Qingdao Metro has a train themed around the Underwater World. The carriages feature a deep blue color scheme, adorned with vivid 3D murals of various marine creatures everywhere.
In Qingdao, you’d almost be embarrassed to say you’ve ridden the metro if you haven’t been on this themed carriage.
Fairy Tale Comes True: A Little Girl’s Wish Granted on Children’s Day
On Children’s Day, inside the "Underwater World" carriage of Qingdao Metro, a young mother sat quietly with her daughter reading the picture book *The Little Mermaid*.
Passengers felt as if they were truly journeying through an underwater world. Amidst the rich blue ambiance, within the dappled blue waters, colorful sea anemones, tropical fish in various stripes, graceful jellyfish, adorable turtles, sleek sharks, dolphins, and dozens of other marine creatures were vividly rendered in 3D murals, lifelike and striking.
The little girl was engrossed in reading *The Little Mermaid* in this dreamy blue carriage, lost in the fairy tale. Then she looked up and said, "Mom, I wish there were real mermaids in real life. I’d love to see them." Her mom smiled and replied, "Today, I’m taking you to Qingdao Underwater World to watch the mermaid show and make your wish come true."
At that moment, the sisters from the *The Little Mermaid* picture book, moved by the girl’s sincerity, transcended time and space to become "mermaids." They too saw the carriage as part of the underwater world and naturally blended into this blue dreamlike space. Some passengers gathered around, but the mermaid sisters weren’t scared. Looking at the blue carriage, they said, "This place is so beautiful!"
The little girl’s eyes lit up as she spotted the beautiful mermaid sisters. She tugged at her mom’s sleeve and exclaimed, "Mom, Mom, look over there—the mermaids from the book have come to life!There are real mermaids!"
The little girl walked up to the mermaid sisters. "Mermaid sisters, did you know? My biggest wish on Children’s Day was to meet you. Qingdao’s Underwater World also has mermaids, just as beautiful as you. My mom is taking me to see them," the girl said to the mermaids.
"Really? Sister, let’s go to the Underwater World and see them too," the little mermaid said to her sister.
A kind and handsome young man was captivated by the mermaid sisters and couldn’t help but step forward. "Can I come with you?" he offered eagerly to accompany the beautiful mermaid sisters.
"Get off at Huiquan Square Station. I know this area—let me come with you." When the train arrived, the mermaids transformed into human form, and a handsome Qingdao guy acted as their guide, accompanying them off the train with enthusiasm. The entire Huiquan Square Station was also a sea of blue, with pillars and corridors covered in murals of various sea creatures.
Across time and space, with vows made under the sea, the handsome guy romantically transforms into a prince.
The sea in Qingdao is incredibly beautiful.
The handsome young man led the mermaid sisters, along with the little girl and her mother, past the bathing beach. The silvery white sands, endless waves, and flying seagulls excited them, prompting them to run toward the shore with open arms. Upon seeing the ocean and touching the seawater, the mermaid sisters turned back into their fish forms.
"Beautiful mermaids, may I take some photos of you as souvenirs?" The Qingdao guy enthusiastically offered to photograph the mermaid sisters, capturing their beautiful images and precious memories.
In the blink of an eye, the group arrived at the Qingdao Aquarium and Qingdao Underwater World, known as the "Ocean Family, Vast and Profound."
"It’s really beautiful here, and right by the sea," said the little mermaid sister.
"Yes, there are mountains, sea, and sunshine here—it's much more beautiful and warm than the deep sea. Let’s go in and take a look," urged the elder mermaid sister.
They first entered the "Dreamy Jellyfish Palace" and saw all kinds of jellyfish. As the lights shifted, their graceful, translucent bodies drifted elegantly.
In the underwater tunnel, the mermaid sisters and the little girl watched many marine animals swimming above them and danced with joy. Large fish like the tiger shark, guitarfish, and blacktip reef sharks swam freely, while various rays and mantas with unique shapes flitted through the water like birds in flight. Schools of migratory fish, such as the golden-striped fish, moved in groups among the rocks, and the adorable sea turtles peered curiously at the mermaid sisters below.
In the Marine Theater, they watched the "Dreamy Mermaid" performance. Soft music combined with high-tech projections and live underwater performances to vividly depict the romantic love story of the mermaid princess and the prince. The Qingdao guy and the mermaid sisters were deeply moved by the touching plot and remained immersed in the afterglow long after the show ended, reluctant to leave their seats.
In front of the grand, magnificent cylindrical exhibit tank, many visitors took photos with the beautiful mermaid sisters. Some couples taking photos at the "Vow Under the Sea" area also joined in, hoping for the mermaids’ blessings. The Qingdao guy was also drawn to the younger mermaid sister and gradually fell in love with her. In this romantic atmosphere, unable to contain his feelings, the Qingdao guy summoned his courage, knelt on one knee in front of the "Vow Under the Sea" sign, and presented a "shark tooth from the deep sea"—a symbol of enduring love—as a token of his proposal to the little mermaid. The mermaid sister, who had fallen for him at first sight, shyly and happily accepted. The onlooking crowd erupted into applause, offering heartfelt blessings to this timeless couple.
"Mom, seeing real mermaids and all the magical sea creatures in the Underwater World made this Children’s Day so much fun," the little girl said excitedly.
"I’m happy too, and I got to witness the love story of the mermaid and the prince. Thank you for bringing her such joy," the little girl’s mother said.
"Here, with the sea, the mountains, and love, it’s even better than the deep ocean. We’d rather stay here," the mermaid sisters said admiringly in the Underwater World. "Then why don’t we stay in Qingdao, in the Underwater World forever?" the Qingdao guy said cheerfully.