⭐ Why You Should Visit
- Experience the unique view of a train passing through a building
- China’s most beautiful metro station
- A famous Instagram hotspot, the ‘Train Swallowing Spot’
- Popular filming location for movies and dramas
- Perfect to explore together with Eling Second Factory
🔎 A Must-See Spot in Chongqing!
Have you ever seen a train dive straight into a building and pop out the other side?
This isn’t a scene from a Studio Ghibli animation or a Hollywood movie.
It’s something you can actually witness at the famous Liziba Station (李子坝) in Chongqing(重庆), China !
Thanks to this one-of-a-kind spectacle, Liziba has become a hot travel destination and a must-visit spot in Chongqing.
In this post, we reveal hidden stories of Liziba Station, the easiest ways to visit, and essential travel tips you won’t want to miss.
Come and experience the unique charm of Chongqing at Liziba! 😉
📝 Basic Info: Liziba Station
李子坝站 Lǐzǐbà Zhàn
📍 No. 62 Liziba Zheng Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
重庆市渝中区李子坝正街62号
🚇 Liziba Station (李子坝, Line 2) — take the escalator down to ground level inside the building → cross the street to the viewing platform
⏰ 6:30-23:00 (monorail operating hours)
💰 Free entry
📸 Train Frequency: Every 7 minutes
✨ How Did This Unique Station Come to Be?
Liziba Station was built thanks to Chongqing’s rugged terrain. With mountains on one side and a river on the other, there just wasn’t enough flat land for development.
Building First? Train First?
To be exact, they were built simultaneously.
In 1998, Professor Ye Tianyi (叶天义) from Chongqing University’s Civil Engineering Department was asked to lead the development of the Liziba area. Coincidentally, the planned route for Metro Line 2 ran right through this location.
Changing the rail route was impossible, and abandoning the land wasn’t an option either. So, he proposed a bold idea: combine the train and the building into one structure.
That’s how the iconic “train passing through the building” came to life!
Liziba’s narrow, steep terrain created real construction challenges. Plus, with trains constantly passing by, vibration and noise were major concerns.
To solve this, the building was divided into three distinct sections:
- Floors 1–5: Commercial and office spaces
- Floors 6–8: Dedicated train passage zone
- Floors 9 and above: Residential apartments
They ensured that vibrations wouldn’t transfer to the building by keeping the train infrastructure completely separate. Neither the train nor the building affects the other.
Still, watching that train rumble through all day long… I couldn’t help but wonder—what’s it really like to live there? I swear, even my footsteps went silent. Respect the locals! 😅
🚇 Ultimate Guide to Finding the Liziba Viewing Platform
The best spot to watch the Liziba train scene is right across from the station at the Liziba Viewing Platform (李子坝观景平台). And getting there is super easy!
First, take Metro Line 2 and get off at Liziba Station (李子坝站).
After exiting the train, simply head out through Exit 1.
🚶♂️ From the Exit to the Viewing Platform
As soon as you step outside, you’ll see signs pointing the way to the “Viewing Platform.”
Just follow the signs, and you’ll get there easily!
If you keep following the signs, you’ll eventually take the escalator down to the first floor of the building.
On the way down, the path is lined with small shops—full of souvenirs, snacks, and street food, so you won’t get bored on the way!
I even grabbed a drink from a shop with ‘Chongqing (重庆)’ written on the bottle.
It turned out to be a perfect little prop for photos at the viewing platform! 😊
Keep exploring your way down and you’ll soon find the 1st floor exit.
Step outside, cross the street, and you’ll immediately see a crowd gathered—
that’s the famous viewing platform! It’s easy to spot since it’s always bustling with people.
📌 Quick Directions Recap
- Take Metro Line 2
- Get off at Liziba Station (李子坝站)
- Head toward Exit 1
- Follow the signs and take the escalator down (through the shopping area)
- Exit the building from the 1st floor
- Cross the street to the viewing platform
📸 How to Capture the Best Shot at the Viewing Platform
Don’t worry if the platform is crowded—it always is! Trains pass by every 7 minutes, so you won’t have to wait long for that perfect shot.
This is the best spot to capture the train cutting right through the building.
Just get your camera ready, and you’ll snap a shot worthy of your next viral SNS post. Your ultimate “Insta shot” is waiting right here!
🎬 Famous Filming Location: Liziba Station
《Chongqing Hotpot Heroes (火锅英雄)》
eleased in 2016, this crime comedy revolves around three friends who run a hotpot restaurant inside a converted bomb shelter.
Beyond the entertaining story, the film showcases the unique urban landscapes of Chongqing. One of the most iconic scenes? The Metro Line 2 train passing straight through the building at Liziba Station—viewers couldn’t believe their eyes.
Many even exclaimed, “Wait, that’s not CGI? That’s real?!” 😲
《Nan Hong (难哄)》
Airing in 2024, the hit drama 《Nan Hong》 paints Chongqing like a beautiful poem, adding a touch of romance to real places like Liziba Station.
The main character Wen Yifan (温以凡) lives in a small apartment where the monorail literally passes right outside her window. Whenever she feels down, she watches the glowing train lights flash by, feeling her own loneliness against the city’s relentless pace.
Thanks to this memorable scene, Liziba Station once again captured everyone’s attention.
🎬✨ Watching these movies and dramas before visiting will make Liziba Station feel even more special when you finally see it with your own eyes! 😊💕
🔖 Good to Know
🎯 Best Time to Visit: Anytime during the day, but early mornings or during the golden sunset hours (6–8 PM) are highly recommended! 🌅✨
⚠️ Avoid the Crowds: Weekends between 2–5 PM are super crowded. For a more peaceful visit, try going on weekdays!
📸 Best Shot: Side view of the building “swallowing” the train—iconic photo guaranteed!
💡 Nearby Spot: Combine your visit with Eling Second Factory (鹅岭二厂) for a perfect day trip.
🚇 Metro Tip: If you’re not in the front car, you won’t really feel the “train through the building” vibe. But enjoying the river view from the train? Absolutely worth it! 👍🏻
🌉 Nearby Places Worth Visiting
- Eling Second Factory (鹅岭二厂)
A former printing factory turned into a charming vintage cultural space.
🚶♂️ About 30 minutes on foot from Liziba Station
(Be prepared for some uphill roads and stairs!)
📍 重庆市渝中区长滨路芭蕉园1号
🕘 Open from 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
🎫 Free Admission
👇🏻 Check the reviews:
How to Explore Chongqing’s Eling Factory｜Mala Ice Cream, Photo Spots & How to Get There
- Liziba Anti-Japanese War Memorial Park (李子坝抗战遗址公园)
Historic wartime site in Chongqing
📍李子坝正街66号
66 Liziba Main St (Right next to Liziba Station)
💰 Admission: Free
📍 One-Line Summary
A magical view created by trains and buildings—an absolute must-snap hotspot when visiting Chongqing!
🚀 Want more Chongqing travel tips?
👉 17 Ultimate Must-See Places in Chongqing｜Feel the City’s Hidden Magic
👉How to Explore Chongqing in 3 Days | Best Food, Views & Hot Places
