Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock Pictures

Relying on the convenient waterway of the Yangtze River, Chongqing was always a main passage in Southwest China. Chongqing City's transportation system has been well developed in recent years and is one of the important transport hubs connecting eastern and western China. Chongqing can easily be reached by air, train, water, or long-distance bus. As its economy has improved year by year it has already become the biggest economic center in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

In 1995, the first freeway in southwest China, the Chengyu Freeway - which is also known as the Bashu Royal Road, was constructed linking Chengdu with Chongqing.This encouraged further economic development in the area and led to the construction of the other freeways in Chongqing. Thus long distance transportation by roadis very convenient. In Chongqing, there are numerous bus lines operating through most of the day and into the night; there are plenty of taxis; and light railis a new service introduced in 2005. There is also a tourist cableway crossing the river. Tourists will be delighted when they find so many transportation choices in Chongqing.

Chongqing Train Station

For the development of the intercity transportation, Chongqing intended to constructa rapid transit network mainly framed by expressways and assisted by highwaysand normal roads. Thus, people can get to the central area of the city in eighthours from any of its districts, counties and cities. The realization of this goal in 2003 allows city and country areas of Chongqing develop side by side.

Chongqing has another peak hour in developing the city's transportation in 2007.Two bridges (Caiyuanba and Jiahua) across the Yangtze River and three expressways are open to traffic. The open of Yusui, Dianzhong and Jieshui Expressways make the total highway traffic mileage surpass 1,000 kilometers (621 miles). The outer ring expressway that widely concerned by the citizens is expected to be completed ahead of the schedule to the first half year of 2009.

In consideration of the geographic environment of the city - embracing by Yangtzeand Jialing Rivers with winding roads, high mountains and slopes - city railrapid transit can greatly help relieve the inconvenience of Chongqing's transport.In addition to line No.2 and No.3, subway line No.1 has started to be constructedin 2007 and so as the Light rail line No.3. The construction of Light

Chongqing Airport

rail line No.6 is planned to start in 2009. Chongqing's rail transit will make  a greatprogress. The city plans to build a rail transit network covering the centralcity district and its periphery and centered by Yuzhong District in the firsttwenty years of 21st century. In addition, the first bus rapid transit line of Chongqing has been open providing a new means of transportation intermediate between rapid rail transit and normal bus transit.

Chongqing is situated in anadvantaged position between eastern and western half of the country. Increasingly rising of transportation confirms the city's important role as a big municipality in China.

Related Link: Chongqing Subway Maps