The Lanzhou Railway Bureau is offering discounted sleeper tickets on 19 short-distance train journeys, the People's Daily reported on Tuesday.

Discounts are available on services including the Z56, the T76 and the T295 until December 31, although the offer will be suspended during the National Day holiday, from September 30 to October 7.

The policy means that passengers taking short trips can save almost half the price on some tickets.

For example, a bottom berth on the T295 Shanshan-Urumqi service is 30.5 yuan ($5), a reduction of 48 percent.