The Chongqing municipality in China is set to officially launch the "Shenniu Escalator" on 17 Feb 2026 GMT+7, coinciding with the Chinese New Year travel day. The system boasts a vertical transportation route over 905 meters long, designed to ease travel for residents and tourists who no longer need to climb tiring hills. The usage fee is approximately 3 yuan.
Chongqing, nicknamed the "Mountain City" in southwest China, has once again made headlines by testing a large vertical transportation system in Wushan District. The highlight is the "Shenniu Escalator," stretching a total of 905 meters—longer than the "Huangguan Escalator" also located in Chongqing's urban area—and rising vertically over 240 meters, equivalent to an 80-story building.
This project is more than just escalators; it is a complex, integrated transportation network comprising 21 escalators, 8 vertical elevators—including elevators for disabled users on pedestrian bridges—4 moving walkways, 2 pedestrian overpasses, and 2 connecting walkways.
The entire system is designed to address travel difficulties in steep mountainous terrain by reducing the travel time between the upper and lower areas of Shenniu Road from nearly an hour of detouring to just 20 minutes.
During the trial period from 12 to 16 February 2026, the system will be open free of charge to the public and tourists during daytime hours without prior reservation. Official service begins on 17 February 2026, coinciding with Chiuik Day, a traditional travel day during the Chinese New Year festival. The fare is reported to be around 3 yuan (approximately 15 Thai baht) per person.
Beyond improving transportation convenience, the escalator has become an exciting new viewing spot. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Three Gorges National Park and Wushan Cliffs from a unique perspective along the 905-meter route. This represents another engineering triumph reinforcing Chongqing's image as a city of marvels.