Chongqing Transportation

The terrain of Chongqing is complicated, and there has been a saying "the difficult road of Sichuan" since ancient times. But today, Chongqing lies at the intersection of China's fast-growing east and resource-rich west. It is the economic combination of the Yangtze river basin and the southwest region, the only megacity in the upper reaches of the Yangtze river that collects water, land and air transportation resources, and a comprehensive transportation hub in the southwest region. Supported by the golden waterway of the Yangtze river and Chongqing-Sinkiang-Europe International Railway, Chongqing has built three transportation hubs of aviation, railway and inland waterway. "It is difficult to reach Sichuan" that has been a thing of the past. Chongqing transportation is convenient.

How to Get to Chongqing

Chongqing is the hub of southwest and central China, a major city on the upper reaches of the Yangtze river, and one of the major transportation hubs connecting east and west China. Chongqing has extensive water, land and air transportation. It has formed a convenient and efficient three-dimensional transportation network with many large and medium-sized cities all over the country and even in the world. It can be easily reached by air, train or coach.

By Air

Airports in Chongqing 

When it comes to flying to Chongqing, Chongqing Jiangbei Airport is usually involved. Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport is located in Yubei District of Chongqing, 19 kilometers from the city center, and it is one of the eight regional hub airports in China. In December 2013, it became the fifth Chinese air port to implement the 72-hour transit visa-free policy. By December 2018, Jiangbei airport had opened a total of 329 routes to 203 cities. Among them, there were 247 domestic routes (244 for passenger and 3 for freight) to 142 navigable cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Kunming, Lijiang and Jiuzhaigou, etc. There were 82 international and regional routes (68 for passenger and 14 for freight) to 61 navigable cities, including Phuket, Singapore, Bangkok, Osaka, Sydney, etc. 

Chongqing Domestic Flights

Chongqing International Flights

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Airport Transportation

The transportation between Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport and downtown area is convenient. Travellers can take the airport express, metro and taxi from the airport to Chongqing city central. What's more, there are also long-distance bus departing from the airport to other districts and counties in Chongqing, as well as some places in Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan, like Zigong, Nanchong, Yibin, Zunyi, Chishui and Weixin, etc. Chongqing airport expressways make people spend less time on the road. 

By Train

Chongqing is a national comprehensive railway hub. By the end of 2016, Chongqing had formed a network of "one hub and eight trunk lines". The Chongqing-Sinkiang-Europe international container train has been normalized and operated by all-in-one card, shortening the journey time to 13 days and becoming the main overland trade route between China and Europe. In 2017, the length of Chongqing's railways in operation reached 2,371 kilometers.

Main Railways in Chongqing 

Current Situation Railways
Have been opened to traffic Chengdu-Chongqing Railway, Chongqing-Guiyang Railway(Chuanqian Railway), Chongqing-Huaihua Railway(Yuhuai Railway), Xiangyang-Chongqing Railway(Xiangyu Railway), Dazhou-Wanzhou Railway, Yichang-Wanzhou Railway, Chongqing-Lichuan Railway, Suining-Chongqing Railway, Lanzhou-Chongqing Railway, Chongqing-Guiyang Railway, Chengdu-Chongqing High-Speed Railway, Chongqing-Wanzhou Intercity Railway, Zhengzhou-Wanzhou High-speed Railway, Qianjiang-Zhangjiajie-Changde Railway
Under Construction Chongqing-Xian High Speed Railway, Chongqing-Hunan High-speed Railway, Chongqing-Kunming High-Speed Railway

Main Railway Stations in Chongqing

There are many railway stations in Chongqing, but the main 4 railway stations are Chongqing railway station, Chongqing north railway station, Chongqing west railway station and Shapingba railway station. Most of the trains stop at Chongqing north railway station and Chongqing west railway station. 

  • Chongqing North Railway Station
    In 2003, the south square of Chongqing north railway station was officially started. On October 22, 2006, the south square of Chongqing north railway station was put into operation. In June 2012, construction began on the north square of Chongqing north railway station. On January 1, 2015, the north square of Chongqing north railway station was put into operation. The railway station is located in the north of Chongqing city, and metro line 10, loop line, line 4 and line 3 are located here. From Chongqing north railway station, you can take metro line 10 to Chongqing airport in half an hour, and only 40 minutes to Jiefangbei.
    Address: Kunlun Avenue, Longtousi, Yubei District, Chongqing重庆市渝北区龙头寺昆仑大道
    Tel: 023-67682028
    Notes: From July 10, 2019, the south square of Chongqing north railway station will be closed and renovated. The project is expected to be completed and put into use before the Spring Festival travel rush in 2021. Passengers can take Chongqing rail transit line 10 and Chongqing rail transit line 4 to the north square of Chongqing north railway station. Passengers who stray into the south square can take rail transit line 10, or Chongqing bus No.663 to the north square. In the meantime, passengers can also take the special bus to Chongqing west railway station for transfer. 
  • Chongqing West Railway Station
    Chongqing west railway station, located in Shapingba district of Chongqing, is the largest passenger transport hub system in western China. In December 2014, construction of Chongqing west railway station began. On January 25, 2018, the first phase of Chongqing west railway station was completed and put into use. Chongqing west railway station has no subway but is under construction. And there are special buses and special lines to Chongqing north railway station and downtown area. According to the plan, Chongqing rail transit of loop line, line 5, line 12 will be connected to Chongqing west station.
    Address: No.168, Fengzhong Road, Xinqiao Sub-district, Shapingba District, Chongqing重庆市沙坪坝区新桥街道凤中路168号
    Tel: 023-63134324

Chongqing Trains

Chongqing High Speed Trains

By Long-distance Bus

Expressways in Chongqing

Chongqing expressway is the general name of the ring expressway in the main urban area of Chongqing, the expressway between the main urban area of Chongqing and the surrounding cities (including the districts and counties of Chongqing and the surrounding cities outside Chongqing), and the expressway between the districts and counties of Chongqing. Chongqing is a national highway transportation hub, with a total length of 3,023 kilometers of expressways open to traffic by the end of 2017.

Chongqing Inner Ring Expressway Chongqing Ring Expressway Chongqing Third Ring Expressway
Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway(沪蓉高速) Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway Chongqing-Huaihua Expressway(Yuxiang Expressway)
Chongqing-Kunming Expressway Chongqing-Guizhou Expressway Chongqing-Suining(Yusui) Expressway
Chongqing-Luzhou(Yulu) Expressway Chongqing-Wusheng(Yuwu) Expressway Chongqing-Chengdu Expressway(渝蓉高速)
Tongrong (Tongnan-Rongchang) Expressway(under construction) Jiulongpo-Yongchuan Expressway(九永高速) Nanchuan-Daozhen Expressway

Long-distance Bus Stations in Chongqing

There are long-distance buses from the downtown of Chongqing to districts and counties in Chongqing, as well as Sichuan, Hunnan, Guizhou and other provinces. Main bus stations in Chongqing include Chongqing bus station, Chongqing long-distance bus station, Nanping bus station, Longtousi bus station, Chongqing Shapingba bus station, Chongqing north bus station, Chenjiaping bus station, etc. And all districts and counties in Chongqing have their own bus stations. 

  • Chongqing Bus Station(重庆汽车站)
    Address: No.6, Caiyuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区菜袁路6号
    Tel: 023-89033855
  • Chongqing Long-distance Bus Station(重庆长途汽车站)
    Address: No.3, Caiyuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区菜袁路3号
    Tel: 023-89033877
  • South Square Bus Station of Chongqing North Railway Station(重庆北站南广场汽车站)
    Address: No.46, Kunlun Avenue, Yubei District, Chongqing重庆市渝北区昆仑大道46号
    Tel: 023-89139918
  • Nanping Bus Station(重庆南坪汽车站)
    Address: No.15, Jiangnan Avenue, Nanan District, Chongqing重庆市南岸区江南大道15号
    Tel: 023-62805226/023-62909206
  • Chenjiaping Bus Station(重庆陈家坪汽车站)
    Address: No.39, Shiyang Road, Jiulongpo Distrit, Chongqing重庆市九龙坡区石杨路39号
    Tel: 023-89088988

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By Ship

Chongqing is the largest inland port city on the upper reaches of the Yangtze river and even in western China. It is also a shipping center on the upper reaches of the Yangtze river. The Yangtze river, Jialing river and its tributaries have formed a waterborne network centered on Chongqing city in the upper reaches of the Yangtze river, with 136 navigable rivers. Along the river, there are dozens of ports, and passenger and cargo wharfs, which can be navigable all year round. 

Ports in Chongqing

  • Wanzhou Port(万州港)
    Address: Beibin Avenue, Wanzhou District, Chongqing重庆市万州区北滨大道
    Tel: 023-58295597
  • Cuntan Port(寸滩港)
    Address: No.318, Haier Road, Jiangbei District, Chongqing重庆市江北区海尔路318号
  • Guoyuan Harbour(重庆果园港)
    Address: Along the Yangtze River, East of Yuzui Town, Jiangbei District, Chongqing重庆市江北区鱼嘴镇东部沿江地段
  • Fuling Port(涪陵港)
    Address: Binjiang Avenue, Fuling District, Chongqing重庆市涪陵区滨江大道
  • Chongqing Port/Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock(朝天门重庆港客运站)
    Address: Changjiang Binjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing重庆市渝中区长江滨江路
    Tel: 023-63100659

Read More: Yangtze River Cruise

How to Get Around Chongqing

There are various forms of public transportation in the main urban areas of Chongqing, including bus, monorails, metro, cableways, escalators, elevators and ferries. Among them, rail transit and buses are the main means of public transportation. Moreover, bicycles and electric cars are hardly seen on the roads of Chongqing.

By Metro

Chongqing rail transit refers to the urban rail transit that serves the metropolitan area of Chongqing, China. The first line opened for sightseeing on November 6, 2004, and officially opened on June 18, 2005. It is the first urban rail transit line in western China. By December 2018, Chongqing had 10 rail transit lines, covering the whole of Chongqing's main urban area, with 178 stations and 20 transfer stations. Passengers can take the subway to Jiangbei international Airport, North Railway Station, Chongqing Railway Station, Chaotianmen Dock and most long-distance bus stations. The ticket fare is based on the travelling distance. In addition to these lines, there are also some lines under construction, including line 4 phase II, line 5 phase I south and north extension, 5A line, line 6 branch line phase II, line 9 phase I, line 10 phase II, etc.

Note: Line 1, 4, 5, 6, 10, circle line and Expo line are subway systems; Line 2, line 3 and airport line are monorail systems (straddle monorail). 

Metro

  • Time: 6:30-22:30
  • Price: 2-10 Yuan
  • Interval Time: 3-5 minutes(Except Line 6)

By Bus

Buses in Chongqing usually have short routes, and most of the attractions are accessible by metro, so bus can be a supplement. But it's still a great experience to see the mountain city scenery on the bus. There are many bus lines serving the city. Most of them are self-service buses, charging CNY2 per person, while some only charge CNY1. Buses with conductors charge various between CNY1 and CNY10 based on the travelling distance.

Tips: When taking a bus in Chongqing, pay attention to the bus stops. Many places in Chongqing are one-way streets, so you may have to walk a long way to take the bus on your return journey. 

Transportation Card

If you will stay in Chongqing for a long time, you can get a Chongqing bus card/ livable unblocked card in Chongqing. The ordinary card can be processed and recharged at bus hub stations and rail transit stations. A 25 yuan deposit is required for card purchase, and the card does not have the function of loss reporting, but can be returned. In addition to using the card for a 10% discount, in the main urban area of Chongqing, between buses, between buses and Yangtze river cableway, between Lianglukou escalators and triumphal elevators and rail transit, the card can be used for free transfer within one hour.

  • Livable Unblocked Card(重庆宜居畅通卡): Chongqing citiznes often refer it to as "bus card", Livable Unblocked Card is a practical project of Chongqing municipal government. Its goal is to cover all kinds of transportation system(Chongqing bus, Chongqing rail transit, taxi, Lianglukou crown escalator, Kaixuan road elevator, Yangtze river cableway and Jinyun mountain cableway) in Chongqing downtown, as well as Yongchuan District, Dianjiang County and Jiangjin district buses. 

By Taxi 

Passengers can take taxis to almost everywhere and even to go to the suburban areas in Chongqing. The taxis in Chongqing are yellow. Normally, in the daytime from 6:00 to 23:00, the starting price is 10 yuan/3 kilometers, after over 3 kilometers, 2 yuan per kilometers is charged. While at night from 23:00 to 6:00, the starting price is 11 yuan/3 kilometers, then 2.3 yuan per kilometer is charged after 3 kilometers. 

Featured Urban Transport 

Cableways

There are two unique cableways across the river in the main urban area of Chongqing, Jialing river cableway and Yangtze river cableway, which were earlist built in 1986. When travelling in Chongqing, it is suggested to take a ride on the cableway of the Yangtze river. 5 minutes on the cableway is enough time to feel the exclusive charm of this mountain city, with its standing skyscrapers on both sides and the endless river water below.

  • Price: 10 yuan for one-way trip/20 yuan for round trip
  • Time: 07:00-22:00
  • Tip: The cableways will be closed during bad weather, and tourists should be prepared for long lines during holidays.
  • How to Get There: Take rail transit line 1 and line 6 to Xiaoshizi station, get out from exit 5 and you will see the sign. Or take rail transit line 6 to Shangxinjie station, and get out from exit 1. It takes about 20 minutes to get there on foot. 

Escalator and Elevator

There is an escalator and an elevator used as public transportation in the main urban area of Chongqing. One is the Crown Escalator(皇冠大扶梯), the longest escalator in Asia connecting Caiyuanba and Lianglukou(两路口), one is Kaixuan Road Elevator(凯旋路电梯), an elevator connecting Kaixuan Road and Jiaochangkou(较场口). 

By Sightseeing Bus

No.480 Yuzhong sightseeing bus in Chongqing can take you to visit all attractions in Yuzhong district one time. The route starts and ends at the Guotai art center in Jiefangbei, via Chongqing People's Auditorium, Three Gorges Museum, The Democratic Party History Museum, Zhou's Residence, Dai's Residence, Guiyuan, Liziba Anti-Japanese War Ruins Park, Chongqing Tiandi, Hongya Cave, Huguang Guild Hall, Chaotianmen Dock, Haochi Street, Chongqing Bombing Site, 30 Degree Street, Yangtze River Cableway and Luohan Temple. The bus will stop when arriving at a scenic spot, you can get off the bus to visit, then get on at the same stop. There's also free WIFI in the bus. 

  • Operation Time: 9:00-17:00
  • Note: This bus can not use Chongqing bus card, so you can only use cash or buy a special souvenir card at the starting point. There are two kinds of souvenir cards, 20 yuan for 12 times a day, or 30 yuan for 12 times a day or Yangtze river cableway, etc.