Yangtze River Cable Car
🚡 Yangtze River Cable Car (长江索道)
A 5-minute cable car ride across the Yangtze River with jaw-dropping views of the Chongqing skyline — one of the city's most iconic experiences.
Overview
The Chongqing Yangtze River Cable Car (长江索道) was originally built in 1987 as a public transport crossing. Today, it's a tourist attraction that gives you a bird's-eye view of the city's incredible vertical architecture. The cable car crosses 1,166 meters of river in about 5 minutes.
Essential Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | 重庆市渝中区新华路151号 (North station) |
| Opening hours | 7:30 AM - 10:30 PM (summer), 7:30 AM - 9:30 PM (winter) |
| Ticket price | ¥20 one-way, ¥30 round-trip |
| Time needed | 30-60 minutes (including queue) |
| Best time | Sunset (5:00-6:30 PM) for golden hour views, or after dark for the city lights |
How to Get There
North Station (渝中区, city side)
- Metro: Line 1 or 6 to Xiaoshimen (小什字站), Exit 5, walk 5 minutes
- This is the more popular departure point
South Station (南岸区, Nan'an side)
- Metro: Line 6 to Shangxinjie (上新街站), walk 10 minutes
- Less crowded, good option for avoiding queues
The Experience
Boarding
- Buy tickets at the station or via WeChat/Alipay QR code
- Queue up — wait times range from 10 minutes (weekday) to 1+ hour (weekend/holiday)
- Each cable car holds about 50 people
The Ride
- 5 minutes across the Yangtze River
- Views of: the Chongqing skyline, Jiefangbei tower, Hongya Cave, the rivers, and the mountains
- The cable car sways slightly — this is normal and safe
Pro Move: Ride at Sunset
The golden hour light reflecting off the river and buildings is spectacular. Time your ride for 30 minutes before sunset.
Pro Tips
-
Go from North to South, walk back — Take the cable car from the city side (North), enjoy the views, then walk back across the Qiansimen Bridge for a different perspective.
-
Avoid peak times — Weekends, holidays, and 6:00-8:00 PM are packed. Weekday mornings have the shortest queues.
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Stand near the window — the best views are from the sides, not the middle of the car.
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Sunset is the best time — but also the most crowded. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset to queue.
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Night rides are magical too — the city lights reflecting on the river are stunning.
FAQ
How much does the Yangtze Cable Car cost? ¥20 for a one-way trip, ¥30 for a round-trip. Tickets can be purchased at the station or via mobile payment.
How long is the Yangtze Cable Car ride? The ride takes about 5 minutes to cross 1,166 meters of the Yangtze River.
When is the best time to ride the Yangtze Cable Car? Sunset (30 minutes before) offers the best golden-hour views. Night rides (after 7 PM) give you the full city lights experience. Weekday mornings have the shortest queues.
Is the Yangtze Cable Car scary? It's not scary for most people. The cable car sways slightly and is quite high above the river, but it's very safe. If you're afraid of heights, the views might distract you.
Which station should I start from? The North Station (city side) is more popular and convenient. The South Station is less crowded. For the best photos, go North to South (you face the city skyline).
Cost Summary
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Cable car (one-way) | ¥20 |
| Cable car (round-trip) | ¥30 |
| Metro to station | ¥2-5 |
| Total | ¥22-35 |
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Written by Bobby, living in Chengdu since 2023
