Does the Liziba train really pass through a building?

Yes. Chongqing Metro Line 2 enters the 6th floor of a residential apartment block and exits the 8th floor on the other side. The station was built into the building in the early 2000s because the steep mountain terrain left no other room. Residents above and below reportedly hear almost nothing, as the platform is acoustically isolated.

How do I get the best photo of the train going through the building?

Shoot from the dedicated observation platform across the street, not from the station itself. A train passes through roughly every five minutes, so you rarely wait long. Golden hour, around 5 to 6 PM, gives the warmest light on the building facade. The platform has its own stairs and viewing deck.

Is there anything to do at Liziba besides the train, and how long should I stay?

Honestly, the spectacle is brief, so about 30 minutes is enough. The renovated platform includes a small museum with English signage explaining the engineering. To round out the trip, ride a few stops south to Eling Park for one of the best skyline viewpoints over the Yuzhong peninsula.

Liziba Light Rail Station, Chongqing: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

Metro Line 2 station built INTO floors 6-8 of an apartment building — the trains literally pass through people's homes.

At a glance

What it is: Landmark
Also known as: 李子坝轻轨穿楼 (Lǐzǐbà Qīngguǐ Chuānlóu)
Opening hours: Always open
Time needed: 30 min
Best time to visit: Golden hour 5-6 PM; trains every 5 min
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: Some English signage
Cards accepted: Cash only
Entry: Walk-in — no booking
Wi-Fi: No public Wi-Fi
Address: 39 Liziba Main St, Yuzhong District · 渝中区李子坝正街 39 号

Liziba Station is China's most famous engineering oddity — Metro Line 2 enters the 6th floor of an 19-story residential building and exits the 8th floor on the other side. Built 2004 because the mountain topography left no room. Officially residents in the building report the trains are inaudible (the platform is acoustically isolated). Free to visit from the observation platform across the street; the platform has dedicated stairs and a viewing deck. Best photo at golden hour (5-6 PM) when a train passes through every ~5 min. The viewing platform was renovated 2022 into a small museum with English signage explaining the engineering. Pair with Eling Park (4 min metro south).

Highlights

Observation PlatformAcross the street; renovated 2022 with English signage
Train pass-through every 5 min5-6 PM golden hour = best photos

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

▸Watch from the observation platform across the street, not the station entrance; the head-on through-the-building angle only works from there.
▸Trains run roughly every five minutes, so just wait one cycle for the perfect frame instead of rushing the first one.
▸Aim for golden hour around 5 to 6 PM, when low sun warms the facade and the train silhouette reads clearly.
▸The whole spectacle takes minutes, so treat it as a quick stop, not a half-day; budget about 30 minutes total.
▸Read the small museum signage on the platform first; the English engineering panels make the pass-through far more impressive.
▸Combine it with Eling Park a few metro stops south for a panoramic skyline view in the same outing.
▸Bring small cash; this is a cash-leaning spot with no on-site Wi-Fi, unlike the card-friendly malls downtown.

Photos

What travelers say (5 reviews)

EngineerTraveler·TripAdvisor·5/5

Metro Line 2 LITERALLY passes through the middle of a 19-story apartment building. Observation platform across street is free. Trains every 5 min.

2026-04-15

穿楼网红·Xiaohongshu·5/5

李子坝穿楼地铁站！平台2022翻新，免费，5分钟一班车。下午黄金时段5-6点拍照最佳。

2026-03-22

Alex P.·Google Maps·5/5

Engineering oddity — 6-8 floor of an apartment building. Residents report trains are inaudible due to acoustic isolation. Free observation deck.

2026-04-25

Engineering Curious·YouTube·5/5

2004 construction — mountain topography forced this build. Train passes through specially-designed building floor every 5 min.

2026-02-08

Zhang L.·Ctrip·5/5

免费观景台，2号线李子坝站对面。5-6点光线好。地铁本身也可以坐过去，从车里拍楼内部。

2026-04-10

Watch creators visit Liziba Light Rail Station

Each clip is timestamped to the moment the creator arrives at this stop.

CHONGQING — China's Most Futuristic City

FarWest TalesStarts at 4:40

Frequently asked questions about Liziba Light Rail Station

Does the Liziba train really pass through a building?: Yes. Chongqing Metro Line 2 enters the 6th floor of a residential apartment block and exits the 8th floor on the other side. The station was built into the building in the early 2000s because the steep mountain terrain left no other room. Residents above and below reportedly hear almost nothing, as the platform is acoustically isolated.
How do I get the best photo of the train going through the building?: Shoot from the dedicated observation platform across the street, not from the station itself. A train passes through roughly every five minutes, so you rarely wait long. Golden hour, around 5 to 6 PM, gives the warmest light on the building facade. The platform has its own stairs and viewing deck.
Is there anything to do at Liziba besides the train, and how long should I stay?: Honestly, the spectacle is brief, so about 30 minutes is enough. The renovated platform includes a small museum with English signage explaining the engineering. To round out the trip, ride a few stops south to Eling Park for one of the best skyline viewpoints over the Yuzhong peninsula.