Chongqing - Chongqing has drawn global attention for its mountainous terrain and multi-layered transport system. On October 16, Xi Hong, Deputy Director of the Chongqing Housing and Urban-Rural Development Commission, said that the city has built “the world’s largest mountain rail network” between 2021 and 2025.

Overseas tourists take photos at Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 Liziba Station, where the track passes through a residential building. (Photo/Tang Yi)

Chongqing, known as a "cyberpunk city," is famous for its monorail that runs through buildings. Rail transport is a key part of its infrastructure. During the five years, Chongqing has added 14 new rail lines, including Line 9 and Line 18, expanding the network by 238 kilometers. Rail stations cover airports, high-speed rail stations, commercial hubs, and residential areas, making rail travel the city's top choice for commuters.

In addition to the rail network, Chongqing's complex road traffic system has also garnered attention. Xi shared that during the five years, Chongqing’s central urban area, spanning approximately 5,473 square kilometers, has seen the addition of 1,240 kilometers of new urban roads, a 22% increase in road mileage compared to the 2016-2020 period.

Panlong Interchange is a landmark example of Chongqing’s intricate interchange bridge network. (Photo/Chen Liang)

Xi highlighted that the city has built several cross-river bridges to further improve transportation convenience. Among them is the Baijusi Bridge, which spans the Yangtze River and holds the title of the world's largest cable-stayed bridge for both public and rail use. The opening of this bridge has shortened the travel time for local residents across the river, reducing it from 40 minutes to just 10 minutes.

The Bai Jusi Bridge, resembling a scene from an outer space planet, is an awe-inspiring sight. (Photo/TYLin)

The unique design philosophy behind Chongqing's urban landscape is another key factor driving its appeal. Guo Tangyong, another deputy director of the commission, stated that during the past five years, the city has focused on integrating urban aesthetics with architectural design, creating a series of iconic buildings that are distinctly representative of Chongqing.

One such example is the T3B terminal of Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, which has become a "first window" to showcase the city's aesthetics, leaving a visual impact on both domestic and international visitors.

The T3B terminal of Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport serves as the “first window” showcasing Chongqing’s aesthetics to travelers from around the world. (Photo/Huang Wei)

Guo further emphasized that Chongqing’s urban renewal initiatives focus on addressing residents' needs while preserving the historical essence of older neighborhoods. These efforts aim to update urban spaces, improve public facilities, and eliminate safety hazards.

For instance, in the Tapin Beicang Area of Chongqing Jiangbei, design teams preserved the original scale of the streets and alleys while integrating modern requirements, creating new urban spaces like the youth night schools and life aesthetics museums. These have become popular destinations for both citizens and tourists.

As part of Chongqing's urban renewal, design teams have actively engaged with communities to provide professional services. During the five years, a total of 2,539 designers have contributed to the planning and design of 1,928 communities across the city, further enhancing the livability and attractiveness of Chongqing.