Reaching the subway station in a particular Chinese city requires quite a journey, as this station is recognized as the world’s deepest.
In cities fortunate enough to have a comprehensive subway network, ease of access is typically one of its primary advantages. However, this isn’t exactly the case for the city that hosts the deepest subway station globally.
This station is situated so far underground that passengers have reported their ears popping due to the significant depth, necessitating the use of up to eight elevators.
To mitigate this sensation, it is advisable to take the escalators, which provide a more gradual descent, allowing ears ample time to adjust to the pressure changes.
Nonetheless, the elevators offer a faster option, though it takes around a minute to descend to the station level—a longer duration than the typical elevator ride.
Curious about the location of this subterranean marvel?
Welcome to Hongyancun Station in Chongqing, China, which plunges an astonishing 116 meters beneath the surface, equivalent to descending approximately 40 stories underground.
In comparison, America’s deepest subway station is Washington Park in Portland, Oregon, located 79 meters below ground level.
The topography surrounding Chongqing influenced the decision to construct the station at such a deep location.
Chongqing is known for its hilly terrain and serpentine roads, prompting builders to position the station deep underground to bypass the challenging landscape.
Despite assumptions that the station might be outdated, it was actually opened recently, in 2022.
This recent construction allows it to benefit from modern building techniques, setting it apart from older stations across the nation.
According to local reports, this remarkable station was completed in just over 400 days of construction.
Construction workers revealed the immense challenge of the project, with a daily climb of 38 minutes to ascend from the station to the surface, likening it to a daily mountain hike.
The city also hosts the Hongyancun Metro Vertical Marathon, where participants tackle an 860-step stair climb with a 141-meter elevation gain between two entrances, celebrating this engineering achievement.
So if you find yourself in central China, Chongqing, a train ride from this subway could be a unique experience worth trying.