FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
China has put into operation what is considered the world's longest outdoor escalator system, built on the steep banks of the Yangtze River, in a mountainous region known for ambitious infrastructure projects.
The “Goddess” project, located in Wushan County, Chongqing Municipality, includes a moving walkway nearly 1 kilometer long. Construction took four years and the system consists of more than two dozen escalators and individual elevators. The entire journey takes about 21 minutes.
The project reflects China's continued investment in infrastructure, a sector that has been a mainstay of the country's economic development for decades. Even as economic growth has slowed and the real estate sector has slumped, authorities continue to support infrastructure projects, especially in inland regions like Chongqing.
The Wushan escalator system was manufactured by Swiss company Schindler at a factory north of Shanghai and then transported by truck to the installation site. The project also illustrates the role of foreign companies in China's infrastructure development.
Chongqing is known for similar innovative projects. The “Crown” escalator, part of the city’s metro and built in the 1990s, reaches a length of 112 meters and is considered one of the longest in Asia. The city’s unique urban infrastructure has attracted an increasing number of tourists.
The city of Wushan was relocated from its previous location, which was flooded after the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, one of the largest hydroelectric projects in the world.
According to local authorities, the construction of the escalator was complex due to the dense network of underground pipes and the need to pass over existing roads. The project was considered more challenging than a similar system in Hong Kong, which reaches up to 800 meters in length.
Currently, about 9,000 people use the system every day, paying 3 yuan for a one-way trip. During the Spring Festival, the stairs were used by about 450,000 visitors.
The surrounding area still retains elements of traditional life. At the top of the stairs, elderly residents spend their time playing cards, while some, like 82-year-old Yan Changshun, earn extra income by offering traditional services such as fortune-telling.
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