Chongqing - On Nov 12, one of Chongqing's most anticipated new attractions — the Eling Skywalk, a ribbon-like pathway suspended along the mountainside — officially opened to the public, drawing long queues of visitors eager to experience this new piece of "romance in the air."

On Nov 12, one of Chongqing's most anticipated new attractions, the Eling Skywalk, officially opened to the public. (Photo: Yuzhong District)

Stretching 460 meters, the skywalk offers a breathtaking vantage point overlooking the Jialing River and the world-famous Liziba monorail, which runs through a residential building. With such uniquely Chongqing-style views, the skywalk became an instant sensation on its first day.

According to Chen Dan, Director of the Urban Renewal Design Institute at CMCU Zhonglian Engineering Co., the project is the result of years of innovation, engineering breakthroughs, and delicate balancing between natural constraints and urban life.

A path designed under extreme constraints

"The primary mission of a walkway is connection — but connecting Futuguan Park and Eling Park across natural cliffs is far from a simple straight line," Chen said.

The design team faced a dual challenge: high-voltage power lines overhead and strict protection zones for the Chongqing rail transit below.

"Achieving engineering precision under these conditions was incredibly demanding," Chen explained.

After multiple rounds of assessment considering geological safety, ecological protection, and underground pipeline adjustments, the final route emerged as the "optimal solution" under complex constraints.

As part of the planned 9.3-kilometer mid-level cliffline corridor, the skywalk also needed to blend with Chongqing's distinctive mountain-city landscape. Designers carefully shaped its silhouette to preserve the skyline when viewed from across the river while creating eye-catching vistas for visitors. More than 10 scenic platforms were added to highlight Chongqing's iconic "mountains meeting rivers" charm.

Stretching 460 meters, the skywalk offers a breathtaking vantage point overlooking the Jialing River and the world-famous Liziba monorail, which runs through a residential building. (Photo: The Yuzhong District)

Building the impossible: 31 pillars on a steep cliff

Transforming the blueprint into reality was equally challenging.

From the skywalk, visitors can now see 31 steel pillars rising from the rocky cliff, each precisely positioned in extremely difficult terrain.

With such uniquely Chongqing-style views, the skywalk became an instant sensation on its first day. (Photo: The Yuzhong District)

"Most pillars had to be installed by workers manually digging foundation pits along the cliffside. Even transporting materials required cooperative human effort," Chen said.

Suspended 16 to 30 meters above ground, the skywalk also needed to withstand strong winds. Engineers conducted rigorous wind-load calculations and utilized an airy, semi-open structure to ensure stability during harsh weather conditions.

Human-centered features were incorporated throughout. The walkway maintains a standard width of 3 meters, expanding at scenic points to allow visitors to pause and enjoy the view. Mist-spray systems were introduced to combat Chongqing's intense summer heat.

With such uniquely Chongqing-style views, the skywalk became an instant sensation on its first day. (Photo: The Yuzhong District)

A new slow-walk landscape for the Mountain City

The new skywalk is part of the larger 28-kilometer Mid-Level Cliffline Trail, which links five major urban parks — including Liziba WWII Site Park, Eling Park, and Futuguan Park — and nearly 30 cultural and historical sites. The result is a unique slow-walk corridor integrating nature, history, and leisure, beloved by both residents and visitors.

According to the Chongqing Housing and Urban–Rural Development Commission, the opening of the Eling Skywalk marks another milestone in the city's effort to build a world-class mountain walking network. To date, Chongqing has completed 871 kilometers of mountain pathways, forming an interconnected, accessible, and all-age-friendly system.