A train runs along Chongqing Rail Transit (CRT) Line 2 in Chongqing, southwest China, February 20, 2022. (Photo/Tang Yi, Xinhua)

In 2000, the first phase of Line 2, a project by Chongqing Rail Transit Group, marked the beginning of a new era in Chongqing's rail transit history. Chongqing has developed an extensive network of 13 rail transit lines, including Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 18, the Loop Line, the Guobo Line, the Jiangtiao Line, and the Bishan SkyShuttle Demonstration Line. This network is noteworthy as the most extensive urban rail system in mountainous regions, placing Chongqing among the world's elite cities for rail transit. The system spans the entire central city and is expanding into new urban areas. With the inauguration of Rail Transit Line 18 on December 28, 2023, the network's total operational length reached 538 kilometers. On December 31, 2023, Chongqing Rail Transit recorded its highest daily passenger volume, with an impressive 5.081 million passengers.

Chongqing Rail Transit System Plan. (Photo/Chongqing Rail Transit Group)

The operating hours for Chongqing rail transit are approximately from 06:30 to 00:00, and the first and last train times may vary across different stations. For detailed schedules, please visit the official website at https://www.cqmetro.cn/smbsj.html.

Besides the standard trains, express services are available on Line 10, Line 4, Line 5, and the Loop Line, stopping only at select stations. For more information on these rapid trains, visit https://www.cqmetro.cn/kcskb.html.

Fares for the rail transit are mileage-based. The minimum fare is 2 yuan, while the maximum is 10 yuan. A preferential fare policy caps the highest ticket price at 7 yuan. Passengers using the IC Transportation card or the e-wallet feature receive a 10% discount on one-way fares. Additionally, this payment method allows for free or discounted transfers between rail transit and city buses within an hour.

The information is sourced from the official website of Chongqing Rail Transit Group. This article is updated on January 3, 2024.

Cover photo: From Xinhua.

(Huang Xiaohui, as an intern, also contributed to this article.)