Liziba Station: Witness the Monorail Shuttling Through Buildings in Chongqing

Written by Veronica | Updated January 26,2026

Located at 39 Liziba Zhengjie Street in Yuzhong District, Chongqing, Liziba Station is an elevated side platform station on Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2. It is the first straddle-type monorail elevated station in China to be co-constructed and co-exist with residential and commercial buildings. Facing the Jialing River to the north and backed by Guihuayuan Road, Liziba Station of Chongqing has become a famous spot, known for the spectacular sight of the “monorail through a building.”‌

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• Liziba Station Facts
• Why Visit Liziba Station
• What Makes Liziba Station Unique?
• Things to Do in and around Liziba Station
• Best Sites for Photographing Liziba Station
• Why Would CRT Line 2 Pass Through a Residential Building?
• Practical Tips for Visiting Liziba Station
• Other Recommended Light Rail Experiences in Chongqing
• How to Plan a Chongqing Tour with a Liziba Visit?​​
• Best Time to Visit Liziba Station
• How to Get to Liziba Station
• Attractions Nearby Liziba Station
• Start Your Chongqing Journey with Us

Liziba Station Facts

• Location: 39 Liziba Zhengjie Street, Yuzhong District
• Designer: Ye Tianyi and his team
• Start Year: 2000
• Completion Date: March 2004
• Opening Time: 6:30 AM – 11:30 PM
• CRT Interval: Every seven minutes
• Time Needed for Visiting: 30 minutes
• Best Time to Visit: All year round
• Ticket Price: Free

Why Visit Liziba Station

• Witness the architectural wonder of the rail transit crossing the building, which is rarely seen even in the world.
• To facilitate tourists, a dedicated viewing platform is built on the opposite bank of the Jialing River, where you can capture the complete moment of the rail transit entering and exiting the building.
• Tourists can also take the CRT line 2 to experience it by yourself. You will feel like taking a roller coaster when the train travels through the building and across the river.

What Makes Liziba Station Unique?

Completed in March 2004 and began trial operations on June 18, 2005, Liziba Station is the only station through a building in the Chongqing Rail Transit system. The uniqueness of Chongqing Liziba Station architecture lies in its simultaneous design, construction, and commissioning of residential and commercial buildings. It adopts a “station-bridge separation” structural form, where the supporting systems of the rail transit station bridge and the residential and commercial buildings are set up separately.

Being China’s first station that crosses through buildings, Liziba Station is built between the 6th and 8th floors of a 19-story building. The 6th and 7th floors house the train tracks, while the 8th floor serves as the platform, creating a distinctive “monorail through the building” spectacle. Besides, it emphasizes environmental protection and comfort by using low-noise and low-vibration equipment.‌

Things to Do in and around Liziba Station

1. Marvel at the Through-building Monorail

One of the top things to do in Chongqing, Liziba Station is to admire the through-building moments of Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2. You can head to the observation platform of this station, and get ready to see the building with its mouth wide open eating up the monorail train, which is shocking and unforgettable. Don’t forget to take photos of it, and share them with your family and friends.

2. Explore the Cultural and Creative Zone

Nearby the CRT Tourist Center of Liziba Station, there is a cultural and creative zone that houses a wide range of cultural and creative products of this station. For instance, you will see the DIY Assembly Blocks of Crossing Liziba which is a scene-based assembly block set that replicates the sight of the monorail train passing through the building, the Leaf Carving Bookmark, commemorative coins, medallion keychains, metal bookmark rulers, decorative fridge magnets, and more.

3. Discover Bayu Old News Exhibition Hall

Entering the Liziba Station, you will be pleasantly surprised to find the Bayu Old News Exhibition Hall in the limited space. Through text and images, you’ll learn the glorious history of old Chongqing. Notably, over 70 years ago, Liziba was the former site of the main office of the “Ta Kung Pao” newspaper and it served as a spiritual support during the War of Resistance Against Japan. A guide will provide explanations to visitors at 10:30 and 15:30, never miss that if you are interested.

4. Taste Local Delicacies at Liziba Old Street

Liziba Old Street nearby the Liziba Station is also worth visiting. When you come there, you’ll find yourself surrounded by many authentic and mouthwatering food and snacks. There are many famous dishes that you must try, including Liziba Liangshan Chicken which is renowned far and wide for its deliciousness, Ba Xiang Yuan Wuyu Hua which features tender and fresh fish cooked uniquely, Cha Pao Fan (tea-soaked rice), and various hotpots.

Best Sites for Photographing Liziba Station

The sight of the monorail passing through buildings at Liziba Station is particularly spectacular during sunrise and sunset, which makes it perfect for capturing stunning photographs. Below are the best sites for taking beautiful photos of Liziba Station and the scene when the train pulls out of the station.

1. Observation Platform: Specifically designed for easy viewing of the monorail passing through buildings, this observation is located across the road from Liziba Station. Covering an area of 1,376 square meters, this viewing platform has a capacity to accommodate around 5000 people simultaneously.
2. Exit 2 of Liziba Station: This is also a great viewing spot for “monorail through the building.” Exiting here and walking down the right side of the road for less than 200 meters, you can take some beautiful photos with the light rail transit on your Chongqing tours.
3. Beibin Road: Although relatively farther away from Liziba Station, it provides a comprehensive view of the monorail passing through buildings. You can also better experience the unique geographical location and urban fabric of Chongqing Line 2 construction.

Why Would CRT Line 2 Pass Through a Residential Building?

In a city like Chongqing, where mountains and rivers has shaped its urban landscape in an incredibly unique way, space is a precious resource. As a result, Liziba Station and its remarkable “monorail-through-building” design were born out of necessity. In order to make the best use of the city’s complex terrain and dense residential zones, engineers eventually decided to let the monorail directly go through a high-rise building.

Instead of relocating thousands of residents or demolishing existing infrastructure, this innovative design separated the structural systems of the train and the building. The result is a functional, space-saving solution that has now become an iconic symbol of Chongqing’s vertical cityscape.

Basic Information about CRT Line 2

• Operating time: 06:30 – 23:00
• Tickets: CNY 2 – 9
• Major Stations: Jiaochangkou Station, Niujiaotuo Station, Liziba Station, Xiejiawan Station, Daping Station

Practical Tips for Visiting Liziba Station

• After getting off the train, it is advisable to stay on the platform for a while to enjoy the unique perspective of the train passing through the building and appreciate the river.
• Inside the station, there are clear signs that can guide you to the viewing platform.
• Both the escalator and the elevator are equipped in this station. When taking the elevator, it is the local custom to stand on the right and walk on the left. Please respect it.
• Please keep quiet in the platform, since above the station is the living area of the locals.
• To avoid crowds, the morning or evening of a weekday is a good choice.
• The interval between each train is about 5 minutes.

Other Recommended Light Rail Experiences in Chongqing

If Liziba Station truly impresses you, then you’ll definitely fall in love with other exciting light rail spots in Chongqing. Try to ride Line 2 to Fotuguan Station in spring, where cherry blossoms line the tracks, and you’ll suddenly find yourself be in the picturesque “Train to Spring.”

Also, visit Xiaolongkan Station, China’s first graffiti-themed metro station, you may get a really fresh experience for traveling with a vibrant, submarine-inspired art. To get a cinematic touch in subway station, stop at Tongyuanju Station, which has played a role in films like Better Days and Chongqing Hot Pot.

And if you’re a food lover, don’t miss Shiyoulu Station, its underground path leads straight into a hidden snack street packed with all different local delicacies. Whether you’re chasing city views, culture, or flavors, Chongqing’s rail system makes the journey as memorable as the destination.

How to Plan a Chongqing Tour with a Liziba Visit?​​

A 2–3 day trip is perfect to explore Chongqing’s iconic sites including its dramatic mountain landscapes, light rail wonders, and city culture. Begin your journey at Liziba Station, where the light rail suprisingly passes through a building, which is, indeed, a must-see photo spot. Then stroll nearby Liziba Old Street for nostalgic alleyways and it’s also the place where you can hunt for local snacks.

On your second day, it’s recommended to visit the Three Gorges Museum to dive into the region’s history. After that, take the light rail for more mountain-hugging rides. End the day with a perfect sunset at E’ling Park and have your dinner at Hongyadong, where neon lights meet astonishing riverside views.

If time allows, add a visit to Ciqikou Ancient Town to absorb its Ming–Qing charm or take a Yangtze River cruise to admire Chongqing’s skyline from the water. This short trip blends the exploration of scenery, culture, and iconic transit.

Best Time to Visit Liziba Station

Liziba Station in China is open all year round. The best time to visit there is when the weather is good, so you can take breathtaking pictures. The station opens at 6:30 AM and closes at 11:30 PM. By the way, the opening time may vary in summer and winter, just notice that before you head there.

How to Get to Liziba Station

Liziba Station is close to the downtown area. By CRT Line 2, tourists can travel from the Liberation Monument and Hongya Cave to there in about 25 minutes directly. Other major attractions along this line include the Three Gorges Museum and Chongqing Zoo.

Though a transfer is needed, it takes only about 40 minutes from the station to the major train stations and about 1 hour to the airport. Tourists taking CRT Lines 1 and 3 and the Loop Line can transfer to CRT Line 2 directly.

Tourists can also take Bus No. 210, 215, 219, 262, 318, 501, 808 or the Tour Bus T002 to Liziba Bus Station.

Read more Chongqing Transportation: How to Get to and Travel Around

Attractions Nearby Liziba Station

• Liziba Anti-Japanese War Relics Park: Built to commemorate the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, this site near Liziba Station includes historical buildings such as the Liu Xiang Mansion and Li Gengu’s Former Residence, through which you’ll learn more about the history of Chongqing.
• Three Gorges Museum: Located 3km from Liziba Station, this is a must-visit attraction on your Yangtze River cruise tours. It’s a comprehensive museum of Ba-Yu and Sanxia culture and it has more than 115 thousand sets of cultural relics and 18,000 rare books.
• E’ling Park: Also known as Goose Neck Park, this attraction is a combination of ancient architecture and private gardens and it provides a good view of the Yangtze River and Chongqing City.

Start Your Chongqing Journey with China Xian Tour

Traveling with us will give you a stress-free and customized experience in Chongqing. We provide you with the best service from the very beginning like crafting your itinerary totally based on your interests and travel preference, fulfilling your expectation of having city views, looking into history, or savoring food. China Xian Tour‘s local English-speaking guides know Chongqing inside out, and we’ll handle everything for you on this journey from transport to tickets. Flexible, efficient, and authentic—that’s how we help you make the most of Chongqing.