Chongqing - Extension of Chongqing Rail Transit Line 4 promises faster commutes, stronger business links and warmer ties between urban residents and rural farmers. With the Spring Festival approaching, Chongqing’s metro network is preparing to launch a new extension that blends infrastructure with compassion.
Chongqing Rail Transit Line 4's Jiazhou Road Station dazzles with its striking design. (Photo/Luo Bin)
On the morning of February 4, residents gathered at Shunshuisi Park Station in the Panxi area for a preview ride of the west extension of Line 4, organized by the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. The line—an upgraded version of the much-loved “pack basket line,” named after the woven baskets carried by vegetable farmers—has completed all testing and is set to open before the holiday.
“We’ve been waiting nearly two years,” said Ms. Li, a resident of Shimahe, smiling as she admired the new station signage. “It will make visiting family during the festival much easier.”
A Faster East–West Corridor
The 11-kilometer extension runs westward from Min’an Avenue Station, adding nine stops. Once operational, it will connect densely populated neighborhoods such as Shimahe and Dashiba with major commercial hubs, including Guanyinqiao and Hongqihegou, forming a continuous east–west backbone across the city’s core districts.
On February 4, 2026, Dashiba Station on the west extension of Chongqing Rail Transit Line 4 enabled transfers to Line 5. (Photo/Luo Bin, Visual Chongqing)
According to Ouyang Tianfeng, deputy director of the rail transit construction division under the municipal housing authority, the extension has been designed with seamless transfers in mind. Passengers can switch to Line 5 at Dashiba Station, Line 6 at Huahuiyuan Station, and Line 3 at Jiazhou Road Station, providing direct access to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport and Chongqing North Railway Station.
Bus connections along the route have also been upgraded, with new bus bays and route adjustments ensuring transfers within 50 meters at several stations. For many residents, the change means cutting bus commute times from over 40 minutes to about 20 minutes by metro.
Boosting Local Business and Jobs
The extension is expected to inject fresh momentum into nearby business districts and traditional markets.
“We’ve already started preparing Spring Festival promotions,” said the manager of a shopping mall in Dashiba. Previously reliant on foot traffic from surrounding neighborhoods, the mall now expects to draw shoppers from across the city. New specialty snack shops and family-oriented stores have been introduced in anticipation of increased cross-district visitors.
On February 4, 2026, Dashiba Station on the west extension of Chongqing Rail Transit Line 4 prepared for its opening, with passengers able to use the smart service center for self-service ticket top-ups, fare adjustments and route inquiries. (Photo/Luo Bin, Visual Chongqing)
In Panxi and Yudaishan, wholesale markets are also eyeing transformation. “Logistics and customer flow will both improve,” said Liu, a vegetable wholesaler in Panxi. With smoother transport links, he plans to expand into online sales and reach more communities.
Officials say the extension will integrate these areas more deeply into the city’s “half-hour commuting circle,” encouraging talent mobility and facilitating the flow of knowledge and innovation. As companies ramp up hiring after the holiday, job seekers will gain broader access to employment opportunities.
A Smoother Road for Farmers
For vegetable farmer Zhang Shufang from Shichuan Township, the metro line is more than a convenience—it is a lifeline.
Carrying a half-filled bamboo basket of freshly picked greens during the preview ride, Zhang asked eagerly whether the new section would take her directly to Dashiba. “Before, I had to transfer at Min’an Avenue,” she said. “Now I can reach community markets more easily. The vegetables sell better there.”
Every morning, Zhang boards Line 4 to sell her produce in urban neighborhoods. The baskets she and fellow farmers carry—often still damp with morning dew—have become a familiar sight in the carriages. They symbolize not only rural livelihoods but also the everyday vibrancy of the city.
File photo: At 6:32 a.m., early risers cross paths on Chongqing Rail Transit Line 4, affectionately known as the "Pack Basket Line." (Photo/Liu Li)
With the extension, farmers’ routes to market will become smoother, while residents in communities such as Shimahe and Huahuiyuan will gain access to fresher, locally grown produce at affordable prices.
“This line shortens the distance between urban and rural areas and warms people’s hearts,” Zhang said with a smile as she adjusted her basket strap.
As Chongqing’s metro network stretches further west, it carries more than passengers. The new Line 4 extension connects growth with care—linking the pace of urban development with the warmth of everyday life. Opening just before the Spring Festival, it arrives as a timely gift to the city and its people.