China Unveils World’s Longest Outdoor Escalator That Takes 21 Minutes to Ascend. But There’s a Catch

**Wushan Unveils World’s Longest Outdoor Escalator Amidst Mountainous Terrain**

In an impressive feat of engineering, Wushan City in Chongqing, China, has inaugurated what is reported to be the world’s longest outdoor escalator. Spanning an astonishing 905 metres—equivalent to nearly 3,000 feet—the ‘Goddess’ escalator uniquely climbs an elevation of 800 feet. However, this record-breaking attraction is made up of approximately 24 interconnected escalators and elevators rather than a single continuous moving walkway.

The escalator, often referred to as the ‘Goddess’, serves as a testament to the challenges posed by the region’s rugged topography. As Huang Wei, the chief of the design team from China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group, explained to the Financial Times, the project stands alone in terms of scale and design within the nation. “There are no similar projects nationwide, either exceeding or equal to ours, either under construction or already started. It’s the first of its kind,” he stated.

Wushan, nestled in a mountainous area, is characteristic of Chongqing’s unique landscape, which has been dubbed the “cyberpunk city” for its futuristic architecture. The city’s design prominently features vertical arrangements of buildings and public spaces, intertwining with a multitude of staircases. Du Ying, the vice-president of existing installations at Schindler China, remarked on the significant role of the mountainous geography in shaping the structure of the escalator. If it weren’t for the steep elevations, he noted, constructing such an extensive escalator system would not have been feasible.

The Goddess escalator boasts a ride time of around 21 minutes, catering to a growing number of users. Since its opening, it has already been utilised by 450,000 people during the recent Spring Festival in February, indicating its popularity among both residents and tourists.

The construction of the escalator was no small feat. Engineers faced numerous challenges, including navigating around dense underground pipelines and designing a structure that could span over roads which had, until now, required lengthy car journeys during peak traffic. Huang elaborated that before the installation of the escalators, certain routes could take up to an hour to traverse by vehicle.

Wushan’s new transport system aims to ease travel difficulties created by the region’s steep slopes and tight urban planning. By integrating modern technology into the mountainous environment, local authorities hope to enhance accessibility for both locals and visitors alike.

Officials are optimistic that the escalator will bring considerable benefits to the community, not just by cutting travel times, but also by encouraging tourism. With its innovative design and engineering prowess, the Goddess escalator is poised to become a landmark attraction, enhancing the unique charm of Wushan and possibly inspiring future projects across other mountainous regions.

The undertaking reflects broader trends of integrating advanced infrastructure in challenging terrains to improve everyday life. As cities worldwide grapple with urban density and geographical constraints, Wushan offers an intriguing model of how engineering can create new solutions for mobility in tough landscapes.

As the world’s longest outdoor escalator, the Goddess not only redefines travel in Wushan but also stands as a symbol of ingenuity amidst China’s rapidly developing infrastructure landscape. As it continues to welcome visitors, it promises to reshape the local community and enhance the intriguing, vertiginous nature of Chongqing.