If you thought New York’s Grand Central Terminal was big, wait until you see Chongqing East Station in China – now officially the world’s largest train station. At a whopping 1.22 million square metres, it’s more than five times the size of Grand Central.
Located in Nan’an, Chongqing, the project came with a hefty price tag of £5.82 billion. The station houses 15 platforms and 29 tracks, built to handle up to 16,000 passengers every hour – and with so much space, there’s plenty of room for passengers to move without feeling packed in.
Its architecture pays homage to local culture, taking inspiration from huangjue trees which are native to Chongqing. You’ll also spot details like a bamboo scroll welcome sign and flower-shaped ventilation grills. Natural light floods the cavernous interiors through the vast glass curtain wall roof, giving the space an airy, open feel.
As with any major hub, there are plenty of food options – from international staples like McDonald’s and KFC to local eateries selling Chongqing specialities.
Chongqing East Station is also a major stop for several high-speed rail lines, including the Chongqing-Xiamen, Shanghai-Chongqing-Chengdu and Chongqing-Wanzhou routes. Thanks to these connections, passengers can reach Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in just six to eight hours.
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