Train guys visit Chongqing: Meeting China's Infrastructure Speed Leap
The first all-English international broadcast program in Chongqing, the 117th episode of "Let’s Meet,"(Special Edition) titled “Train guys visit Chongqing: Meeting China's Infrastructure Speed Leap”, jointly produced by the Western China International Communication Organization and Chongqing Satellite TV, was aired on both domestic and international media on June 21.
About Albie and Matt
British rail travel experts Albie and Matt, renowned for documenting extraordinary train journeys worldwide, have embarked on a China tour. After experiencing the Fuxing CR400AF bullet train at 350km/h, they explored three major transportation hubs in Chongqing, witnessing the speed and innovation of China's infrastructure development.
Visiting Chongqing East Railway Station
At the construction site of Chongqing East Railway Station, they were granted exclusive access to this future largest high-speed rail hub in western China. "In Europe, there's nothing like this," Albie remarked. This mega-project, with 15 oversized platforms capable of handling 15,000 passengers simultaneously, is set to open in 2025 after three years of construction.
Albie & Matt goes to Train Factory
Their next stop was Chongqing's train manufacturing base. From stainless steel Type B trains for Line 15 to domestically developed medium-capacity monorails, the production efficiency amazed them - with a record 45-day production cycle for complete trains and a monthly output of 60 rail cars.
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport's first look
At Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport's T3B terminal, they encountered more "Chinese marvels": the world's largest satellite hall, a hundred-meter digital art corridor blending traditional calligraphy with multimedia projection, intelligent displays, and a customized straddle-type monorail system. This design, which merges culture and innovation, vividly showcases the unique features of Chongqing as a mountain city, perfectly combining nature, history, and modern architecture. "I've not seen it before outside of China," Albie noted.
Interview with Albie & Matt
After a few days of firsthand experience, the two bloggers gained a new understanding of Chongqing's unique and advanced transportation system. In an interview with Alex, they particularly praised the city's multi-layered transportation design. The interwoven overpass systems, urban railways that pass through buildings, and transportation hubs that organically integrate with architectural complexes exemplify an efficient and compact use of space. Together with smart and user-friendly service facilities, this creates a modern urban transportation model that serves as an excellent example.
