Liziba Station: The Famous Train Through a Building in China

So you’ve heard about a train that goes through a building in China? Yes, that’s true! It is in Chongqing, at Liziba Station on Line 2, where the monorail runs straight through a 19-story residential building and even stops inside it. 

But the famous photo you probably have seen online is not taken inside the station. It is taken from a free viewing platform across the street, outside the fare gates. 

Keep reading this guide to learn how to get to Liziba Station, where to stand for the best shot, when to go, and what to do nearby.

Is There Really a Train That Goes Through a Building in China?

Yes, and it is not a photo trick. Liziba Station (李子坝站) on Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 is built right into a residential and commercial tower. The Chongqing government calls it China's first elevated monorail station built as an integral part of a residential and commercial building.

So when you see the train disappear into the building, it is actually pulling into a real station with a real platform. People live above it, and there are shops below it.

Here is a quick look at the basics before you go:

Note: You will see the Line 2 trains called a light rail, a metro or a monorail. They all mean the same thing here. Line 2 is technically a straddle-type monorail, which means the train sits on top of a single concrete beam.

Why Does the Train Go Through a Building in Chongqing?

The short answer is that Chongqing is a mountain city with very little flat land. The city is built on steep hills between the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, so space is tight and every route has to work around slopes and cliffs.

Back in 1998, Line 2 was planned to stop right on the spot where a developer wanted to build an apartment building. According to Ye Tianyi, who led the design team, there were three options on the table: reroute the line, have the developer build somewhere else, or put the station and the building together. The rail company and the developer chose the last one to save money. The design took about two years.

Did They Drill a Hole Through an Existing Building?

No. This is the most common myth you will see online. The building and the station were planned and built together as one project. Floors 1 to 5 are shops, floor 6 is the station hall, floor 7 is for equipment, floor 8 is the platform, and floors 9 to 19 are apartments.

Is It Safe and Is It Loud for the Residents?

It is safer and quieter than you might think. China's official tourism site explains that the tracks are structurally separate from the building. The track is held up by six foundation piles drilled about 22 meters into the bedrock, with a small gap kept between the track pillars and the building itself.

Line 2 trains also run on air-filled rubber tires instead of steel wheels, which cuts down a lot of the vibration. So the noise stays at around 45-60 decibels, which is quieter than a busy city street.

Where in Chongqing Does the Train Go Through a Building?

The train goes through the building at Liziba Station, 39 Liziba Main Street in Yuzhong District. Yuzhong is the downtown peninsula of Chongqing, so the station is only a short ride from Jiefangbei and Hongyadong where most visitors stay.

The building sits on a hillside right above the Jialing River. On Line 2, Liziba is between Niujiaotuo and Fotuguan stations.

If you are using a map app type in Liziba Station or 李子坝站. 

Tip: Google Maps is not very accurate in China so I recommend downloading Amap before your trip. It has an English version and shows Chongqing metro routes clearly.

How to Get to Liziba Station

The easiest way to get to Liziba Station is by taking Line 2 (the green line) and getting off at Liziba. Here is how to get there from the places you are most likely starting from:

From Jiefangbei or Hongyadong

Walk to Linjiangmen Station and take Line 2 in the direction of Yudong. Liziba is only a few stops away. The line runs along the Jialing River for part of the way, so try to grab a window seat.

From Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport

Take Line 10 from the airport to Zengjiayan and transfer to Line 2 there. Liziba is the second stop after Zengjiayan. If you have big suitcases, a taxi or Didi straight to your hotel is honestly less hassle, and you can visit Liziba later.

From Chongqing North Railway Station

If you are arriving by high-speed train, take Line 10 to Zengjiayan and switch to Line 2 the same way.

Keep in mind: On Line 2, trains going in both directions sometimes stop at the same platform. Always check the direction (Yudong or Jiaochangkou) on the screen before you get on.

Where Is the Best Place to See the Train Go Through the Building?

The best place to see the train go through the building is the official viewing platform right across the street from the station. But it is not the only option. Here are the spots worth knowing:

1. The Official Viewing Platform

This is where almost every photo of Liziba is taken. Chongqing built it just for visitors, and it is free. According to the Chongqing government, the platform covers about 1,367 square meters and has a viewing and photo area, an open plaza, and a glass walkway.

To get there, leave the station through Exit 1. Then take the stairs or the elevator down to street level and the platform is directly across the road. There are signs inside the station pointing to the viewing platform (观景台) so you really cannot miss it.

Important Note: You do not need to go through the fare gates to see the train. If you are already walking around Yuzhong, you can just head to the platform on foot.

2. The Front Car of the Train

Watching from the outside is great but riding through the building is a whole different feeling. Get on Line 2 at Zengjiayan or Niujiaotuo heading toward Liziba and stand at the very front of the first car. You will see the building coming straight at you before the train slides inside.

The ride through takes only a few seconds, so record a video instead of taking photos. If you miss it, just get off and ride back the other way.

3. The Walking Trails Around the Platform

Two walking trails connect the viewing area with Liziba Park and Jiabin Road. Walk a few minutes along them and you get different angles of the building with far fewer people around.

How to Take the "Swallow the Train" Photo

You have probably seen this one on TikTok. Stand on the platform with your back to the building and open your mouth wide. Your friend should crouch low and shoot upward so the train lines up with your mouth. Wait until the train comes out of the building and snap the photo right then. It takes a few tries, but trains come often so you will get it.

Liziba Station Hours, Fares, and How to Pay

Line 2 trains run through Liziba from about 6:30 am to around 11:00 pm every day. The viewing platform is outdoors and free, so you only pay if you actually ride the train.

How Much Is the Fare?

Chongqing metro fares are based on distance and start at 2 yuan (about $0.30). A ride from downtown spots like Linjiangmen to Liziba is only a few yuan, so it is one of the cheapest things you will do in Chongqing.

How Do You Pay as a US Traveler?

You have a few options:

• Alipay or WeChat transit QR code: This is the easiest way. Link your US credit card to Alipay or WeChat Pay, turn on the transit code, and scan it at the gate. You pay the same fare as a single ticket.
  
• Single-journey ticket: Buy one at the ticket machine and pick Liziba as your destination. Machines have an English option.
  
• Foreign bank card at the ticket office: Chongqing Rail Transit has put card machines at selected stations, including Liziba, that accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express for buying tickets.

Tip: Set up Alipay before you fly. Your bank may send a verification text when you link your card, and that is much easier to handle at home than after a long flight.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Liziba Station?

The best time to visit Liziba Station is early in the morning on a weekday. The platform gets very crowded by late morning, especially when tour groups arrive. Here is what to expect at different times of the day:

Keep in mind: Avoid Chinese public holidays if you can. During Golden Week (October 1-7) and Labor Day week in early May, Liziba gets packed with domestic tourists.

You do not need much time here. Plan for about 30 minutes to an hour. That is enough to watch several trains pass, take your photos, and maybe ride through once.

Things to Do Near Liziba Station

Since you only need about an hour at Liziba, it makes sense to combine it with a few nearby sights. Here are the ones worth your time:

Liziba Park

This hillside park is right next to the station and connects to the viewing area by a walking trail. It is full of old buildings from the 1930s and 1940s, when Chongqing was China's wartime capital.

Joseph Stilwell Museum

If you are an American visitor, this one is a nice surprise. It is the former home of US General Joseph Stilwell, who was based in Chongqing during World War II. It is a short walk uphill from Liziba.

Eling Park

Eling Park sits on one of the highest points of the Yuzhong peninsula. Climb Kansheng Tower for a wide view of the rivers and the city.

Hongyadong

Hongyadong is the stilted, lantern-lit building complex on the river that everyone photographs at night. It is a short ride away on Line 2 (get off at Linjiangmen), so it is easy to do Liziba in the late afternoon and Hongyadong after dark.

Tip: If you do not want to plan it all yourself, there are Chongqing day tours on Trip.com that cover Liziba, the Yangtze River Cableway, Hongyadong and Ciqikou in one go.

Where to Stay Near Liziba Station

The best area to stay for Liziba is Yuzhong District, especially around Jiefangbei and Hongyadong. You are on Line 2 or a short walk from it, so you can get to Liziba in about 15 minutes and still be in the middle of everything at night.

• Jiefangbei / Hongyadong: This is the best pick for first-timers. You are close to the river views, food streets and shopping, and Linjiangmen and Jiaochangkou stations are on Line 2.
  
• Lianglukou / Niujiaotuo: These areas are a bit quieter and closer to Liziba. They are a good fit if you want to be near the station and still have easy access to Line 2 and Line 3.
  
• Near Chongqing North Railway Station: Only worth it if you are catching an early high-speed train the next day. It is farther from the sights.

Tip: Many hotels in Yuzhong are built into hillsides, so the lobby can be on a high floor with a street entrance on the uphill side. Check the hotel's location on the map carefully before you book.

Are There Other Trains That Go Through Buildings?

Yes, but not many, and none quite like Liziba. Here are the ones people usually compare it to:

• Disney's Contemporary Resort, Florida: If you have been to Walt Disney World, you may have already ridden a train through a building. The monorail runs right through the hotel's Grand Canyon Concourse on its way to and from Magic Kingdom, and there is a monorail station inside.
  
• Gate Tower Building, Osaka: This office building in Japan often shows up in the same lists. However, it is a highway that passes through it, not a train.

So what makes Liziba different? It is a regular city metro station inside a building where people actually live. Locals use it to get to work every day, and you can ride it for about $0.30.

Is Liziba Station Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you are already in Chongqing. It is free to watch, cheap to ride, close to downtown, and honestly one of the most fun photo spots in China.

However, you only need about an hour there. So I would not plan a trip to Chongqing just for Liziba. Pair it with Eling Park, the Stilwell Museum, and Hongyadong at night and you have a great half day in the city.