City’s tallest parking facility revolutionizes space efficiency

By Chen Zai

Yichang's tallest parking facility opened on October 13 in Changyang Tujia Autonomous County, easing parking shortages in the mountainous area.

The parking facility is part of the Changyang Grain Commercial Complex—a mixed-use building that integrates retail, office, and parking functions, with a total floor area of 13,277.1 square meters. The street-facing section features a 19-story office tower, while the rear houses an intelligent parking system. Garages No. 1 and No. 2 are designated for sedans, spanning 37 levels and providing 148 parking spaces. Garage No. 3 is reserved for SUVs, consisting of 29 levels and 56 parking spaces.

The facility employs an ultra-high-rise vertical lift system that uses land 18 times more efficiently than a standard lot. Supported by AI technology and a smart parking management system, drivers can check available spaces and plan routes via the “Changyang Parking” app. Upon arrival, vehicles are automatically checked in within about 90 seconds.

In recent years, Changyang has expanded public parking by introducing vertical structures, repurposing underused land, and promoting time-shared parking among institutions and communities. As a result, the number of public parking spaces has increased from 770 in early 2021 to 5,731 today.

Confronted with the geographical constraints of "a river ahead and mountains behind,” Changyang is finding creative ways to expand parking.

All parking spaces are free on major holidays, saving residents an estimated 6 million yuan in parking fees over the past four years.

Yang Xue and Li Boyan contributed to this story.