Bagou -- a coal town that's seen its population fall from 20,000 to 1,500 since its mine ceased operation -- is an anomaly in China. It's a town that's actually worse off in 2013 than it was 50 years ago. The narrow-gauge rail line was built in 1958 to connect Bagou with the river town of Shibanxi and has six intermediate stops along its 19.8-kilometer (12.3-mile) route.
China's incredible Jiayang Railway —
Bagou -- a coal town that's seen its population fall from 20,000 to 1,500 since its mine ceased operation -- is an anomaly in China. It's a town that's actually worse off in 2013 than it was 50 years ago. The narrow-gauge rail line was built in 1958 to connect Bagou with the river town of Shibanxi and has six intermediate stops along its 19.8-kilometer (12.3-mile) route.
David Akast/CNN
The town's buildings and facilities are all in utter disrepair, but that seems to be what's attracting tourists. Increasing numbers of tourists are arriving on the steam railway. Huangcun Station is the final stop on the old line.
Tourists come for the decay —
The town's buildings and facilities are all in utter disrepair, but that seems to be what's attracting tourists. Increasing numbers of tourists are arriving on the steam railway. Huangcun Station is the final stop on the old line.
David Akast/CNN
The river town of Shibanxi is where the line begins. Tourist trains start in Yuejin.
Start of the line —
The river town of Shibanxi is where the line begins. Tourist trains start in Yuejin.
David Akast/CNN
Until last year, there was no road to Bagou and the town could be reached only by train or on a motorbike running alongside the tracks.
Wild ride —
Until last year, there was no road to Bagou and the town could be reached only by train or on a motorbike running alongside the tracks.
David Akast/CNN
All trains are powered by one of six working steam engines that are housed and serviced in Shibanxi.
Shibanxi depot —
All trains are powered by one of six working steam engines that are housed and serviced in Shibanxi.
David Akast/CNN
A superintendent of the former Workers' Theatre proudly looks after old images of (L-R) Hua Guofeng, Sun Yatsen, Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai.
Mao was here (at least his portrait) —
A superintendent of the former Workers' Theatre proudly looks after old images of (L-R) Hua Guofeng, Sun Yatsen, Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai.
David Akast/CNN
The Soviet-built town administrative center is now a museum.
Soviet influence —
The Soviet-built town administrative center is now a museum.
David Akast/CNN
Cultural Revolution artwork and slogans can be found on many buildings.
Getting the message —
Cultural Revolution artwork and slogans can be found on many buildings.
David Akast/CNN
Quotes from Lenin are displayed on Cultural Revolution murals in Huangcun.
Art and slogans —
Quotes from Lenin are displayed on Cultural Revolution murals in Huangcun.
David Akast/CNN
With its empty buildings in terrible conditions, Bagou is a town frozen in time. Tourism may help revive it.
Downtown Bagou —
With its empty buildings in terrible conditions, Bagou is a town frozen in time. Tourism may help revive it.
David Akast/CNN
Cultural Revolution murals have been restored in Bagou.
Restored revolution —
Cultural Revolution murals have been restored in Bagou.
David Akast/CNN
Only four decades ago, "struggle sessions" viciously humiliated supposed class enemies. The stage has been authentically restored.
The original "Mao Stage" -- freshly painted —
Only four decades ago, "struggle sessions" viciously humiliated supposed class enemies. The stage has been authentically restored.
David Akast/CNN
A chartered tourist train lets off steam at the Jiaoba Curve. The Jiayang Railway makes a great addition to the well-established local itinerary of Emei Mountain and Leshan Big Buddha.
A fascinating addition —
A chartered tourist train lets off steam at the Jiaoba Curve. The Jiayang Railway makes a great addition to the well-established local itinerary of Emei Mountain and Leshan Big Buddha.
David Akast/CNN