Black Mountain Valley

With an area of 40 square miles (103 square kilometers), Black Mountain Valley, or Heishan Valley, 70 miles (115 kilometers)  from Chongqing City, is located in Black Mountain Town (Heishan Town) of Wansheng Economic Development District of Chongqing City. Enjoying a forest coverage of 97%, the primitive natural ecological environment in this scenic area is preserved well. There are distinctive  views in the area, including high mountains, deep valleys, steep cliffs, grand waterfalls, winding plank roads and floating bridges, as well as various animals and plants, making Black Valley a great place for rafting, mountain climbing, camping, hunting and hiking.

Black Mountain Valley, Chongqing

Map of Black Mountain Valley (Click to enlarge)

Similar to the formation of the Himalayas, the mountains in Black Mountain Valley are split where a crack formed, which is now known as Carp River Gorge. As a typical deep V-shaped valley, Carp River Gorge sees anelevation difference of 437 to 1,094 yards (400 to 1,000 meters). The widest part of the river is 22 to 33 yards (20 to 30 meters), while the narrowest part is less than 2 yards (2 meters). The narrowest section of Carp Gorge lies between Chongqing City and Guizhou Province. Therefore, visitors can touch the mountains in different places with both hands simultaneously.

Carp River Gorge boasts three extraordinary characteristics: plenty of carp beaching onthe shore, cool weather in summer and animals that live in harmony with local residents. Above the gorges, plank roads and floating bridges are constructed. Walking on the plank roads and floating bridges, visitors see carp swimming beneath, giving a feeling of wandering in an underwater palace. As well, Carp River Gorgeis covered with thick forests. They areseen as natural air conditioners, shading strong sunlight onextremely hot days, making the place a great summer resort. Meanwhile, thick forests are home to more than 300 species of animals that live happily together with local residents.
 

Every year in spring and summer, fish in the lower reaches of Carp River leap up to 24 inches (60 centimeters) to move forward. That is why the local residents call the gorge Fish Leaping Gorge. As well, local people put up a plank roadover the river,which helps visitors to go through the gorge and appreciate the carp closely.
 

Since the shape of the waterfall looks like a fish, it is called Fish-like Waterfall. It is the grandest waterfall in Black Mountain Valley Scenic Area. Falling from high places of hundreds of feet, the water sprays to look like pearl strings, strikes heavily on the stones below, and forms clouds of water vapour, which looks magnificent. If the sun shines right on it, there  is a rainbow.
 1. The best time to visit Black Mountain Valley Scenic Area is from May to September, when there is cool weather and visitors can avoid the summer heat.
2. Since the southern area of Black Mountain Valley is higher than the north, it is recommended that tourists start from the south gate to save energy.
 

Black Mountain Valley

There is no direct transport from Chongqing to Black Mountain Scenic Area. Visitors need to make a transfer in Wansheng.

 How to get to Wansheng from Chongqing City
 Take a passenger bus at Chenjiaping long-distance bus station and get off at Wansheng bus station. The bus departs every hour from 8:00 to 17:30 and the ticket costs CNY 41.
 Take a passenger bus at Nanping long-distance bus station and get off at Wansheng bus station. The bus departs at 9:00 and 13:40 and the ticket costs CNY 40.
 Take a passenger bus at Longtou Temple long-distance bus station and get off at Wansheng bus station. The bus departs at 10:00 and 17:00 and the ticket costs CNY 42.

 How to get to Black Valley Scenic Area from Wansheng bus station
 Take Bus 113 at Wansheng long-distance bus station and get off at Black Mountain Valley South Gate station. The bus departs from 6:30 to 18:00 and the ticket costs CNY 6. The whole journey is about 25 minutes.
 Take Bus 106 at Wansheng long-distance bus station and get off at Black Mountain Valley North Gate station.The bus departs from 6:30 to18:30 and the ticket costs CNY5. The whole journey takes about 30 minutes.

Admission Fee	March - October: CNY 85; November - February: CNY 60 * Children of and below 1.3 yards (1.2 meters) are free of charge.
Transportation Fee inside the Scenic Area	Shuttle bus: CNY 20 Sightseeing bus inside the scenic area: CNY 30  Cable Car: CNY 30 for single trip * Children below 1.3 yards (1.2 meters) are free of charge.
Opening Hours	9:00 to 17:30
Recommended time for a visit	3 to 6 hours

  Wansheng Stone Forest: There are direct buses running from the Tourist Center and South Gate of Black Mountain Valley Scenic Area to the South Gate of Wansheng Stone Forest. Ticket price is CNY 30 and CNY 15 respectively for a one-way ride.