China has launched what is believed to be the world’s longest outdoor escalator system, a nearly one-kilometre engineering feat carved into the steep banks of the Yangtze River in Wushan, part of the mountainous Chongqing municipality. Known as the “Goddess” escalator, the project consists of more than two dozen escalators and lifts, taking passengers approximately 21 minutes to ascend, and marking a new benchmark in large-scale infrastructure development.
Designed over four years by engineers from China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group, the system is described by project head Huang Wei as unprecedented in scale and ambition. Built along challenging terrain, the escalator stretches across a densely constructed hillside, overcoming complex obstacles such as underground pipelines and suspended urban routes that once required up to an hour of travel by car during peak congestion.
The project reflects China’s continued dependence on infrastructure investment as a key driver of economic growth, particularly in inland regions far from its wealthier eastern coast. While the country faces slowing growth and a prolonged property sector downturn, analysts note that state-backed construction projects remain central to domestic investment strategies, offering both economic stimulus and regional development.
The escalators were manufactured by Swiss multinational Schindler at a factory near Shanghai and transported across the country, underscoring the role of foreign companies in China’s infrastructure ecosystem. Other global firms such as Kone and Otis have also contributed to the widespread deployment of escalators and lifts across Chinese cities, though activity has slowed alongside the real estate slump.
Wushan itself carries historical significance, having been relocated due to the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, one of the world’s largest hydroelectric projects. The new escalator now connects the riverside to older hilltop districts, blending modern infrastructure with remnants of a traditional economy still visible in daily life.
Approximately 9,000 people use the escalator system each day, paying a small fee for one-way travel. During last month’s Spring Festival, usage surged to nearly 450,000 यात्रies, highlighting both its practical value and growing status as a tourist attraction. Visitors and residents alike see the system as transformative, particularly in a region where steep terrain has long made mobility difficult.
The project also builds on the engineering culture of Chongqing, a city famous for its dramatic urban design, including rail lines running through residential buildings and multi-layered transport systems. Officials believe the “Goddess” escalator model could be replicated in other mountainous regions, positioning it as a scalable solution for urban mobility challenges in complex landscapes.
As China continues to invest in eye-catching infrastructure despite economic headwinds, the Wushan escalator stands as both a symbol of innovation and a strategic tool for sustaining growth, reinforcing the country’s reputation for pushing the limits of modern engineering.
