It used to be a somewhat rickety affair. And then in recent years it got a facelift. Well, more of a complete reconstruction job, really. For many though, it’s just not the same as it was back in the good old days. For modernity has come knocking at the door of the Purple Mountain Cableway.

这曾经是一段有点摇摇欲的事情。 近年来，它得到了改头换面。 嗯，真的，更像是一份完整的重建工作。 不过，对许多人来说，这和过去的美好时期不一样。 因为现代性敲响了紫山索道的大门。

First built toward the end of 1993 and with a total length of 2,350 metres, Nanjing’s Purple Mountain Cableway is the longest of its kind in China.

南京的紫山索道于1993年底首次建成，总长度为2350米，是中国同类中最长的。

Its official English name is the Zijinshan Telpher. But until May of 2016, a more accurate term would have been “ski lift”.

它的正式英文名称是Zijinshan Telpher。 但直到2016年5月，一个更准确的术语是“滑雪缆车”。

Passing over a vast forest sea and penetrating both cloud and mists, passengers could tickle the tips of tress with their feet as they passed. But those fun days are gone forever.

穿过广阔的森林大海，穿透云雾和雾，乘客在经过时可以用脚挠树尖。 但那些有趣的日子永远消失了。

Over time, the entire Cableway, together with its mechanical and electrical components, had naturally become fatigued.

随着时间的推移，整个索道及其机械和电气部件自然而然地变得疲劳。

That’s a nice way of saying it was plain dangerous; the quality of the whole enterprise contravening every known public health and safety law. Hence, the idea for a modern cable car was born. And in July of 2017, it became a reality.

这是一个很好的方式来说它很危险；整个企业的质量违反了所有已知的公共卫生和安全法。 因此，现代缆车的想法诞生了。 在2017年7月，它变成了现实。

Protected from the elements, rather than it being just a couple of friends or a small family of three on a chairlift, patrons today shall be accompanied by strangers to the tune of six adults per cable car.

为了不受各种因素的影响，今天的顾客应该由陌生人陪同，每辆缆车有六个成年人，而不是只有几个朋友或一家三口乘坐缆车。

Together, they will enjoy the ascent to the Toutuoling Scenic Area at an altitude of 425 metres that takes just 1/2 an hour. But that’s assuming the Cableway’s passengers don’t first get off at Purple Mountain Observatory, the only stop (dare we call it that, because cable cars don’t stop for anyone) along the way.

他们将一起享受攀登海拔425米的图图林风景区，只需要半小时。 但前提是缆车的乘客不会先在紫山天文台下车，紫山天文台是沿途唯一的一站（我们敢这么称呼它，因为缆车不会为任何人停车）。

The new Cableway also exemplifies the price of progress. For its predecessor was probably the single best journey you could make in Nanjing, despite the somewhat charming setbacks.

新的缆車也体现了进步的代价。 对于它的前身来说，可能是你在南京能经历的最好的一次旅行，尽管有些迷人的挫折。

The Purple Mountain Cableway is open daily from 09:00-17:00. If looking to make the journey in winter, be advised that the National Cable Inspection Centre usually performs their annual inspection over a 10-day period in December, when the Cableway is closed to the public.

紫山缆路每天09:00-17:00开放。 如果想在冬天旅行，请注意，国家电缆检查中心通常在12月进行为期10天的年度检查，当时索道对公众开放。

Access to the lower terminus is via Gangzicun Station on Metro Line 4, or buses 20 and 315 to alight at the Zijinshan Cableway stop.

通过地铁4号线的岗子村站，或乘坐20路和315路公交车在紫金山缆车站下车，即可到达下终点站。