alibaba travel

• Investor Relations
• News and Resources

The Inbound Report

Covering the Inbound Tourism Industry Since 1996

Alibaba Relaunches Travel site as Fliggy to Compete with CTrip

July 11, 2017 by Tom Berrigan

Ctrip, already the top online travel agency in China at the time, was in the midst of an expansion mode in which it was acquiring travel companies and making strategic investments—not only in China, but in Asia and elsewhere globally, including the United States. According to an item last July in  ChinaMoneyNetwork.com, “Ctrip is now the absolute monopolistic force in online travel in China. One anonymous analyst jokingly describes it as holding a 100 percent market share.”

Against such a force, others have failed, but they did not have the backing of Jack Ma , founder of the Alibaba Group and the richest man in China. In May 2017, Forbes reported that Ma had a net worth of $31.1 billion.

Supported by such considerable resources and a seemingly determined Ma, the decision was made to scrap Alitrip and build a completely new brand with the Alitrip infrastructure—one developed through its own research that would “focus on the millennials raised in the digital age.”

The brand “Alitrip” was ditched and last November, “Fliggy” was launched. Fliggy (or “Feizhu” in Chinese) means “flying piggy”—as tnooz described the moniker, “a rather playful take on the idea of attracting Chinese to discover destinations in other countries.”

Since then, Fliggy officials have been on a mission to grow the brand and its market share. While revenues are steadily increasing, the brand has a way to go before it is as common as “Alibaba” is.

At a show of hands during a presentation by a Fliggy executive at last month’s Amadeus Airline Executive Summit in Dublin, only a small number indicated that they were familiar with the brand.

What Makes Fliggy Different: Wells Zheng , vice president, international air tickets at Fliggy, told the Dublin conference that Fliggy is different than other online travel agencies and metasearch sites because it is not simply a comparison site; rather, it provides “a direct connection between the airline and their customer.”

As reported by tnooz , Zheng said airlines can gather data directly from customers as well as expose their brand: i.e., while Fliggy is trying to “eliminate the information asymmetry,” OTAs “stand between brands and their customers,” Zheng added, explaining that Fliggy’s main–its flagship store—enables brands to operate their own shop but provides them with marketing and data analytics support.

The latter part is appealing to the airlines and other travel suppliers, as they have signed up with Fliggy in impressive numbers.

“We reinvented the brand identity of Alitrip and developed the lovable mascot ‘Fliggy’ as well as a comprehensive visual identity system.

  “Travel Redefined: Fliggy (previously known as Alitrip) is the OTA brand of Alibaba with focus on the millennials raised in the digital age. By providing diverse, convenient and quality travel related services, Fliggy strives to become the go-to choice for the younger generation when they plan their travels, especially for overseas trips.

“Labbrand stood out in the pitch and was solicited to design the new brand identity for Fliggy. How do we create an impressive and unique brand image that can differentiate in the highly competitive OTA market in China? This was the main question that we asked ourselves.

  “The ‘Piggy’ that Flies: ‘ Travelling is just like being a pig- we eat, sleep and have fun.’—This is the interpretation of ‘travel’ by the Alibaba team. Based on this concept, our designers worked closely with Alibaba to create a distinct and lively image of ‘Fliggy’—the Flying Piggy.

  “Without going the conventional route by giving the piggy wings, we designed the unique element of ‘flying hairs’ to paint a stylistic and dynamic picture of Fliggy flying against the wind. The hairs also create a shape of a lightning, symbolizing the speed and efficiency of Fliggy.

“The Colors of Travel: We identified yellow as the main color for Alibaba’s Fliggy. The Fliggy icon is outlined with a golden band, echoing the color of the lightening. At the same time, it evokes of an inspiring imagery that the travelers are always being embraced by the warm sunshine. The pink nose of Fliggy represents the flushed cheeks of the travelers. The white base is the result of the sunlight’s seven colors combined, pure and simple, just like every traveler’s passion towards the world.”

Share this post:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

An industry service provided by

Connect Travel

15 Technology Parkway South Suite 205 Norcross, Ga 30092

Alibaba Group and Marriott International Announce Innovative Joint Venture to Redefine Travel Experience

Joint Venture to Create Seamless, Insight-based Travel Services, With Alibaba Serving as Gateway to More than Half a Billion Chinese Consumers

Chinese Outbound Travel Set to Boom with 700 Million Trips Estimated for the Next Five Years as Consumers Seek New, Elevated Travel Experiences

[image number=1 orientation=portrait]

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (“Alibaba”) (NYSE: BABA) and Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott International”) (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced the establishment of a joint venture to redefine the travel experience for the hundreds of millions of Chinese consumers traveling abroad and domestically every year.

The joint venture will leverage Marriott International’s global portfolio of brands and unparalleled hospitality expertise to revolutionize the travel experience as well as Alibaba’s digital retail leadership and its role as a gateway for international brands to reach over 500 million mobile monthly active users across its platforms. Drawing on resources from both Marriott and Alibaba, the joint venture will manage Marriott’s storefront on Fliggy, Alibaba’s travel service platform. It will also market directly to Alibaba’s customer base, provide a link between Marriott’s loyalty programs and Alibaba’s loyalty program, and support Marriott hotels globally with content, programs and promotions customized for the Chinese traveler.

As incomes rise, China’s middle class is looking for higher quality products and travel experiences. This new venture is designed to satisfy consumers’ expectations for seamless, integrated, personalized, and convenient travel solutions that connect travelers directly to Marriott’s portfolio of international hotel brands. The travel industry is an important growth opportunity as China’s travelers are expected to take an estimated 700 million trips over the next five years. Marriott’s owners and franchisees globally will benefit from the joint venture by capturing a greater share of this growing Chinese travel market and lower distribution costs associated with the joint venture.

“We are proud to join forces with Marriott International – combining our large-scale consumer base, leading-edge technology and consumer insights with their unparalleled hospitality expertise,” said Daniel Zhang, Chief Executive Officer of Alibaba Group. “Together, we are elevating and redefining the travel experience for Chinese consumers to be more seamless and personalized as they embark on adventures to discover the world.”

“We have long admired Alibaba’s digital expertise and deep understanding of Chinese consumers’ needs and behaviors,” said Arne Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International. “By forming this partnership, we are pairing our hospitality expertise with Alibaba’s digital travel platform, retail expertise and digital payment platform, Alipay, and driving membership to our loyalty programs. With the growing number of Chinese consumers exploring new destinations, this venture will introduce our hotels worldwide to this new and growing traveling class.”

The joint venture will elevate the travel experience for Chinese travelers in the following ways:

• Making Global Travel Easy : The joint venture will provide newly-integrated functionality to make the entire travel experience truly frictionless from planning, booking, paying and managing a trip to all of the activities associated once at the destination like shopping, dining and sightseeing. The joint venture will deliver user-friendly technology solutions that will open up a world of travel options for Chinese consumers.
• Personaliz ed and VIP Experiences: The joint venture will leverage technology to curate customized experiences for Chinese consumers. Marriott will offer access to private concerts, family-focused experiences, and court-side seats at sporting and other events through its Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Moments and Marriott Rewards Moments programs. Eligible members from Alibaba’s loyalty program will benefit from personalized hospitality programs and Marriott’s award-winning SPG ambassador program.
• Wallet- free Travel: Alipay will be accepted at Marriott hotels in select global markets with further expansion expected around the world.
• Next- Gen Loyalty: Connecting Marriott’s award-winning loyalty platform – Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and SPG – with Alibaba’s large-scale consumer reach will establish a new benchmark for the next-generation loyalty program.

In addition, in celebration of Alibaba’s Members day on August 8, Alibaba members will be able to enroll in one of Marriott’s loyalty programs - Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards or SPG - and book exclusive Member Rates through one of Marriott’s digital channels, beginning immediately. Special offers will also be available only on August 8 for members on marriott.fliggy.com .

About Alibaba Group Alibaba Group's mission is to make it easy to do business anywhere. The company aims to build the future infrastructure of commerce. It envisions that its customers will meet, work and live at Alibaba, and that it will be a company that lasts at least 102 years.

About Marriott International Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,200 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 125 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at  www.marriott.com , and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com . In addition, connect with us on  Facebook  and @MarriottIntl on  Twitter  and  Instagram .

Note on Forward-Looking Statements : This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws, such as the estimated five-year growth figure for Chinese outbound travel and the anticipated benefits from the joint venture.  These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will” and “expect” and similar statements.  Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and involve inherent risks and uncertainties.  A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including in this case the risk that a new program such as this joint venture may not be successful or fully achieve the objectives of the participants.  Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Alibaba Group’s and Marriott International’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We make those statements as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.

Media contacts for Marriott International: Barbara DeLollis 301.814.3357 [email protected]

Alethea Lam +852 9444 4246 [email protected]

Media contacts for Alibaba Group: Candice Huang 202.716.7446 [email protected]

Xiaoyi Shao +86 186 5817 0996 [email protected]

Here’s Why China’s Fliggy Thinks the Travel Recovery Is Just Getting Started

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

October 26th, 2023 at 4:50 AM EDT

As the Chinese travel market embraces personalization, technology integration, and enhanced experiences, the industry needs to adjust to this ever-changing landscape.

Peden Doma Bhutia

Think China’s travel recovery is “sluggish?” Don’t say that to Calvin Chu, managing director, international vacation business at Alibaba’s Fliggy.

Outbound travel is on the rise, he said and Fliggy has observed visa services sales topping 2019 levels, signifying the resurgence of wanderlust among Chinese tourists.

Flight bookings indicate a heightened interest in destinations within a four-hour flight range from major Chinese cities.

“The enthusiasm is clearly rekindling for Chinese travelers, who have historically played a substantial role in global outbound travel. The only concern now is for supply to pick up,” Chu said.

Chinese Tourists Are Traveling

Chinese tourists are opting to stay closer to home and that’s largely due to the ease of travel within the country, Chu said.

“Whether it’s road trips or high-speed railways, transportation in the country has never been more accessible,” said Chu.

He pointed out that while the desire to explore longer distances still lingers, the challenge is limited flight capacity for long-haul destinations.

Fliggy noted a double-digit growth from 2019 in the total value of hotel and flight bookings within China, during the recent Golden Week, a prominent holiday period in China.

The number of people who made bookings for international flights reached a peak for the year, while in the month leading up to the holiday, the total value of visa application service transactions through Fliggy had a remarkable increase of over 70% compared to the month leading up to this year’s Labor Day holiday.

Golden Week Travel Trends

China’s recent Golden Week travel has also provided insights into the evolving preferences.

Chu pointed out four significant trends:

• Rise in Independent Travel: Young people increasingly favor independent travel over traditional group tours. Destinations such as the Maldives, Luxembourg, French Polynesia, Argentina, Egypt, and Kenya have all experienced strong growth in total fulfilled transaction volumes.
• Interest in Long-Haul Destinations: Some long-haul destinations are attracting Chinese travelers, including: Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Iceland, and Egypt.
• Quality-Focused Travel: Travelers are seeking personalized, emotionally resonant experiences, whether it’s surfing, skiing, dining, or exploring local handicrafts. On Fliggy’s platform, the number of bookings for four- and five-star hotels during Golden Week increased by over 50% compared to the same period in 2019.
• Asian Games Stimulus: Major events like the Asian Games are stimulating travel to specific locations, drawing a considerable number of young travelers.

Quality Over Quantity

Chu said there’s a shift in the mindset of Chinese travelers: They now emphasize the quality of their travel experiences, instead of chasing the sheer number of destinations visited.

“Personalization and local immersion are paramount, often leading to customized trips that delve deeper into cultural experiences,” he said. 

Several drivers are responsible for the ongoing recovery and the renewed interest in travel. A growing segment of the population is now more willing to allocate a significant portion of their budgets to travel experiences.

Younger individuals, particularly those born after 1995, who have saved money and gained work experience, are eager to explore foreign destinations in a personalized manner.

More than 60% of Fliggy’s users are millennials and Gen Z.

Enhancing Digital Travel Experiences

Being enthusiastic about new technologies, Chu said.

AI can significantly enhance business efficiency by assisting staff in managing extensive customer inquiries, allowing them to channel their efforts into crafting superior products and delivering improved customer service.

Chu said Fliggy is expanding its offerings to merchants, including online consulting and training courses. The traditional collaboration model is evolving to offer dedicated support to businesses.

“We’re aware that numerous travel businesses still primarily operate offline and may lack experience in managing an online storefront. To support these business partners, we have established a specialized team dedicated to assisting with suppliers and managing marketing and sales functions, allowing them to concentrate on order fulfilment,” Chu said.

Skift AI Travel Newsletter

AI coverage across travel sectors that’s focused on separating trendy moves from good ideas – in your inbox every Friday.

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: alibaba , artificial intelligence , asia monthly , china outbound , coronavirus recovery , digital distribution , fliggy , gen z , golden week

Photo credit: Chinese travelers now emphasize the quality of their travel experiences, instead of chasing the sheer number of destinations visited. Chris Feser / Flickr

• Amap topped 280 million peak daily active users during the 2023 Mid-Autumn Festival
• Logistics service Cainiao, payments provider AliPay and other mobile apps use the navigation platform

Amap users can leverage the platform's high-tech navigation tools in China and abroad. Photo credit: Alibaba Group

If you need to get from A to B in China, Amap will probably help you find your way.

Amap appears on your cell phone and in on your car’s dashboard. It helps you avoid a traffic jam, find a charging station for your electric car and book a table at the local restaurant.

Like Google Maps, Amap is a navigation tool based on a mobile digital map and real-time traffic information in China. Other mobile apps plug into Amap across industries, including local services, ride-hailing and social networking, which end users can access directly through Amap’s open platform .

Within the Alibaba Group ecosystem, Amap is used by logistics player Cainiao and payment platform Alipay. Amap users can make table reservations on Koubei or order food with Ele.me. Likewise, users book rides during the holidays, view Fliggy’s travel recommendations, find hotels and book tickets on the app.

How did Amap get where it is today? Explore its journey below:

October, 2023

New heights

During an eight-day holiday period combining the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday, Amap records an all-time high of over 280 million peak daily active users. The usership growth helps propel revenue from the Local Services Group to hit RMB15.6 billion ($2.1 billion) in the September quarter, a 16% year-on-year increase, according to the Alibaba Group earnings report .

September, 2023

Upgrade time

Amap upgrades to version 13, which includes innovative features to provide detailed travel decision-making references and convenient navigation services.   Amap also launches its “World Map” product, allowing users to plan routes and access navigation services abroad. Additionally, users can illuminate the countries and cities they pass through based on their trip location records.

Enabling explorers

During China’s Labor Day holiday, Amap hit over 200 million peak daily active users, higher than during previous Labor Day holidays as Chinese consumers’ wanderlust recovered.

April, 2023

Up around the bend

Amap releases a mobile-end feature which provides curve meeting warnings. It automatically activates when users navigate through complex curved road sections, providing information about oncoming vehicles through voice prompts and dynamic 3D imagery. It helps users anticipate blind spots ahead, reducing potential safety hazards during driving.

June quarter, 2023

Green means go

Amap releases new features, such as telling a driver how many seconds until a traffic light turns green.

March, 2023

Average daily use reaches new heights

The number of average daily active users of Amap hits 150 million, driven by rising intra-city commuting and inter-city travel.

Extra hot, no whip

Amap teamed up with Starbucks to offer a curbside coffee pickup service along their route.

October, 2022

Over 220 million DAU

On the first day of the week-long National Day holiday in China, Amap records over 220 million daily active users.

September, 2022

Class is in session

Amap  rolls out an upgrade with AI-powered city mapping features that transport users into another dimension. It integrates real-time visual information, such as weather and traffic, into its 3D viewing mode. A digital creation named Xiao Gao Lao Shi – or Teacher Gao – is included with the latest Amap upgrade. The  human lookalike  accompanies users through the 3D cities and transforms the map-reading process into a conversation.

October, 2021

Stay in your lane

Amap’s lane-level navigation launches. This product accurately identifies the specific lane where the user is driving during the navigation process, in order to provide more detailed guidance.

Helping holidaymakers

During China’s Golden Week holiday, daily active users on the app and on its platform built into cars surpass 200 million.

Part of the family

Amap joins the newly-created Lifestyle Services division at Alibaba, led by Yu Yongfu. Amap President Liu Zhenfei reports directly to Yu. The division becomes the Local Services Group in 2023 as part of Alibaba’s restructuring.

April, 2021

Crossing 100 million

Amap’s average daily active users tops 100 million.

September, 2020

From A to B, sustainably

Amap unveils a green travel incentive mechanism to encourage users to choose public transportation, cycling, walking, and other environmentally friendly modes of transportation. It calculates the corresponding carbon emissions reduction and rewards users with discounts and other benefits.

Record-breaking performance

Amap becomes the first Chinese mapping service to navigate a path to 100 million daily users.

Catch a cab

Amap launches its ride-hailing service.

Going private

Alibaba takes AutoNavi private in $1.58 billion deal. AutoNavi is subsequently renamed Amap. 

Alibaba buys stake

Alibaba acquires a 28% stake in AutoNavi for $294 million, becoming the startup’s largest shareholder.

Working with Apple

AutoNavi starts providing map and navigation services for the Chinese market to Apple Inc.

Going public

AutoNavi lists on Nasdaq at $12.50 per ADS raising over $100 million.

Welcome to China

AutoNavi’s very first independently developed in-car pre-installed navigation software enters the Chinese market.

October, 2006

Finding funding

AutoNavi issues 40 million Series A convertible preferred shares, or Series A preferred shares, to a group of private equity investors.

AutoNavi earns mapping certification

AutoNavi obtains a Class A surveying and mapping qualification certificate issued by the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping. It begins providing digital map data to a major automobile manufacturer in China.

April, 2002

AutoNavi is born

AutoNavi is co-founded by Jun Hou, Congwu Cheng and Jun Xiao to develop digital map data for in-dash navigation systems in automobiles.  

Dig deeper into the latest travel trends inside and outside of China

Never Miss a Story

Popular stories.

Alibaba Group Invests for Strategic Growth with Cainiao Share Purchase Offer

Chinese Automaker FAW Group Taps Alibaba Cloud’s Gen AI for Business Intelligence

Alibaba News Roundup: Cainiao’s Hong Kong Logistics Centre Finishes Construction; Fliggy Expands Rural Tourism Initiative

Alibaba Global Math Competition Opens Applications for Math Enthusiasts

Sign up for our newsletter.

Stay updated on the digital economy with our free weekly newsletter

خرید آنلاین بلیط هواپیما، قطار و اتوبوس

• پرواز داخلی
• پرواز خارجی
• ویلا و اقامتگاه

آغاز ماجراجویی اینجاست

اپلیکیشن علی‌بابا

گارانتی بهترین قیمت

داستان بسیار ساده است. برای اینکه مطمئن باشید بهترین قیمت تور در علی‌بابا ارائه شده است، می‌توانید باز هم در مورد تور جستجو کنید. اگر همان تور را با قیمت پایین‌تری در جایی دیگر دیدید، این موضوع را به علی‌بابا اطلاع دهید. پس از بررسی این موضوع، علی‌بابا با تخفیفی معادل دو برابر این اختلاف قیمت برایتان تور رزرو می‌کند. بیشتر بخوانید

خدمات ویژه تور

سفر به کیش همیشه یکی از گزینه‌های روی میز است. جزیره‌ای آرام و زیبا در خلیج فارس که به خاطر داشتن امکانات رفاهی و تفریحی فراوانش، گردشگران را به وسوسه می‌اندازد که نه یک بار که چند بار، سفر به این جزیره را تجربه کنند. حالا اگر بخواهید تور کیش را از علی بابا رزرو کنید، علاوه بر آنکه خیالتان از رزرو تور با بهترین قیمت بازار راحت است، می‌توانید از هدیه ویژه علی بابا هم استفاده کنید. این هدیه ویژه کسانی است که از امکان خرید تور با بهترین قیمت استفاده کرده‌اند.

سایر تورهای علی‌بابا

برای افرادی که به تازگی پا به عرصه ی گردشگری گذاشته‌اند، سفر با تور بهترین گزینه است. چرا که راهنمایان تور به خاطر تجربه‌های زیادی که دارند، اطلاعات خیلی دقیقی از مقصد گردشگری دارند و استفاده از دانش آن‌ها می تواند ناشناخته‌هایی از مقصد رویایی‌تان را به شما نشان دهد و صد در صد دانستن برخی اطلاعات بهتر از این است که شما فقط آن منطقه را ببینید. تور خارجی و داخلی علی‌بابا خاطره یک سفر رویایی را برای شما به ارمغان خواهند آورد.

• تور استانبول
• تور کیش از کرمان
• تور کیش از شیراز
• تور کیش از اصفهان
• تور کیش از تبریز
• تور کیش از مشهد
• تور کیش از اهواز

• Articles   >

The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• March Madness
• AP Top 25 Poll
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Baltimore bridge collapse: Ships carrying cars and heavy equipment need to find a new harbor

The collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge is diverting driving and shipping around one of the busiest ports on America’s East Coast. Baltimore Harbor Tunnel expected to absorb traffic.

Shown is the wreckage of Francis Scott Key Bridge as seen from Dundalk, Md., on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, Recovery efforts resumed Wednesday for the construction workers who are presumed dead after the cargo ship hit a pillar of the bridge, causing the structure to collapse. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

• Copy Link copied

In this image taken from video released by the National Transportation and Safety Board, the cargo ship Dali is stuck under part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Baltimore. (NTSB via AP)

Police dive boats work around part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations Vice Admiral Peter Gautier listens as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks about the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse during a press briefing at the White House, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

A container ship rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge during a rainstorm on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. The ship rammed into the major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds and creating a terrifying scene as several vehicles plunged into the chilly river below. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

A Coast Guard cutter patrols in front of a cargo ship that is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Manufacturers and shippers are scrambling to figure out where they can load or unload cargo while the main operations of the Port of Baltimore remain shut down due to Tuesday’s deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Supply chain experts say other ports up and down the East Coast are likely to absorb much of Baltimore’s traffic, avoiding a crisis. But not without some longer shipping times and upheaval.

“Ultimately, most trade through Baltimore will find a new home port,” Moody’s Analytics economist Harry Murphy Cruise wrote in a blog post.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reiterated Wednesday that it was too soon to estimate how long it would take to clear the bridge structure from the 50-foot-deep (15 meters) Patapsco River channel, which leads to the port’s main terminal.

The port’s location makes it a key destination for freight. The Maryland Port Administration says the facility is an overnight drive from two-thirds of the U.S. population, and it’s closer to the Midwest than any other East Coast port.

Here’s a look at the goods that go through the Port of Baltimore and the potential impact of a prolonged port shutdown:

WHAT GOODS ARE SHIPPED TO AND FROM BALTIMORE?

Baltimore is the ninth-busiest port in the nation for international cargo, but it leads U.S. ports in “roll on, roll off” cargo. That means goods with wheels, composed largely of automobiles but including construction and agricultural equipment.

The state of Maryland says the port moved 847,158 automobiles last year. About 70% of the wheeled cargo was imported.

The port also handles a large amount of wood, steel, aluminum, home appliances, furniture, sugar and liquefied natural gas . About 20% of U.S. coal exports pass through Baltimore, second only to the port in Norfolk, Virginia.

Shippers also use the port for containers, although other ports handle more of them. About 1 million containers went through Baltimore in the past year, about 2.8% of the container volume shipped through East Coast ports, according to S&P Global.

In all, the port handled a record 11.7 million tons of cargo last year, the state said.

“For everybody who is buying cars, for everybody who is (buying) farm equipment, we’re the largest port in the country that does that,” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said. “So this is not just impacting Maryland.”

HOW MANY SHIPS STOP AT THE PORT?

More than 50 ocean shipping and cruise ship companies do business with the port, the state says, and their vessels visit the port about 1,800 times per year.

Last year, more than 444,000 passengers boarded cruise ships at the port from Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and other cruise lines.

WHAT ARE BALTIMORE-BOUND SHIPS DOING NOW?

Many are waiting to get booked at other ports, pushing back their arrival dates for several weeks.

Windward Maritime said that from Monday to Tuesday, estimated time of arrival for Baltimore bound vessels doubled. The maritime risk management company predicted that ships scheduled to go to Baltimore would be delayed by at least 24 days.

The company also said its data shows a large increase in ships that are basically drifting in the North Atlantic, likely meaning they are waiting to see which port they will go to.

Some are anchored near Baltimore or nearby Annapolis, where a dozen vessels were waiting. Ships also are gathered near Norfolk.

WHERE ELSE WILL THE SHIPS GO?

Supply chain experts say it will take some time, and there will be disruption, but automakers and shipping companies will divert their cargo to ports up and down the East Coast.

Ports in Philadelphia, Wilmington, Delaware; Newark, New Jersey; Norfolk; Charleston, South Carolina; Jacksonville, Florida; and in Georgia also could see additional cargo.

The Georgia Ports Authority, which owns ports in Savannah and Brunswick, said it has capacity to take on more cargo. But it can’t make up for Baltimore by itself.

Baltimore still can handle some autos. Part of its operations are east of where the bridge collapsed and are still operational, the port said. BMW and Volkswagen said they would still be able to use Baltimore.

WILL THE INCREASED SHIPPING TIMES RAISE PRICES OF GOODS?

Perhaps, although Moody’s said finding substitute ports should minimize price adjustments for coal and vehicles. “That said, the reshuffle will squeeze other ports, potentially adding a smidge to shipping costs as delays spill to other goods,” analyst Murphy Cruise wrote.

HAVE OTHER PORTS HAD TO CLOSE AND WHAT HAPPENED THEN?

In September 2019, the South Korean freighter Golden Ray overturned shortly after leaving the Port of Brunswick in Georgia.

The crew was rescued, including four men trapped below its decks. But hauling away the shipwreck, including the cargo of 4,200 automobiles, turned out to be a slow and messy demolition effort that took over two years.

The port was closed for four days, reopening only after the U.S. Coast Guard determined it was safe for vessels to slowly sail on the shipping channel leading to the port.

The circumstances were much different from the bridge collapse in Baltimore, where sections of the structure lie across the river. Clearing a channel for ships likely will take far longer than four days.

During a briefing at the bridge collapse scene , U.S. Rep. David Trone said state and federal officials estimated the port’s closure would cost the economy at least $15 million per day.

The Port of Baltimore directly employs over 15,000 workers and indirectly supports nearly 140,000 jobs via other port activities, many of whom will either be temporarily out of work or work limited hours, according to Trone.

Krisher reported from Detroit. AP Business Writers Paul Wiseman in Washington and Anne D’Innocenzio in New York contributed to this report.