There is a very different Zhengzhou.

In Zhengzhou, Henan, a region closely associated with the origins of Chinese civilization, we witness a highly modern development: green technology is telling a new story about the future.

Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, has long been known for familiar names like Shaolin Temple, Kaifeng Prefecture, and other historical sites considered milestones in the formation of Chinese civilization. It is the land of ancient capitals, of the Yellow River, and of dynasties that have passed through, leaving behind layers of historical sediment. But on this visit, we saw a very different Zhengzhou: instead of recounting the past, it used technology to tell the story of the future.

BYD's 30-year journey of persistent pursuit of new energy vehicles.

Multi-terrain race track for green cars

Located on the outskirts of the city, the BYD Zhengzhou multi-terrain racetrack is dedicated to new energy vehicles. Upon arriving, I was truly surprised by the scene; it was nothing like my imagination of a racetrack with its roaring engines, screeching tires, and exhaust fumes. Instead, there was a profound silence, not because it was deserted, but because all movement was proceeding in an orderly fashion. A cold wind lashed against my face, a light snowfall fell, and against the gray-white sky, the racetrack appeared like a grand stage.

With eight experiential zones simulating the most extreme real-life scenarios, BYD's new energy vehicles, including both pure electric and hybrid models, demonstrated their ability to climb sand slopes, swim in deep water tanks, and accelerate and handle loss of control on slippery surfaces. The show opened with an electric car's dance on an outdoor ice rink: performing figure-eight turns, running parallel, and seemingly dancing on the slippery surface without any collisions or loss of control. Next came the YangWang U8 SUV climbing a nearly 30-degree vertical sand slope indoors, followed by the same U8 wading through deep water, reaching up to 1.8 meters in depth. Seeing the car enter, submerge, reverse, and turn around, and hearing the instructor say it could float for up to 30 minutes, I felt like I was witnessing something both technologically advanced and a fascinating magic trick.

Try your hand at racing with the YangWang U9 supercar.

Going to the racetrack wasn't just about watching; our group also got to drive ourselves, or at least sit next to the driver to experience it firsthand. Speed ​​enthusiasts in the group didn't hesitate to hop into the YangWang U9 electric supercar to test their limits on the more than 1.7 km track under snow and rain. Others tried off-road capabilities with a Fang Cheng Bao model to overcome obstacles, climb hills, and navigate inclines. What most people think of electric vehicles as only for city streets, they demonstrated their power and ability to handle difficult situations, climbing hills and descending slopes safely "in a snap." Watching the U9 supercar dance to the music or the Denza Z9 GT self-driving and self-parking, I realized that artificial intelligence has created a new dimension: technology doesn't necessarily have to be cold and rigid.

The scent at the BYD Di-Space car museum.

Although it's just a museum about automotive technology, visitors are incredibly fascinated by the way it's displayed and tells the story, about the history and development of green technology.

The story begins with the history of the automotive industry. Our group stopped in front of a model of a steam locomotive – a heavy and rugged symbol of the 19th century. When we moved on to the Benz No. 1, everything suddenly seemed more compact and refined.

At Di-Space, there's a significant artifact on display: a handwritten letter from 1992 by scientist Qian Xuesen. As early as 1992, he advocated that China should skip the gasoline/diesel vehicle stage and go straight to new energy vehicles. China's path to becoming a leading electric vehicle powerhouse began from there.

YangWang U8's impressive wading performance.

To explain the global energy crisis, the museum displays figures, charts, and images as a warning about the depletion of fossil fuels. Following this is an exhibition of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and water. This logical narrative allows viewers to see for themselves the inevitable trend of new energy vehicles.

At the heart of the museum is a presentation on the history of BYD's electric vehicle development, the company that aims to become a world leader by 2025. The journey began with the Flyer, launched in 2003 as the company's official introduction to the automotive industry, showcasing its ambition to connect battery technology with vehicle technology. This legacy has continued with a series of models: E6, Qin, Han, Seal, Sealion 8, Denza D9, FangChengBao Bao 5, YangWang U8… all launched with persistent dedication and perseverance.

Upon entering the design and aesthetics area, I was truly impressed by the clay models, material samples, and paint colors reminiscent of ceramics, minerals, painting, and Chinese history. It suddenly dawned on me that cars are not just machines, but mobile living spaces where emotions must be meticulously cared for down to the smallest detail.

And then I entered the sound-scent section. The way the scents were presented here was fascinating. With just a gentle touch, the flower on the screen would automatically bloom. My hand touching the control panel retained a subtle fragrance. Perhaps it's not speed or power, but sometimes all it takes is a comfortable cabin and a pleasant scent to entice people to stay longer.

Leaving Di-Space, Zhengzhou was bathed in sunshine after the first snowfall of the season. Workers were patiently shoveling ice from the courtyard in front of the museum to prevent slipping. Looking up, interspersed with modern shopping malls were buildings with traditional architecture. "Old" and "new" coexist peacefully, as always. As for me, the scent lingering on my sleeves as I stepped out into the cold was a small reminder of Zhengzhou.

See also related articles:

• BYD is making its mark with electric vehicles in Vietnam.
• BYD Zhengzhou Racetrack: When electric cars tell their own story.
• As hybrid technology shapes new trends.

Source: https://heritagevietnamairlines.com/co-mot-trinh-chau-rat-khac/