January 17th 2025.
In one city in China, commuters face a unique challenge when it comes to reaching their destination. At the Hongyancun Station in Chongqing, located in the bustling Yuzhong District, travelers must descend a staggering 116 meters below the surface just to reach the platform. To put that into perspective, this is equivalent to the height of a 40-storey building. This is quite a contrast to the deepest tube station in London, which lies at a depth of 58.5 meters, and the deepest subway station in New York City, at only 53 meters below street level.
The Hongyancun Station, which opened in 2022, is part of the Chongqing Rail Transit system and is located in an area known for its winding roads and hilly terrain. During its construction, workers reportedly had to climb for 38 minutes just to reach the top from the bottom of the station. Now, travelers can expect to take eight escalators to reach the platform, providing a quicker journey than before.
One adventurous TikToker, @fischfs, captured his descent into the station, showcasing the sleek and modern interiors and the multiple escalators that seamlessly connect passengers to the platform. However, there is also a faster option for those in a hurry – a lift that takes just 53 seconds. But be warned, the rapid change in pressure can cause your ears to pop.
The Hongyancun Station has become a popular tourist spot due to its unique design and has drawn visitors from all over the globe. This is just one of the many distinctive features of Chongqing, also known as the 'cyberpunk city' for its futuristic architecture and neon-lit skyscrapers that resemble the iconic landscape of Blade Runner.
In fact, Chongqing boasts an impressive 298 skyscrapers over 100 meters tall, with 26 of them exceeding 200 meters. This ranks the city 15th in the world for the number of skyscrapers and 6th in mainland China. To put that into perspective, there are currently only 12 towers in London that exceed 200 meters in height.
The city's multi-level layout can be overwhelming for some, especially tourists who may struggle to find the ground floor. To make navigating the city easier, there are even outdoor escalators that tourists can pay for, connecting them to different levels of the city.
One of the most distinctive features of the Chongqing Transit system is the Liziba Station, which runs between the sixth and eighth floors of a 19-storey building. At first glance, this may seem like a case of poor planning, but it was actually intentionally designed and constructed as a single integrated structure. The high-rise has two separate areas, with the lower seven storeys making up the station and the upper 11 floors consisting of residential apartments.
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