Nanshan Huangge Ancient Path to Laojun Cave Trail

The Huangge Ancient Path trailhead sits within the wider Nanshan Scenic Area in Nan'an District, about 9 km from central Chongqing, and is reached by bus 320 or a roughly 20-minute taxi ride from Nan'an District; entry is free, though a small donation is customarily made at the Laojun Cave temple. The trail follows an old stone post-road once used to carry goods between Chongqing and the districts to the south, connecting four historic sites - the Huangge Ancient Path itself, Laojun Cave, Tushan Temple and the Qingshuixi stream section - over a distance of about 6 km and a climb of roughly 300 m. The stone paving underfoot is original in places, worn smooth by centuries of foot traffic, and the route passes through forested hillside for most of its length, with the temperature noticeably cooler under the tree canopy than in the open sections near the trailhead. Laojun Cave, a Taoist shrine built into the hillside, sits at roughly the trail's midpoint and makes a natural rest stop as well as a reasonable turn-around point for a shorter 3-4 km round trip; continuing past it leads to Tushan Temple, a hilltop Buddhist temple with views back over the forested ridge, and finally down to the Qingshuixi stream, where the trail follows the water for its final stretch. Seasonal teahouses operate along parts of the route, though not reliably enough to depend on, so carrying water and snacks is sensible. The path's stone surface can be slick when wet or in the humid summer months, when insect repellent is also worth packing, and layered clothing helps with the temperature swings between the shaded forest sections and the more open ridge stretches near the trailhead and Tushan Temple.