Wushan Sky Ladder: 905-meter outdoor escalator unveiled in Chongqing
Dragon-shaped 905-meter escalator in Wushan County enables an 80-story climb in 20 minutes, moving up to 7,300 people per hour.
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China unveils the Wushan Sky Ladder, a 905-meter outdoor escalator in Wushan County, Chongqing, enabling visitors to ascend an 80-story climb in about 20 minutes and move up to 7,300 people per hour while integrating ecological safeguards in the South China Karst.
AI-generated summary
China has unveiled the world’s longest outdoor escalator, the Wushan Sky Ladder, in Wushan County, Chongqing Municipality. At 905 meters, it enables visitors to ascend what would be an 80-story climb in about 20 minutes, replacing a one-hour mountain hike. The system can move up to 7,300 people per hour. It is shaped like a dragon and built with reinforced concrete and structural steel to fit within the surrounding limestone karst landscape.
The Sky Ladder uses 21 outdoor escalators and two large-capacity elevators. It was rushed to finish before the Spring Festival to ease travel strain during holidays in the Three Gorges area.
UNESCO says that high-capacity transit in the Wushan region must comply with ecological preservation standards. The Wushan Sky Ladder sits in the South China Karst, famous for soluble limestone and biodiversity. The project uses modular construction methods to minimize soil disturbance on the steep 242.14-meter slopes.
It preserves the natural drainage patterns of the Yangtze River basin and provides high-density pedestrian movement without altering the landscape.
Officials say the project aligns with national policies to boost accessibility and promote ‘Smart Tourism’ in top-rated scenic areas. Automated vertical transport makes it easier for older people and those with mobility issues to enjoy high-altitude views.
Overall, the Sky Ladder is part of a broader plan to boost tourist region capacity while keeping safety and efficiency.
