Phoenix Maglev Sightseeing Express

Between the mountains and rivers of western Hunan, there is a tourist route shining with the light of science and technology-the Phoenix Maglev Sightseeing Express. It is like a silver ribbon, connecting the ancient rhyme of the ancient city of Phoenix with the convenience of modern transportation, and bringing tourists a unique journey that integrates travel, sightseeing, popular science and cultural experience. It has become a new business card for tourism in Western Hunan. ​

1. Basic situation and construction significance​

(1) Route overview​

The Phoenix Maglev Sightseeing Express is China’s first tourist maglev route and will open for operation on May 1, 2022. The total length of the line is 9.121 kilometers, roughly in a north-south direction, starting at the Phoenix Ancient City Station of the Zhangjihuai High-speed Railway, passing through the Phoenix Qiliang Cave Scenic Area and the Phoenix Ancient City, and ending at the tunnel entrance of the Folk Park. There are 4 stations on the whole line, namely Phoenix Ancient City Station, Phoenix Welcome Station, Phoenix Range Rover Station, Phoenix Waiting Station, and Xanadu Station and Qiliangdong Station are also reserved. The train adopts a three-section formation, and the design speed and operating speed are both 100 kilometers per hour. Because it is located in a mountainous area, the whole line is mostly viaducts, with a bridge-tunnel ratio of 80%. It overcomes the problems of steep slopes and many bends, complex topography, changeable ground ups and downs, and frequent alternation of roads, bridges and tunnels, making construction extremely difficult. ​

(2) Construction significance​

Phoenix Maglev Sightseeing Express pioneered the ”Maglev + culture + tourism“ model, and adheres to the business philosophy of ”transportation becomes experience, stations become attractions, and tickets become tickets’. It not only effectively solves the problem of transportation connection between Phoenix High-speed rail station and Phoenix Ancient City, but also deeply integrates transportation functions with tourism and leisure, cultural performances, and popular science research to build Phoenix’s landscape axis, ecological corridor and cultural corridor, which has greatly promoted the upgrading and development of Phoenix’s cultural tourism industry. For touristsIt provides a brand new and immersive way of travel experience. ​

2. Geographical location and transportation advantages​

The Phoenix Maglev Sightseeing Express has a superior geographical location. The distance between the starting point of the Phoenix Ancient City Station and the Zhangjihuai high-speed rail Phoenix Ancient City Station is not more than 24 meters. The seamless transfer between the high-speed rail and the maglev is realized, allowing tourists from all over the country to easily start their maglev journey. Fenghuang Yingbin Station is adjacent to the Tourism Distribution Center of Fenghuang County (North of the City Tourist Service Center), which can be reached by bus No. 1, No. 1A, No. 6 and taxi; Fenghuang Range Rover Station is close to the ancient City Tuojiang Wind and Rain Bridge, which can be reached by shuttle bus, walking, No. 2, No. 7 bus or taxi in the city; Fenghuang Yingbin Station is close to the Ancient City Tuojiang Wind and Rain Bridge, which can be reached by shuttle bus, walking, No. 2, No. 7 bus or taxi in the city.The waiting station (Bajiaolou Tunnel entrance) is surrounded by the ancient City Wanshou Palace, Wanwan Pagoda, Hongqiao and other attractions. It can be reached by shuttle bus, bus No. 2, taxi and on foot. This convenient transportation network allows tourists to easily take the Maglev Express and travel freely between various attractions in Phoenix, whether they are departing from the high-speed rail station or moving around the ancient city. ​

3. Core attractions: a feast of science, technology and humanities connected by sites​

(1) Phoenix Ancient City Station: Impressions of the Ancient City and Popular Science Set Sail​

The theme of Phoenix Ancient City Station is “Impression of the Ancient City”. The shape of the station resembles a phoenix spreading its wings and welcoming visitors from all over the world. A general museum of maglev research disciplines has been built in the station. There are many experimental models of electricity and magnetism on display in the museum. Through vivid displays, visitors are led to explore the mystery of “flying close to the ground” of MAGLEV trains. The plank road and sightseeing elevator under the station are seamlessly connected with the ancient city. Visitors can walk into the ancient city in 5 minutes. Along the way, there are art installations such as “Rainbow after the Rain” and “Maglev Moon”, which have become popular check-in points. The “Phoenix Auspicious” project next to the station covers maglev performing arts, cultural tourism and commerce, theme boutique hotels and other formats, which meet the needs of tourists for food, accommodation, travel, shopping and entertainment in all directions. ​

(2) Phoenix Welcome Station: Tuojiang Memory and Popular Science Exploration​

The theme of Phoenix Yingbin Station is “Tuojiang Memory”, which is located in the north of the Phoenix City North Visitor Center. Together, the two constitute the tourism distribution hub of Phoenix County. After getting off the bus here, tourists can choose to take sightseeing buses, new energy vehicles, etc. to enter the ancient city of Phoenix. The station also has a maglev experience hall, with a tunnel in the middle connecting the folk park scenic area. The museum focuses on the science and technology education of electricity, magnetism and maglev rail transit. It is both knowledgeable, interesting, scientific and technological, innovative and interactive, allowing visitors to learn about maglev science and technology in a fun experience. ​

(3) Phoenix Range Rover Station: Ancient City Range Rover Interacts with technology​

Phoenix Range Rover Station can be called the core of the overall value and experience of the whole line. The iconic ”Eye of the Phoenix’ observation deck adopts a three-story cantilever design, which is suspended between the Nanhua Mountains and the Tuojiang River. Here, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of the Tuojiang Bibo, the ancient city Hanging foot Tower, and the bluestone board streets. The Maglev Science and technology experience hall in the station is full of interactive fun. The simulated cockpit allows visitors to experience the operation experience of the maglev driver. VR equipment leads visitors through to the construction site of the line, as well as electrostatic experiments such as angry crowns, which are especially loved by children. The station is closely connected to the ancient city, so visitors can quickly blend into the atmosphere of the ancient city and start an in-depth tour. ​

(4) Phoenix Waiting Station: Immersed in performing arts and cultural aftertaste​

Phoenix Waiting Station is adjacent to Wanshou Palace, Wanwan Pagoda, Hongqiao and other attractions in the ancient City of Phoenix. The station has a performing arts theater ‘Phoenix Waiting’ experience center with an immersive theme train as the core. It uses holographic projection and 5D technology to vividly interpret the story of Shen Congwen’s ‘Border City’ and the thousand-year history of the ancient city, bringing visitors a full range of sensory feasts, making visitors seem to ‘take a train, open a book,Walking into a dream and falling in love with a city”, when he left, he had a deeper aftertaste and understanding of Phoenix’s history and culture. ​

In addition, the Maglev Express line is also full of beautiful scenery along the route. The piers are shaped like petals, which blend with the natural landscape; the four seasons, the sea of flowers, colorful wall paintings and other landscapes make visitors feel like they are shuttling through a beautiful picture scroll, even during the train journey, they can also reap full of visual surprises. ​

4. Ticket information: various ticket types to meet diverse needs​

(1) Ticket price​

• One-way ticket: priced at 28 yuan, you can take a maglev train once, which is suitable for tourists who only experience maglev traffic once or have a tight itinerary. There are often discounts on platforms such as , and the actual price may be as low as 25.2 yuan. ​

• Travel ticket: Priced at 68 yuan, visitors can take 2 trains in 3 natural days. It also includes a visit to the Maglev Science and Technology Research Museum, the Maglev Science and Technology Experience Museum, and a maglev simulation driving experience. It is suitable for tourists who want to experience maglev-related projects in depth. ​

• Preferential travel ticket: For those who meet the preferential conditions, the price is 48 yuan, and the rights and interests are the same as the travel ticket. ​

• Other packages and annual cards: There are also packages that combine with Phoenix Park (Area A), Border City Performance, Zhushan Miaozhai Package (including admission + yacht + meal), Phoenix China Giant Panda Garden + Feishui Valley and other attractions, the price ranges from 99-168 yuan; there are also transportation ticketsAnnual card, the price is 98 yuan. ​

(2) Preferential policies​

Children under 1.2 meters, active-duty soldiers, and retired military cadres are exempt from tickets; children under 1.2-1.4 meters, people aged 60-64 (with ID cards), full-time students with undergraduate degrees and below (with student ID cards), and people with disabilities can enjoy preferential travel ticket prices. ​

(3) Ticket purchase channels​

Tourists can follow the ”Phoenix Maglev Cultural Tourism’ Douyin account, public account and WeChat mini program to purchase tickets online; they can also book in advance on regular platforms such as Ctrip, Meituan, ; they can also be purchased at the ticket windows of various stations (support cash, scan code payment) . ​

5. Precautions for Visiting: Intimate tips for enjoying the journey​

(1) Operating hours and ride arrangements​

At present, the first train departs at 08:45 every day, and the last train departs at 21:30. The travel interval from 12:00 to 18:00 is 15 minutes /trip, and the other times are 23 minutes / trip. It is recommended that tourists plan their itinerary in advance and arrange the ride time reasonably, especially during the tourist season to avoid delays. If you purchase multi-day tickets such as travel tickets, please pay attention to using them within the specified time and number of times. There may be differences in ticket inspection rules at some stations. You can consult the staff in advance. ​

(2) Station facilities and civilized visits​

There are popular science museums, experience halls and other facilities in each site. During the visit, it is necessary to take care of the experimental models and interactive equipment in the museum, and operate in accordance with the instructions to avoid damage. When experiencing driving simulation, VR and other projects, follow the guidance of the staff, line up in an orderly manner, and do not cut in line or crowded. Keep the environment in the station clean and tidy, and do not spit or litter. ​

(3) Connection with the tour of the ancient city​

The maglev stations are closely connected with the ancient city of Phoenix. When traveling from the stations to the ancient city, pay attention to traffic safety and abide by traffic rules. If you choose to walk, pay attention to the road conditions under your feet, especially on the bluestone roads in the ancient city, to avoid slipping. When visiting the ancient city, respect local customs and habits, and do not arbitrarily touch the cultural relics, monuments, and traditional buildings in the ancient city; when purchasing characteristic handicrafts, consume rationally and negotiate prices with merchants amicably. ​

The Phoenix Maglev Sightseeing Express is a wonderful journey where science, technology and humanities are intertwined. Taking the Maglev train, you can not only feel the speed and stability of modern transportation, but also enjoy the thousand-year charm of the ancient City of Phoenix and the natural scenery of Western Hunan. Whether it is parent-child travel, research and exploration, or leisure vacation, you can enjoy an unforgettable experience here, adding unique and beautiful memories to your trip to Western Hunan.