On May 26, the launch ceremony for Xiapu’s No.1 East China Sea tourist transport route took place at the Donghai No.1 Bus & Tourism Service Station in Jieshi, Changchun Town. A fleet of eight new-energy Golden Dragon Kast buses was officially put into service on the route. Serving as a vital transit corridor seamlessly linking high-speed rail, passenger transport, and scenic tourism, this premium route connects Xiapu’s iconic coastal mudflat landscapes and kicks off a new chapter for rural revitalization driven by accessible transport and booming local tourism.
Renowned as China’s most stunning tidal mudflat destination, Xiapu boasts an extensive winding coastline featuring interlaced mountains, islets, and ancient fishing villages. Endowed with abundant natural scenery and cultural tourism resources, the area draws photographers and holidaymakers from home and abroad all year round.
Smooth transportation fuels industrial and tourism growth. The No.1 East China Sea tourist route acts as a scenic backbone across the coastal belt. Centered on the local high-speed railway station, it connects the rail hub with core southern coastal resorts, linking up landmark spots including Gaoluo Beach, Haiwei Castle, Dajing Beach, and Xiawei Island into one integrated travel network. By fixing previous connectivity gaps between scenic sites, the route eliminates the final travel hurdle for tourists and transforms local tourism from quick stopover sightseeing to immersive slow travel, enabling visitors to enjoy turquoise seawater, silver sand beaches, and unique coastal erosion rock formations along the journey.
Specially customized for this coastal sightseeing line, the Golden Dragon Kast is the flagship vehicle for the newly opened service. Manufactured by Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus Co., Ltd., the classic Kast series has long dominated high-end official, business, and tourism transportation markets worldwide, earning an outstanding reputation for its elegant styling, smooth comfortable ride, and durable reliable performance. The 19-seat new-energy Kast variant deployed here incorporates Golden Dragon’s core new-energy technologies, featuring zero tailpipe emissions, ultra-low noise, and stable driving range. Running along the picturesque No.1 East China Sea coastal highway, the quiet electric coaches let passengers fully immerse themselves in stunning coastal vistas. The spacious cabin layout and ergonomically designed seats ease travel fatigue, delivering a premium riding experience for photography enthusiasts and family vacationers alike.
Operating daily from 08:00 to 17:30 with approximately one departure per hour at affordable fares, the route satisfies the dual demands of tourist sightseeing and daily commuting for local residents along the coastline.
More than just a scenic sightseeing corridor, the No.1 East China Sea Route serves as a livelihood-friendly public transport artery. It shortens travel distances between urban and rural villages, boosts foot traffic for local homestays, catering services, agricultural specialty sales, and rural leisure businesses, driving rural economic vitalization through the integration of tourism and transport.
“The biggest highlight of this new-energy tourist line lies in its seamless integration of high-speed rail, regular passenger transport, and scenic travel. Following the official launch, we will strengthen ongoing operational support, enforce strict safety management standards, regulate passenger transport operations, adjust schedules and services based on real passenger flow to upgrade service quality, and build this route into a mobile business card showcasing Xiapu’s coastal tourism charm,” said Sun Jianyong, Director of Xiapu Transportation Development Center.
