Chongqing's Wushan Goddess Escalator cuts travel time to 20 minutes

A massive vertical transit system in Chongqing's Wushan county has begun trial operations, slashing travel time between the upper and lower sections of Goddess Avenue from one hour to 20 minutes.

The Wushan Goddess Escalator system comprises 21 escalators, eight lifts, and four moving walkways, spanning about 905 meters. It achieves a vertical elevation gain of 242 meters – equivalent to an 80-story building – overcoming the mountainous terrain's significant height differences.

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The system surpasses the length of Chongqing's famous Crown Escalator. It connects key urban nodes including riverside roads, museums, hospitals, and schools through a three-dimensional transport network.

Trial runs are free from February 12 to 16. Regular operations will begin on February 17 with a fare of three yuan (HK$3.2) per person.

Local authorities said the journey offers novel views of the Three Gorges and Wu Gorge scenery.