A senior student, his classmates and teacher pose for a photo at the Dayangshu town railway station before departure on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A student shows her train ticket from Dayangshu to Alihe before departure on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Students and teachers walk toward the train carriages on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Students get on the train from Dayangshu to Alihe on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Parents wave goodbye to their children who set off to Alihe for the national college entrance examination, known as the gaokao, on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The classic green train carriages have been decorated with red banners urging the students to "fight for their dreams", along with pictures from their time at school. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Two students set off to Alihe for the national college entrance examination, known as the gaokao, on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Students set off to Alihe for the national college entrance examination, known as the gaokao, on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]