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Chongqing

Yangtze River Cableway 长江索道

Overview

The Yangtze River Cableway in Chongqing is a National AAAA-rated scenic area and the only passenger ropeway in China designated as a protected cultural heritage site. This aerial corridor spans the Yangtze River from Xinhua Road (Changan Temple) in Yuzhong District on the north to Shangxinjie (Longmenghao) in Nan'an District on the south — a total span of 1,166 meters, with a one-way ride of 4 minutes and 30 seconds. As the first large-scale cross-river passenger cableway designed and built entirely in China, it opened in 1987 as a vital piece of public infrastructure to solve the city's "difficult river crossing" problem, earning the nicknames "the first aerial corridor over the Yangtze River" and "the mountain city's aerial bus." In 2014, as Chongqing's transport network matured, the cableway was reborn as a tourist attraction — an airborne window onto the city's famous "8D magic" topography and a living showcase of Ba-Yu culture.

Attractions Within the Scenic Area

Yuzhong Urban History & Culture Zone
Yangtze River Aerial Sightseeing Zone
Nan'an Film & Culture Zone

Attraction Descriptions

Yuzhong Urban History & Culture Zone

Located in the north station (Xinhua Road) precinct, the Yuzhong Urban History & Culture Zone uses physical exhibits and reconstructed scenes to tell the story of how the cableway was built and what it meant to the city. In 1987, to overcome the "tall mountains, deep valleys, wide river, fierce current" geography that made crossing the Yangtze so difficult, this 1,166-meter ropeway was brought into service, cutting what had been a one-hour detour down to just four and a half minutes. As China's first independently designed dual-carrier dual-haul cross-river cableway, it uses two load-bearing cables to cradle each cabin and two haul cables to pull it forward in sync — a closed mechanical loop that keeps the ride smooth even in the complex wind patterns above the river. The zone traces the cableway's journey from essential commuter link to beloved tourist landmark, carrying with it the collective memory of a whole generation of Chongqing residents.

Yangtze River Aerial Sightseeing Zone

The Yangtze River Aerial Sightseeing Zone is the heart of the cableway experience — a fully panoramic cabin that gives riders a bird's-eye view of the mountain city. Over those four and a half minutes, the cabin skims the river at six meters per second, framing the layered cityscape of the Yuzhong Peninsula all at once. Looking down, you can see the Jialing River and the Yangtze converging in the distinctive two-toned pattern locals call a "hot-pot divide"; the Qiansi Gate Bridge and Dongshuimen Bridge span the water in between, while the skyscrapers of Jiefangbei CBD mirror the riverfront scenery of Nanbin Road. The view changes with the weather: on clear days you get the full city skyline; on rainy nights the mist turns everything into a living ink-wash painting. This zone is the best vantage point in Chongqing for feeling the city's legendary "8D magic" topography in three dimensions.

Nan'an Film & Culture Zone

The Nan'an Film & Culture Zone occupies the south station (Longmenghao) precinct and blends cableway heritage with a rich film history. Since the 2006 movie Crazy Stone was shot here, the Yangtze River Cableway has steadily become one of the defining images of Chongqing; Tuya's Marriage, Curiosity Kills the Cat, The Door, and the variety show Go Fighting have all left their mark here as well. The zone celebrates the cableway's role as a cultural landmark of the city, complementing the nearby Nanbin Road — a 25-kilometer, AAA-rated urban scenic boulevard — to form one of Chongqing's most recognizable riverside panoramas. After stepping off at the south station, visitors can stroll to Longmenghao Old Street to explore the city's treaty-port history and Ba-Yu heritage, or walk along the river at nightfall to take in the glittering lights of the Yuzhong Peninsula.

Practical info Opening hours · Ticket · Getting there · Address

Opening hours: Operational Hours: 08:00-22:00 (the last trip is about 21:30 departing from Nanan District)
Note: Evening to nighttime riding is the best choice, allowing overlooking the sunset and the brilliant night view of Yuzhong Peninsula; if encountering foggy weather or heavy rainstorm, the cableway may suspend operation; it is recommended to check the weather before traveling
Ticket: One-way: 30 RMB/person (recommended, allows experiencing the unique perspective from Yuzhong to Nanan or vice versa)
Round-trip: 50 RMB/person
Discounted Tickets: Students, seniors, military personnel, etc. can enjoy half-price discounts with valid ID
Note: It is recommended to purchase a one-way ticket, take the cableway from Xinhua Road Station in Yuzhong District to Shangxin Street Station in Nanan District, then you can visit attractions such as Longmenhao Old Street and Tushan Temple in Nanan, avoiding backtracking; round-trip tickets are suitable for visitors with limited time who only want to experience the cableway itself
Getting there: To Yuzhong District Xinhua Road Cableway Station (North Station):
Rail Transit: Take Chongqing Rail Transit Line 1 or 6, get off at Xiaoshizi Station, walk about 5 minutes from Exit 4
Bus: Take buses 112, 120, 141, 151, 181, 261, 322, 372, 382, 503, etc., get off at Daomenkou or Xinhua Road Station, walk about 5 minutes
Walking: About 10 minutes walk from Jiefangbei; about 8 minutes walk from Hongya Cave

To Nanan District Shangxin Street Cableway Station (South Station):
Rail Transit: Take Chongqing Rail Transit Line 6, get off at Shangxin Street Station, walk about 5 minutes from Exit 2
Bus: Take buses 304, 318, 320, 321, 354, 376, etc., get off at Shangxin Street Station, walk about 5 minutes

Note: Tickets can be purchased and boarding can be done at both cableway stations; it is recommended to choose the departure station according to the subsequent itinerary arrangements
Address: Yuzhong District Xinhua Road Cableway Station (North Station): No. 151 Xinhua Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing (near Jiefangbei, Hongya Cave)
Nanan District Shangxin Street Cableway Station (South Station): No. 4 Shangxin Street, Nanan District, Chongqing (near Longmenhao Old Street, Tushan Temple)

Inside Yangtze River Cableway

3 stops, in walking order — read top to bottom, no clicking needed.

At a glance · tap a photo to jump

1 North Station (Xinhua Road Station, Yuzhong District)

2 Cableway Cabin

3 South Station (Longmenhao Station, Nan'an District)

North Station (Xinhua Road Station, Yuzhong District) of 3

North Station (Xinhua Road Station, Yuzhong District)

北站（渝中区新华路站）

The North Station of the Yangtze River Cableway is located near the intersection of Xinhua Road and Cangbai Road in the Xiaoshizi commercial area of Yuzhong District—the Yuzhong starting station and the preferred departure point for most visitors. The station building is a multi-story cableway complex with a light grey exterior and a prominent red "Yangtze River Cableway" sign that has become one of the iconic elements of the Yuzhong Peninsula skyline. The ground floor houses the ticket hall and waiting area with self-service machines and staffed windows. During peak season, queues can reach one to two hours—advance booking via the official mini-program is recommended. After purchasing tickets, visitors take an elevator to the high-level platform, a semi-open structure enclosed on three sides and open toward the river. A large floor-to-ceiling glass window lets waiting visitors overlook the dense urban fabric of the Yuzhong Peninsula and the rolling mountains of the south bank. The station's greatest advantage is that departing cabins ascend from among the Yuzhong Peninsula's high-rises, cross over the layered city roofline, and suddenly span the Yangtze—the visual transition from "city to river" is spectacular, making it the best starting point for panoramic photos of the peninsula and Yangtze skyline. A cableway history exhibition area beside the station displays archival construction photos and engineering documentation.

On-site narration · read it where you stand

Welcome, everyone! Welcome to the Yangtze River Cableway scenic area in Chongqing. Today I will take you from the north station on a journey across the Yangtze River, experiencing this aerial corridor and discovering what makes the mountain city of Chongqing so unique. The north station is located at 151 Xinhua Road, Yuzhong District — the starting point of the cableway and an aerial hub connecting the city's history with its present.

The Yangtze River Cableway was built in 1986 and officially opened on October 24, 1987. It spans 1,166 meters, with a one-way ride of 4 minutes and 30 seconds and a maximum passenger capacity of 65 people. It once served as a vital piece of public infrastructure for crossing the river, carrying tens of thousands of passengers every day. In 2014, as Chongqing's network of river-spanning bridges and rail transit lines expanded, the cableway was converted into a tourist attraction — the only urban sightseeing cableway among 661 cities across China. In 2009 it was designated a Chongqing Municipal Cultural Heritage Site; in 2018 it was rated a National AAAA-level scenic area.

Now, take a close look at the cabin waiting at the platform. The cableway uses a dual-carrier dual-haul system designed to maintain stability in the unpredictable winds that sweep through the Yangtze gorge. As the cabin moves, you will find the ride remarkably smooth — much like riding a city bus at ground level. This is because the engineers developed special anti-sway devices and braking systems specifically for the conditions here: strong winds over the river and complex terrain on both banks.

Around the platform, the bustling face of Yuzhong District surrounds you. Looking west, you can see the skyscraper cluster of Jiefangbei Central Business District — the commercial and financial heart of Chongqing. Looking east, Chaotianmen Dock and the "sails" of Raffles City Chongqing come into view, a building complex that rises over 350 meters and is shaped like sails catching the wind off the river. Behind the platform, the residential towers of Bai Xiang Ju interact with the cableway in a quirky visual dance — the film Better Days was shot here.

Before boarding, please take note of the safety signs on the platform. The cabin has large panoramic windows on both sides to give passengers an unobstructed view. Please hold the handrails and keep your head and hands inside the cabin at all times. We are now about to board and begin our aerial crossing of the Yangtze River.

Cableway Cabin

索道轿厢

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The Yangtze River Cableway cabin is the core vehicle of the entire cableway experience, suspended on a carrying cable strung high above the Yangtze and hauled by a traction machine between North and South Stations. The cableway was completed and opened in 1987, with a total length of approximately 1,166 meters, a maximum height of about 60 meters above ground, and a one-way journey of about 4–5 minutes. The cabin features a bright yellow exterior, about 6.5 meters long, 1.5 meters wide, and 2 meters high, accommodating about 20–25 standing passengers. Large tempered glass windows on all four sides provide expansive views—the river surface, urban architecture on both banks, and rolling mountains are all clearly visible from front, sides, and below. The ride is unforgettable: the cabin departs slowly from the North Station platform, gradually accelerates, rises among dense city high-rises, and after crossing the north bank levee, the ground below suddenly becomes the open river—the mighty Yangtze flowing eastward, boats shuttling back and forth, with Chaotianmen Raffles City and Dongshuimen Bridge in the distance. At mid-river, the cabin sways gently with dozens of meters of rushing water below—thrilling and magnificent. On clear days, the Nanshan mountain peaks are visible in the distance; on foggy days, the cabin traverses through clouds like riding the mist. A voice guide inside introduces landmarks along the way. Night rides offer the dazzling illuminated skyline of the Yuzhong Peninsula—one of Chongqing's most iconic urban experiences.

On-site narration · read it where you stand

Welcome aboard the Yangtze River Cableway! This cableway is the first large-scale cross-river passenger ropeway designed and manufactured entirely in China — and the only one in the country to be designated a cultural heritage site. It is more than just an aerial corridor; it is an airborne window onto Chongqing's famous "8D magic" cityscape.

Now, look through the panoramic glass windows and take in the remarkable landscape below. You will notice that Chongqing is built across mountains and rivers, producing a layered, three-dimensional city unlike anywhere else. Below the cabin flows the Yangtze River, China's greatest waterway, rolling on without pause. To the left, the Yuzhong Peninsula — encircled by the Jialing River and the Yangtze — spreads out in full view. To the right lies the mountain-and-river cityscape of Nan'an District, a striking contrast to the dense urban core of Yuzhong.

Ahead of the cabin is Dongshuimen Bridge — a combined road-and-rail structure, with vehicle and pedestrian lanes on top and Metro Line 6 running beneath. To the left of the cabin is Hongya Cave, a stacked stilted-house complex that is often compared to the bathhouse in Spirited Away and stands as one of Chongqing's most iconic night-view spots. Further to the right, Qiansi Gate Bridge arches over the Jialing River, linking Yuzhong District with Jiangbei District — its red frame glows like a dragon at night, shimmering alongside Hongya Cave.

The steel cables running along both sides of the cabin are the cableway's lifelines, built on a dual-carrier dual-haul system that keeps the cabin steady through the variable winds of the Yangtze gorge. Please pay attention to the safety notices inside the cabin and keep your head and hands inside at all times.

As the cabin moves, you may spot five different modes of transport operating simultaneously below you: the cableway gliding through the air, the light rail threading between buildings, cars streaming along the roads, ferries crossing the river, and aircraft tracing distant arcs across the sky. This layered transport scene is a vivid expression of Chongqing's "magic topography."

Below the cabin is Chaotianmen Dock, one of Chongqing's oldest wharves and the precise point where the two rivers meet. The Jialing River and the Yangtze converge here, creating a striking two-toned effect locals liken to a "hot-pot divide" — the Jialing runs clearer while the Yangtze carries more silt, and the boundary between them is clearly visible.

Ahead of the cabin, the Longmenghao Old Street in Nan'an District comes into view — an important witness to Chongqing's treaty-port history, with many Qing Dynasty and Republican-era buildings still standing. Below the cabin is Nanbin Road, a 25-kilometer AAA-rated urban scenic boulevard often called Chongqing's "Little Bund" and one of the best spots to admire the Yuzhong Peninsula at night.

The cables on both sides of the cabin create a fascinating visual interplay with the surrounding buildings — especially as the cabin passes close to residential towers, giving the feeling of moving through a scene from a 3D film. This is precisely why Chongqing earned the title of "8D magic city."

The in-cabin audio guide offers up to 120 minutes of commentary to help you explore Chongqing's history, culture, and urban character in greater depth. Now let us continue this aerial journey and take in more of what the mountain city has to offer.

South Station (Longmenhao Station, Nan'an District)

南站（南岸区龙门浩站）

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The South Station of the Yangtze River Cableway is located in the Longmenhao area of Nan'an District, on a riverside highland along the south bank of the Yangtze—the cableway's southern terminal and the departure station for those boarding from the Nan'an side. Unlike the bustling Xiaoshizi commercial district where the North Station sits, the South Station's surroundings are more leisurely and artistic—adjacent to the recently restored Longmenhao Old Street historic district, where blue-brick, dark-tile WWII-era buildings cascade up the hillside, dotted with cafés, teahouses, and creative boutiques. The station building is more compact than the North Station, with ticket windows, a waiting area, and a small observation platform. The platform level faces north toward the river, where floor-to-ceiling glass windows offer an unobstructed panoramic view of the entire Yuzhong Peninsula: the Chaotianmen Raffles City twin towers, Hongyadong complex, Qiansimen Bridge, and Jiangbeizui CBD arrayed before you—one of the best positions for photographing the classic Yuzhong Peninsula skyline, especially stunning at sunset and after dark. Riding from the South Station toward the North, the cabin descends from the south bank highland toward the river, with the view transitioning from a panoramic overlook to eye-level with the river surface and then looking up at the Yuzhong Peninsula towers—a perspective complementary to the ascending view from the North Station. A 5-minute walk from the station reaches Longmenhao Old Street, and 10 minutes reaches the Dongshuimen Bridge walkway—an ideal node linking the cableway experience with south bank riverside touring.

On-site narration · read it where you stand

We have arrived at the south station of the Yangtze River Cableway — the Longmenghao terminal, located at 4 Shangxinjie, Nan'an District. This station precinct is known as the Nan'an Film & Culture Zone. Beyond showcasing the cableway's cultural heritage, it forms part of a wider riverside landscape together with Nanbin Road and Longmenghao Old Street, representing some of the most distinctive scenery Chongqing has to offer.

Around the south station platform is Longmenghao Old Street, a preserved row of Qing Dynasty and Republican-era buildings that bears witness to Chongqing's treaty-port history and the blending of Ba-Yu culture with outside influences. In front of the platform runs Nanbin Road — a 25-kilometer, AAA-rated urban scenic boulevard known as Chongqing's "Little Bund" and one of the finest vantage points for taking in the Yuzhong Peninsula at night. In the distance, the layered cityscape of the Yuzhong Peninsula mirrors the waters of the Jialing River and the Yangtze, together forming the unmistakable silhouette of Chongqing.

The film and culture exhibition area on the platform introduces the many productions shot here. In 2006, the movie Crazy Stone filmed at this location and put the Yangtze River Cableway on the national map; Tuya's Marriage, Curiosity Kills the Cat, The Door, and the variety show Go Fighting followed, each adding another layer to the cableway's cultural profile.

Behind the station is Nanshan Scenic Area, from which the entire Chongqing city nightscape can be seen spread out below. At dusk, the blue-hour light over Nan'an and the first lights coming on across the Yuzhong Peninsula together create a perfect window for photography. If you plan to watch Chongqing's night view, consider boarding the cableway from the south station for the return trip to the north — the perspective heading back is an experience of its own.

The south station precinct also traces the cableway's transformation from commuter infrastructure to tourist landmark. Since converting to a scenic area in 2014, visitor numbers have climbed year on year; the cableway now receives over four million visitors annually and has become a defining cultural and tourism landmark of Chongqing. This transformation has both protected a piece of urban heritage and given visitors a singular vantage point from which to appreciate the mountain city's vertical landscape.

You are welcome to step off here and walk to Longmenghao Old Street or Nanbin Road to continue your exploration. To return to the north station, you will need to re-queue for a ticket, or choose an alternative such as the metro or a city bus. Whichever route you take, the layered cityscape of Chongqing will leave a lasting impression.

Thank you for riding the Yangtze River Cableway. We hope these four and a half minutes in the air have given you a feel for what makes this mountain city so special. Chongqing carries the rhythm of a river city, the drama of a mountain city, and the brilliance of a city that never sleeps — and the Yangtze River Cableway is the perfect lens through which to take it all in. We look forward to welcoming you back to discover more of what Chongqing has in store.