Russia to China in around seven-and-a-half minutes – that’s actually how fast travel between the two countries will be once construction of the world’s first international cable car is complete.
While we were all sleeping, a Dutch architecture firm unveiled designs for a cabin car that’ll run from Russia’s Blagoveshchensk and China’s Heihe.
Expected to break ground in 2020, it’ll be the first international transportation of its kind and will likely revolutionise travel between the two countries.
Read on for more deets:
WHO DESIGNED IT & HOW WILL IT ACTUALLY WORK?
The international cable car was designed by Amsterdam-based UNStudio. Each car will have four cabins capable of carrying 60 passengers plus their luggage.
Cars will operate on two international lines and depart stations every 15 minutes.
In addition to enjoying sky-high views of Amur River (a waterway that borders both countries), travellers will have access to viewing platforms, terraces, restaurants and sky gardens at the Blagoveshchensk station in Russia.
Ben van Berkel, Founder of UNStudio, said the Russian station will be like a “floating air bridge”.
“[The station will be] an expression of cultural identity and a podium for the intermingling of cultures.”
Ben van Berkel UNStudio Founder
The architecture firm for the Chinese terminal has yet to be announced.
WILL TRAVEL TIME REALLY ONLY TAKE AROUND SEVEN MINUTES?
The total travel time from Russia to China via international cable car is expected to take around seven-and-a-half minutes. But that includes loading and moving through the station.
Actual station-to-station time will be just three-and-a-half minutes.
Travellers will practically be flying between the two countries.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?
As the project is still early day, there isn’t much more information available. However, you can click here to check out UNStudio’s official announcement.