Tourists enjoy retro transport in Hohhot

By Zhao Xiao (chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2017-02-07

A dangdang bus on a street in Inner Mongolia’s Hohhot on Feb 4. [Photo/people.cn]

Six retro buses ran through Hohhot’s scenic spots and bustling streets on Feb 4, attracting a large number of tourists wanting to enjoy transportation from the 1990s.

The old-fashioned buses in Hohhot travel through scenic attractions including Dazhao Pagoda, Saishang Street, Qingcheng Park, and the Mammon Temple. A single ride costs 10 yuan ($1.5). From Feb 4 to 10, local residents can ride free, according to the Hohhot transportation department.

These trolley buses first appeared in China in the early 20th century and were recognized as a city icon during the epoch of the Republic of China (1912-1949), particularly in Shanghai and Beijing.

People usually call them “dangdang” buses because of the jingling sound they make due to their copper bells at the front of each bus designed to alert pedestrians.

To promote tourism, dangdang buses have been introduced to six cities including Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Baoding, and Zhuhai.

People board a dangdang bus in Hohhot on Feb 4. [Photo/Xinhua]