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China Unveils the World’s Longest Escalator in Chongqing: A Breathtaking 21-Minute Journey
An escalator where you can travel for nearly a kilometer—at first glance, it sounds unbelievable, but it is entirely real. This unprecedented piece of infrastructure has been completed in the mountainous municipality of Chongqing, China. The massive investment cost tens of millions of dollars, and its complex construction spanned four years.
While global engineering feats constantly push boundaries—from plans for the world’s longest suspension bridge to be built in Europe to monumental environmental projects like the China Great Green Wall Taklamakan Desert carbon sink—Chongqing’s newest public transit addition stands out as a unique solution to urban geographical challenges.
Record-Breaking Scale and Architecture
Recently, Chongqing inaugurated a groundbreaking transport infrastructure: the longest escalator system in the world. The sheer scale of this project challenges our conventional understanding of urban mobility.
- Total Length: 905 meters (approximately 2,969 feet).
- Vertical Elevation: 242 meters (794 feet)—equivalent to scaling an 80-story skyscraper.
- Ride Duration: A staggering 21 minutes from bottom to top.
- Steep Incline: Gradients reach up to 60% in certain sections, providing a dramatic ascent.
Appropriately named “Goddess,” the installation is not a single continuous belt but rather a massive modular system. It is composed of 21 individual escalator units, four moving walkways, eight elevators, and several connecting pedestrian footbridges.
A $23 Million Investment and International Collaboration
The scale of the “Goddess” project is matched by its impressive timeline and budget. The construction phase lasted four full years and required an investment of roughly $23 million USD. Building such a monumental structure into steep, natural terrain required exceptional engineering precision.
Interestingly, the mechanical components powering this giant were not manufactured domestically in China. The execution was entrusted to the renowned Swiss company Schindler, globally celebrated for its high-quality elevators and escalators. This project was not their first collaboration with the city; Schindler previously supplied around 1,400 escalators for the Chongqing Metro system, establishing a strong track record in navigating the city’s complex topography.
Saving Time Without Sacrificing Scenery
Before the “Goddess” escalator was built, navigating this specific kilometer-long stretch was a grueling task. It typically took pedestrians about an hour of strenuous hiking up steep, classic staircases or forced commuters to navigate highly congested, winding mountain roads. Today, the same journey takes just 21 effortless minutes.
Beyond its utilitarian purpose, the Chongqing escalator system stands out for its exceptional aesthetic design. The entire structure is encased in glass, which functionally lightens the visual weight of the massive installation while providing passengers with uninterrupted, panoramic views of the surrounding natural landscape.
Chongqing: A Global Hub for Extreme Infrastructure
This installation is just the latest in a series of ambitious transportation projects completed in Chongqing over the past few decades. Known as the “Mountain City,” its extreme topography forces city planners to think outside the box. It is the same city famous worldwide for its monorail trains that pass directly through the middle of residential apartment buildings at Liziba Station.
Considering that Chinese metropolises consistently rank among the most innovative cities globally for urban planning, such a spectacular and practical solution to a geographical hurdle is simply par for the course.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why was such a massive escalator built in Chongqing specifically?
Chongqing is heavily mountainous and features extreme elevation changes across its urban landscape. The escalator was built to provide residents and tourists a practical, time-saving alternative to climbing steep stairs or driving on congested switchback roads.
Is the “Goddess” escalator a single continuous moving staircase?
No, it is a modular infrastructure system. Spanning 905 meters in total length, it is composed of 21 individual escalator segments, four moving walkways, eight elevators, and connecting bridges to safely transport passengers over the varied terrain.
How much time does riding the world’s longest escalator save?
The complete ride takes about 21 minutes. Prior to its construction, making the same 242-meter vertical climb on foot took pedestrians roughly an hour of strenuous physical exertion.
Source: Science & Vie, Smithsonian magazine. Opening photo: Gemini
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