(Nanchang, May 5) With the sound of a whistle, a train slowly departs, ascending along a cliffside at an altitude of about 1,000 meters. Outside the window, the scenery is a breathtaking expanse of mountains and rolling clouds. The "cliff-side train" at Jiangxi’s Dajue Mountain Scenic Area has recently become a sensation online, attracting numerous visitors during the May Day holiday.
Jiangxi, surrounded by mountains on three sides, is known for its "six parts mountains, one part water, and two parts farmland" landscape. Famous destinations such as Lushan, Sanqing Mountain, Longhu Mountain, Wugong Mountain, and Jinggang Mountain draw visitors from across the globe.
Recent interviews revealed that technological attractions like the "cliff-side train," exoskeleton robots, and robot tour guides have been particularly popular among young tourists visiting Jiangxi’s mountain scenic areas.
The "cliff-side train" in Dajue Mountain Scenic Area spans a total length of 11.8 kilometers, with over a third of the route perched on cliffs. At an altitude of 850 to 1,150 meters, it offers a unique climbing experience. A social media user, "Xiaolan Not Too Blue," shared their experience: "We visited on a rainy day and were unexpectedly rewarded with a sea of clouds. As the train moved along the cliffs, it felt like we were gliding through the clouds."
In addition to the "cliff-side train," other scenic spots in Jiangxi feature cutting-edge technology like exoskeleton devices and robotic guides to enhance the hiking experience. At Lushan Scenic Area, "Tutu," a robot dog guide launched this spring, interacts with visitors by performing tricks like rolling, shaking hands, and forming heart shapes with its paws. Similar attractions can be found in scenic areas like Tonggu Tianzhufeng.
At Wugong Mountain in Pingxiang, Jiangxi, the sea of clouds cascades between the ridges, while 100,000 acres of alpine meadows awaken with fresh greenery. Twenty-year-old visitor Chi Lin tried out an exoskeleton robot. With a quick setup involving straps on her back, waist, and legs, her steps became noticeably lighter on the mountain stairs.
Chi Lin shared, "The exoskeleton robot feels like something out of a sci-fi movie. It provides an upward pull while climbing, making leg movements effortless. Even on flat ground, it offers forward propulsion."
According to Xie Fuzhi, Deputy General Manager of Pingxiang Wugong Mountain Tourism Development Co., Wugong Mountain is a haven for outdoor sports. Climbing from the base to the summit takes 5–6 hours. In 2024, the scenic area welcomed over 2.2 million ticketed visitors, more than half of whom were under 25. "The exoskeleton robot enriches the hiking experience, reduces strain on visitors’ legs, and supports the development of all-ages tourism in the region."
Pan Helin, a member of the Expert Committee of Information and Communication Economics under China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, noted that integrating technologies like "cliff-side trains" and exoskeleton robots into scenic areas enhances user experience and creates new application scenarios. "Climbing is often time-consuming and strenuous, so innovations like these are particularly valuable for mountain tourism."