Why Visit Chongqing Jinfo Mountain
Chongqing Jinfo Mountain Scenic Area, as a unique karst table mountain surrounded by towering cliffs, is listed as a South China Karst World Heritage Site - one of the world's most spectacular examples of humid tropical to subtropical karst landscapes that also includes the other 6 spectacular Karst heritage sites (Guilin Karst, Shibing Karst, Huanjiang Karst, Libo Karst, Stone Forest Karst, and Wulong Karst) spanning Guizhou Province, Guangxi Province, and Yunnan Province. It ranks among China's highest National 5A Scenic Spots as well. Jinfo Mountain is situated near the mysterious 30 °C north latitude line where stand Mount Everest, Mayan Civilization Ruins, and Egyptian pyramids as well. It has an area of 6,744 hectares and a buffer zone of 10,675 hectares, with 441 square km as the scenic area for sightseeing.
See UNESCO’s two criteria for inscribing the Jinfo Mountain on World Heritage Lists, reference from UNESCO Official Website (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1248/)
"Criterion (vii): Jinfo Mountain is an isolated island long detached from the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau, surrounded by precipitous cliffs and punctured by ancient caves. It has spectacular karst features and landscapes with outstanding aesthetic value."
"Criterion (viii): Jinfo Mountain records the process of dissection of the high elevation karst plateau and contains evidence of the region’s intermittent uplift and karstification since the Cenozoic. "
What to Enjoy in Jinfo Mountain
The Jinfo Mountain has Western Slope and Northern slope, with plenty of fascinating attractions open to tourists. It will not only feast your eyes with its magnificent natural scenery as well as historical and cultural remains, but also serve as a good summer resort and a skiing entertainment park in winter.
Azure Stream Valley(碧潭幽谷)
Green Pond & Secluded Valley is the first attraction in the Western Slope and is the optimal passage for hiking. The intact primitive ecology of the earth's few sub-tropical and temperate zones is preserved here. You can see clear water and admire luxuriantly grown plants in Spring and Summer and golden and brown ones in Autumn all over the mountains surrounding you.
Sun-toward Golden Turtle Trail (金龟朝阳步道)
Sun-toward Golden Turtle Rail is on top of the western edge of Jinfo Mountain at an altitude of 1800 – 2100m. There are two slow slopes. The bigger one is similar to a round turtle's back and the smaller one looks like its head stretching forward. The steep edge makes up the outer fringe of the turtle's back. The turtle is 300m high and 500m long. When the sunshine falls over it at sunset, it seems like a golden turtle!
Ancient Wild Azalea Park (世界野生古杜鹃公园)
Ancient Wild Azalea Park is deep into Jinfo Mountain where plenty of valuable and rare wild azalea species blossom into masses of diverse colors and release fragrance in Spring like a paradise of flowers. Walking along the pathway stretching around 4 km long, you can see the holy Nine Lotus Treasure Top (九莲宝顶) standing peacefully amid beautifully colorful flowers.
Cliff Plank Road (绝壁栈道)
The Cliff Plank Road is the most thrilling hiking pathway of Jinfo Mountain with a total length of 3.5 km, of which 1.5 km is almost built on the vertical 90-degree cliff wall, 40-50m high from the ground, hence the name. It connects Western Slope and Northern Slope and passes by many wonderful attractions including The Sea of Arrow Bamboo (箭林竹海), Swallow Cave (燕子洞), The Ecological Stone Forest (生态石林), etc. It is the best place to watch azaleas, colorful forests, a sea of clouds, and Buddha lights.
The Ancient Buddha Cave (古佛洞)
The Ancient Buddha Cave was formed about 6,500,000 years ago and is the highest and largest cavern in China. There are statues of Sakyamuni, Avalokitesvara of the South Sea, Manjusri, Maitreya, etc., which represent Shakyamuni Buddha's largest sutra sermon. It's well-preserved and worth your visit.
Skiing Fields
There are two skiing fields in Jinfo Mountain including one in the Northern Slope and Qianniuping Skiing Field in the Western Slope in Winter. Jinfo Mountain Skiing Field covers an area of around 1,700 square kilometers including both primary and intermediate ski runs for snowboard and double-board skiing lovers and interesting entertainment facilities such as snow motorbikes, banana boat riding, etc.
![Jinfo Mountain Coverd with Lush Plants Jinfo Mountain Coverd with Lush Plants](/assets/images/travel-guide/chongqing/jinfo-mountain/luxirantly-green-plants.jpg)
![Sun-toward Golden Turtle Sun-toward Golden Turtle](/assets/images/travel-guide/chongqing/jinfo-mountain/sun-toward-turtle.jpg)
![Cliff Plank Road Cliff Plank Road](/assets/images/travel-guide/chongqing/jinfo-mountain/cliff-plank-road.jpg)
Recommended Routes in Jinfo Mountain
You can start your Jinfo Mountain trip from any of the three gates – Western Gate, Northern Gate, and Southern Gate. But they serve three different tour ways: the main tourist route, also a hiking route/cableway route to visit most attractions (Western Gate), another cableway route to more see beautiful scenery (Northern Gate), and a car driving route (South Gate).
The Southern Gate is newly open to tourists and serves as the only driving way to travel in Jinfo Mountain. Since there are fewer attractions nearby, you're highly recommended to enter at Western Gate or Northern Gate. The Northern Gate is closer to the Northern Slope. Notably, there are no suitable hiking roads available for visitors in Northern Slope. If you're more into beautiful natural scenery, you're advised to buy a Northern Gate ticket. Since the Cliff Plank Path connects the Western Slope and Northern Slope, you can travel from Yaochi ba and The Ancient Buddha Cave and then to other attractions in the Western Slope through it.
Routes from Western Gate
The Western Gate is the main gate for tourists. Many visitors start their trips from this gate to admire majestic landscapes such as Azure Stream Valley, Sun-toward Golden Turtle Trail, etc., the closest and most conveniently.
✓ Travel Jinfo Mountain with Cableways and Tour Buses
• Route 1: For those Buddhism lovers
Upper Ropeway Station of Western Gate→Sightseeing Bus Station→The Ancient Buddha Cave→Yaochi Ba→Golden Buddha Temple (金佛寺)→the same Upper Ropeway Station (for 1730m)
• Route 2: For visitors who want to explore diverse ecological species
Upper Ropeway Station of Western Gate→Qianniuping Station→Golden Buddha Temple→Ancient Wild Azalea Park→The Sea of Square Bamboo (方林竹海)→The Azalea King's Family (杜鹃王庭)→The Top of Jinfo Mountain (金山之巅)→Gauntree of High Up In The Air (凌空栈桥)→Northern Gate of Cliff Plank Path→The Food Plaza→Upper Ropeway Station of Western Gate (for 5315m)
✓ Travel Jinfo Mountain by Hiking
Since the route starting from Western Gate is the only way for hiking, if you're fond of hiking, then you should definitely enter from it. You can choose an Azure Stream Valley - Ten Thousand Walking Trails hiking ticket. The route can be divided at Under Ropeway Station in Western Slope into two halves.
• Route 3: A whole hiking way to challenge yourself
Western Gate→take a tour bus (included in the ticket)→Azure Stream Valley→hike (via Under Ropeway Station)→Ten Thousand Walking Trails (万步游道)→Sun-toward Golden Turtle Platform
• Route 4: For visitors who want to have a relaxing try on hiking, you can hike the first half.
• Route 5: But if you want to reserve your energy so as simply to hike the steepest and most thrilling section, you can choose to hike the second half.
Notes:
1. The three gates charge different prices. If you buy a ticket to Western Gate, you can only take the upper and under cableways of Western Slope and vice versa. But with any ticket to the three gates, you can tour all attractions in Jinfo Mountain.
2. Don't forget to wear comfortable shoes and bring breathable and warm clothing on your trip.
Tickets of Jinfo Mountain for Reference
Jinfo Mountain Scenic Area offers tickets for adults, students, seniors, and families with services including tour buses, cableways, insurance, etc. For more detailed prices, please check the official website. There are adult tickets for reference.
Western Gate | Northern Gate | Southern Gate | |
---|---|---|---|
Busy Season (Month: 1,2,7,8,10,12) | CNY 180 (admission ticket of Western Gate+round-trip tour buses + round-trip cableways) | CNY 150 (admission ticket of Northern Gate + round-trip cableways) |
CNY 80 (admission ticket of Southern Gate) CNY 90 (admission ticket + insurance) |
Off Season (Month: 3 -6,9,11) | CNY 148 | CNY 120 | |
Hiking Ticket | CNY 88 (admission ticket of Western Gate+ tour buses + under cableway) |
Best Time to Visit Jinfo Mountain
The weather of the Jinfo Mountain Scenic Area belongs to a subtropical monsoon climate. The yearly average temperature is 8.2 °C. You're highly suggested to travel here in Spring and Autumn.
It can be cold and foggy in winter and on foggy days it's not very safe and hard to see clearly the picturesque mountainous scenery. But since there are wide and well-equipped skiing fields, you can come here in Winter to ski.
It can be quite hot in Summer for visitors to Chongqing downtown. Compared with Chongqing weather, Jinfo Mountain, largely covered with plants, is a good resort in Summer as it's cool. However, it should be noted that the temperature in high-altitude areas can be low even in Summer, especially on a rainy day. Consequently, tourists are advised to prepare warm clothes and an umbrella for the journey.
Since the weather in Jinfo Mountain is easy to change, if you are not sure about when to travel to Jinfo Mountain and which route to choose here, you can contact us China Discovery to figure out the most suitable trip for you.
How to Get to Jinfo Mountain from Chongqing City
Jinfo Mountain is situated in Nanchuan District in the south of Chongqing. It is:
• 130 km (2.5 hrs' drive) away from the downtown Chongqing city
• 140 km (2 -3 hrs' drive) away from Wulong Karst Scenic Area.
• 37 km (1 – 1.5 hrs' drive) km away from Nanchuan District
The Western Gate is 55 km (50 minutes' drive) away from the Northern Gate and 40 km (30 minutes' drive). The distance between the Northern Gate and the Southern Gate is 90 km (1.8 hrs' drive). There's no high-speed railway to take among them. Instead, you can take buses or take taxis.
Take Buses
Chongqing – West Gate of Jinfo Mountain: From April 1st, direct tour buses from Jiefangbei Tourist Center (解放碑游客集散中心) to the Western Gate of Jinfo Mountain, begin running. The departure times are 8:30, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, and 14:30. These buses also take a stop at Nanping Convention Center (南坪会展中心) and Nanchuan West Station (南川西站). If you fail to book a direct bus, you need to get to Nanchuan West Station first.
Chongqing to North Gate of Jinfo Mountain: Bus Station in Chongqing City (Chenjiaping Bus Station 陈家坪站/Sigongli Junction 四公里/Chongqing West Bus Station/Chongqing Jiangbei Airport T2 Bus Station)→Nanchuan Passenger Terminal Station (南川客运中心站)→Northern Slope of Jinfo Mountain
Take Taxis
It takes about 2.5 hrs to travel from Chongqing downtown to Jinfo Mountain by car. Compared with buses, it's more flexible to take a taxi. But it should be noted that local drivers usually can't speak English, and it will be hard for you to communicate with each other. Besides, it may be not so convenient if you want to have a stop on the way for sightseeing and photographing.
Travel with China Discovery
If you want a worry-free private transfer with the freedom to stop, you're highly recommended to choose us China Discovery. Our knowledgeable local English-speaking tour guide and driver will pick you up at the airport or train station with safe, clean, comfortable, air-conditioned, and non-smoking licensed vehicles. And then escort you to your hotel or every attraction listed in your itinerary. Moreover, we'll make a tailor-made tour package for you based on your interests, needs, and budget. If you have any questions or ideas, please contact us.
Where to Stay with a Jinfo Mountain Tour
It takes 1 to 2 days in Jinfo Mountain Scenic Area and tourists prefer to rest in the scenic area and start journeying up the mountain early in the morning. Since Jinfo Mountain is far from Chongqing Downtown, there are few high-star hotels to pick and most lie in Qianniuping (牵牛坪), but it does have some comfortable and well-served ones that won't let you down. Living in the scenic area, you're able to view luxuriantly growing plants in the nearby mountains while probably facing a clear running stream.
But if you plan to live in Chongqing Downtown after traveling to its top attractions, there are many recommended hotels for you. There are four best areas for you to stay in Chongqing. ⨠ Check more.
Other Marvelous South China Karst Sites besides Jinfo Mountain
Jinfo Mountain Karst is located in Chongqing province within the boundaries of the Jinfoshan National Nature Reserve and Jinfoshan National Park. Jinfo Mountain, together with Guilin Karst, Shibing Karst, and Huanjiang Karst was inscribed as The South China Karst, the World Natural Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 2014. Besides, early in 2007 Libo Karst, Stone Forest Karst, and Wulong Karst first gained the fame. The South China Karst is renowned for its karst features and landscapes as well as rich biodiversity. With Karst types such as tower-shaped, pinnacle-shaped, and cone-shaped ones as well as other karst phenomena like natural bridges, Tiankeng karst, etc., South China Karst is one of the world's most spectacular examples of humid tropical to subtropical karst landscapes.
It's highly recommended that you come to see those unrivaled wonders shaped by the magical workmanship of nature.
☛ 3 Days Kunming Tour to Stone Forest & Jiuxiang Cave
☛ 5 Days Kunming Golf Tour with Spring City Highlights
☛ 5 Days Guizhou Minority Tour with Huangguoshu from Guangzhou
![Libo Scenery Libo Scenery](/assets/images/travel-guide/chongqing/jinfo-mountain/libo.jpg)
![Stone Forest Karst Stone Forest Karst](/assets/images/travel-guide/chongqing/jinfo-mountain/stone-forest.jpg)
How to Plan a Chongqing Tour Jinfo Mountain
Generally, visitors will pay a visit to Chongqing downtown city first since there are many popular attractions that are close to one another. You can go to visit Hongya Cave, Liziba Station, Ciqikou Old Town, Jiefangbei Square, Raffles City, etc., and then leave the city center for the Jinfo Mountain Scenic Area.
☛ 1 Day Chongqing City Highlights Discovery
For more Chongqing highlights, please see Chongqing Attractions and Things to Do in Chongqing.
Jinfo Mountain is not far from the Wulong Karst Scenic Area, it's highly recommended that you travel Jinfo Mountain together with Wulong Karst, another typical South China Karst site with majestic Three Natural Bridges and Tiankeng.
☛ 2 Days Chongqing & Wulong Karst Landscape Exploration Tour
Most visitors travel to Chongqing & Wulong & Jinfo Mountain before boarding their downstream Yangtze River Cruise ships. If you are going to have such a Chongqing tour, remember to catch your ship at Chaotianmen Dock .
![The Bird's Eye View of Wulong Karst The Bird's Eye View of Wulong Karst](assets/images/chongqing/itinerary/longshui-gap-300.jpg)
![Yangtze River Cruise Yangtze River Cruise]( /assets/images/chongqing/singapore-to-chongqing/three-gorges300.jpg)
Read More Chongqing & Yangtze Attractions
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- Fengdu Attractions
- Yangtze River Cruises
- Three Gorges
- Raffles City Chongqing
- Lesser Three Gorges
- Wulong Karst Landscape
- Three Gorges Museum
- Three Gorges Summit
- Ciqikou Ancient Town
- Shibaozhai Pagoda
- White Emperor City
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Top 3 Chongqing tours chosen by most customers to explore Chongqing in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.
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