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The carriages were designed with a distinctive 'panda-face' theme, in recognition of Chengdu's status as the global centre of giant panda breeding. Xinhua / Shutterstock
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RX7N3KPHERJTKBCCLWRLWNBR5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=9589dbcc5e9584d0aad9eb24e32af566b269e8bdc6e2f6094722f1ea58847093&width=400&height=225)
An elevated monorail train travels along a 1.4km test track at China Sky Railway in Chengdu in July 2017. The air rail runs five metres above the ground and follows similar developments in Japan and Germany. Xinhua / Shutterstock
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A family watches the elevated monorail train at China Sky Railway in Chengdu in July 2017. Xinhua / Shutterstock
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G52LHE44PMDLUDFUOKKJO2RVJE.jpg?smart=true&auth=77d7003d2fd1821b73ea2cf1fa70e15141b20d25f06453fce1267f5612bf6cdd&width=400&height=225)
The carriages were designed with a distinctive 'panda-face' theme, in recognition of Chengdu's status as the global centre of giant panda breeding. Xinhua / Shutterstock
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/42O5BR4PPW2MYQEYD32MXT6YRE.jpg?smart=true&auth=e684601a0fda00233edc27466e30977fcd84f6094bff18274784bbf1f9cfac28&width=400&height=225)
The carriages were designed with a distinctive 'panda-face' theme, in recognition of Chengdu's status as the global centre of giant panda breeding. Xinhua / Shutterstock
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RX7N3KPHERJTKBCCLWRLWNBR5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=9589dbcc5e9584d0aad9eb24e32af566b269e8bdc6e2f6094722f1ea58847093&width=400&height=225)
An elevated monorail train travels along a 1.4km test track at China Sky Railway in Chengdu in July 2017. The air rail runs five metres above the ground and follows similar developments in Japan and Germany. Xinhua / Shutterstock
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/URE235NX6FUFE3YBAKQYELWYZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=eaec300280fd315e353bbd415745d0cc41ae9264ee775ac1b6f64a025ecfa246&width=400&height=225)
A family watches the elevated monorail train at China Sky Railway in Chengdu in July 2017. Xinhua / Shutterstock
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G52LHE44PMDLUDFUOKKJO2RVJE.jpg?smart=true&auth=77d7003d2fd1821b73ea2cf1fa70e15141b20d25f06453fce1267f5612bf6cdd&width=400&height=225)
The carriages were designed with a distinctive 'panda-face' theme, in recognition of Chengdu's status as the global centre of giant panda breeding. Xinhua / Shutterstock
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/42O5BR4PPW2MYQEYD32MXT6YRE.jpg?smart=true&auth=e684601a0fda00233edc27466e30977fcd84f6094bff18274784bbf1f9cfac28&width=400&height=225)
The carriages were designed with a distinctive 'panda-face' theme, in recognition of Chengdu's status as the global centre of giant panda breeding. Xinhua / Shutterstock
Dubai to explore 'sky rail' with Chinese company behind panda express
City in early talks with Zhong Tang Sky Railway Group on futuristic transport network
![Nick Webster](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F9cfba7f3-8cc8-4789-bcec-97bd0007d9ef.png?smart=true&auth=96a9a5766af20e4704e52306e74ecd02669a7e0ffd084d4151d31e0039a945d3&width=70&height=70)
Nick Webster
10 June, 2021
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