"Jinfo Mountain Hiking Route Can't Be Hidden Anymore! Bitan Valley + Cableway, Explore Mountains and Sea in One Day"

🔥 Chongqing locals' secret "cool paradise"! Complete guide to hiking, stream trekking, and camping at Jinfo Mountain, free loop trail + stunning Yaociba breathtakingly beautiful! 🔥

"When the off-road vehicle rolls along the 178 loop mountain road, suddenly a vast emerald bamboo forest appears outside the window, followed by misty valleys—this isn't just a road trip; it's like entering Pandora from 'Avatar'! As a 'mountain youth' who climbs a mountain every week, I must say: 90% of Chongqing people underestimate the beauty of Jinfo Mountain!"

🚗 Self-driving adventure route: 178 loop + Bitan Valley, enjoy free mountain and sea scenery

The best way to experience Jinfo Mountain is to drive along the 178 loop (starting point: Group 3, Sanhui Village, Nancheng Street, Nanchuan District, Chongqing). This "fairy road" connecting the east and west slopes of Jinfo Mountain has no entrance fee but hides wilder scenery than paid attractions:

• Recommended time: depart at 7 AM to avoid weekend traffic after 10 AM; stop at "Fengchuiling Tunnel" viewing platform (high chance to see sea of clouds);

• Hidden spot: at the mid-loop "Xiaozhimu Mountain" fork, drive 5 minutes to the summit for a 360° view of karst peaks (more stunning than paid viewing platforms);

• Caution: some loop sections have many sharp turns and narrow roads; beginners should drive carefully and use an SUV (sedans may scrape the bottom).

Adventure route: drive to Bitan Valley entrance (navigate to "Jinfo Mountain Bitan Valley Parking Lot"), then start a mixed hiking + cableway experience to enjoy the coolness of the primeval forest and easily reach the summit.

👣 Hiking and stream trekking: a "fairy route" suitable even for kids, half the way by cableway to save energy

I used to think Jinfo Mountain could only be explored by bus + cableway until this time I took my 5-year-old hiking from Bitan Valley and discovered this underrated "family-friendly route":

1. Bitan Valley entrance (altitude 800m)

There are stalls selling bamboo tube rice (10 RMB each, glutinous rice mixed with cured meat aroma). Follow the stream trail uphill; the whole path is gentle enough for a 3-year-old to walk independently. Must-visit spots:

• "Water Curtain Cave": stream water cascades through giant rock crevices forming a natural water curtain; set your phone to slow shutter speed for silky water flow photos;

• "Wild Monkey Area": encounter groups of macaques along the way (do not feed them! They may snatch bags); observe and photograph from a distance;

• "Moss Forest": giant rocks covered with moss on both sides of the trail, like stepping into the Land of Oz.

2. Halfway cableway station (altitude 1500m)

About 2 hours hiking (3 hours with kids, playing and taking photos) to the cableway lower station, where you can buy a one-way ticket (40 RMB/person) to Qianniuping. Energy-saving tips:

• If kids get tired, turn back early at "Golden Turtle Facing the Sun" viewing platform (1.5 hours hiking), where you can photograph Jinfo Mountain’s iconic "Giant Turtle Exploring the Sea" mountain shape;

• The cableway upper station has a restaurant; recommended dish: "Stewed Chicken with Bamboo Shoots" (68 RMB/serving, bamboo shoots crisp and tender, chicken broth incredibly flavorful).

🌄 Summit activities: camping at Yaociba + sunrise at Qianniuping, 20°C summer is so healing

Take a free shuttle bus (10 minutes) from the cableway upper station to Yaociba, an underrated "mountain top secret spot":

• Yaociba Grassland: alpine meadow at 2000m altitude, wildflowers everywhere in summer; tents for rent (80 RMB/tent, includes moisture-proof mat);

• Ancient Buddha Cave: constant 16°C inside, stalactites resemble Buddha statues, perfect for summer cooling (30 RMB ticket, children free);

• Skywalk: glass walkway built on cliff edge, not for those afraid of heights but perfect for photos (wear bright clothes for better shots).

Sunrise guide:

• Stay at a mountain hotel (recommended "Jinfo Mountain Two Rivers Hotel," 500 RMB/night including breakfast), walk to "Sun Viewing Pavilion" at 5 AM;

• If camping, wake up at 4:30 AM to watch the sea of clouds outside your tent (bring a light down jacket, mountain top mornings are only 10°C);

• After sunrise, go paragliding at "Qianniuping" (680 RMB/session, panoramic view of Jinfo Mountain, worth every penny!).

💦 Stream trekking and water play: natural air-conditioned spots in mountain streams, kids won’t want to leave

Jinfo Mountain is one of the few "water play paradises" in Chongqing, recommending two free stream trekking spots:

• Downstream of Bitan Valley: 10 minutes walk down from the hiking start, crystal-clear water only knee-deep at the deepest, perfect for kids to catch small fish and have water fights;

• Longyan Waterfall: navigate to "Jinfo Mountain Longyan Town," 20 minutes drive to the waterfall base; the pool is sapphire-clear, with stalls selling cold rice jelly (5 RMB/bowl).

Gear checklist:

• Stream trekking shoes (non-slip, 30 RMB/pair sold in the park);

• Water guns + waterproof phone pouch (kids’ happiness source);

• Mosquito repellent (mountain stream mosquitoes are very aggressive; tested "Liushen" is ineffective, buy repellent with over 15% DEET).

🍜 Foodie radar: bamboo shoots on the summit + farmhouse dishes at the foot, great value

Don’t think all scenic area food is overpriced! Jinfo Mountain surroundings hide these treasures:

• Must-eat on the summit: "Stir-fried Bamboo Shoots with Cured Meat" at Qianniuping Restaurant (38 RMB/serving), bamboo shoots crisp like spring bamboo, cured meat smoky and rich;

• Farmhouse at the foot: "Old Zhang Farmhouse" in Sanhui Village, recommended "Nanchuan Glutinous Rice Duck" (28 RMB/half duck, crispy skin, soft glutinous rice);

• Hidden snack: bamboo tube rice at Bitan Valley entrance (10 RMB each), half the price inside the scenic area, glutinous rice mixed with cured meat aroma so good you’ll lick your fingers.

⚠️ Pitfall warnings: avoid these "traps"!

• Don’t take the cableway at noon on weekends: queues start at 1 hour, better to go at 8 AM or 5 PM;

• Don’t wear shorts for stream trekking: water is icy cold and can cause cramps, quick-dry long pants are safer;

• Don’t bring glass bottles up the mountain: glass is prohibited on Yaociba Grassland, use a thermos instead;

• Don’t trust "free guides": there are unofficial guides at the entrance who charge high fees and don’t know the routes well.

🌟 Why is Jinfo Mountain called "Chongqing’s backyard garden"?

• Close distance: 1.5 hours drive from downtown, easy to go anytime;

• Diverse activities: driving, hiking, camping, water play, sunrise watching, different every week;

• High cost performance: free loop trail, tickets only for cableway + shuttle bus (combo 150 RMB), half the price of nearby attractions;

• Fewer crowds, beautiful scenery: compared to Wulong and Fairy Mountain, Jinfo Mountain has lower visitor density, no need to fight for photo spots.

To be honest: if you’re tired of 40°C heat in the city and want a place to take kids stream trekking, hike yourself, and watch the sea of clouds sunrise, Jinfo Mountain is definitely your first choice. After all, a place that makes Chongqing people give up hotpot and drive 100 kilometers on weekends must have its magic!