Simian Mountain is located in the southern part of Jiangjin District, Chongqing, and is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. It covers an area of 213.37 km2 with elevations ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 meters. Named for the mountains that encircle it on all sides, it is renowned for its "fantastic peaks, unusual waters, red rocks, and rich culture." It belongs to the northern remnant of the Dalou Mountains on the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau and features well-developed Danxia landforms. Influenced by a subtropical monsoon climate, the area is warm and humid, with a forest coverage rate exceeding 95%, nurturing the largest and best-preserved subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest belt at the same latitude in the world. The complex and varied topography has formed a large number of waterfalls, among which "Wangxiangtai Waterfall" is the widest waterfall with the largest single-drop drop discovered in China to date.
History and Culture
Simian Mountain has a profound historical and cultural heritage. It is a typical Danxia landform area, whose formation can be traced back to the Late Cretaceous Jiaguan Formation strata, dating from 96 to 65 million years ago. With the Himalayan orogeny, the crust continued to compress, forming numerous peaks, which were later shaped by water erosion and gravitational collapse into the present landscape. In addition, the famous love story "Stairway to Love" also took place here—Liu Guojiang manually carved 6,208 stone steps for his wife, which has been hailed as one of "China's Top Ten Classic Love Stories," adding a romantic cultural touch to Simian Mountain.
Major Attractions
Wangxiangtai Waterfall
Wangxiangtai Waterfall is the iconic attraction of Simian Mountain, standing 158 meters high and 48 meters wide. It is one of the largest single-drop waterfalls in China and is known as the "No. 1 High Waterfall in China." The waterfall plunges from the top of a Danxia red cliff, creating a spectacular scene likened to "silver water cascading straight down three thousand feet." During the rainy season, the maximum flow can reach 50 m3/s. The viewing platform below the waterfall is about 50 meters away, allowing visitors to feel the dense mist up close. Following a plank road to the bottom of the waterfall, one can see the naturally formed "No. 1 Heart in the World" stone beach—a clear heart-shaped outline that, together with the waterfall, creates a unique "heart and waterfall embracing" view. At night, a light show is staged using 3D projection technology to display seasonal scenery and love stories, extending visiting hours to 22:00.
Tudiyan (Land Rock)
Tudiyan is the core area of Simian Mountain's Danxia landforms. The cliff face is 376 meters long, 127 meters high, and covers about 48,000 m2, named for a naturally formed "Land God" pattern on the rock wall. The cliff displays brilliant colors—red, yellow, purple, and more—with the "Red Cliff Danxia" landscape being the most spectacular, making it one of the best-preserved Danxia landforms in China. At the foot of the cliff, Tudiyan Waterfall drops about 89 meters high and 25 meters wide, with water flowing down the rock face like a "curtain hanging on the cliff." The scenic area has built observation decks and a 1.2?km trail along the cliff, with informational boards explaining the formation of Danxia landforms.
Honghai (Red Sea)
Honghai consists of Dahonghai (Big Red Sea) and Xiaohonghai (Small Red Sea), a natural lake system with a total area of about 2.5 km2, an average depth of 12 meters, and a maximum depth of 50 meters. Dahonghai is 6,850 meters long and 60–200 meters wide, with open waters and lush vegetation on both banks, home to waterbirds such as mandarin ducks and wild ducks. Xiaohonghai is about 1,600 meters long, with a winding course flanked by steep cliffs, forming a "nine-turn" landscape. Visitors can take a sightseeing boat (15 meters long, capacity 30 passengers) for a 1.5?hour cruise, during which they can view the Huiqianyan Cliff Murals, Monkey Park, and other attractions. A 10?km lakeside trail is suitable for hiking.
Longtan Lake
Longtan Lake is the highest lake in Simian Mountain, at an elevation of 900 meters. It covers about 0.7 km2 and contains three small islands connected by arched bridges. The shoreline is about 5 km long, surrounded by primeval forest. The lake water is crystal clear with visibility of 3–5 meters and is rich in fish such as crucian carp and carp. The scenic area offers fishing zones (￥30/person/day), boating areas (pedal boats ￥40/hour, electric boats ￥60/hour), and more than 10 rest pavilions along the lakeside trail. On the west side of the lake is a 2?km canyon called "Tongtian Valley," with babbling streams and summer temperatures 3–5°C lower than around the lake.
Stairway to Love
The Stairway to Love is the 6,208 stone steps manually carved by Liu Guojiang for his wife, bearing witness to their love and making it a must-visit spot for couples.
Pearl Lake
Pearl Lake is a high-mountain lake formed by waterfall accumulation, covering about 0.3 km2. It is named for the numerous pebbles on the lakebed that glisten like scattered pearls under sunlight. The lake's source is the Pearl Beach Waterfall, about 40 meters high and 15 meters wide, where water impacts rocks to create strings of droplets resembling pearls. The lakeside vegetation is mainly bamboo forest, covering about 200 mu (≈13.3 hectares); in spring, bamboo shoots emerge, creating a delightful view. A wooden boardwalk of 800 meters circles the lake, ending at an "Observation Platform" overlooking the full Pearl Beach Waterfall. The area around Pearl Lake is the best bird-watching spot in Simian Mountain, with over 30 recorded bird species including egrets and thrushes.
Suggested Itineraries：
The following routes are recommended:
Route 1 (Two-day tour)：
Day 1: Visitor Center → Wangxiangtai Waterfall (2 hours, photograph the "No. 1 Heart") → Longtan Lake boat ride (￥30/person); afternoon: Tudiyan Danxia cliff hiking (1.5 hours) → Honghai boat ride to the Chongqing-Guizhou boundary marker (￥45/person).
Day 2: Stairway to Love hike (6,208 steps, about 3 hours) → Zhongshan Ancient Town (Ming-Qing old street, traditional workshops) → Baisha Ancient Town (Yangtze River dock culture) → return.
Route 2: Bolin Fujia Interchange - Huilongzhuang Scenic Area - Simian Mountain North Gate - Longtan Lake - Wangxiangtai - Honghai - Pearl Lake - Tudiyan - Shuikousi route.
Route 3: Simian Mountain Interchange - Simian Mountain North Gate - Longtan Lake - Wangxiangtai - Honghai - Pearl Lake - Tudiyan - Shuikousi route.
Route 4: Siping Interchange - Simian Mountain East Gate - Honghai - Wangxiangtai - Pearl Lake - Tudiyan - Shuikousi - Longtan Lake.
Travel Tips：
The scenic area is vast; it is recommended to spend 2 days or more to fully enjoy its charm.
Waterfall areas are slippery; wear non-slip shoes. Bring rain gear during the rainy season; use sunscreen and insect repellent in summer.
Hiking trails are long; carry a light backpack and water bottle for convenience.
Mountain temperatures vary greatly between morning and evening; even in summer, bring a light jacket.
The best season is May to October, when water flow is abundant and waterfalls are spectacular, with average temperatures of 18–25°C. Winter (December–February) offers snow views, but some roads may be icy—exercise caution.
Recommended visit duration: 1–2 days. A one-day tour covers core attractions; two days allow for in-depth lake and hiking experiences.
Important Notices：
Follow all scenic area regulations, protect the environment, do not litter, and sort waste accordingly.
At waterfalls and other attractions, stay safe—do not climb railings or approach dangerous areas.
Some attractions may have age or physical condition restrictions; check in advance.
Respect local customs, especially Tujia ethnic traditions; do not photograph ceremonial activities without permission.
Wildlife is abundant; do not feed or tease monkeys or other animals to avoid accidents.
During the Wangxiangtai Waterfall light show (19:30–21:30), trail lighting is dim; it is recommended to walk in groups and secure personal belongings.
Transportation：
Self-driving: From downtown Chongqing, take the Ring Expressway and Yu-Lu Expressway, then transfer to the Simian Mountain Expressway at Diaoji Interchange, reaching the scenic area directly. The drive takes about 2 hours. Parking fees: ￥5–20/day.
Public transport: Direct buses from Chongqing Longtousi / Jiefangbei Bus Station to Simian Mountain run once daily at 7:30, one-way fare ￥60. Alternatively, take a high-speed train to Jiangjin North Station, then transfer to a bus from Jiangjin Passenger Transport Center to Simian Mountain (about 2.5 hours, fare ￥20).
Opening Hours：
Open 00:00–23:59. However, some attractions may have different hours or may close temporarily due to weather; it is advisable to check with the scenic area in advance.
Tickets：
Peak season (February–October): ￥90/person; low season (January, November–December): ￥60/person.
Sightseeing bus: ￥40; Longtan Lake boat: ￥30; Dahonghai boat: ￥45.
Free admission for seniors over 65, active military personnel, disabled persons, and children under 1.2 meters. Half-price for students and seniors aged 60–64.