Almost a kilometer. Why China built the world's longest escalator

Author: Elena Shimanovskaya | Editor-in-Chief: Sergey Tumanov 31.08.2026 19:32:00

For many years, residents of Wushan County in Chongqing spent more than an hour climbing up the mountain on endless stairs. To work, to visit friends, for groceries — every time an exhausting climb. People with disabilities had it the worst. They simply couldn't get out of their homes.

In February 2026, everything changed. Authorities launched the "Goddess of Wushan" escalator system. Total length — 905 meters. Almost a kilometer.

City of Records

Chongqing is a place where the impossible becomes reality. It already has the world's deepest metro station. Railway tracks that pass right through residential buildings. Horizontal skyscrapers. And now — the longest escalator on the planet.

Photo: © Belnovosti / Escalator steps. Author Vitaly Kisterny The city never stops surprising. And this project is not just an engineering feat. It solves a problem that plagued people for years.

How It Works

The structure stretches along the mountainside for almost a kilometer. It includes 21 escalators, 8 elevators, 4 moving walkways, 2 pedestrian bridges, and 2 overpasses. Previously, locals and tourists spent more than an hour on an exhausting climb on foot. Now — 20 minutes. Without much effort.

The climb height is 242 meters. That's like an 80-story skyscraper. Only instead of an elevator — an escalator that takes you up, and you just stand and look around.

The grand opening took place on February 17, 2026 — in the midst of Chinese New Year celebrations. Since then, the system has been operating in test mode. Authorities are analyzing performance and plan to set the final price.

Engineering Challenge

Building an almost kilometer-long escalator in an area with steep slopes is no easy task. Engineers had to carefully plan every stage. Select materials capable of withstanding Chongqing's harsh weather conditions. And intense pedestrian traffic. The city, according to 2024 data, has a population of about 32 million people.

But that's not all. The entire infrastructure was designed with the landscape in mind. Viewing platforms and observation decks are located along the route. Glass facades and lightweight structures don't block the view of the famous Three Gorges of the region and mountain peaks. Technology doesn't conflict with nature. It befriends it.

What This Changes

For the residents of Wushan, the escalator is more than just an attraction. It is freedom. People with disabilities are no longer isolated. Elderly people can climb the mountain without fear or breathlessness. Families with strollers — without unnecessary effort.

And tourists. Now they can appreciate the beauty of Chongqing from above without expending energy on endless stairs. You simply step onto the escalator — and 20 minutes later you're at the top, with a view of the city and the mountains.

Answers to popular questions about the longest escalator in the world

Where is the longest escalator located and what is its length?

In the city of Chongqing, China, in Wushan County. The length of the "Goddess of Wushan" system is 905 meters — almost a kilometer.

How long does the ascent take and how much does a ticket cost?

The ascent takes about 20 minutes. The ticket price is 3 yuan (approximately 35 Russian rubles). After the completion of the test mode, the price may change.

Why was it built specifically here?

Wushan County is located on a steep slope. Previously, residents had to spend more than an hour climbing stairs, and people with disabilities were practically isolated. The escalator solved the accessibility problem and saved time.

Chongqing never ceases to amaze. The deepest metro system, trains passing through buildings, and now — the longest escalator. A city that turns the impossible into reality.

Now the residents of Wushan ascend to a height of 80 stories in 20 minutes. Instead of an hour of torment. And they can admire the mountains while being carried upward.

The engineers have done their job. All that remains is to enjoy. And to wait for such systems to appear in other cities. Because this is not just an escalator. It is accessibility. And freedom. For everyone.

Belnovosti on GoogleAdd to favorite sources