Nanshan Scenic Area Ridge Walk (Laojun Dong to Yikeshu)

The ridge walk between Laojun Dong (Old Lord's Cave) and the Yikeshu (One Tree) viewing platform runs along the spine of Nanshan (South Mountain) in Nan'an District, on the south bank of the Yangtze across from central Chongqing. The trailhead at Laojun Dong is reached via Chongqing Rail Transit Line 6 to Shangxinjie Station, followed by a short walk or a local bus ride up Long-Huang Road into the Nanshan Scenic Area; there is no permit requirement, though parking near the trailhead is limited on weekends. The one-way stretch to Yikeshu covers roughly 6-8 km, with the full ridge loop extending to about 18 km round trip when it takes in Tushan Temple and the botanical garden. The ridge tops out near 681 m, with cumulative climbing of about 300 m on the full loop, making for a sustained but non-technical uphill grade. The surface alternates between paved scenic-area walkways, packed dirt forest paths, and short stretches of stone steps; exposure is minimal since most of the route runs beneath a canopy of pine and cypress, though a few open viewpoints along the ridge catch full sun and wind. Key landmarks include the Laojun Dong cave shrine near the start, several roadside pavilions used by local hikers for rest stops, and the Yikeshu platform itself, a single large tree beside an overlook that has become the customary turnaround point for hikers doing a there-and-back walk rather than the full loop. Hikers continuing past Yikeshu toward Tushan Temple and the botanical garden should budget an extra two hours. There are no staffed refuge huts along the ridge, but small snack vendors and tea stalls operate near the main pavilions on weekends, and public restrooms are available at the scenic-area entrances. Water is not available along the trail itself, so hikers should carry what they need. The route is popular at dawn and dusk for its night views over the Yangtze and the illuminated Chongqing skyline, and can become crowded on weekend evenings.