Concept innovation and technology innovation are performed in the design works of Cuntan terminal of Chongqing port on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Under the construction conditions of typical mountainous terrain and a high wateramplitude up to 33 m, design innovation technologies, such as handling process by quayside container crane, pile-supported space frame wharf structure, step-yard layout and steep longitudinal road slope, have been successfully used for the first time in the river port. This provides a precedent example for the vertical container terminal with large water amplitude and will promote technology development in river port construction.