City transportation

Chongqing has a diverse and comprehensive transport system which includes some
interesting modes of transport found in very few of China’s major cities. A visit here should
include a ride by cable car across either the Yangtze or Jialing rivers.
TAXI 出租车
Flag fall Y5 (Y1.20 per km) is the cheapest of any major city of this size.
The distinctive ‘bee’ yellow of the regular Chongqing taxi is a rather appropriate colour as
they work hard to move people around the city. Beware of the swarms that hover around
bus stops or stations, especially after dark looking for multiple long distance fares which
don’t require using the meter. Chongqing’s taxi fleet is gradually being updated with the
introduction of the new Suzuki this year, which offers a very smooth and comfortable ride.
More recently a larger White Taxi was introduced to service the Airport and can most likely be
found around major International Hotels.
Tips: Taxis will often be hard to find from about 3.00pm until 5.00pm which is when they are
returning to base to refuel for a change of shift and unless you are going where they are
headed you may have to wait for some time and fight for your turn.
BUS 公交车
Three grades of buses service the city and prices range from Y1 to Y3 for across town routes.
The smaller 700 buses and some of the small 800 buses run as late as midnight.
The cheaper buses tend to be very crowded mornings and evenings as people commute to
work but are less so at noon and later in the evenings. Frequently updated city maps, Y5
from street stalls, have most bus routes clearly marked.
IC Cards can now be used on the majority of bus routes. Cards which offer discounted fares
can be purchased for Y20 non-refundable deposit from IC Card booths/sales centres that are
located at larger bus stops and interchanges.
MOTOBIKES and THREE WHEELERS 摩托车和三轮车
Motorbikes are an ideal mode of transport for this city of narrow windy streets that often
choke with traffic jams. Fares are negotiable for one or two passengers.
LIGHT RAIL 轻轨
The Qinggui or Light Rail is a combination of above ground monorail and underground metro
system that will one day in the future alleviate much of the road congestion caused by buses
and taxis.
This first line runs partway along the Jialing River and has become a popular sightseeing ride
for both locals and tourists. Running from Jiaochangkou on the peninsular to Xinshancun
in the western suburbs, this line covers tourist attractions such as the Peoples Great Hall,
Three Gorges Museum, the new Olympic Sports Centre at Yuanjiagang and the Zoo at
Yangjiaping.
New lines currently under construction will run across town from the airport in the north to
Nanping in the south crossing both the big rivers. Another is scheduled for Shapingba
District. In all 7 lines are planned in the years ahead.
The service is clean, efficient, punctual and uses a swipe card fare system with a maximum
fare is Y5
CABLE CAR 索道
Two pairs of Cable Car cross each of the Rivers that carve up the city and are an excellent way
to get a bird’s eye view of them both.
Yangtze River Cable Car - Y2 each way
This is located on Xin Hua Road opposite the bus stop not far from the Metropolitan Plaza and
up the hill from the Carrefour. Southbank terminal is in Nanan District just above Nanbin
Road at Long Men Hao Docks. It’s a short walk up the hill to Shangxinjie with buses to
Nanshan Park or down the hill to Nanbin Lu.
Jialing River Cable Car - Y2 each way
This is located on Cang Bai Road across from Hongyadong with the northern terminal in
Jinagbei Cheng where there is very little to see as this section of the city is currently being
redeveloped to house a new entertainment complex.
BRT 快速公交车
Bus Rapid Transit is a new express bus service initiative of the Central Government for
several major cities in China. The first and rather limited route through Daping opened in
January 2008 and the buses are distinguished by bright orange on white paint work.
Line 801 Shapingba to Jiangbei opened recently.
Line 888 Shapingba to Yuanjiagang due to open soon (Shapingba Zhan Xi Lu to YiKe YiYuan)
FERRY 渡轮
Two ferry services cross the river from Chaotianmen to Nanbin Road in Nanan District.
ESCALATOR 电动扶梯
Chongqing is home to one of the longest escalators in Asia. Located in Lianglukou on the
corner of Chang Jiang Yi Road it descends to the Train and Bus stations at Caiyuanba saving
pedestrians a long climb up or down the stairs.