Black Valley Scenic Area is located in Heishan Town, Wansheng Economic and Technological Development Zone, Chongqing. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, as well as a national forest park and a national geopark. The scenic area has distinct features, including steep mountains, peaks, secluded gorges, cliffs, forests, bamboo seas, waterfalls, clear waters, karst caves, antique plank roads, floating bridges, sea of clouds, countryside, primitive vegetation, rare animals and plants, and other landscapes. Covering an area of 100 square kilometers, the scenic area consists of two parts: Black Valley and Longlin Shihai. The maximum height difference between the top of the mountain and the bottom of the valley is 1200 meters, the gorge is 13 kilometers long, the slope on both sides of the river valley is 70-80 degrees, and the forest coverage rate reaches 97%. It is currently the largest natural ecological scenic area in Chongqing with the best-preserved primitive ecology, and is praised by experts as the "Yugian Gene Bank" and "Southwest Shennongjia".
Historical Culture
The origin of the name Black Valley is related to the ancient Yelang Kingdom. This place was one of the important settlements after the northern migration of the Yelang people. Legend has it that Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty heard of the beauty of the Yelang princess and proposed a marriage alliance, but when it failed, he sent troops to attack. The soldiers and civilians of the Yelang Kingdom fought hard to resist, and the princess, preferring death to submission, committed suicide in front of the Yelang Princess Peak. Her warhorse turned into the Heishan Old Demon to guard the princess. In addition, Black Valley also integrates the cultures of ethnic minorities such as the Miao and Tujia, as well as Yelang culture, Bayu culture and other cultural elements, forming a unique regional culture.
Main Attractions
Shenlong Waterfall
Shenlong Waterfall is a highly imposing waterfall landscape in Wansheng Black Valley. With a drop of approximately 80 meters and a width of about 15 meters, the water rushes down from the steep cliff. Upon hitting the rocks, it forms layers of water mist, and under the refraction of sunlight, a brilliant rainbow often appears. At the foot of the waterfall, there is a deep pool with crystal-clear water. Surrounded by green trees, the waterfall booms loudly, presenting a magnificent momentum. Visitors can watch it up close along the plank road and feel the grandeur of "water flying down three thousand feet". It is one of the iconic highlights among the water landscapes in Black Valley.
Feiyu Waterfall
Close to the south gate of Black Valley, it is one of the most spectacular waterfalls among the hundreds of waterfalls in Black Valley Scenic Area, with a drop of about 80 meters. During the flood season in summer, the water flow can reach 5 cubic meters per second, like the Milky Way pouring down from the sky, with great momentum.
Black Valley Gorge
Black Valley Gorge is the core landscape of the scenic area, with a total length of 13 kilometers and the narrowest part only 1.9 meters. There is a large altitude drop in the gorge, forming a unique "one gorge spanning two regions" landscape (spanning Wansheng, Chongqing and Tongzi, Guizhou). There are gurgling streams in the valley, and the vegetation coverage rate on both sides is as high as 97% or more. Rare plants such as taxus chinensis and davidia involucrata grow here, and national protected animals such as black leaf monkeys and clouded leopards inhabit here. Dozens of waterfalls are distributed along the way, among which the waterfall with the largest drop reaches more than 100 meters, with splashing water and magnificent momentum.
Yu-Qian Boundary Bridge
Yu-Qian Boundary Bridge is a small bridge spanning the gorge in Wansheng Black Valley. It is not only a physical node connecting Wansheng, Chongqing and Tongzi, Guizhou, but also a symbol of the unique geographical landscape of "one gorge spanning two regions". The bridge deck is narrow and exquisite, about 10 meters long and only about 2 meters wide, with guardrails on both sides and a gurgling stream below. Standing on the bridge, you can cross Chongqing and Guizhou with one step. Under your feet is the boundary monument between the two provinces, and the canyon scenery around is panoramic. It has the special significance of geographical division, and because it is located in the deep canyon, it has become a popular place for tourists to check in and take photos, experiencing the wonderful feeling of "one foot in two provinces".
Tour Routes
Recommended one-day tour (enter from South Gate and exit from North Gate): In the morning, start from the tourist center, take the South Gate cableway to Feiyu Waterfall, then hike to Yutiao Gorge (4 kilometers on foot); in the afternoon, visit Yu-Qian Boundary Bridge and Shili Gorge, and finally take the North Gate sightseeing bus to return. If time permits, you can arrange a two-day tour: on the first day, visit the core scenic area and stay in Tianxing Town to experience hot springs; on the second day, visit Wansheng Stone Forest (20 kilometers from Black Valley, with karst landform).
Travel Suggestions
- You can go in summer to avoid the heat and play in the water, remember to bring swimsuits and change of clothes; in autumn, you can enjoy the red leaves, and it is recommended to take photos on the Cloud Walkway.
- If you have limited physical strength, you can choose to buy a transportation combined ticket including sightseeing buses and cableways to save energy and better enjoy the beautiful scenery.
- Arranging a two-day tour can allow you to experience the beauty and culture of the scenic area more fully. Visit the core area of Black Valley on the first day and go to Wansheng Stone Forest on the second day.
- Some sections in the gorge are wet and muddy. In summer, you need to pay attention to anti-slip, and in winter, there may be ice, so you need to walk carefully.
- If you plan to experience the rafting project, you need to prepare change of clothes in advance. There are storage places and shower facilities in the scenic area.
- The trails in the scenic area are long, so it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and carry a walking stick with you to reduce the burden on your legs.
Matters Needing Attention
- Some sections in the scenic area are steep. When visiting, follow the signposts, pay attention to safety, and do not leave the trails without permission.
- When visiting in summer, take sun protection and anti-mosquito measures; in winter, keep warm, and some sections may be slippery.
- The last return bus departs at 16:30. Arrange your time reasonably to avoid missing it. Otherwise, you need to take a taxi back to Wansheng urban area, which costs about 50 yuan.
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Picking plants and catching wild animals are strictly forbidden to protect the ecological environment.
- Minors, the elderly and the infirm need to be accompanied by their families when visiting, and avoid acting alone.
- Rafting has certain risks. Before participating, read the safety instructions carefully, wear a life jacket, and follow the instructions of the staff.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from downtown Chongqing, take G75 Lanhai Expressway to Wansheng, then go to Black Valley Scenic Area, about 1.5 hours and 63 kilometers. It is recommended to navigate to "Black Valley Tourist Center", and the parking fee is 5 yuan per day.
- Public transportation: Take a bus from Chongqing Siguangli Hub Station or Chenjiaping Bus Station to Wansheng Bus Station (ticket price 38 yuan, about 1.5 hours), then transfer to No. 106 bus to the North Gate or South Gate of the scenic area (ticket price 4.5 yuan). You can also take the high-speed rail from Chongqing West Station to Qijiang East Station, then take a taxi to the scenic area (about 40 minutes).
Opening Hours
Peak season (March 1 to October 31): 08:30-15:30; Off-season (November 1 to February 28 of the next year): 09:00-15:00.
Tickets
The ticket price for peak season (March 1 to October 31) is 85 yuan per person, and for off-season (November 1 to the end of February of the next year) is 60 yuan per person. It does not include fees for shuttle buses outside the scenic area, sightseeing buses and cableways inside the scenic area. The one-way ticket for the cableway is 30 yuan (about 6 kilometers), and the one-way ticket for the sightseeing bus is 30 yuan (about 1 kilometer).
You can search for the official WeChat public account of the scenic area "万盛旅投" to get the latest news or buy tickets online.