On this new tram tour we will explore as many southern Chinese tram systems as possible. The detailed planning is still ongoing, and our ideas include visits to Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Kunming, Qiubei, Mengzi, Sanya, Guandong and Shenzhen. The monorail in Guan'an and of course the legendary monorail routes in Chongqing are also a must. If there is still time, extensions in Hong Kong and Taiwan would be possible.
Problem: there is too much to see in a limited travel time - and anyone who knows me is aware of the fact that I like to stop for one or two tourist highlights. Being in Chengdu without having seen the pandas or driving past Guilin without visiting the Karst Mountains...
Although many cities have built tram systems, their future is not guaranteed everywhere. A city administration that sets up a new network with the stroke of a pen can also quickly shut down operations again. Many lines are bets on the future and were of course built based on economic considerations. If these bets are not fulfilled, small networks without real demand or interaction with other transport systems are at risk of extinction.
We will know more details about the exact shape of this tour to the streetcars of Southern China around November 2024. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please do not hesitate to share them with me. I am always happy to receive relevant information. Just write me an email.
© Photo credits on this page: Tommy Ma, Chinese Tourist Office, Yunnan Tourist Office