A video recently went viral across social media platforms, allegedly showcasing an ultra-luxurious high-speed train in China. The video, widely shared by users, claimed that the train was operating between Beijing and Shenzhen, offering top-tier amenities and an unmatched travel experience.
The footage depicted spacious cabins, elegant interiors, and a sophisticated onboard atmosphere that sparked excitement among train enthusiasts and travelers alike. A Chinese user named Zhang Meifang Posted the video with the caption,”Experience a trip by the high-speed train in China. You could try this while traveling from Beijing to Shenzhen. #chinatravel #China #ChinaTrip“
Fact Check
The DFRAC Research Team, dedicated to verifying online claims, took up the task of fact-checking the viral video. Using advanced reverse image search techniques, they extracted key frames from the video and conducted an in-depth analysis of its authenticity. The findings were startling—the train featured in the video was not from China but belonged to Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and was part of its renowned Nightjet overnight passenger train services.
Identifying the Real Train
To further substantiate their findings, the team meticulously analyzed each frame of the video, paying special attention to branding and logos visible in the footage. In one of the frames, a clearly visible ÖBB Nightjet logo was identified, confirming that the train in question was indeed from Austria and not China. The ÖBB Nightjet service operates across multiple European countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Switzerland.
Language Clues Reveal More
Another crucial piece of evidence came from the labels and inscriptions seen in the video. Products and items displayed inside the train prominently featured English text. In contrast, Chinese trains primarily use Chinese characters on their products and signage. This significant linguistic discrepancy further discredited the claim that the train was from China.
Conclusion
Following this thorough fact-checking process, it became evident that the viral video was misleading. The train depicted was not a high-speed train running between Beijing and Shenzhen, but rather an Austrian ÖBB Nightjet service, known for offering comfortable overnight travel experiences in Europe.
