For years, when references were made regarding large-scale transportation projects globally, China has always set the standard to surpass the previous high. One recent example is Chongqing East Railway station, located in Chongqing China, is a massive new railway hub which has quickly become one of the most discussed travel/infrastructure projects in all of Asia.
The key focal point with regards to the station is not only due to its modern architecture or high-speed rail services; the headlines focus on sheer physical size of the entire facility as the complete complex contains about 1.22 million square/meters of physical space (i.e., about equivalent to approximately 170 standard football fields). Just the size of the complex has made it a must-see destination globally for railway enthusiasts, travelers within the region, and fans of architecture alike.
Chongqing East Railway Station is located in Nan’an District reaches its official inaugural passenger service with the introduction of the Chongqing–Qianjiang (CQYJ) high-speed rail line which forms part of the comprehensive CQXMX high-speed rail network that is designed to accommodate high-speed trains up to 350 kilometers/hour.
Unlike typical train stations, we envision this facility functioning as a modern urban environment with a railway terminus versus older methods. Found within the structure are 29 platforms and 15 rail tracks across a total of eight floors, giving it the ability to serve many thousands of people efficiently at any time during the day or night. At peak travel times there may be over 16,000 people using the facility hourly, making it not only one of the busiest locations serviced by rail but also one of the most efficient rail transit hubs ever built.
Many transport experts have commended this project on having been designed as a fully integrated facility in that it connects high-speed trains with other means of urban transportation such as metro, city bus, taxi, intercity service – all in one complex. Passengers will therefore benefit from seamless transfers and less transit-related stress.
Chongqing Station will enhance China’s extensive high-speed rail system, making it simpler for people travelling from Chongqing to get to other China’s highest populated cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Xi’an, which will increase the amount of tourism and business travel within southwestern China.
An additional main draw to this particular station is its location in Chongqing City. Chongqing has become one of China’s most visited cities because of its incredible mountain views, multi-level urban planning and advanced architectural features. Chongqing has also come to be known as “The 8D City” because of the way in which the roads, buildings, bridges, and rail lines all seem to be on top of each other and create a scene like something out of a sci-fi film.
In addition to its unique cityscape, Chongqing is known for being the starting point for Yangtze River Cruises, as well as its famous and spicy hot pot dining experience. There will certainly be an increase in the number of tourists that will arrive at the new train station and as such, the local tourism industry will benefit from the new traffic.
It was a significant undertaking to build a new station of this size. The total estimated cost of the project was almost $7.8 billion and it was completed within a project schedule of approximately 38 months. Given the size and difficulty of the project, the construction time has been viewed by many experts in the engineering community as a great engineering feat.
An online video showcasing the world’s largest railway station has attracted global attention. The footage demonstrates the station’s massive glass-roofed hall and advanced architectural design, as well as seamless connections for transportation. There were millions of views and many people outside of China saw the video featuring the station.
For many travelers, Chongqing East Railway Station is much more than just another train station – it is a symbol of how quickly transportation infrastructure is changing and what the future of transportation hubs could be; instead of just a simple point of departure, they will likely be completely integrated “mobility centers”.
As high-speed rail continues to develop throughout Asia, Chongqing East Railway Station is a strong statement about the potential for modern transportation when there is vision, technology and extensive urban development.
