Mount Jinfo

Jinfoshan is a table mountain of limestone rising to around 2,200 metres, its sides vertical and its top flat, and it is included in the South China Karst UNESCO listing as an example of a karst mesa. The cliffs are riddled with caves at various heights, some of them large and open to visitors, and walkways have been fixed around the rim and into the rock so the mountain is circled at height with the plain far below. The plateau on top carries forest with a notably rich flora, including rare and relict species, and in winter it holds snow and ice formations that draw Chongqing visitors.

The landscape

• The mesa cliffs - vertical walls around a flat summit plateau.
• The cliff walkways - paths pinned to the rock face with long drops.
• The caves - openings cut into the cliffs at several levels.
• The plateau forest - rich flora on top, snowy in winter.

When to go

April to October for walking and greenery; December to February brings snow and ice, which is a separate attraction with crowds to match. Cloud frequently covers the plateau.

Good to know

Cable car plus entry is expensive, and the walkways involve exposure that troubles those uneasy with heights. Cloud often removes the view entirely. Winter access can close in ice.

Nearby

Chongqing lies north; Wulong is east.

Key facts