Simian Mountain lies in Jiangjin district in the south of the Chongqing municipality, about 140 kilometres from the city centre, and covers a stretch of forested hill country on the Guizhou border. It is a national scenic area with an unusual combination of features: red sandstone cliffs formed by Danxia landform, deep green valleys, and an exceptional number of waterfalls - well over a hundred within the park.
The waterfalls
The signature fall is Wangxiangtai, a single drop of about 158 metres with a viewing platform in front of it and a walkway that passes behind the curtain of water in the wet season. It is at its most powerful after rain, from May to September, and can shrink to a trickle in a dry winter. Other falls are scattered along the valleys, several reached by trails and some by road, and the park's trails follow streams for long sections, which keeps them cool in summer.
The landscape
The Danxia cliffs are layered red sandstone with weathered faces and gullies, softer and more eroded than the karst further north in the municipality. Above the rock the hills are covered in broadleaf forest with bamboo, and the woodlands hold a variety of birds and small mammals; the park is a protected reserve and also handles water supply for the region. Scattered through the woods are small temples, a lake and old village houses, and the hilltop area is used for tea growing.
Practical information
Simian Mountain is reached by road from Chongqing in about three hours, or by train to Jiangjin and then a car. There is an admission fee, and the internal distances are large enough that a car or the park shuttle is needed between the main sights; guesthouses and hotels inside the park make an overnight stay practical. Trails are steep in places and wet after rain, so bring proper shoes and a rain jacket.
Best season
Summer, when the water is high and the forest is at its greenest, is the classic time; the trails are also a relief from the famously hot Chongqing summer. Autumn brings clearer skies and fewer people, and spring is good for wild flowers. The park is quiet on weekdays outside the summer holiday.
