Guide to Chongqing Railway Stations: North, East & West

Main Railway Stations of Chongqing

Chongqing North Railway Station – 重庆北站

Chongqing North is Chongqing’s most vital station and one of China’s busiest rail terminals. On normal days it handles over 150 000 passengers daily and acts as the main departure point for high‑speed trains heading to China’s major cities.

A critical quirk: the station has two physically‑separated concourses:

• North Concourse: High‑speed G‑series and D‑series bullet trains
• South Concourse: Conventional Z, T and K‑series trains

First‑time visitors frequently mix them up and risk missing their trains.

How to Get to Chongqing North Railway Station?

How to Booking Train Tickets?

Three reliable booking options for Singapore travellers:

• Trip.com (Recommended ✅): Best for overseas visitors with English‑language support. Enter your passport details exactly as printed on your Singapore passport. Your e‑ticket will link directly to your travel document.
• Official 12306 App: China’s national railway platform with an English‑language setting. Note: passport identity verification may take 3‑5 working days before you can complete purchases. Once verified, the app works reliably.
• On‑site station counters: Head for the foreign‑passenger service counters with English‑speaking staff. Always bring your physical Singapore passport. Allow extra waiting time especially during peak travel hours.

Chongqing North Station Amenities

• 🍜 Food outlets: McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks and local noodle shops in both concourses
• 🏪 Retail: Pharmacy, news‑stands, 24‑hour convenience stores
• 🧳 Left‑luggage lockers: available at both concourses (approx. S$2.83‑S$3.78 per day)
• 🚿 Shower facilities: located within the paid VIP lounge
• 📶 Complimentary Wi‑Fi station‑wide
• 🏧 ATMs across both concourse zones

VIP Lounge (First‑class waiting area)

The VIP lounge in each concourse is accessible:

• Free for first‑class and business‑class ticket holders
• Or open to all passengers for a flat fee of S$9.44
• Facilities include comfortable seating, light refreshments, power sockets and boosted Wi‑Fi connectivity.

Key Routes from Chongqing North Station

Chongqing East Railway Station – 重庆东站

Source: Wikipedia

Opened in 2025, Chongqing East is a landmark mega‑project. It ranks as China’s largest high‑speed‑rail station building worldwide, covering 1.22 million m² (equal to 170 football pitches). Designed for up to 60 million annual passengers, it has 15 platforms and 29 tracks. Four metro lines connect directly to the complex with transfer times under five minutes.

Located in Nan’an District, it is the ideal starting point for exploring south‑eastern Chongqing and Hunan Province, including Wulong karst caves, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and the ancient town of Fenghuang. Take trains from here for trips heading towards Wulong gorges.

How to Get to Chongqing East Railway Station?

How to Board the Train?

• Arrive 45‑60 minutes before departure. Add extra buffer during peak holiday seasons.
• Pass security screening at the main station entrance; keep your physical Singapore passport ready for checks; baggage will go through X‑ray scanning.
• Proceed to the waiting hall and check departure display boards for your train number and platform assignment.
• Gate opening for boarding typically starts 15‑30 minutes prior to departure.
• Singapore passport holders must use the manual inspection channel and present your physical passport to station staff.
• Travellers holding foreign permanent‑resident permits may use self‑service kiosks or manual lanes.
• Follow overhead signs to your platform, locate your carriage and take your allocated seat.

Chongqing East Station Amenities

• 🍜 Dining: Large 3rd‑floor food court serving Sichuan‑style dishes, noodle bars and take‑away hot‑pot options
• 🛍️ Shopping: Two‑level retail mall plus local Chongqing souvenir stalls
• 🧳 Left‑luggage lockers: Basement level‑1 (approx. S$2.83‑S$3.78 per day)
• ✈️ City airport check‑in: Check‑in and baggage drop‑off for Jiangbei Airport flights
• 📶 Complimentary station‑wide Wi‑Fi
• 🏧 Multiple ATMs spread across levels 1 and 2
• 🚿 Paid shower cubicles on level 2 (S$5.66 for every 30 minutes)

VIP Lounge

Chongqing East’s premium VIP lounge is open to first‑class / business‑class passengers and UnionPay premium credit‑card holders.

Main Routes from Chongqing East Station

Chongqing West Railway Station – 重庆西站

Source: Wikipedia

Opened in 2018, Chongqing West forms a key national‑level rail hub for western China. Its building spans 120 000 m² and handles up to 50 000 passengers daily. It mainly serves long‑distance routes heading south‑west and north‑west China towards Yunnan, Guizhou, Henan and Shaanxi provinces.

Bright multi‑level concourses house shops and comfortable waiting zones. Though further from downtown Jiefangbei, easy access is available via Metro Line 5 and the Loop Line.

How to Get to Chongqing West Railway Station?

Chongqing West Station Amenities

• 🍜 Food: Starbucks, McDonald’s, Sichuan and Yunnan‑style restaurants plus bakeries
• 🛍️ Retail: Pharmacy, news‑stands and local‑snack gift shops
• 🧳 Left‑luggage lockers: levels 1 & 2 (approx. S$2.83‑S$3.78 per day)
• 📶 Complimentary Wi‑Fi throughout the station
• 🏧 ATMs situated near all three main entrances
• 👶 Family facilities: Mother‑and‑baby room plus children’s play area located on level 2

VIP Lounge

Chongqing West high‑speed‑rail VIP lounge caters for first‑ and business‑class ticket holders as well as China Railway Gold and Platinum loyalty‑programme members. It serves hot and cold drinks, light snacks, newspapers, power outlets and high‑speed Wi‑Fi.

Main Routes from Chongqing West Station

Six Practical Tips for Travelling by Train from Chongqing

💡 Book tickets well ahead

Chongqing is a huge metropolis with 32 million residents. Tickets for popular routes such as Chongqing‑Chengdu or Chongqing‑Shanghai sell out within minutes during Chinese New Year, National Day Golden Week and extended public holidays. Train tickets are released 15 days before departure. Secure your booking early on Trip.com once your travel dates are confirmed.

💡 Double‑check your station and concourse ahead of travel

Chongqing North is unique with its separate North and South concourses for different train services — mixing them up will cause you to miss your departure. Confirm details on your ticket. When taking a taxi, specify clearly: “Chongqing North Station North Concourse” or “Chongqing North Station South Concourse”.

💡 Set aside sufficient time for security checks

All Chinese railway stations carry out mandatory baggage X‑ray scanning on entry plus document checks at platforms. For Chongqing North and Chongqing East stations, plan to arrive 45‑60 minutes before departure.

💡 Keep your physical Singapore passport easily accessible

Unlike train stations in Europe, you will need to show your passport on three separate occasions: station entrance security, ticket counter collection (if needed), and boarding‑gate platform checks. Digital photos or soft copies are not accepted. Always carry your physical passport.

💡 Understand high‑speed versus conventional trains

In Chongqing, high‑speed bullet trains (G, D, C series) and ordinary trains (Z, T, K series) depart from different stations and even separate concourses within one station. G‑series trains travel two‑to‑three times faster but cost more. Always verify your train code while booking so you report to the right terminal.

💡 Download offline maps before you travel

Mobile connectivity can weaken on underground station levels in Chongqing even with good cellular reception. Save offline maps for navigation and get an e‑SIM for China before your trip for uninterrupted connectivity.