Dalongtan Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Base
大龙潭金丝猴保护区
A wild Sichuan snub-nosed monkey research base in the Shennong Peak scenic area. It is one of the few places in China where visitors can observe wild golden monkey troops up close, and entry requires advance booking.
Dalongtan lies in a valley north of Jinhouling in the Shennong Peak scenic area, at about 2,200 m. It is the wild Sichuan snub-nosed monkey research base of Shennongjia National Park, where researchers have long tracked a habituated troop of several dozen monkeys. Unlike a zoo, the golden monkeys here are fully wild. Researchers feed them at fixed times, and from the trails and observation points visitors can watch the golden troops leap, groom and huddle among the fir trees. The base operates a limited-entry booking system, usually with two observation sessions a day, one from about 9:00 to 11:00 in the morning and one from 14:00 to 16:00 in the afternoon. Book through official Shennongjia National Park channels or travel agencies. Once full, no more visitors are admitted, so in peak season book several days ahead. The fee is usually charged separately from the entrance ticket, and you can ask at Xiaolongtan about the day's situation. Transport: from the branch road beside the Xiaolongtan scenic spot, the entrance is about 3 km away, reached by base vehicle or on foot. Private cars cannot drive in directly. Notes: stay quiet while observing, do not feed the monkeys, do not use flash, and never approach the young. The monkeys are not controlled, and on rainy days they may not be visible. If you miss out on a booking, you can still see rescued golden monkeys and other animals at the Xiaolongtan Wildlife Rescue Station.
Opening hours
By reservation; usually one morning and one afternoon viewing session (approx. 09:00–11:00 and 14:00–16:00)
Nearby sights
- Shennong Peak
- Shennong Valley
- Source of Xiangxi River
- Muyu Town
- Shennongjia International Ski Resort
- Guanmenshan Scenic Area
- Tiansheng Bridge
- Shennong Altar