Simianshan

A kingdom of waterfalls in the danxia mountains of southern Chongqing: the 158 m Wangxiangtai Falls, the red cliffs of Tudiyan, the alpine Honghai lakes, plus Zhongshan Ancient Town and the Ladder of Love nearby.

Simianshan lies in the south of Jiangjin District, Chongqing, bordering Xishui in Guizhou and Hejiang in Sichuan, about 1.5–2 hours' drive from downtown Chongqing. Part of the northern spurs of the Dalou Mountains, it ranges from 560 to 1,709 m in elevation with over 90% forest cover; summer temperatures of about 22–25°C make it a mountain retreat for Chongqing residents. The Simianshan Scenic Area (5A, top-tier) is famed as the "Land of a Thousand Waterfalls" and for its red danxia cliffs: Wangxiangtai Falls drops about 158 m, the danxia cliff of Tudiyan stretches 376 m, Big and Small Honghai, Pearl Lake and Longtan Lake form a group of alpine lakes, and reaching Shuikousi Falls involves descending 818 stone steps. The sections of the scenic area are far apart; the main ticket costs about ¥90 in peak season and is valid for two days. Self-driving is recommended. Cultural sights outside the mountains: to the north, Huilong Manor is a large Qing-dynasty estate; Zhongshan Ancient Town has an old street of stilt houses stretching along the Sunxi River, and nearby is the Ladder of Love, a story that moved the whole nation; to the west is Tanghe Ancient Town, and to the north on the Yangtze are Baisha Ancient Town and, in Jiangjin's urban area, the Marshal Nie Rongzhen Memorial Hall — easy stops on the way to or from downtown Chongqing. Best seasons: Jun–Aug for full waterfalls and cool air, Oct–Nov for red leaves. Allow 2–3 days: one for Wangxiangtai and Tudiyan, one for Honghai and Pearl Lake, and one for Zhongshan Ancient Town and the Ladder of Love. Note that mountain roads are winding, watch for rockfall in the rainy season, and book accommodation ahead on public holidays.

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