Situated on the steep, densely packed cliffs of the Yuzhong Peninsula overlooking the Jialing River, this haven of pragmatic urbanism is anchored by a seemingly impossible sight: a 19-story residential apartment block where the 6th to 8th floors have been entirely hollowed out to serve as an active, high-frequency monorail station. Within a highly photogenic afternoon, you can see architectural marvels ranging from the trains gliding silently into the belly of the building, to the sprawling, industrial-chic arts district of Testbed 2 (Erchang) perched on the summit directly above. Stop for an iced Americano at a cliffside cafe, browse the independent design studios housed in a former currency-printing factory, and sample the incredibly fiery, street-side Chongqing Xiaomian (spicy noodles) at the base of the residential block. Saunter along the newly constructed riverside viewing platforms to watch thousands of visitors tilt their cameras upward as the Line 2 monorail slices through the concrete facade. Take a break from the dense, high-decibel stimulation of the transit corridor with a quiet, steep climb up the winding stone staircases to Eling Park, watching the neon lights of the trains reflect on the dark waters of the river below.
Don't Miss
- Standing at the Liziba Viewing Platform. Located on the street level directly below the building, this massive, purpose-built pedestrian plaza is the undisputed best vantage point to photograph the train seemingly disappearing into the residential apartments.
- Riding the Line 2 Monorail through the station. Experiencing the phenomenon from the inside is just as thrilling; you glide past living room windows and plunge into the illuminated concrete cavern of the station in a matter of seconds.
- Exploring Testbed 2 (Erchang Cultural and Creative Park). Just a steep walk (or short taxi ride) up the hill from Liziba, this former industrial site is now Chongqing's premier indie arts hub, famously featured in the film I Belonged to You, offering spectacular rooftop views of the monorail line winding along the river.
How to Get There
Liziba is the undisputed crown jewel of the Chongqing Rail Transit (CRT) system, making access both the destination and the journey itself.
To plunge into this infrastructural theater, simply board Line 2. This is a straddle-beam monorail line (not a traditional subway) that traces the dramatic contours of the Jialing River. Approaching from either Jiefangbei or Daping, the ride offers a sweeping, elevated panorama of the waterfront before the tracks abruptly bank toward the cliff face and shoot directly into the building at Liziba Station.
Quick Facts
- A common global misconception is that the monorail was smashed through an existing building. In reality, the station and the residential block were designed and built simultaneously in a brilliant feat of coordinated engineering in the early 2000s.
- The trains run on specialized rubber tires rather than steel wheels, equipped with advanced noise-reduction technology. Residents living immediately above or below the station report the noise is barely louder than a dishwasher.
- Because of its viral fame on international social media, the Chongqing government recently invested heavily in upgrading the surrounding infrastructure, building extensive viewing platforms and traffic-control measures to accommodate the daily influx of thousands of tourists.
Home to China's most audacious spatial engineering
Since its completion, when urban planners decided that going through the building was more logical than going around it, Liziba has been an enclave synonymous with Chongqing's sheer willpower. From the area's massive supporting pylons to the groundbreaking integration of transit and residential zoning, the district's love of pragmatic problem-solving sees it serve as the definitive benchmark for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in extreme geographies.
The station's striking, brutalist aesthetic has been featured throughout global architectural media as a real-world sci-fi set piece. And while its fame brings a relentless, daily crowd of onlookers to the street below, the neighborhood hasn't forgotten its working-class soul, ensuring that the local fruit vendors, the neighborhood noodle shops, and the daily commuters remain the authentic, functional foundation of the space.
The Viewing Platform—navigating the viral spectacle
The wide, flawlessly paved observation deck across the street from the building forms the district's main circulatory artery for visitors. Stepping onto the platform, you'll immediately see a network of vibrant food stalls, professional photographers, and a collective holding of breath every three minutes as the next train approaches the concrete maw.
Jam-packed with international vloggers, architecture students, and amazed domestic travelers, this pedestrian grid is a fascinating melting pot of viral tourism and hyper-modern infrastructure that's sure to give you an electric, unfiltered perspective on Chongqing's "3D" reputation.
Satisfy your appetite, from cliffside cafes to local noodles
Behind almost every concrete retaining wall and up the steep, winding staircases are the district's celebrated kitchens, pumping out a mix of the city's most authentic street food and highly curated cafe concepts. A must-do for visitors to the area is the "Transit Lunch." Because the area bridges the gap between the river and the upper peninsula, local chefs have perfected the art of small, intensely flavored dining spaces.
Whether you're after the dense, spicy satisfaction of a quick bowl of Chaoshou (wontons) at a plastic table near the station exit, or a premium, sit-down espresso in a high-design bistro up at Testbed 2, there's something to refuel every tired urban explorer.
A paradise for industrial revival and indie design
The Liziba and Eling corridor is arguably Chongqing's capital of "adaptive reuse," and what's a viral transit hub without spectacular, culturally rich surroundings? No matter your aesthetic, you can find an incredible, overwhelming selection of environments that treat the city's industrial past with immense respect.
The undisputed charm of the area lies a few hundred meters above the station at Testbed 2. If you're hoping for an elevated experience, be sure to browse the independent boutiques offering local streetwear, avant-garde ceramics, and craft beer, all housed within the peeling-paint, mid-century architecture of the old printing plant. It is a stunning example of how a neighborhood can successfully package industrial grit into a sophisticated, modern creative lifestyle.
Taking to the quiet "Eling" gardens
Thanks to its global impact as a photography hotspot, the main street below Liziba is an undeniable, high-decibel environment. Though the atmosphere there is essential for experiencing the viral energy, if you really want to immerse yourself in the varying, deeply quiet layers of the peninsula, you must climb to the absolute summit.
If you head up the winding roads to Eling Park, you'll find a network of incredibly quiet, classical Qing-dynasty gardens connecting some of the most serene, shaded stretches of the district. Stepping into this fiercely protected enclave offers a peaceful, grounding contrast to the buzzing monorail below—a place where the noise of the crowds vanishes, replaced by the scent of blooming osmanthus, the sight of intricate stone bridges, and the authentic, unhurried rhythm of a park that commands a 360-degree view of the entire, dizzying metropolis.
