Maglev trains are the Concorde of rail travel. Floating above the track, they are capable of more than 300 miles per hour, just 200 mph shy of commercial airline speeds. Short for "Magnetic Levitation," opposing magnetic forces between train and track elevate and propel the cars. And since no conventional engine is involved, maglev technology is completely green.
Shanghai Maglev Train
Shanghai opened the first commercial maglev train route in 2003, utilizing the German Transrapid train design. The track runs between Pudong International Airport and the Longyang Lu metro station, a 19-mile journey accomplished in about eight minutes, with a top speed of 267 mph. The Chinese city's prime large-scale architecture will be on view during the ride, such as The Oriental Pearl Radio and Television Tower, and the Jinmao Building, the tallest building in China. Don't forget to check out the maglev museum at the Longyang station.
Linimo Urban Maglev
Built for the 2005 Expo in Nagoya, a city in Japan's Aichi Prefecture, the line now serves local commuters. This one isn't a speed freak, topping out at 60 mph, but it is nearly silent and fully automated. That's right, there's a computer at the wheel instead of an engineer. After a spin on the Linimo, visit SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, and see the evolution of trains firsthand. They have an impressive collection of old-school passenger cars, plus strikingly futuristic modern examples.
Incheon Airport Maglev
Running between Incheon International Airport and Yongyu Station and Leisure Complex by way of Yeongjong Island, this commuter line's first segment just opened, and will eventually be a circle. The airport itself is a tourist attraction, but a ride on the maglev line offers an expansive glimpse of one of the most modern cities in South Korea.
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