Chongqing - Spring has arrived in Chongqing, the mountain city, and with it comes the iconic "Trains Towards Spring" - a stunning seasonal display where urban rail trains glide through seas of blooming flowers along multiple routes.
The "Trains Towards Spring" is one of Chongqing’s urban calling cards. (Photo/Qi Lansen)
What began as a viral internet sensation at Fotuguan on Rail Transit Line 2 has evolved into a citywide phenomenon, with authorities rolling out significant upgrades to enhance visitor experience across all major viewing spots this year.
Fotuguan: The Original "Internet Celebrity" Gets a Makeover
At the Fotuguan section of Line 2 - the most recognized location for capturing trains framed against blossoms - the improvements focus on visitor comfort and accessibility. Five new rest areas and approximately 50 graphic information signboards have been installed along the Cliffside Trail, which offers panoramic views of both the floral rail corridor and the Yuzhong Peninsula skyline.
The line 2 train travels through a sea of flowers. (Photo/Snail)
Cleaning operations have been intensified, with three main routes receiving priority maintenance and seven public restrooms now under dedicated supervision. Three direct drinking water fountains and four vending machines have been deployed along the route, while volunteers provide information, first aid, and guidance services.
This year, the sea of flowers at Fotuguan has taken on a new look. (Photo/Qi Lansen)
The floral display itself has been refreshed with over 200 new Mei Ren Mei (Prunus × blireana) trees, camellias, and nearly 4,000 square meters of ground cover plants, creating richer layers and more vibrant colors for trains to pass through.
Xuetangwan: Where Magnolias Meet Mass Transit
Along the 11-kilometer stretch of Yunnan Avenue near Xuetangwan Station on Line 3, more than 3,000 magnolia trees have transformed the corridor into a "Yulania Denudata Special," with white and purple blossoms creating the illusion of trains floating through clouds.
The train becomes a "Yulania Denudata Special," a flowing scenic sight. (Photo/Xiaohongshu)
Behind this annual spectacle is a dedicated "flower protection team" from the Banan District Urban Management Bureau, which maintains the plants year-round through daily inspections, weekly watering and weeding, regular pest control, and pruning. The team has established a mechanism to monitor flowering periods and adjust care plans based on weather conditions to ensure optimal blooms.
The Xuetangwan is picturesque. (Photo/Xiaohongshu)
Under this scientifically managed system, plant survival rates have consistently remained above 98%.
Mutaolu: From Wasteland to Wonder
The Mutaolu Community Park represents perhaps the most dramatic transformation. Once a cluttered artificial fill slope, the site was redeveloped in 2021 into a multi-generational community space adjacent to the Yuwan, Yuli, and Yuhuai railway lines. Today, visitors can watch high-speed trains, bullet trains, and classic green locomotives pass through waves of pink Mei Ren Mei blossoms on the park's slopes.
Blooming beauty prunus × blireana in Mutaolu Community Park. (Photo/Xiong Yi)
This year's upgrades include a new viewing platform, nine sets of seating, and four children's play facilities. Thousands of square meters of new flowers have been cultivated along the route, promising golden blooms in the coming weeks.
Citizens take photos in Mutaolu Community Park. (Photos/Zhang Wenke & Li Chen)
Urban Governance Meets Natural Beauty
"Trains Towards Spring" represents more than just a visual poem of spring blossoms; it embodies a philosophy of people-centered urban governance, according to local officials. From the planting of each flower to the installation of drinking fountains, and from the smiles of volunteers to the city's overall design, every detail reflects efforts to build the city for its people.