Yangtze River Cableway
Experience the magic of Chongqing as a 3D mountain city from a 360° view in the sky.
The Chongqing Yangtze River Cableway is the first large cable car across the Yangtze River. It is 1,166 meters long and travels at a speed of 6 meters per second. A one-way trip takes about 4 minutes and 30 seconds, and it can carry up to 65 passengers.
The Yangtze Cableway was established in 1982 to relieve traffic pressure between the main urban area of Chongqing and the Nan’an District. Construction began on March 20, 1986, and it was completed and put into operation on October 24, 1987.
As the first urban cableway for passenger transport across a river in China, the Yangtze Cableway has been in operation for over 30 years without any safety incidents.
Riding the cableway offers visitors a 360-degree view. At night, when the lights of Chongqing illuminate the sky, the cableway becomes a dazzling light strip, providing a unique visual experience. Although the ride is short, many tourists traveling to Chongqing look forward to the experience of riding a cable car in this modern city.
Table of Contents
Highlights of the Yangtze River Cableway
Scenic Views of the Yangtze River and Its Banks
Riding the Yangtze River Cableway, you’ll be struck by the grandeur of the river. In this stretch of the Yangtze, the water is wide and majestic, flowing powerfully into the distance. Along the way, you’ll see the rolling hills on both sides, layered clusters of buildings, and a beautifully arranged urban landscape. Especially in the morning and evening, the changing light creates a mesmerizing display of colors on the water.
Urban Landscape of Chongqing
Besides the natural beauty of the Yangtze River, taking the Yangtze Cableway offers a great view of Chongqing’s bustling cityscape. As a mountain city, Chongqing has a unique layout, with buildings arranged in a charming way and a complex transportation network. From above, you can see the city’s distinctive three-dimensional structure and feel its energy and vibrancy. Especially at night, the lights illuminate the entire city, creating a dazzling night scene that is both colorful and captivating.
Practical Travel Tips
- You can only reserve tickets for the Chongqing Yangtze Cableway on the same day. It’s best to go early to avoid crowds; tickets go on sale at 7:45 AM.
- A one-way ticket is enough for the experience. The views are the same both ways, and you’ll need to get a new number for the return trip.
- Since there are many tourists, the cable car can get crowded. Make sure to find a window seat quickly, or you won’t be able to see outside.
- The bronze statues outside the scenic area will enthusiastically invite you to take pictures, creating the illusion that it’s free. Afterward, they will ask for money.
- If you miss your number while waiting in line, you’ll need to get a new one on-site. Remember: don’t miss your number! Otherwise, you’ll have to wait a long time again. The wait usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour.
Hours and Fees
Hours
- Open daily, with peak season hours from 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM; off-peak season hours from 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
Admission
- One-way ticket is 20 CNY (about 3 USD); round-trip ticket is 30 CNY (about 4.50 USD).
How to Get to the Yangtze River Cableway
Location
- Yangtze Cableway North Station: Located at 151 Xinhua Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, close to attractions like Jiefangbei and Hongyadong.
- Yangtze Cableway South Station: Located at 4 Shangxin Street, Nan’an District, across from Longmenhao Street Office.
By Subway
- North Station: Take Line 1 or Line 6 to Xiaoshizi Station and exit from Exit 5B.
- South Station: Take the Circular Line to Shanghao Station, or Line 6 to Shangxin Street Station and exit from Exit 2.
How Visitors Rate the Yangtze River Cableway
International tourists
Local tourists from China
We got lucky and managed to get tickets for today. After lunch, we lined up for our spot. Experiencing how disorienting Chongqing can be was something else! The map didn’t seem too complicated, but we ended up wandering around for a while and couldn’t find the station. We had to stop and ask locals for directions a few times. Finding the cableway station was tougher than we expected.
Another headache was waiting in line. Thankfully, it’s not peak tourist season, so the crowds were lighter. We lined up at the North Station, and it took us about 40 minutes, which is pretty fast.
Once we got on the cable car, it was exciting! In just three minutes, we reached the other side. I noticed there were fewer people on the South side. So, friends, if you can, try lining up at the South Station to save some time!
It does add some stress for the local residents. This cableway is mainly used for commuting across the river, and now they have to share some space with tourists. But of course, tourists pay a different ticket price than locals.
We were really lucky when we went—we ended up at the front of the line, so we got the best spots for photos. As a first-time visitor to Chongqing, I felt a mix of curiosity and excitement. Riding the cableway in such a modern city felt like weaving between skyscrapers, which was a lot of fun.
Because of our schedule, we rode the Yangtze Cable Car during the day. If you have the chance, try to go at night; you can enjoy the beautiful city lights. But the daytime views are stunning too, with a wide perspective that offers a different kind of beauty.
In the evening, as the sun was setting, I headed to the cableway. Since it was off-peak season, there was no line. I entered from the North Station and bought a round-trip ticket for 30 yuan.
The cableway consists of two lines and can hold a lot of people. It's best to stand at the front or back of the cable car for the best views of the city. The scenery of Chongqing is truly spectacular and breathtaking!
