Charlotte, who lives in Tham Quyen (Quang Dong province) and works in Hong Kong, regularly commutes between the two locations by bus. Since discovering these new public transport services, she enjoys experiencing the food and music-themed routes. "They remind me that bus rides aren't always tiring journeys; they can feel like a small adventure", she said. He, 24, noted that taking an entertainment bus is a more relaxing way to explore the city than rushing between photo spots.

The bus features an upper-deck karaoke space, allowing passengers to sing throughout the journey. Photo: Baidu

In recent years, the "city bus" model has seen strong growth in southern Trung Quoc. This trend revitalizes the "city walk" movement by transforming buses into mobile spaces for karaoke, movie watching, and dining. In Quang Dong, many young people choose themed bus routes for unique experiences.

Most cities in mainland Trung Quoc prohibit eating and drinking on public transport. However, passengers on Quang Chau's two-story "Yuetao Bus" can enjoy dim sum. The 90-minute journey departs from the Quang Dong Art Museum and Canton Tower. Tickets range from 99 to 128 yuan (about 14-19 USD) per person. Passengers book tickets via a social media application.

This service launched in 2022, a collaboration between Quang Chau Bus Group and a Hong Kong-style tea house. The buses are decorated with traditional Quang Dong architecture. Guests are served 8 dim sum dishes.

"The key is not just the food, but also the city's rhythm. The bus helps me discover Quang Chau", a tourist stated. In 2024, Tham Quyen introduced breakfast bus routes. Passengers pre-order one day in advance to receive soy milk and breakfast items for 8 yuan (about 1,15 USD).

The city also launched pet-friendly buses on weekends. Tickets cost 20 yuan (about 3 USD) per passenger or per pet.

The "Dangdang bus" route in Quang Chau allows passengers to watch movies, Quang Dong opera, magic shows, or sing karaoke. The journey lasts 75 minutes and costs 40 yuan per person.

According to Dongguan Daily, Dong Guan city even launched mobile barbershop buses. Each bus has three barber chairs and 4 workers. This service is free for seniors and disadvantaged children.

Buses are also used as wedding vehicles. One person posted on social media about renting bus number 520 for one day at a cost of 1,314 yuan to pick up the bride. In Chinese, "520" sounds similar to "I love you", while "1314" sounds like "for a lifetime".

Buses transformed into wedding vehicles. Photo: Baidu

On Trung Quoc social media, content about entertainment buses attracts millions of views. This reality highlights the appeal of this versatile model, transforming travel into a valuable experience.

This trend reflects the pressure on traditional bus services. An urban transport report indicates that bike-sharing and ride-hailing services have reduced bus ridership. The number of passengers using buses and trams has decreased by over two billion trips annually.

"Young people are not abandoning buses. They are simply abandoning the notion that bus travel is merely moving from point A to point B. When commuting transforms into an experience, it becomes far more appealing", a user commented on Weibo.

Thanh Thanh (Dongguan Daily, SCMP)