Liziba Station

Background

Liziba Station stands by the Jialing River in Yuzhong District, Chongqing. It is an elevated straddle-type monorail station on Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2, completed in 2004 and opened with the line in June 2005, and is described as China's first elevated straddle-type monorail station built into a residential building. The station occupies the middle floors of a 19-storey residential building (Wikipedia gives the sixth to eighth floors, with the concourse on the sixth and the platforms on the eighth; the Chongqing government's English website gives the sixth and seventh), and trains pass through the building. The station is fitted with special noise-reduction equipment to limit the impact on residents. Below the station is the relief "Soul of the Rock" by the artist Jiang Bibo: its lower part shows people at a bridgehead looking out over the city, and its upper part carves a huge human face following the natural contours of the rock, expressing Bayu (Chongqing) culture. Next to the station is a viewing platform of about 1,367 square metres, with a viewing and photo area, an open plaza and a glass walkway; two trails lead to Liziba Park and Jiabin Road.

Local customs

• Wait on the riverside viewing platform for a train to pass through the building
• ride Line 2 yourself to experience the moment of passing through
• look at the "Soul of the Rock" relief below the station
• follow the trails to Liziba Park or Jiabin Road and look out over the Jialing River and the far bank.

Travel tips

• The viewing platform is free, and rides cost the normal rail transit fare
• trains run frequently, so the wait is usually short
• the station is crowded at the morning and evening rush hours, so watch your belongings
• the riverside is windy in rain, so dress warmly.
• Take Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 to Liziba Station
• the viewing platform is on the riverside of the station, within walking distance. Any season works: spring and autumn light is soft and good for photos, the riverside is sunny in summer, and the night lights come on earlier in winter.