Chongqing Rail Transit (CRT) — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets

The Chongqing Metro, an extensive rail system, comprises six operational lines with a total length of 264 kilometres and 153 stations. More stations are under development. The metro operates all year round from 6.30am to 11.30pm, including public holidays. Fares vary depending on the distance travelled and range from 2 to 10 yuan per trip. Notably, the Chongqing Metro offers a direct link to the Chongqing-Jiangbei International Airport via Line 3, which includes a convenient stop just below the airport.

The Chongqing Metro, also known as the Monorail, is a major public transport system in Chongqing, China. It carries around 1.3 million passengers every day.

The Chongqing Metro doesn’t operate 24 hours a day, but is in service from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm. For passenger comfort, the metro is air-conditioned and allows passengers to walk between platforms. The metro system is not automated and requires human operators to run the trains.

For passenger safety, Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) have been installed at the three metro stations of Daping, Linjiangmen and Jiaochangkou. The fare for a trip on the metro ranges from 2.00 to 7.00 Chinese yuan, depending on the distance travelled, and entry/exit gates are used for fare enforcement. The Chongqing Metro system is operated by the local government.

Chongqing Metro Map

Map of Chongqing Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Chongqing Metro map in PDF format.

About Chongqing

Chongqing is a large municipality in mainland China. It was established in 1997 to diversify the region’s economic activities. It is home to around 30 million people, 18 million of whom live in urban areas and the rest in small, remote farms away from the congested cities.

The largest city in the municipality is Chongqing itself, with a population of nearly 8 million. After Chongqing, the districts of Fuling and Wanzhou have the next largest populations and are significant cities in their own right. The municipality consists of 21 districts and is one of the most densely populated areas in the country.

As an industrial leader in Asia, Chongqing has undergone radical development over the past 20 years, resulting in significant improvements to the city’s infrastructure. One of the region’s most notable engineering feats is the Chongqing Metro, which serves not only the city of Chongqing but also its surrounding districts.

Construction of this massive metro network began in 1999, funded by Japanese investment, and began operations in 2005. Expansion efforts have continued unabated, resulting in a 264-kilometre network comprising six commercial lines and 153 stations, with more stations being added every year.

Lines and Stations

The Chongqing Metro provides transport in Chongqing and its neighbouring districts. The metro’s lines span 264 kilometres, connecting outlying townships and villages to downtown Chongqing. Currently, six lines are in operation, but there are plans to build a total of 18 commercial lines, eventually bringing the total length of the network to 820 kilometres.

Line 1

Line 1 of the Chongqing Metro, distinguished by its red vehicles, serves the western areas of the city. It will be put into service on 28 July 2011 and will run from Chaotianmen to Daxuecheng. The line is 38 kilometres long, has 24 stations and is designed to accommodate 36,000 passengers per hour.

Line 2

Known for its green trains, Line 2 was the first line of the Chongqing Metro, which opened on 18 June 2005. It was also the first metro line in western China. This line runs from Jiaochangkou to Yudong, serving the southeastern areas of the city. Interestingly, Line 2 is a monorail built using Japanese Hitachi Monorail technology. It spans 31 kilometres with 25 stations and carries around 350,000 passengers daily.

Line 3

Line 3 of the Chongqing Metro, characterised by its dark blue rolling stock, was inaugurated on 5 April 2007. This line was designed to connect the northern and southern parts of the city, starting at Lianglukou and ending at Yuanyang. The line was later extended to connect to Jiangbei Airport in the north and Yudong Terminal in the south. It has 45 stations and covers 66 kilometres of track, carrying one million passengers a day.

Line 5

The turquoise trains of Line 5 serve the Chongqing Metro, which runs from the Liangjiang region to Jiangjin. This line has a planned length of 70 kilometres, with some sections already in operation and others under construction. It will have a total of 33 stations. Of the 70 kilometres, 48 kilometres will be underground and the rest will be elevated. The first part of Line 5, comprising ten stations, was inaugurated in December 2017. According to official estimates, the line will be completed by 2025.

Line 6

Line 6, characterised by its distinctive pink trains, was inaugurated on 28 September 2012. It is 75 kilometres long and has 33 stations, mainly in the Nan’an, Yuzhong and Jiangbei regions. Despite being one of the largest lines in the city, it only carries 450,000 passengers per day, lagging behind other lines that carry around one million passengers per day.

Line 10

Known for its purple trains and often referred to as the “airport line” due to its connection to the airport, Line 10 began construction in 2014 and opened to the public in December 2017. The line connects the northern and southern districts of the city, serving the Yuzhong, Jiangbei and Yubei districts. It currently comprises 27 stations and a 34-kilometre network, with plans to expand to 45 kilometres. The remaining sections are expected to be completed by 2020.

Transfers

The Chongqing Metro provides ample transfer facilities within its network and to other major transport systems. Below is a detailed list of stations where transfers are available:

Line 1

Xiaoshizi: Transfer to Line 6.
Jiaochangkou: Transfer to Line 2.
Lianglukou: Transfer to Line 3.
Daping: Transfer to Line 2.

Line 2

Jiaochangkou: Transfer to Line 1.
Niujiaotuo: Transfer to Line 3.
Daping: Transfer to Line 1.
Yudong: Transfer to Line 3.

Line 3

Yudong: Transfer to Line 2.
Lianglukou: Transfer to Line 1.
Niujiaotuo: Transfer to Line 2.
Guanyinqiao: Transfer to Line 9.
Hongqihegou: Transfer to Line 6.
Bijin: Transfer to the airport line.
Jiangbei: Transfer to Line 10.

Line 5

Dalongshan: Transfer to Line 6.
Xietaizi: Transfer to Lines 1 and 5.
Shiqiaopu: Transfer to Line 1.

Line 6

Xiaoshizi: Transfer to Line 1.
Hongtudi: Transfer to Line 10.
Hongqihegou: Transfer to Line 3.
Dalongshan: Transfer to Line 5.
Yuelai: Transfer to Line 10.

Line 10

Nanping: Transfer to Line 3.
Qixinggang: Transfer to Line 1.
Zengjiayan: Transfer to Line 2.
Hongtudi: Transfer to Line 6.
Jiangbei: Transfer to Line 3.
Yuelai: Transfer to Line 6.

Operating Hours

Given its extensive network and daily ridership, the Chongqing Metro could be expected to operate for at least 20 consecutive hours every day. However, the service is available from 6.30am to 11.30pm, for a total of 17 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays and national celebrations.

The frequency of trains varies according to the time of day. During peak hours from Monday to Friday, trains arrive at the platforms approximately every three minutes. At other times, trains arrive every five to seven minutes. After 10pm and on Sundays, waiting times can be as long as seven to ten minutes. On Saturdays trains usually arrive every five to seven minutes throughout the day.

Fares

The Chongqing Metro fare system is distance-based and tickets are valid on all lines, including heavy rail lines such as the monorail. Upon entering the payment area, passengers must board a train within 180 minutes or they will be charged the maximum fare.

Once through the turnstiles, a 180-minute countdown begins during which passengers must reach their destination. Fares range from a minimum of two yuan to a maximum of ten yuan.

Payment options include a one-way ticket, a round-trip ticket or a reloadable Livable Changtong Card. The card is available in various formats, including standard, discounted, student and senior options.

Price Chart

Between 0 and 6 kilometers: 2 ¥.
Between 6 and 11 kilometers: 3 ¥.
Between 11 and 17 kilometers: 4 ¥.
Between 17 and 24 kilometers: 5 ¥.
Between 24 and 32 kilometers: 6 ¥.
Between 32 and 41 kilometers: 7 ¥.
Between 41 and 51 kilometers: 8 ¥.
Between 51 and 63 kilometers: 9 ¥.
64 kilometers or more: 10 ¥.

Ticket Types

One-way ticket: This simple option allows you to make a single journey on the Metro. It’s only valid on the day of purchase and is non-refundable. It can only be used by one person and only at the station of purchase.
Holiday ticket: Available during holidays and major nationwide celebrations, this ticket offers benefits to passengers attending citywide festivities. It is non-refundable and should be used within the specified period.
Fixed Ticket Pass: This ticket is valid for a user-defined period of time. It can only be used by one person and is non-refundable.
Day Ticket: Unlimited travel for one day. Valid for one person only and requires an additional fare in addition to the cost of the ticket.

Livable Changtong Card

The Livable Changtong Card is a rechargeable card that offers passengers flexibility in their travel. Special versions are available for students and senior citizens. The fare structure is as follows:

Between 0 and 6 kilometers: 2 ¥.
Between 6 and 11 kilometers: 3 ¥.
Between 11 and 17 kilometers: 4 ¥.
Between 17 and 24 kilometers: 5 ¥.
Between 24 and 32 kilometers: 6 ¥.
Over 32 kilometers: 7 ¥.

Connection to the Airport

Fortunately for residents and visitors alike, the Chongqing Metro offers a direct link to Chongqing-Jiangbei International Airport via Line 3, which has a stop directly below the airport. Passengers simply need to purchase their metro ticket and board a Line 3 train or transfer to Line 3 as required. Fares vary depending on the distance between the origin station and the airport, with pricing based on the number of kilometres travelled. Once on board, passengers should disembark at Jiangbei Airport Terminal 2 Station (江北机场T2航站楼), which is located below the ground level of the airport.

The metro is the quickest way to get to the city centre, the outskirts and surrounding towns. Taxis are also available outside the airport, but please note that drivers may only speak Chinese as Chongqing is centrally located in China and English speakers may be hard to find.

Fun Facts

The Chongqing Metro carries over 700 million passengers a year, more than 50% of the city’s total population.
Once all the planned stations of the Chongqing Metro network are operational, the network will span 820 kilometres, making it the longest metro system in the world.
Line 2 of the system, which opened in 2004, was the first commercial monorail line in China.
Project managers had to overcome numerous challenges due to the region’s uneven terrain, which led to the creation of both elevated and underground routes for the metro.
The idea of building a metro system in the city was first proposed in the 1960s, but serious planning didn’t begin until the late 1990s.

Regulations

Do not obstruct the movement of other passengers.
Ensure that your belongings do not cause inconvenience to others or block the doors of the train.
Children over the age of six must purchase a ticket.
Leaning against the platform doors is not permitted.
Fireworks are strictly forbidden.
Flammable objects are not allowed in metro stations and trains.
Smoking is prohibited in the metro.
Running is prohibited in metro stations.
Consumption of alcohol is not allowed in the metro.
It is strictly forbidden to enter the metro under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Show respect for metro staff.
Follow all instructions given by Metro security personnel.
Prams should be placed at the front or rear of the trains.
Do not play multimedia without headphones.
Do not attempt to enter or exit the carriages once the closing door warning has sounded.
Do not obstruct metro staff in the performance of their duties.
It is forbidden to beg in the metro facilities or on the trains.
Unauthorised video recording inside the metro is prohibited.
Sharp objects are not permitted unless safely stored and protected.
Firearms are strictly prohibited unless carried by an on-duty Metropolitan Police officer.

Future Expansions

The Chongqing Metro has ambitious plans to become the world’s largest metro system, with a total track length of 820 kilometres and 18 commercial lines. Six lines are currently in operation, while the remaining 12 are either under construction or in the planning stage.

For example, Line 4, which is scheduled to open in mid-2019, will have 8 stations along a 15-kilometre stretch, serving the Jiangbei and Yubei districts. The next line to be inaugurated is Line 9, which is expected to open in 2020 and will be 40 kilometres long with 30 stations. This line will serve the districts of Shapingba, Yuzhong, Jiangbei and Yubei.

The current budget is 100 million yuan, most of which is allocated to ongoing construction, which began in 2016.

Tourist Attractions

Near Ciqikou Station on Line 1 is Ciqikou Old Town, a popular destination for both locals and tourists. Known for its bustling marketplace filled with street food vendors and small souvenir shops, this picturesque neighbourhood offers a slice of history amid Chongqing’s rapid economic growth.

A visit to Ciqikou Old Town is a unique opportunity to sample local cuisine and appreciate the traditional architecture that contrasts with the city’s modern skyline. It’s a must for any extended stay in Chongqing.

Another place to visit is Hongya Cave, just a few blocks away from Xiaoshenzi Station, which is served by lines 1 and 6. Dating back to 1046 BC, this historic landmark offers a unique blend of culture and history. It’s particularly attractive at night, when the surrounding lights create a beautiful vista.

The restaurants near Hongya Cave offer a cosmopolitan, modern atmosphere, making this a popular night spot in Chongqing.