportation. Railways are set to play a pivotal role, with passenger volume likely to exceed 510 million trips.