Located at 39 Liziba Zhengjie Street in Yuzhong District, Chongqing, Liziba Station is an elevated side platform station on Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2. It is the first straddle-type monorail elevated station in China to be co-constructed and co-exist with residential and commercial buildings. Facing the Jialing River to the north and backed by Guihuayuan Road, Liziba Station of Chongqing has become a famous spot, known for the spectacular sight of the “monorail through a building.”
Liziba Station Facts
- Location: 39 Liziba Zhengjie Street, Yuzhong District
- Designer: Ye Tianyi and his team
- Start Year: 2000
- Completion Date: March 2004
- Opening Time: 6:30 AM – 11:30 PM
- CRT Interval: Every seven minutes
- Time Needed for Visiting: 30 minutes
- Best Time to Visit: All year round
- Ticket Price: Free
Why Visit Liziba Station
Completed in March 2004 and began trial operations on June 18, 2005, Liziba Station is the only station through a building in the Chongqing Rail Transit system. The uniqueness of Chongqing Liziba Station architecture lies in its simultaneous design, construction, and commissioning of residential and commercial buildings. It adopts a “station-bridge separation” structural form, where the supporting systems of the rail transit station bridge and the residential and commercial buildings are set up separately.
Being China’s first station that crosses through buildings, Liziba Station is built between the 6th and 8th floors of a 19-story building. The 6th and 7th floors house the train tracks, while the 8th floor serves as the platform, creating a distinctive “monorail through the building” spectacle. Besides, it emphasizes environmental protection and comfort by using low-noise and low-vibration equipment.
Things to Do in and around Liziba Station
1. Marvel at the Through-building Monorail
One of the top things to do in Chongqing, Liziba Station is to admire the through-building moments of Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2. You can head to the observation platform of this station, and get ready to see the building with its mouth wide open eating up the monorail train, which is shocking and unforgettable. Don’t forget to take photos of it, and share them with your family and friends.
2. Explore the Cultural and Creative Zone
Nearby the CRT Tourist Center of Liziba Station, there is a cultural and creative zone that houses a wide range of cultural and creative products of this station. For instance, you will see the DIY Assembly Blocks of Crossing Liziba which is a scene-based assembly block set that replicates the sight of the monorail train passing through the building, the Leaf Carving Bookmark, commemorative coins, medallion keychains, metal bookmark rulers, decorative fridge magnets, and more.
3. Discover Bayu Old News Exhibition Hall
Entering the Liziba Station, you will be pleasantly surprised to find the Bayu Old News Exhibition Hall in the limited space. Through text and images, you’ll learn the glorious history of old Chongqing. Notably, over 70 years ago, Liziba was the former site of the main office of the “Ta Kung Pao” newspaper and it served as a spiritual support during the War of Resistance Against Japan. A guide will provide explanations to visitors at 10:30 and 15:30, never miss that if you are interested.
4. Taste Local Delicacies at Liziba Old Street
Liziba Old Street nearby the Liziba Station is also worth visiting. When you come there, you’ll find yourself surrounded by many authentic and mouthwatering food and snacks. There are many famous dishes that you must try, including Liziba Liangshan Chicken which is renowned far and wide for its deliciousness, Ba Xiang Yuan Wuyu Hua which features tender and fresh fish cooked uniquely, Cha Pao Fan (tea-soaked rice), and various hotpots.
Best Sites for Photographing Liziba Station
The sight of the monorail passing through buildings at Liziba Station is particularly spectacular during sunrise and sunset, which makes it perfect for capturing stunning photographs. Below are the best sites for taking beautiful photos of Liziba Station and the scene when the train pulls out of the station.
- Observation Platform: Specifically designed for easy viewing of the monorail passing through buildings, this observation is located across the road from Liziba Station. Covering an area of 1,376 square meters, this viewing platform has a capacity to accommodate around 5000 people simultaneously.
- Exit 2 of Liziba Station: This is also a great viewing spot for “monorail through the building.” Exiting here and walking down the right side of the road for less than 200 meters, you can take some beautiful photos with the light rail transit on your Chongqing tours.
- Beibin Road: Although relatively farther away from Liziba Station, it provides a comprehensive view of the monorail passing through buildings. You can also better experience the unique geographical location and urban fabric of Chongqing Line 2 construction.
Best Time to Visit Liziba Station
Liziba Station in China is open all year round. The best time to visit there is when the weather is good, so you can take breathtaking pictures. The station opens at 6:30 AM and closes at 11:30 PM. By the way, the opening time may vary in summer and winter, just notice that before you head there.
How to Get to Liziba Station
You can take CRT Line 2 to Liziba Station, or take Bus No. 210, 215, 219, 262, 318, 501, 808 or the Tour Bus T002 to Liziba Bus Station, and then you will be there.
Read more Chongqing Transportation: How to Get to and Travel Around
Attractions Nearby Liziba Station
- Liziba Anti-Japanese War Relics Park: Built to commemorate the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, this site near Liziba Station includes historical buildings such as the Liu Xiang Mansion and Li Gengu’s Former Residence, through which you’ll learn more about the history of Chongqing.
- Three Gorges Museum: Located 3km from Liziba Station, this is a must-visit attraction on your Yangtze River cruise tours. It’s a comprehensive museum of Ba-Yu and Sanxia culture and it has more than 115 thousand sets of cultural relics and 18,000 rare books.
- E’ling Park: Also known as Goose Neck Park, this attraction is a combination of ancient architecture and private gardens and it provides a good view of the Yangtze River and Chongqing City.
