Aiming at the problems of low waterway grade,insufficient connection between main and branch waterways,an unreasonable transport capacity structure,and poor port-waterway adaptability in Chongqing’s inland waterway transportation,this study carries out waterway development planning research in the new era to improve the water transport network in the upper Yangtze River and support Chongqing’s construction as a shipping center in the upper Yangtze River.Based on the current shipping situation of Chongqing,the analytic hierarchy process is adopted,with 9 core factors such as river grade and waterway function selected for quantitative assignment to conduct hierarchical demonstration and layout planning of waterways.The study designates the Yangtze River trunk line,Jialing River,Wujiang River,Qujiang River,and Fujiang River as national high-grade waterways,the Xiaojiang River and Daning River as regional important waterways,and the Daixi River and Bianyu River as general waterways.It sets the goal of forming the “one main line,four branches,and six lines” pattern by 2035,with the proportion of grade Ⅲ and above waterways rising from 24.8% to 35%.The research conclusions formulate a hierarchical layout plan and a phased implementation path for the development of waterways in Chongqing.The relevant planning is in line with the national port and waterway layout planning and other higher-level requirements,which can optimize the level structure of waterways in Chongqing,enhance the capacity of trunk and branch intermodal transportation,and provide planning ideas for the high-quality development of inland waterway transportation in the upper Yangtze River.