Wuyishan National Park Train, China

A butterfly sets the journey in motion. Inspired by the Golden Kaiser-i-Hind, a rare butterfly native to Wuyi, the Wuyishan National Park Train is a moving museum of nature that carries the landscapes and cultural traditions of Nanping. Wuyi Mountain is recognised by UNESCO for both its natural and cultural heritage, and the train is designed to celebrate both. Golden and amber hues flow across its exterior, echoing the butterfly’s wings and the warm tones of Wuyi tea.

Inside, the journey unfolds with the changing perspectives of a Song dynasty garden. Decorative window frames turn passing mountains and forests into living compositions, while local ceramics, bamboo weaving and architectural details bring the region’s craftsmanship into the carriages. In the lounge, a bar shaped like a Song tea bowl recalls Jianyang’s celebrated Jian Zhan ware, its dark glaze flecked like a night sky.

Each space offers a different encounter with Wuyi. A lounge invites conversation, a camping-inspired carriage captures the ease of being outdoors, and seating carriages, each themed on a local species such as the Cabot’s tragopan or the Tibetan macaque, encourage discovery. A dedicated family carriage makes room for shared exploration beneath a canopy of native plants, while private compartments evoke bamboo groves, red sandstone cliffs and walls that shift from deep to pale like cups of steeping tea.

As the scenery shifts beyond the windows, these details deepen the connection to the landscape, inviting passengers to slow down and follow the butterfly as they discover Wuyi along the way. More than a scenic ride, the train becomes a moving welcome to Nanping, where nature, tea and craft are shared with every traveller on board.