{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Forget Hauz Khas: 10 Deepest Metro Stations in the World That Rival Skyscrapers",
  "summary": "Several metro stations across the globe plunge hundreds of meters underground. Built deep into mountains, riverbeds, and nuclear shelters, these engineering marvels feature extreme depths and endless escalators.",
  "content": "When discussing underground metro systems, people often assume that the Hauz Khas metro station in Delhi holds the record for maximum depth. However, numerous metro stations globally are built at staggering depths beneath the surface. To navigate mountainous terrain, deep riverbeds, and potential wartime bombings, engineers constructed these transit hubs far below ground level. These stations exceed 100 meters in depth, requiring up to eight minutes on escalators to reach the platforms, while high-speed elevators cause ears to pop just like during an airplane flight.\n\nHongyancun Station in Chongqing, China\nRanking first on the list, the Hongyancun metro station located in Chongqing, China, currently stands as the deepest metro station in the world. It plunges to a depth of 116 meters, which equals the height of an inverted 40-story building. Traveling from the top entrance down to the platform via escalators takes a full eight minutes. The station also features high-speed elevators that make passengers' ears pop reminiscent of air travel, and it occasionally hosts climbing competitions scaling its 860 stairs.\n\nPyongyang Metro System in North Korea\nThe Pyongyang metro system in the capital of North Korea remains shrouded in mystery worldwide. Government claims indicate that the entire network stretches more than 110 meters underground. Built during the 1970s, the primary purpose of this station was to function simultaneously as a metro stop and a nuclear bomb shelter. The stations are heavily decorated with ornate chandeliers and luxurious marble, and descending via the escalators takes roughly three and a half minutes.\n\nArsenalna Station in Kyiv, Ukraine\nSituated in Kyiv, Ukraine, the Arsenalna station reaches a depth of 105.5 meters. For decades, it was widely regarded as the deepest station globally. Challenging soil conditions and water issues forced engineers to alter its design significantly during construction. Taking the escalator down to the platform requires about five minutes. During the 2002 conflict, thousands of citizens sought refuge and saved their lives within its deep subterranean shelter against missile strikes.\n\nZoloti Vorota Station in Kyiv, Ukraine\nLocated at a depth of 96.5 meters in Kyiv, Ukraine, the Zoloti Vorota station counts among the most aesthetically pleasing metro stations in Europe. Opened in 1989, its architecture resembles an ancient temple. The walls feature more than 80 intricate mosaic artworks depicting ancient rulers and saints. During wartime, this station also served as a reliable protective shield for local residents.\n\nHongtudi Station in Chongqing, China\nBuilt in the city of Chongqing, China, the Hongtudi station reaches a depth of 94.47 meters. At one point, it held the title of China's deepest station. Navigating between different lines inside feels like traversing a complex maze because the facility houses more than 90 escalators. Due to its extreme depth and extensive staircases, the station has gained massive popularity across the internet.\n\nUniversitet Metro Station in Kyiv\nPositioned in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, the Universitet metro station sits 87 meters underground. Opened in 1960, it features a striking aesthetic highlighted by red marble pillars. Beyond functioning as a regular transit stop, it acted as a secure bomb shelter during the 2002 Russian attacks, providing safe refuge to thousands of civilians.\n\nAdmiralteyskaya Station in Saint Petersburg\nAdmiralteyskaya in Saint Petersburg ranks as the city's deepest metro station at 86 meters underground. Preserving historical buildings overhead meant construction took decades, leading to its eventual opening in 2011. For many years, trains bypassed the station without stopping, earning it the moniker of a ghost station. Passengers rely on a 125-meter-long escalator to reach the lower levels.\n\nThe Park Pobedy metro station in Moscow, Russia, descends 84 meters below the ground. Its standout feature is Europe's longest escalator system, comprising 740 steps. Riding this escalator up or down takes approximately three minutes, stretching so far that travelers cannot see from one end to the other. It opened for public use in 2003.\n\nWashington Park Station in Portland, United States\nThe Washington Park metro station serves as the deepest transit station in Portland, America. Opening in 1998, it sits 79 meters beneath the surface. Due to the surrounding rock formations, the ambient temperature inside remains steady around 10 degrees Celsius. Instead of escalators, high-speed elevators transport passengers to the depths in moments.\n\nPloshchad Lenina Station in Saint Petersburg, Russia\nRanking tenth, the Ploshchad Lenina metro station in Saint Petersburg, Russia, sits at a depth of 67 meters. Opened in 1958, the station shares a historical connection with the prominent Russian leader Lenin. Its design remains simple yet appealing, utilizing red and white tones. While illumination was initially dim, the station underwent modernization in 2006 to appear brighter and more contemporary.\n\nWhat this means for you\n• Across India: Readers gain perspective on how Delhi's Hauz Khas station compares in depth to the massive subterranean engineering feats found worldwide.\n• Global View: Commuters and travelers learn about the unique architectural designs, extreme elevator rides, and wartime bunker histories of the world's deepest transit hubs.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Which is the deepest metro station in the world?\nThe Hongyancun metro station in Chongqing, China, is currently the deepest metro station globally at 116 meters deep.\n\n2. How deep is the Hongyancun station?\nIt reaches a depth of 116 meters, which is equivalent to an inverted 40-story building.\n\n3. Why was the Pyongyang metro built so deep?\nConstructed in the 1970s, its primary purpose was to function both as a transit network and a nuclear bomb shelter.\n\n4. Which Kyiv metro station served as a bomb shelter during wartime?\nThe Arsenalna and Universitet metro stations in Kyiv provided safe subterranean shelter to thousands of citizens during conflicts.\n\n5. What is unique about the Park Pobedy station in Russia?\nIt features Europe's longest escalator system with 740 steps, taking about three minutes to ride down.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/travel/forget-hauz-khas-10-deepest-metro-stations-in-the-world-that-rival-skyscrapers-11178",
  "category": "Travel",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-28",
  "tags": [
    "deepest metro stations in the world",
    "Hauz Khas metro station",
    "Hongyancun metro station",
    "Pyongyang metro system",
    "Arsenalna metro station"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}