How much is the Yangtze River Cable Car and how do I pay?

A single crossing is 30 RMB and a round-trip is 60 RMB. You can buy tickets at the station booth using cash or Alipay, or queue online through a WeChat mini-program. The ride covers about 1,166 meters in roughly five minutes, rising around 80 meters above the river between the two stations.

When is the best time to ride to avoid long lines?

Ride on a weekday for short waits, often only 5 to 30 minutes. On weekends and Chinese holidays the queue can stretch to 60 to 90 minutes. For the best experience, aim for dusk, when you watch the downtown peninsula transition from daylight to glittering neon during the short crossing.

Where are the two cable car stations located?

The northern station is on Xinhua Road in the Yuzhong central business district, and the southern station is at Shangxin Street on the south bank. Most visitors start from Xinhua Road, which is easy to reach by metro. From the cabin you see the entire downtown peninsula and barge traffic on the Yangtze below.

Yangtze River Cable Car, Chongqing: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

1980s aerial cable car crossing the Yangtze — 1166m ride from Yuzhong CBD to South Bank with full skyline views.

At a glance

What it is: Landmark
Also known as: 长江索道 (Chángjiāng Suǒdào)
Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 10 PM
Time needed: 45 min (with wait)
Best time to visit: Dusk for lights transition; weekday for short queue
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: Xinhua Rd & Chang'an Temple St, Yuzhong District · 渝中区新华路与长安寺街交叉口

See Yangtze River Cable Cartickets & tours

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Built 1987 to ease pre-bridge commuting, the Yangtze Cable Car is now mainly a tourist attraction. The 1166m ride takes 5 min and rises ~80m above the river. Two stations: Xinhua Road (north, Yuzhong CBD) and Shangxin Street (south bank). 30 RMB single, 60 RMB round-trip. Capacity 50 per car. Wait times: 5-30 min weekdays, 60-90 min weekends/holidays. The view is the entire downtown peninsula on the way over, the Yangtze and barge traffic below. Best time: dusk for the lights-up transition. Buy tickets at the booth (cash or Alipay) or queue online via WeChat mini-program. The cable car appears in Crazy Stone (2006), the movie that made Chongqing's Bayu charm internationally famous.

Highlights

1166m River Crossing5 min ride; 80m above the Yangtze
Dusk Light TransitionWatch the city flip from day to neon

What Chinese travelers actually do here

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

▸Go on a weekday; weekend and holiday queues can run 60 to 90 minutes for a five-minute ride.
▸Time your crossing for dusk so you catch the city flipping from daylight to neon mid-ride.
▸Buy the single fare if you only want the view; you can walk back across a nearby bridge instead of paying round-trip.
▸Bring cash or set up Alipay beforehand, since the booth does not take foreign credit cards.
▸Stand on the downstream side of the cabin for the open sweep of the peninsula skyline rather than the bank.
▸Cabins hold around 50 people, so let one crowded car go and wait for a less packed one if you want window space.
▸Pair the south-bank exit with a riverside walk; the views back toward the Yuzhong towers are best from that side.

Photos

A cable car crosses the Yangtze River bridge in Chongqing, featuring vibrant architecture and lush hills in the background.

Cable car traversing a river with a cityscape backdrop, blending urban architecture with natural scenery.

Silhouette of Chongqing skyline with cableway crossing the Yangtze River during sunset, offering urban scenic view.

Chongqing's iconic cable car traversing the skyline, showcasing urban architecture.

Urban scene with a modern suspension bridge and skyline in Chongqing, China.

Captivating view of Raffles City and skyline by the Yangtze River in Chongqing, China.

Stunning nighttime view of Chongqing city with illuminated skyscrapers and iconic bridge.

Cityscape with modern skyline, bridge, and river in daylight

Cable car crossing over Chongqing skyline, showcasing urban architecture and transport.

A futuristic cable car crossing the iconic bridge in Chongqing, China.

Scenic view of Chongqing city with modern bridge and bustling riverfront activity under the bright daylight.

Aerial view of Chongqing at dusk with Qiansimen Bridge and illuminated skyline.

Scenic view of Dongshuimen Bridge spanning the Yangtze River in Chongqing, surrounded by a modern urban skyline.

What travelers say (5 reviews)

SkylineFan·TripAdvisor·4/5

1166m aerial ride across the Yangtze. ¥30 single. View is spectacular. Weekend queue 60+ min, weekday 5-30 min. Dusk for the lights transition.

2026-04-12

山城打卡·Xiaohongshu·5/5

长江索道5分钟跨江，¥30单程。傍晚去拍夜景过渡，最神奇。1987年建。

2026-03-20

Carmen Z.·Google Maps·4/5

Built 1987 as commuter transport, now tourist attraction. View covers whole downtown peninsula. Allow 45 min including wait.

2026-04-22

CableCarChina·YouTube·4/5

From Crazy Stone (2006 movie) — this is the cable car. Iconic Chongqing experience, foreigners-favorite ride.

2026-02-18

Wang H.·Ctrip·4/5

单程¥30/往返¥60，每5分钟一班。建议黄昏去看长江夜景过渡。周末等候很长。

2026-04-05

Watch creators visit Yangtze River Cable Car

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

CHONGQING — China's Most Futuristic City

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Frequently asked questions about Yangtze River Cable Car

How much is the Yangtze River Cable Car and how do I pay?: A single crossing is 30 RMB and a round-trip is 60 RMB. You can buy tickets at the station booth using cash or Alipay, or queue online through a WeChat mini-program. The ride covers about 1,166 meters in roughly five minutes, rising around 80 meters above the river between the two stations.
When is the best time to ride to avoid long lines?: Ride on a weekday for short waits, often only 5 to 30 minutes. On weekends and Chinese holidays the queue can stretch to 60 to 90 minutes. For the best experience, aim for dusk, when you watch the downtown peninsula transition from daylight to glittering neon during the short crossing.
Where are the two cable car stations located?: The northern station is on Xinhua Road in the Yuzhong central business district, and the southern station is at Shangxin Street on the south bank. Most visitors start from Xinhua Road, which is easy to reach by metro. From the cabin you see the entire downtown peninsula and barge traffic on the Yangtze below.