China's Newest Train Station Is Bigger Than 170 Football Fields

China's Chongqing East Railway Station spans eight floors with a total construction area of 1.22 million square metres. This is equivalent to 170 standard football fields. It is the world's largest train station by area.

The station is located in Chongqing's Nan'an District. It commenced operations on June 27, 2025. This happened alongside the opening of the Chongqing East to Qianjiang section of the Chongqing to Xiamen high-speed railway.

This milestone marked a significant expansion of China's high-speed rail network. It strengthens connectivity between southwest China and the southeastern coastal regions.

Planning for the station began in 2011. China Railway carried out logistics analysis for the site at that time. Construction officially started on November 22, 2018.

The main structural works were completed in spring 2024. The full station building finished by early 2025. It then opened to passengers.

Builders used approximately 2 million cubic metres of concrete. They also used 366,000 tonnes of steel. The project cost around 7.8 billion dollars and took 38 months from detailed design blueprints.

The station features 15 platforms and 29 tracks. This includes 14 island platforms and one side platform. It can handle a peak capacity of up to 16,000 passengers per hour.

It serves as a major multimodal transportation hub. The station integrates high-speed rail with Chongqing Rail Transit. It also connects with bus services and commercial facilities.

An additional 1.7 million square metres of attached commercial space supports retail, offices, and amenities. This turns the complex into a vibrant urban destination.

The architecture harmonizes with the region's mountainous terrain. The design incorporates elements of mountains, rivers, and forests. Tree-shaped support columns draw inspiration from local Huangge trees.

A massive ETFE canopy covers the station. It includes water droplet-shaped skylights that flood the interior with natural light. The roof alone covers about 120,000 square metres.

The project presented significant engineering challenges. Advanced techniques helped overcome them during construction.

Cutting-edge technology played a key role in both construction and operations. Robotics and 3D simulations accelerated progress. They also improved precision and safety.

The completed station uses artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, big data, and cloud computing. These systems enable real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, passenger flow, and equipment. They support automated scheduling and predictive maintenance.

The station sits about 20 kilometres from Chongqing's downtown area in the Chayuan New District. It is poised to boost regional economic development.

It forms a critical link in the Chongqing-Xiamen high-speed corridor. Travel times have reduced significantly. For example, the journey from central Chongqing to Qianjiang District now takes under one hour instead of four.

This improved connectivity stimulates tourism to nearby sites like Jinfo Mountain. It enhances business opportunities. It also integrates southeastern Chongqing more closely with the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle.

Chongqing East is one of the three main passenger hubs in the city. It is the largest high-speed rail station in western China. The station represents China's continued ambition in infrastructure.

It sets new records in scale and speed of construction. The project exemplifies smart technology, sustainable design, and multimodal transport planning.

For travelers and locals, it offers a glimpse into the future of rail travel. The experience is efficient, expansive, and well connected to the urban fabric.

The station's success highlights China's engineering capabilities. It focuses on world-class transportation networks. These support economic growth in inland regions.

Further sections of the Chongqing-Xiamen line are planned. Chongqing East will become an even more vital gateway. Millions of passengers will use it to explore southwest China's natural and cultural treasures.