The cherry blossom-themed trains on China's first suspended monorail line in Wuhan, the capital of central China's Hubei Province, have attracted numerous tourists with their floral carriage decorations and a unique opportunity to view pink blossoms from a stunning aerial perspective.
From early March to April, Wuhan transforms into a floral wonderland as cherry blossoms blanket the city in soft pinks and whites. The "sky trains" are adorned with cherry blossom elements inside the carriages, providing tourists with an immersive experience.
"Capturing the monorail train from this angle enables it to be framed together with cherry blossoms, creating a very romantic scene," said a tourist.
"I think the monorail train is very advanced, refreshing, and truly impressive," said another tourist.
The suspended monorail line, which opened to the public in September 2023, spans a total distance of 10.5 kilometers, features six stations, and passes through the Optics Valley Ecological Corridor.
Dubbed "the Optics Valley Photon," the monorail train appears to hang upside down because the track is positioned above. Passengers can enjoy the city from an entirely different perspective through the glass floor beneath their feet.
The entire operation process of the monorail train is fully automated and requires no human intervention.
"At that time, we sought to have a fast sightseeing tool throughout the entire green corridor, which is a fundamental facility for the corridor. Since its operation in September 2023 until now, our total passenger traffic has reached 2.1 million people," said Yang Qingmei, director of the planning and design department at Optics Valley Traffic Company, the operator of the line.
"In other cities, there are no trains hanging above the tracks, and the carriages underneath are suspended, allowing passengers to see the scenery below their feet, which is particularly novel," said Tong Le, a tourist.
Futuristic "sky trains" in China's Wuhan allure tourists with cherry blossom-themed decor
Futuristic "sky trains" in China's Wuhan allure tourists with cherry blossom-themed decor
Futuristic "sky trains" in China's Wuhan allure tourists with cherry blossom-themed decor
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
