Residents and tourists in northern Beijing will see a new form of transportation in early 2008 a monorail and developers say it will be free of charge because revenue from other tourism events will pay for it.

The 20-kilometre monorail will circle over Zhenggezhuang Village in Changping District, where a huge water park is located.

"While going to work, school or shopping, people can enjoy a free sightseeing tour 2.5 to 3 metres above the ground," said Chen Xiangqing, one of the chief architects of the project.

At an estimated cost of 30 million yuan (US$3.75 million), construction will begin early next year and be completed in early 2008.

"Looking like a smaller light rail train, the monorail will be electrical and will mostly have four carriages with an overall holding capacity of fewer than 120 people," said Chen.

"Considering both security and environment factors, the speed should be rather slow to avoid creating noise pollution."

Roughly 20 kilometres from central Beijing, the monorail is designed to bring in more visitors to Wendu Water World, a theme park that covers 33 hectares.

Source: China Daily