Hand-drawn hiking route map found on bus, passengers find it heartwarming

　　On the morning of December 18, Mr. Xu, a local resident, was riding the No. 304 bus when he spotted a hand-drawn route map posted inside. The map not only provided detailed stop information but also featured small drawings of nearby landmarks, giving it a warm and welcoming feel. A reporter also boarded a No. 304 bus but unfortunately didn’t see the map. The conductor explained that the hand-drawn route maps aren’t on every bus. “We did this to make things more convenient for passengers. Some of us even walked the routes to create the maps,” said Wang Haijuan, the mapmaker.

　　At around 8 a.m. on December 18, Mr. Xu boarded the No. 304 bus at Maidao Station. As the bus approached Qingdao University Station, he happened to look up and noticed a hand-drawn route map posted under the TV near the front of the vehicle. “This map not only marks each stop in detail but also includes drawings of many local landmarks—for example, at the Zhanqiao stop, there’s a picture of Zhanqiao, and at the May Fourth Square stop, there’s a drawing of the May Wind sculpture,” Mr. Xu told reporters.

　　“When I first saw this map, it reminded me of a popular online story about a girl from another city who visited Qingdao and hand-drew the places she toured along the way,” Mr. Xu said. “Compared to the usual plain route maps, this one really feels warm and thoughtful. With so many little drawings, the creator must have put a lot of effort into it.”

　　On the morning of December 19, a reporter boarded a No. 304 bus at Yuanyang Plaza Station but, unfortunately, didn’t find the hand-drawn illustrations mentioned by Mr. Xu. “These hand-drawn maps aren’t on every bus, so seeing one is a matter of luck,” the conductor joked with the reporter.

　　The reporter then contacted Qingdao Jiaoyun Group Hongda Bus Co., Ltd., which operates the No. 304 line. Mr. Zhang from the company explained, “Actually, these route maps have been around for quite some time. We created them to help passengers by illustrating nearby tourist spots and hotels. Our staff even walked the routes themselves to note down the sights and landmarks along the way.”

　　“Although some people might think hanging these hand-drawn maps isn’t standard procedure, they actually serve as helpful guides—especially for visitors from out of town—and have been quite effective,” Mr. Zhang added.

　　The reporter learned that these route maps were produced by the Liu Yi team of the No. 304 bus line. Wang Haijuan, who leads the team, explained, “Because the bus route is quite long and passes many scenic spots, we based the maps on frequently asked passenger questions. Our staff walked the entire route to better familiarize themselves with the sights and landmarks. For example, many passengers ask whether it’s closer to get off at Yuanyang Plaza or Xinzhuangjia to reach the Book City. After measuring the distance by foot, we found it’s 480 steps from Yuanyang Plaza to the Book City and 500 steps from Xinzhuangjia—so we recommend getting off at Yuanyang Plaza.”

　　“Since regulations don’t allow random items to be hung inside the bus, not every vehicle has these hand-drawn maps. But if they truly make passengers’ journeys easier, we’re very happy about that,” Wang Haijuan said with a smile.