Ready for a journey where you float through the air and the scenery rushes beneath your feet? If your travels take you to Wuhan, the Optics Valley Suspended Monorail is a must-try. As China's first commercially operational suspended monorail and the world's first fully automated, autonomous sky rail, it offers breathtaking 270° panoramic views of the surroundings.

Route and Stations

Currently, only Phase I is operational, featuring six stations that connect attractions such as the Jiufeng National Forest Park and the Longquan Mountain Mingchu King's Tomb Archaeological Site Park.

Jiufengshan Station: Located right next to the Jiufeng Forest Park & Zoo.

Gaoxin Boulevard Station: Situated in Optics Valley Central City, with commercial hubs like Joy City nearby.

Gaoxin 2nd Road Station: Serves as a transfer point for the L2 tram line, adjacent to Baozixi Park.

Gaoxin 4th Road Station: Thematically centered around Chu culture, offering panoramic views of Optics Valley Chinese Sci-tech City.

Zongbaoqu Station: Its design incorporates a water curtain motif, symbolizing ecological principles.

Longquanshan Station: Adjacent to the Longquan Mountain Scenic Area, showcasing the distinct characteristics of Jingchu culture.

The sky rail features themed trains that change with the seasons and holidays, such as the special cherry blossom train in spring. The stations also occasionally host "Tech Carnivals," where visitors can experience cutting-edge technological projects like interacting with humanoid robots and exploring AR virtual landscapes.

Key Highlights

270-Degree Panoramic Views: Since the sky train is suspended beneath the track, it features large side windows and a transparent viewing floor, allowing passengers to gaze down at the scenery directly beneath their feet.

Fully Automated, Autonomous Operation: The entire journey, from starting and accelerating to stopping and opening/closing doors, is managed by an automated system. Onboard staff are only present to handle unforeseen emergencies.

Technological Features

Eco-Friendly Efficiency: The system incorporates a flywheel energy storage system to recover braking energy, saving approximately 230,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually. The use of permanent magnet traction motors further enhances energy saving by 35% compared to conventional motors, truly embodying the principles of green mobility.

Safety Assurance: The elevated track is supported by steel structure columns, and the vehicle bogies are enclosed within the guideway beams, ensuring operational stability. Furthermore, a fiber optic monitoring system provides real-time environmental sensing, while the fire safety standards meet the highest international classification.

Multi-stage Damping Technology: An cutting-edge damping system is in place to minimize vibrations caused by track irregularities, significantly enhancing passenger comfort.

Smart Security Screening: Employing multi-modal systems like facial recognition, tiered security checks, and contactless payment, this technology boosts the intelligence of ticketing, security, and boarding processes. It allows for seamless entry through gates using various methods, including facial scans and QR codes, effectively saving travelers' time.

Practical Information

Operating Hours: Summer Season (March–October): 8:00 AM–8:00 PM; Winter Season (November–February): 9:00 AM–7:00 PM. Trains run every 10 minutes, with a full round trip lasting approximately 30 minutes.

Fares: Single Journey Ticket: ¥30 (allows round trip if you do not exit the station); Day Pass: ¥40 (unlimited rides on the day of purchase); Monthly Pass: ¥120. Children under 1.3 meters and seniors aged 60 and over ride for free. Primary and secondary school students receive a 30% discount.

Ticketing: Tickets can be purchased online via the "光谷空轨旅游专线" (Optics Valley Suspended Monorail Tourist Line) WeChat mini program or Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok). In-station purchases are available at self-service kiosks or customer service centers, accepting cash or mobile/QR code payments.