What is the deepest metro station in Asia?

Deepest Metro Station: Hongyancun Depth vs Others

The deepest metro station in Asia is Hongyancun Station in Chongqing, China, with a commonly cited operational depth of 116 meters below ground. Its exceptional depth reflects the citys mountainous terrain and makes it one of the most notable underground transit engineering projects in the world.

What is the deepest metro station in Asia?

The title of the deepest metro station in Asia belongs to Hongyancun Station in Chongqing, China. Opened in early 2022, it plunges to a remarkable depth of 116 meters below the surface. This is not just a transit hub - it is an engineering marvel that challenges our standard perception of underground infrastructure.

When you reach those depths, you are effectively standing at the level of a 39- or 40-story building. It sounds intense, doesnt it? To reach the surface, passengers must navigate a series of long escalators, a process that can take over 10 minutes depending on the specific exit and crowd levels.

Why Chongqing's Terrain Necessitates Such Depth

Chongqing is famously known as the Mountain City because of its rugged, hilly terrain. Building a metro system here is vastly different from constructing one in flat cities like London or Paris. Engineers must tunnel deep to maintain straight, viable tracks that can connect the sprawling, mountainous districts without battling the constant elevation changes on the surface.

The geological constraints mean that deep-level excavation is often the only way to integrate high-capacity transit lines like Line 5 and Line 9. While other famous stations like Kyivs Arsenalna or the Pyongyang Metro were built with deep shafts for historical and strategic reasons, Hongyancun was driven by pure geographic necessity.

Navigating the 'Deepest' Title

You might occasionally see older records naming stations like Arsenalna in Kyiv (105.5 meters) or various stations in the Pyongyang Metro as the deepest. These were long-standing record holders, but Hongyancun station depth of 116 meters has surpassed these benchmarks.

There is also some confusion surrounding vertical measurements. In late 2025, some reports floated figures reaching 141 meters, which likely accounted for the total distance from the highest mountain exit to the lowest track level. However, 116 meters remains the standard depth used for operational engineering benchmarks.

Is It Really That Far Down?

The stations depth is difficult to visualize until you experience the journey yourself. Depending on the entrance used, passengers may spend several minutes traveling on a series of escalators between street level and the platform.

It is a testament to modern Chinese urban planning that they can move thousands of commuters daily through such profound subterranean depths without significant incident. Is Hongyancun the deepest station you have ever visited? It is not just about transit; it is about mastering the mountains.

Comparing the World's Deepest Metro Stations

While Hongyancun holds the current title, other stations have historically defined deep-subway engineering.

Hongyancun Station (Chongqing)

• Mountainous urban terrain navigation

• 116 meters

Arsenalna Station (Kyiv)

• Steep riverbank geography

• 105.5 meters

Pyongyang Metro (Various)

• Cold War-era civil defense requirements

• Approximately 100 meters

Lan's Daily Commute in Chongqing

Commuters who use Hongyancun Station regularly often account for additional travel time to move between the surface and the platform because of the station's exceptional depth.

New visitors can underestimate the time required to reach the platform, particularly during busy periods when passenger volumes are higher.

Many passengers adapt by allowing extra time for transfers and daily travel, making the longer vertical journey a routine part of commuting through the station.

After two months, Lan says she barely notices the depth anymore. It has become a standard part of her day, and she prefers it to the chaotic surface traffic of the mountain city.