The first train carrying more than 900 cotton pickers from Henan province to Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, departed on August 20, 2012 in Shangqiu, Henan province. It marks the official opening of the transportation process of Henan cotton picking workers.

According to the Zhengzhou Railway Bureau, from August 20 to September 11, 23 additional special trains have been arranged for the transportation of cotton pickers. For the convenience of the workers and to save their journey costs, all the trains will leave from worker-concentrated stations such as Shangqiu, Xuchang, Ningling and Lankao.

Cotton pickers queue to board the first special train bound for Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on August 20, 2012 at Shangqiu Railway Station. [Photo/Xinhua]

50 female cotton pickers from Heze city, Shandong province sit on the special train bound for Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on August 20, 2012 at Shangqiu Railway Station. [Photo/Xinhua]