Diners sample local dishes at the opening of a double-decker bus restaurant in Taizhou. [Photo/the official news website of Taizhou]

A retired double-decker bus in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province, has been converted into a restaurant. The opening ceremony took place on Nov 29.

The project, jointly launched by Taizhou Public Transport and the Jiazhi subdistrict, also featured a series of cultural performances. The newly opened restaurant is housed in a former Route 155 double-decker bus that served Taizhou from 2018 to 2024 and became a familiar vehicle for many commuters.

Restored to its original route markings, the bus now offers seasonal menus, featuring winter barbecues and summer light meals made with specialties from across Taizhou. The design blends nostalgia and modern appeal, with plans to expand similar renovated buses to other public squares if the concept proves successful.

A cultural fair accompanied the opening, with performances ranging from fashion showcases to musical ensembles and martial arts displays. International guests also joined interactive activities and sampled local foods.

The model integrates culture, consumption, and community development, and may later extend to locations such as Huangyan West Station and other transit hubs, aiming to strengthen links among transport, logistics, tourism, and urban–rural commerce.