Frontline Story: A ‘Mobile City Coffee Bar’ Arrives by the Grand Canal

At a Glance (China Coffee Network): In Cangzhou, a pink “Shixiaozhan” sightseeing coffee-themed bus—dubbed the “mobile city coffee lounge”—lets passengers sip coffee while touring the city’s canal-side landmarks, blending transit, culture and coffee into a new form of urban micro-travel.

On June 23, at the “Shixiaozhan” sightseeing coffee-themed bus in Cangzhou, staff arranged the prepared drinks. This sightseeing coffee-themed bus is called the “mobile city coffee lounge.”

Sitting on a bus, sipping coffee while watching the flowing scenery outside the window—in Cangzhou, City Walk has gained a brand-new way to open up. On the morning of June 23, at the Cangzhou West Railway Station bus hub, Tian Baona and her son, tourists from Tianjin, had just stepped off the high-speed train when they were attracted by a pink-themed bus. The mother and son walked around the vehicle, unable to help praising it: “This is no bus—it’s clearly a mobile roadside café.”

This distinctive bus is the “Shixiaozhan” sightseeing coffee-themed bus launched by Cangzhou on June 17, affectionately called the “mobile city coffee lounge.” With a gentle pink as its main tone, flowers adorn both sides, and a small painted lion at the rear raises its head gazing into the distance, with a playful slogan printed beside it—full of atmosphere, drawing many citizens to take photos and check in.

Tian Baona and her son came to the bus, and a staff member greeted them with a smile: “Hello, would you like to try our local golden-thread jujube drink?” Tian ordered a golden-thread jujube latte, took a sip and said, “Delicious, the flavor is very special.”

Inside the cabin, local cultural elements such as the Iron Lion and the Grand Canal are integrated into the decor; professional coffee equipment is fully available, and comfortable two- and four-seat booths are set up. In front of the coffee bar is a drinks menu, and a miniature cultural-creative display area exhibits fridge magnets and stamps shaped like the Iron Lion and Qingfeng Tower, as well as canvas bags printed with acrobatics elements.

Sunlight streams through the windows, the aroma of tea and coffee drifts through the cabin, and the whole space is warm and stylish.

At 10 a.m., the bus started on time and slowly moved along the tour route. Qingfeng Tower, Nanchuan Old Street, Huayuan Bridge, Shicheng Park—the city landmarks outside the window unfolded like a scroll, one after another.

During the ride, a staff member in traditional Chinese attire walked to the center of the cabin and interacted enthusiastically: “Come, let’s drink coffee and answer questions—which counties (cities, districts) does the Grand Canal flow through in Cangzhou? Why is Cangzhou called the Lion City? Answer correctly and win a prize!” The cabin immediately buzzed with excitement as everyone raised their hands. Tian Baona also put down her coffee cup and joined the scramble to answer.

“The bus moves slowly, the scenery unfolds slowly, like drinking a layered cup of coffee—stress-relieving and soothing,” said Tian Baona. She specially brought her son to Cangzhou for tourism and didn’t expect to “taste” the sightseeing coffee bus right upon arrival. Riding while sightseeing, crossing the canal bridge, has a special flavor.

“In the past, taking the bus was just about rushing; now I can drink coffee, chat and enjoy the view with friends on the bus—it’s especially cozy, a new feel of urban micro-travel,” echoed Wang Na, a Cangzhou resident.

In fact, this is not the first time Cangzhou buses have “crossed over.” In recent years, following the idea of integrating transportation and tourism, Cangzhou Public Transport Group has rolled out food-themed lines and themed buses such as “Night Lion City” and “Shixiaoyou.” This “Shixiaozhan” themed bus was jointly created by the Cangzhou Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau and Cangzhou Public Transport Group, initially adopting a “fixed-point + tour” operating model, mainly conducting experience activities around Cangzhou West Station, college areas and canal-line scenic spots.

“We uphold the concept of ‘savoring a cup of Lion City fireworks, touring a stretch of canal cultural context,’ focusing on four highlights—tea and coffee experience, traditional-performance entertainment, youth socializing and local cultural creativity—aiming to turn this bus into a new business card that Cangzhou presents to visitors from all directions,” said Li Gen, the person in charge of the “Shixiaozhan” project at Cangzhou Public Transport Group.