The Chongqing basket line refers to Chongqing Rail Transit Line 4, a metro line nicknamed the "Basket Line" because it's used daily by farmers to transport fresh produce in baskets from rural areas to city markets.
This unique system of urban-rural integration allows farmers to sell their goods at higher prices, while providing the city with fresh, local food and fostering a mutually beneficial connection between the countryside and the city center.
Chongqing is a direct-administered municipality in Southwestern China. Chongqing is one of the four direct-administered municipalities under the Central People's Government, along with Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin. It is the only directly administrated municipality located deep inland.
The municipality covers a large geographical area roughly the size of Austria, which includes several disjunct urban areas in addition to Chongqing proper. Due to its classification, the municipality of Chongqing is the largest city proper in the world by population, though Chongqing is not the most populous urban area.
The municipality of Chongqing is the only Chinese
city with a resident population of over 30 million; however, this number
includes its large rural population. In 2020, Chongqing surpassed Shanghai as
China's largest municipality by urban population; as of 2023, it had an urban
population of 22.87 million.
The municipality contains 26 districts, 8 counties,
and 4 autonomous counties. The city served as the wartime capital for the
Republic of China (ROC) during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945). On 14
March 1997, the current municipality was separated from the surrounding
province of Sichuan, with the goal of furthering development in the central and
western parts of the country.
Chongqing is one of China's national central
cities. It is a connection in the Yangtze River Economic Belt and a base for
the country's Belt and Road Initiative. Chongqing Jiangbei International
Airport is the second-busiest airport in China, and is one of the top 50
busiest airports in the world.
The city's monorail system is the world's longest
and busiest, as well as having the greatest number of stations, with 70. Chongqing
is ranked as a Beta (global second-tier) city. It is the headquarters of the
Changan Automobile, one of the "Big Four" car manufacturers in China.
As of 2023, the city hosts 12 foreign
representations, the fifth-most in China behind Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou,
and Chengdu. It is one of the top 40 cities globally by scientific research
output; the municipality is home to several notable universities, including
Chongqing University, Southwest University, and Chongqing University of Posts
and Telecommunications.
Every morning in Chongqing, a unique scene unfolds on Subway Line 4, which has been nicknamed the “Basket Line” or “Pack Basket Line.” Local farmers from rural areas such as Shichuan Town, located about 40 kms away from Downtown Chongqing, board the subway with baskets full of fresh vegetables and fruits to sell in the city.
Farmers begin their days before dawn, often
arriving at Shoichuan Station by 6 a.m. to catch the first train. The station
opens five minutes earlier than scheduled to accommodate them. Before the
subway line opened in 2022, farmers could only sell their produce at low prices
in local towns. Now, they can sell at higher prices in the city.
The subway significantly reduces travel time
compared to the previous multi-bus journeys, which could take over an hour. Station
staff assist farmers with heavy baskets, guide them through security checks,
and help them navigate the station.
The “Basket Line” not only benefits farmers by
increasing their income, thus pulling them above the poverty line, but also
enriches the city’s food supply with fresh, locally grown produce. Overall, the
“Basket Line” is a heartwarming symbol of urban-rural integration, showcasing
the inclusiveness and practicality of modern cities in China.
