The nearly 6-minute video, shared by Musk on 18/5, highlights Chongqing East Station's colossal multi-story structure, vast glass-roofed halls, and integrated transport system. It has attracted over 56 million views.

Billionaire Elon Musk shared a video of Chongqing East Station's construction on X on 18/5, garnering over 56 million views. *Photo: X/Elon Musk*

These visuals, combined with Chongqing's hilly terrain, led social media users to compare the station to a science fiction film.

"Welcome to the future! China operates the world's largest high-speed rail network", was one of many comments on Musk's post.

Located in Chongqing's Nan'an district, Chongqing East high-speed railway station is set to open in 6/2025. It will operate alongside the Chongqing East - Qianjiang section of the Chongqing - Xiamen high-speed railway, a new line designed for trains to reach a maximum speed of 350 km/h.

Chongqing East Station's construction. *Video: Facebook/Xinhua*

The station is the largest high-speed railway hub in western China, boasting a total construction area of approximately 1,22 million square meters, equivalent to 170 football fields and five times the size of New York's Grand Central Station.

With an investment of USD 7,8 billion, Chongqing East Station features 15 platforms and 29 tracks. Its construction period spans 38 months. Xinhua reports that the station's rapid completion, from receiving designs in 5/2022 to its inauguration in 2025, is due to a "robot revolution".

Built on challenging mountainous terrain with summer temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees C, the project leveraged 4-wheeled, laser-guided concrete leveling robots. Equipped with LiDAR, AI, and 5G, these robots precisely leveled concrete three times faster than human workers, cutting labor costs by 40%.

Chongqing East Station on 16/6/2025. *Photo: VCG*

Glass installation robots safely and accurately handled 800 kg panels, tripling installation speed and reducing accident risk by 90%. Omni-directional welding robots and 24/7 patrol robots further boosted efficiency, minimized risks, and maintained quality in harsh conditions.

Officials from China Railway 11th Bureau Group reported that robots nearly halved labor costs, tripled average work efficiency, and reduced workplace accidents by 90%.

The 8-story station is designed to serve 16.000 passengers per hour during peak times, integrating multiple transport systems. Beyond high-speed rail, it connects to subway lines, bus routes, taxi services, and long-distance passenger transport, enabling flexible transfers for passengers.

City view from Chongqing East Station on 27/6/2025. *Photo: VCG*

Smart passenger guidance systems, digital management technology, and energy-saving design enhance both operational efficiency and passenger experience. Large skylights and an open steel-frame and glass design maximize natural light within the station.

Chongqing East Station is expected to strengthen connectivity between Chongqing and 14 major cities in eastern and central China. It will also support economic development for the Chengdu - Chongqing economic zone.

"Perhaps that's why Musk shared the video. The station reflects China's long-term ability to turn industrial ambitions into reality on a scale much of the world is still struggling to match", India Today commented.

By Hong Hanh (Source: CGTN, India Today)