Chongqing—Chongqing will add Thai-language announcements at key stations across its urban rail network before China's National Day on Oct. 1. The stations will provide announcements in Chinese, English, and Thai to make the system easier to navigate for international visitors.
The Fotuguan section of Chongqing's Rail Transit Line 2, flanked by splendid plum blossoms in full bloom, presents a picturesque view. As trains glide past, they resemble a "journey into spring," making this area a distinctive and beautiful emblem of the mountainous city in recent years. (Photo/New Chongqing in the Lens - Cui Jingyin)
The plan was announced at a policy briefing on Sept. 15 on Chongqing's three-year action plan to improve services for international visitors.
Hao Yi, deputy director of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Transport, said the city is expanding multilingual services at major transport hubs as more visitors from Southeast Asia travel to Chongqing.
Chinese and English announcements are already available across 13 urban rail lines and 10 major bus routes in Chongqing. Bilingual signs have also been installed at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, four major railway stations, and a number of stations across the urban rail network. Multilingual translation devices are available at 24 stations.
An iChongqing post on X about Chongqing's planned Thai-language announcements had received about 60,000 views as of Sept. 22. (Photo: iChongqing)
International bank cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and JCB, can be used to buy tickets at major transport hubs and rail transit stations. Passengers can also use WeChat Pay and Alipay linked to overseas bank cards to pay for bus, urban rail, and taxi fares.
Chongqing also plans to provide multilingual travel guides at major transport hubs and improve English-language instructions for ride-hailing services. The city will make relevant guides available through the international version of the Chongqing municipal government website. The city also plans to pilot three-day and five-day rail transit passes.
Overseas tourists take photos at Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 Liziba Station, where the track passes through a residential building. (Photo/Tang Yi)
Lee Chunhee, a South Korean who has lived in Chongqing for more than a decade, said he has grown very fond of the city and finds Chongqing people warm and endearing. He described Chongqing as a good place both to visit and to live.
"I welcome visitors from Southeast Asia to come and explore Chongqing, and I also hope Korean-language announcements can be introduced on the city's urban rail network in the future," he said.
The plan has also drawn attention overseas. A post on iChongqing's official X account had received about 60,000 views as of Sept. 22.
It has generated discussion on Chinese social media and was picked up by Thai news outlet The Thaiger after the Sept. 15 announcement.