Black Valley Scenic Area is located in Heishan Town, Wansheng Economic and Technological Development Zone, Chongqing. It is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area, as well as a national forest park and a national geological park. The scenic area has distinct features, including precipitous ridges, peak forests, secluded valleys, steep cliffs, forests, bamboo seas, waterfalls, clear waters, karst caves, antique plank roads, floating bridges, sea of clouds, pastoral scenery, primeval vegetation, rare animals and plants and other landscapes. The area of the scenic area is 100 square kilometers, consisting of two scenic areas, Black Valley and Longlin Stone Sea. The maximum height difference between the mountaintop and the valley bottom is 1,200 meters. The valley is 13 kilometers long, and the slopes on both sides of the river valley are between 70 and 80 degrees. The forest coverage rate reaches 97%. It is the largest natural ecological scenic area with the most intact primitive ecological protection in Chongqing. It is praised by experts as the "Biological Gene Bank of Chongqing and Guizhou" and the "Shennongjia in Southwest China".
History and Culture
The origin of the name of Black Valley is related to the ancient Yelang Kingdom. Here is one of the important residential areas of the Yelang people after they migrated northward. It is said that Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty heard about the beauty of the Princess of Yelang. When his proposal for a marriage alliance was rejected, he launched an attack. The military and civilians of the Yelang Kingdom fought bravely. The princess would rather die than submit and committed suicide in front of the Yelang Princess Peak. Her war horse turned into the Black Mountain Demon to guard the princess. In addition, Black Valley integrates various cultural elements such as the cultures of the Miao and Tujia ethnic groups, as well as the Yelang culture and Bayu culture, forming a unique regional culture.
Main Attractions
Nine-bend Picturesque Screen
Standing in the scenic area and looking at the mountain across, the steep cliffs are circuitous, hidden among the trees, and surrounded by clouds and mist, just like a huge splash-ink landscape painting, hence the name Nine-bend Picturesque Screen. On the far left is a solitary peak, called Mengbi Peak, which is like a painter's brush placed on the easel. It is a fault relic, composed of dolomite of the Loushanguan Group in the Middle and Upper Cambrian. There is a nearly vertical fault plane that is 900 meters long and 100 meters high, and the scratch marks on the fault plane are clearly visible.
Feiyu Waterfall
Close to the South Gate of Black Valley, it is one of the most spectacular waterfalls among the hundreds of waterfalls in the Black Valley Scenic Area, with a drop of about 80 meters. During the flash flood season in summer, the water flow can reach 5 cubic meters per second, just like the Milky Way falling to the ground, with great momentum.
Mengsha Waterfall
It is the most delicate and beautiful waterfall among many waterfalls in Black Valley. It flows slowly along the cliff. Looking across the river, it is graceful, just like a white veil dancing gently in the wind, dreamlike.
Yuanyang Lake
Not far from Hongguo Beach, it is a natural lake with an area of about 1,000 square meters. The lake water is sweet and clear, and the fish swimming at the bottom can be vaguely seen. It got its name because mandarin ducks often play in the lake.
Delicacies
Kiwi Fruit
The kiwi fruit in Black Valley has excellent quality, rich in various nutrients such as vitamin C, and has a sweet and sour taste.
Fangzhu Bamboo Shoots
Fangzhu bamboo shoots are a local characteristic delicacy. The bamboo shoots are thick and delicious, and they are very delicious whether stir-fried or stewed.
Wild Fern Brawn
Wild fern brawn is fresh and tender, with a unique flavor. It is rich in dietary fiber and has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying.
Ciba (Glutinous Rice Cake)
Delicious Ciba can be tasted in the Ciba House of the scenic area. It has a soft and glutinous taste and is a traditional snack with local characteristics.
Admission Tickets
During the peak season (March 1 to October 31), the admission ticket is 85 yuan per person, and during the off-season (November 1 to the end of February of the following year), the admission ticket is 60 yuan per person. The fees for the shuttle bus outside the scenic area, the sightseeing bus inside the scenic area, and the ropeway are not included. The one-way ropeway ticket is 30 yuan (about 6 kilometers), and the one-way sightseeing bus ticket is 30 yuan (about 1 kilometer).
You can search for the official WeChat public account of the scenic area, "万盛旅投", to obtain the latest news or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
During the peak season (March 1 to October 31), it is open from 08:30 to 15:30; during the off-season (November 1 to February 28 of the following year), it is open from 09:00 to 15:00.
Tour Routes
Recommended one-day tour (enter from the South Gate and exit from the North Gate): In the morning, start from the Visitor Center, take the South Gate ropeway to Feiyu Waterfall, and then hike to Yutiao Gorge (4 kilometers on foot); in the afternoon, visit the Chongqing-Guizhou Demarcation Bridge and Shili Gorge, and finally take the North Gate sightseeing bus back. If you have enough time, you can arrange a two-day tour. On the first day, visit the core scenic area, and stay overnight in Tianxing Town to experience the hot spring; on the second day, visit Wansheng Stone Forest (20 kilometers away from Black Valley, with karst landform).
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from the main urban area of Chongqing, take the G75 Lan-Hai Expressway to Wansheng, and then go to the Black Valley Scenic Area, which takes about 1.5 hours and is 63 kilometers away. It is recommended to navigate to the "Black Valley Visitor Center", and the parking fee is 5 yuan per day.
- Public transportation: Take a bus from Sigongli Hub Station or Chenjiaping Bus Station in Chongqing to Wansheng Bus Station (the ticket price is 38 yuan, about 1.5 hours), and transfer to Bus No. 106 to the North Gate or South Gate of the scenic area (the ticket price is 4.5 yuan). You can also take the high-speed rail from Chongqing West Station to Qijiang East Station, and then take a taxi to the scenic area (about 40 minutes).
Must-visit Attractions
- Feiyu Waterfall: With a drop of about 80 meters, it is one of the spectacular waterfalls in the scenic area, especially during the summer flash flood season.
- Nine-bend Picturesque Screen: It is like a huge splash-ink landscape painting, with unique cliff and fault plane landscapes, and Mengbi Peak embellished.
- Shili Gorge: The Liyu River deeply cuts the gorge. The narrowest part is less than 2 meters. The cliffs on both sides are inclined nearly 100 degrees, forming a "one-line sky" wonder, and you can touch the mountain bodies of Chongqing and Guizhou at the same time.
Tour Suggestions
- If you go in summer, you can escape the heat and play in the water. Remember to bring a swimsuit and change of clothes; in autumn, you can enjoy the red leaves, and it is recommended to take photos on the Cloud Trail.
- If you have limited physical strength, you can choose to buy a transportation combo ticket including the sightseeing bus and ropeway to save physical strength and better enjoy the beautiful scenery.
- Arranging a two-day tour can allow you to fully experience the beauty and culture of the scenic area. On the first day, visit the core scenic area of Black Valley, and on the second day, go to Wansheng Stone Forest.
Precautions
- Some sections in the scenic area have steep terrain. When visiting, follow the signs and pay attention to safety. Do not leave the walking path without permission.
- When visiting in summer, take sun protection and mosquito prevention measures; when visiting 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, and the cost is about 50 yuan.