In the golden autumn days of the National Day holiday, the land of Luzhou （The old name of Hefei city）was filled with warmth. Hefei's cultural tourism market continued to heat up, with scenic spots and city streets bustling with crowds. Residents and tourists alike stepped out to immerse themselves in Hefei's urban scenery and cultural heritage, making city sightseeing and leisure travel the mainstream trend of the holiday.

To enrich National Day cultural tourism travel scenarios and upgrade the city sightseeing experience, Hefei Public Transport launched the Ankai E90D – a newly crafted retro "Dang-Dang" sightseeing tram-style bus. Its vintage, elegant body glides through city streets and alleys, becoming a striking moving highlight of Hefei's National Day and empowering the flourishing development of Luzhou's cultural tourism.

One Bell Ring Connects Luzhou's Travel Memories

The name "Dang-Dang" originates from the lingering chime of old-style trams. In 1956, Hefei's first bus rolled onto the city's streets – wheels turning, light and shadow stretching far – etching travel memories into the hearts of generations. The newly unveiled Ankai retro Dang-Dang bus E90D pays tribute to this chapter of urban transport history, replicating Hefei's unique era imprint onto a single vehicle.

The vehicle is built on the foundation of an old-style tram, with a smooth, rounded body profile and a highly recognizable red-and-white contrasting livery – its retro ambiance immediately apparent. The front features a recessed windshield design, complemented by classic small round lamps and vintage circular decorative lights that interplay with each other. Curved surfaces transition smoothly and softly, with a full, three-dimensional form. The side body continues the tram's iconic arched observation windows, with exquisite window panes arranged in staggered patterns and elegantly distinctive lines.

Stepping into the cabin, the simulated wood-grain interior exudes warmth and serenity, while vintage red seats unfold row by row, bringing a sense of nostalgia and comfort. The center section features booth seating and a long leisure table – perfect for tea and casual gatherings. The rear is designed as an entertainment and observation platform, with simulated steering and braking devices available for photo opportunities. An onboard karaoke system lets laughter flow with the vehicle, turning an ordinary trip into an unforgettable journey.

Ancient Charm Outside, Modern Energy Inside

The E90D possesses ancient charm on the outside and new energy within. The vehicle is purely electric-driven, equipped with a high-power central direct-drive motor and a CATL BC5 high-capacity battery. It delivers smooth power and quiet operation, safeguarding Hefei's blue skies with zero emissions. A six-airbag suspension system paired with a stabilizer bar structure further enhances ride comfort, making this mobile city living room stable on the road and expansive in view.

Two Routes, Taking in the City's Past and Present

When cultural tourism thrives, the city thrives. Today, Hefei's cultural tourism industry is flourishing, and "public transport + cultural tourism" is becoming a new path to unlock the city's charm. Hefei Public Transport has used the Ankai E90D as its vehicle to create two retro Dang-Dang sightseeing routes – the Luzhou Fireworks Route and the Lakeview Leisure Route. During the National Day holiday, they operated a total of 420 trips and served approximately 20,000 tourists. Tickets were in short supply several times, making these the most popular "moving scenic lines" of the holiday.

The Luzhou Fireworks Route departs from the East Gate of Xinghua Park, connecting old-city cultural landmarks such as the City God Temple, Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street, Xiaoyaojin, and Bao Park, before extending toward the new city through Sanxiaokou, Sanlian, and Xinliangcang to Swan Lake. The Lakeview Leisure Route starts from Sunac Land, winding along the 800-li Chaohu Lake, connecting Grassland on the Shore, the Memorial of the Crossing-the-Yangtze Campaign, Binhu Wetland, and Changlinhe Ancient Town – with urban greenery on one side and vast lake views on the other, capturing the autumn beauty of the lakeside within a single window.

Compared with conventional buses that operate on fixed schedules and depart upon arrival at stops, the new retro Dang-Dang sightseeing routes better cater to tourists' travel needs. The routes support flag-down stopping and hop-on/hop-off throughout the journey. With a single ticket, visitors can ride unlimited times throughout the day and freely transfer between the two routes – completely free from fixed itineraries, allowing them to control their own pace and fully enjoy the pleasure of urban roaming.

A Local Bus Manufacturer Rooted in Hefei, Telling the City's Story

As a local bus manufacturer rooted in Hefei, Ankai Bus has always been in sync with the city's development, using buses as a medium to tell Hefei's story. Beyond the retro Dang-Dang bus, Ankai double-decker sightseeing buses and themed cultural tourism buses have continued to be deployed in Hefei. With expansive viewing vistas and customized cabin designs, they create "moving city exhibition halls," continuously enriching the city's sightseeing product matrix.

From daily commuter bus trunk lines to cultural tourism sightseeing routes that carry the city's heritage, Ankai remains deeply rooted locally while upholding tradition and embracing innovation – meticulously infusing urban cultural heritage and green cutting-edge technology into every vehicle. Looking ahead, Ankai Bus will continue to create more customized, high-quality cultural tourism bus products, empowering cities across the country to refresh their urban roaming experiences.