Nantian Lake Tourist Resort is located in Nantian Lake Town, Fengdu County, Chongqing City, lying on the southern branch of the Qiyao Mountains of the Wuling Mountain Range. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and also a municipal-level tourist resort of Chongqing. The resort boasts a variety of natural landscapes including alpine lakes, primeval forests, grasslands and meadows, canyons and streams, and features multiple functions such as summer resort, ice and snow recreation, health and wellness vacation, and leisure sightseeing. It is hailed as the "Back Garden for Summer Vacation in Chongqing" and the "Snowy Fairyland by Nantian Lake". The planned total area of the resort is about 22 square kilometers, with the core scenic area covering around 10 square kilometers. Among them, the water area of Nantian Lake is about 3,000 mu, the shoreline is approximately 6 kilometers long, and the lake surface is at an altitude of about 1,750 meters. The resort has built supporting facilities such as a tourist center, resort hotels, commercial streets, and ice and snow sports halls, with a total construction area of about 50,000 square meters. Various service facilities are well-equipped to meet the travel and accommodation needs of different tourists.
History and Culture
The humanistic history of the Nantian Lake area can be traced back to the pre-Qin period, when it was one of the important areas where the Ba people lived. The Ba people multiplied and lived here, leaving behind relics related to mountain and water-based production and living. Their fishing and hunting culture and sacrificial culture also laid the foundation for the historical heritage of Nantian Lake. According to local historical records of Fengdu, Nantian Lake, located on the top of the mountains in the southern section of the Wuling Mountain Range, has clear water all year round. In the early years, it was regarded as a "sacred lake" by local people. On important festivals, local villagers would go to the lake to hold prayer ceremonies. This custom has lasted for hundreds of years and become an important part of the regional culture of Nantian Lake.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, a number of temples and Taoist abbeys were built around Nantian Lake, among which Nantian Temple was the most famous. First constructed during the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty, the temple was built in a mountain col on the east side of Nantian Lake and once served as the core venue for local Taoist activities. Although it has undergone repairs due to natural damage and historical changes, the preserved cultural relics such as stone carvings and building components have witnessed the development of religious culture in the Nantian Lake area. In addition, Fengdu County, where Nantian Lake is located, has long been known as the "Ghost City". The natural landscapes of Nantian Lake echo the folk culture of Fengdu Ghost City, forming a regional cultural and tourism feature of "one mountain, one lake, one culture", and becoming an important cultural node on the Yangtze Three Gorges tourism belt.
Major Scenic Spots
Nantian Lake Lakeside Park
Nantian Lake is the core scenic spot of the resort, with a water area of 3,000 mu and a lake surface altitude of 1,750 meters. The lake water is collected from surrounding mountain springs and natural precipitation, with clear water quality reaching the national Class II drinking water standard. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the forest coverage rate is over 95%, presenting different sceneries in four seasons: in spring, flowers bloom along the lake; in summer, the lake surface shimmers with ripples; in autumn, the forest with dyed layers is reflected in the water; in winter, the lake surface freezes like a mirror. It is an ideal place to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery. A 6-kilometer-long lake-circling trail has been built along the lake in the scenic area, with viewing platforms and leisure chairs set beside the trail. Tourists can walk or take sightseeing buses to visit, and also experience water activities such as boating and fishing.
Paradise Valley Forest Park
Paradise Valley Forest Park is located on the west side of Nantian Lake Scenic Area, covering a total area of about 12 square kilometers. It is a protected area of secondary primeval forest with a forest coverage rate of up to 98%. The altitude in the park ranges from 1,400 meters to 2,000 meters, where rare national protected plants such as dovetail trees, yew trees and metasequoia trees grow, and wild animals such as macaques, golden pheasants and wild boars inhabit here. An 8-kilometer-long forest hiking trail has been built in the park, with natural landscapes such as Fairy Cave, One-Line Sky and Guanyin Waterfall distributed along the way. Among them, Guanyin Waterfall has a drop of about 30 meters, and the water pours down from the cliff, forming a spectacular waterfall landscape; the entrance of Fairy Cave is about 5 meters wide and 20 meters deep, with various forms of stalactites inside, which are of great ornamental value.
Nantian Lake International Ski Resort
Nantian Lake International Ski Resort is located in the northern part of Nantian Lake Scenic Area, covering an area of about 100 mu. It is a well-known alpine ice and snow sports base in Southwest China. It is divided into three areas: skiing area, snow play area and ice-snow landscape area. The skiing area has one primary slope and one intermediate slope each. The primary slope is about 300 meters long with a gradient of about 8°, and the intermediate slope is about 500 meters long with a gradient of about 15°, which can accommodate 500 skiers at the same time. The snow play area has more than 20 snow play projects such as snowmobiles, snow tanks and snow tube sliding. The ice-snow landscape area features ice sculptures and snow sculptures, and hosts an Ice and Snow Art Festival every winter to display various themed ice and snow sculptures. The supporting ice and snow sports hall of the resort has a construction area of about 3,000 square meters, providing services such as ski equipment rental and coach teaching.
Nantian Lake Grassland Camping Base
Nantian Lake Grassland Camping Base is located in the alpine meadow area on the east side of Nantian Lake, covering an area of about 500 mu and at an altitude of about 1,700 meters. The base has vast grasslands, with vegetation mainly composed of alpine thatch and wildflower meadows. In summer, the grass is lush and covered with colorful wildflowers, making it an ideal place for camping, picnicking and stargazing. The base is divided into three areas: self-service camping area, light luxury camping area and RV camping area. The self-service camping area can accommodate 200 tents and is equipped with facilities such as water and electricity piles, toilets and shower rooms. The light luxury camping area provides a full set of camping equipment including tents, awnings, tables and chairs, with a total of 50 campsites. The RV camping area has 30 RV berths, equipped with charging piles and sewage outlets. In addition, the base has built a barbecue area and an outdoor stage, and regularly holds activities such as starry sky concerts and bonfire parties.
Cormorant Pool
Cormorant Pool is a natural alpine lake located in the southeast of Nantian Lake Scenic Area, with a water area of about 50 mu and a lake surface altitude of about 1,800 meters. It is named after the fact that cormorants often inhabited here in the early years. The pool is surrounded by lush trees, with a quiet environment and pure water quality. Freshwater fish such as crucian carp and common carp grow in the pool. A 1-kilometer-long leisure trail has been built around the pool, with a bird watching platform set beside the trail. Tourists can watch birds, rest and take photos here, making it a quiet leisure spot in the scenic area.
Tour Routes
One-Day Tour Route: Starting from the tourist center of Nantian Lake Scenic Area, tourists can first go to Nantian Lake Lakeside Park, walk along the lake-circling trail for about 2 hours and experience the boating project (about 30 minutes). Then go to Paradise Valley Forest Park, hike to visit scenic spots such as Fairy Cave and Guanyin Waterfall, which takes about 2.5 hours. After lunch at the commercial street in the scenic area, in the afternoon, go to Nantian Lake Ice and Snow Park (in winter) or Grassland Camping Base (in summer) to experience corresponding recreational projects for about 3 hours and end the one-day trip.
Two-Day Tour Route: On the first day, enter from the tourist center, visit Nantian Lake Lakeside Park, experience lake-circling sightseeing and water activities. In the afternoon, take a deep hike in Paradise Valley Forest Park. In the evening, stay at the Grassland Camping Base or resort hotels in the scenic area and participate in activities such as bonfire parties or stargazing. On the second day, in the morning, go to the ski resort (in winter) to experience skiing and snow play projects, or go to Cormorant Pool for leisure and sightseeing (in summer). In the afternoon, stroll around the commercial street in the scenic area, buy local specialties and then return.
Parent-Child Tour Route: Starting from the tourist center, first go to the Grassland Camping Base to experience picnics and parent-child games, which takes about 2 hours. Then go to Nantian Lake Lakeside Park to take a sightseeing train and enjoy the lakeside scenery (about 1 hour). In the afternoon, go to the Ice and Snow Park (in winter) to experience snow play projects, or hike on the parent-child trail in Paradise Valley Forest Park (in summer). The whole journey is at a slow pace, suitable for family trips.
Travel Tips
- Nantian Lake Scenic Area is at a relatively high altitude, with an average temperature of about 20℃ in summer and about -5℃ in winter. It is recommended to carry clothes according to the season: prepare light coats in summer, and warm and non-slip equipment such as down jackets and non-slip shoes in winter.
- Best time to visit: flowers can be enjoyed in spring (March-May), summer (June-August) is suitable for summer vacation and camping, red leaves can be enjoyed in autumn (September-November), and ice and snow projects can be experienced in winter (December-February of the next year). Among them, June-August and December-February are the peak seasons of the scenic area.
- The hiking trail in Paradise Valley Forest Park is relatively long. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes, carry drinking water and a small amount of snacks, and control the hiking time within 3 hours to avoid excessive fatigue.
- Reservations for camping at the Grassland Camping Base need to be made 1-3 days in advance. Pay attention to mosquito prevention measures when camping in summer. The temperature is low at night, so it is recommended to carry sleeping bags or thin quilts; do a good job of cold protection and keeping warm when camping in winter.
- Helmets, gloves and other protective gear should be worn when skiing in the Ice and Snow Park. Beginners can choose the primary slope or hire a coach for teaching to avoid safety accidents.
- The catering in the scenic area is mainly Chongqing special dishes and farm dishes. You can go to the commercial street to taste local special ingredients such as cured meat, bamboo shoots and wild mushrooms.
Notes
- Some areas in the scenic area are primeval forests. It is forbidden to leave the trail without permission to enter undeveloped areas to avoid accidents such as getting lost and falling.
- The water of Nantian Lake is relatively deep, and there are no guardrails in some parts of the lake shore. It is forbidden to play in the water and swim by the lake, and parents need to take good care of their children.
- The scenic area is at a relatively high altitude, and some tourists may experience altitude sickness. It is recommended to slow down the pace of activities when first arriving at the scenic area. If symptoms such as dizziness and chest tightness occur, you can go to the tourist center or the infirmary of the scenic area to rest and consult.
- Smoking and open fire use in the scenic area are prohibited, especially in grassland and forest areas. Violators will be punished in accordance with the regulations of the scenic area, and those with serious circumstances will be transferred to public security organs for handling.
- When shopping in the scenic area, if you need to buy local specialties (such as Fengdu Spicy Chicken, Nantian Lake Wild Mushrooms, etc.), it is recommended to choose regular shops and pay attention to checking the shelf life of the products.
- There are a large number of tourists in the scenic area on holidays, and parking spaces are tight. It is recommended to travel during off-peak hours or take public transportation; the capacity of sightseeing buses in the scenic area is limited, so you can plan the visiting order in advance to avoid queuing.
- Comply with various regulations in the scenic area, take good care of the environment of the scenic area, do not litter, and do not damage vegetation and public facilities.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from the main urban area of Chongqing, take the Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway and Yinchuan-Baise Expressway, exit at Fengdu East, then go to Nantian Lake Town along Provincial Highway S203, with a total distance of about 180 kilometers and a driving time of about 2.5 hours; starting from Fengdu County, go to Nantian Lake Town along Provincial Highway S203, with a total distance of about 45 kilometers and a driving time of about 1 hour.
- Public transportation: There are long-distance buses directly to Fengdu from Longtousi Bus Station and Sigongli Transportation Hub in the main urban area of Chongqing, with a driving time of about 2 hours; after arriving at Fengdu Bus Station, transfer to the passenger bus from Fengdu to Nantian Lake, with a driving time of about 1 hour. The departure time of the bus is from 7:00 to 17:00, with one bus per hour.
- Internal transportation in the scenic area: Sightseeing buses are available in the scenic area, with routes covering major scenic spots such as the tourist center, Lakeside Park, Paradise Valley and Ski Resort. The operating time is from 8:00 to 18:00; in addition, the scenic area also provides electric sightseeing car rental services.
Opening Hours
Open all year round, the opening hours of the core scenic area are from 8:00 to 18:00; the opening hours of Nantian Lake Ski Resort are adjusted according to seasons. In winter (December to February of the next year), the opening hours are from 8:00 to 17:30; in non-winter seasons, it is only open on weekends and holidays, with opening hours from 9:00 to 17:00; the opening hours of Paradise Valley Forest Park are from 8:00 to 17:00, and entry is stopped at 16:00; the Grassland Camping Base is open 24 hours a day, and the operating time of supporting service facilities is from 8:00 to 22:00. The departure time of the last sightseeing bus in the scenic area is 17:30, and tourists need to pay attention to the return time to avoid missing the bus.
Tickets
The ticket price is 60 RMB per person. You can search for the official WeChat public account "南天湖国家级旅游度假区" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.
