Jinyun Mountain and the Jingangbei Hot Spring Old Village sit about 35 km northwest of downtown Chongqing in Beibei District, reached in around 45 minutes by taking Chongqing Metro Line 6 to Beibei Station and continuing by local bus 520 to the mountain entrance, or bus 518/520 to Jingangbei for the hot springs. Jinyun Mountain is a forested nature reserve with Buddhist temple sites, a network of hiking trails through subtropical woodland, and a cable car for a faster ascent to viewpoints overlooking the Jialing River valley, while Jingangbei Hot Spring Old Village combines riverside geothermal spring pools with a reconstructed historic streetscape of teahouses and shops. A one-day itinerary usually starts with the morning metro ride to Beibei, followed by two to three hours hiking or taking the cable car on Jinyun Mountain, then lunch in Beibei town, which has a wide range of Sichuan-style noodle shops and river-fish restaurants. The afternoon suits a visit to Jingangbei, a short bus ride from Beibei Station, where visitors can soak in the hot spring pools or stroll the riverside old village before returning to the metro for the trip back downtown. Summer (June-September) is the most popular season, since Jinyun Mountain's elevation offers a noticeably cooler escape from Chongqing's basin heat, while October-November brings autumn foliage on the mountain trails; hot springs are enjoyable year-round but especially popular in cooler months.
| Distance | About 35 km northwest of downtown Chongqing |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 45 minutes: metro Line 6 to Beibei Station, then local bus 520 to the mountain |
| Getting there | Mode: Metro and bus; Detail: Chongqing Metro Line 6 to Beibei Station, then local bus 520 up to Jinyun Mountain; the same station connects to Jingangbei Hot Spring Old Village via bus 518/520 |
| Cost | CNY 7 metro + CNY 2 bus each way; Jinyun Mountain entrance around CNY 60-70; Jingangbei hot springs CNY 88 (weekdays) to CNY 118 (weekends) |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Address | Jinyun Mountain Scenic Area, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400700, China |
How to get there
- Metro: Line 6 from Jiaochangkou to Beibei Station (about CNY 7)
- Bus: Route 520 from Beibei Station to Jinyun Mountain entrance (about CNY 2, 45 minutes total from downtown)
- Bus: Route 518 or 520 from Beibei Station (exit 4B) to Jingangbei Station for the hot springs and riverside ancient village
- Taxi/DiDi from Beibei Station for a faster final leg
Weather through the year in China
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for China.
Location
Jinyun Mountain Scenic Area, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400700, China
29.8244, 106.3903 View on map
Highlights
- Jinyun Mountain's forested hiking trails and Buddhist temple sites
- Cable car views over the Jialing River valley
- Jingangbei Hot Spring Old Village's geothermal pools beside a reconstructed historic streetscape
- Easy metro access via Chongqing Metro Line 6 to Beibei Station
- Beibei town's Sichuan-style noodle shops and river-fish restaurants
Tips for visiting
- Take Metro Line 6 directly to Beibei Station, the transfer point for both the mountain and the hot springs
- Use bus 520 for Jinyun Mountain and bus 518 or 520 for Jingangbei, both departing from Beibei Station
- Visit the hot springs on a weekday to benefit from the lower CNY 88 rate versus the CNY 118 weekend rate
- Bring a swimsuit and towel for the hot springs, since rentals may be limited or costlier on-site
- Pair a morning hike on Jinyun Mountain with an afternoon soak at Jingangbei for a balanced day
When to visit
Summer weekdays combine cooler mountain air with the lower weekday hot-spring rate; October-November adds autumn foliage on the trails.
Frequently asked questions
Can Jinyun Mountain and Jingangbei Hot Springs both be done in one day?
Yes, both are accessible from Beibei Station by short bus rides, making it feasible to hike in the morning and soak in the hot springs in the afternoon.
How difficult is the hike on Jinyun Mountain?
Trails range from easy paved paths to steeper forest sections; the cable car offers a shortcut for those who prefer not to hike the full ascent.
Is the hot spring open year-round?
Yes, Jingangbei's hot spring pools operate year-round and are especially popular during cooler months.
What is the price difference between weekday and weekend hot spring admission?
Admission runs about CNY 88 on weekdays and CNY 118 on weekends.