Chongqing Shisun Mountain Scenic Area

Chongqing Shisun Mountain Scenic Area

The Chongqing Shisun Mountain Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Chongqing Shisun Mountain Scenic Area is located in Shisun Mountain, Bailin Village, Hegeng Town, Yongchuan District.

Shisun Mountain belongs to the Yunwu Mountain range and is located in the territory of Bailin, Hegeng Town, southeast of Yongchuan District, Chongqing, about 36 kilometers from downtown Yongchuan. The mountain features two main peaks known as Male Shisun Mountain and Female Shisun Mountain, both reaching an elevation of approximately 700 meters.

Shisun Mountain is rugged and majestic, with undulating and continuous ridges; its peaks are verdant and shaded by lush trees, ancient pines, and cypresses, exuding a rustic charm. The quiet valleys are enveloped in drifting white clouds and misty vapors; the mountain is shrouded in purple haze, creating a hazy and ethereal scene that appears and disappears intermittently.

Climbing to the summit offers a distant view where you can watch the sunrise, admire the sea of clouds, and witness breathtaking phenomena such as “celestial light and cloud shadows,” the “rising sun in the east,” and the “evening glow at sunset.” The strange and magnificent sights are truly delightful.

By taking the risk to climb to the peak and looking out over the vast, boundless mountains, the plains stretch as far as the eye can see. Shisun Mountain resembles an endless natural painting displayed across the boundless land. Gazing at the wild fields and the continuous mountain ranges, a feeling of heroic ambition arises as if soaring to the heavens, making one’s vision broaden and heart expand, evoking the sensation of “viewing the world from Shisun Mountain.”

The sunrise on Shisun Mountain is like a colorful cloud painted by the brush of a deity. In the east, the first light of dawn emerges, dyeing the sky in vibrant hues. The rising sun bursts forth, casting golden rays over all living things on earth, bathing them in a dazzling array of colors. The ever-changing magical scenery is deeply moving and truly astounding.

The sea of clouds on Shisun Mountain not only has the grandeur of the ocean but also presents magical, ethereal, and unpredictable scenes. The sea of clouds, like cotton-like fluff, covers the low mountains and fields—light, soft, fluffy, and billowy, accumulating thickly yet seeming both close at hand and far away. “If I wish to count the flowers in the blue sky, there are nine hundred and ninety-nine lotuses.” These white clouds are refreshing to the spirit and full of poetic charm.

The celestial light and cloud shadows, as well as the evening glow at sunset, are even more mysterious and fantastical, transforming in magical ways. The gentle veil-like mist and the momentum of colorful clouds flying across are captivating. Appreciating the celestial light and cloud shadows provides aesthetic pleasure and artistic inspiration, as well as spiritual and philosophical insights.

The lake and mountain scenery of Shisun Mountain is incredibly beautiful. The stunning Peacock Lake has azure-blue water, resembling a brilliant sapphire embedded among the dense forests of the peculiar peaks and beautiful valleys. When a breeze ripples the surface, the lake sparkles enchantingly, offering a refreshing sense of comfort.

The craftsmanship of nature has carved countless vivid “stone statues.” “Crocodile Rock” gazes fiercely, remarkably lifelike; “Great Sage Rock” has an increasingly realistic expression, capturing every fine detail. The ancient fortress gate guarding the strategic pass still retains its majestic presence, while the crumbling walls of the ancient fortress can be faintly seen, adding an air of mystery to Shisun Mountain.

Shisun Mountain features a dense concentration of scenic spots, where the view changes at every step, presenting magnificent beauty. It is a perfect integration of natural and cultural landscapes. Religious culture forms the main body of Shisun Mountain’s cultural attractions. There are four or five temples of various sizes on Shisun Mountain, along with countless statues of deities of different sizes. “Hearing the golden bell ring upon approaching the mountain, and the fragrance of incense upon entering the temple,” the temples are filled year-round with the continuous burning of incense and thriving Buddhist activities. Practicing Zen and seeking enlightenment, listening to the morning bells and evening drums, and murmuring Buddhist chants offer a uniquely serene and transcendent experience akin to a fairyland on earth.

Male Shisun Mountain earned its name due to its majestic, rough, and towering landscape. The surrounding area of Male Shisun Mountain is covered with bizarre rocks and steep cliffs, making the terrain extremely perilous. Climbing to the summit feels like walking among the clouds, with a panoramic view of the lake and mountain scenery. At the peak stands the Guanyin Hall. Despite the vicissitudes of time, the temple has been destroyed several times and subsequently restored. Inside the hall, the Goddess of Mercy sits serenely on a lotus throne, smiling gently as she observes the mortal world. Ancient legends and a mysterious atmosphere have always made this a popular destination for visitors hiking in spring. During the birthdays of Guanyin on the 19th days of the 2nd, 6th, and 9th lunar months, streams of devout worshippers flock here, creating a lively scene. Behind the Guanyin Hall, there is also a miniature Jade Emperor Hall and South Heaven Gate, each only a few square meters in size.

Female Shisun Mountain echoes Male Shisun Mountain from afar. Its terrain is delicate, graceful, and even more precipitous. To climb to the peak of Female Shisun Mountain, there is only a narrow stone path, and the steep ascent is dizzying. At the summit stands the Laojun Temple, which blends uniquely with the mountain rocks. Standing at the peak, the plains stretch for miles. To the east, you can see the Yangtze River flowing to the horizon; to the south, the misty and hazy Cloud Peak; to the west, you can “converse” intimately with Male Shisun Peak; and to the north, you can view the overlapping mountain ranges. Female Shisun Peak is also known as the “Bamboo Shoot Standing by the Jade Screen.”