Jinfo Mountain - Jinfoshan - stands in Nanchuan district, southeast of Chongqing, and is the highest point in the municipality, with the main summit above 2,200 metres. It is a karst massif rather than a single peak: a plateau edged with cliffs, riddled with caves and underground rivers, and it forms part of the South China Karst World Heritage property.
What makes it unusual
The combination of altitude and a wet subtropical climate has produced a flora that is unusually rich for its latitude, with relict species that survived the ice ages in these valleys. The mountain is known for its medicinal plants, its ancient trees - ginkgo, yew and a variety of rare conifers - and its bamboo. Above the tree line the karst plateau is exposed and windswept, with peculiar rock shapes and alpine meadow, and the cliffs drop away to forest on all sides.
How to visit
A cable car climbs from the base area to the plateau, where there are boardwalk trails, viewpoints, small temples and a cave with coloured lighting that is popular with domestic visitors. The walk along the rim gives long views over the surrounding hills, and in winter the plateau holds snow and there is a small ski area. The caves below are extensive and some are open to visitors with a guide.
Practical information
Jinfo Mountain is about 100 kilometres from central Chongqing, roughly two hours by road, and it is usually visited as a day trip or as one night away. Admission and the cable car are charged separately and the total is not cheap. Because the plateau is over 2,000 metres and the region is foggy, the mountain is often in cloud - check the weather before committing to the trip, and take a jacket even in summer.
Why go
Most visitors to Chongqing stay in the city or go to Wulong. Jinfo is quieter, greener and more interesting botanically, and at the right time of year - late spring for flowers, autumn for colour, winter for snow - it is a rewarding contrast to the concrete and the hotpot.
