Gele Mountain (歌乐山), a branch of the Jinyun Mountain range, carries an enchanting name rooted in ancient mythology. It is said that when Emperor Yu the Great gathered his allies at Tushan, the guests sang and rejoiced here, giving Gele Mountain its poetic name. The area is filled with natural beauty and cultural significance, blending myth and history in perfect harmony.
As you explore the mountain, you’ll come across captivating sights like the Horse Hoof Well, Dragon Spring Well, and Clever Spring – each one steeped in legend and imbued with the essence of ancient Ba culture. The Ba Culture Sculpture Gallery adds an artistic touch to the landscape, narrating the rich history of the region through its carvings. Nature lovers will be drawn to the serene scenes like “Gele Echoes,” “Cloud Summit Mist,” and “Lion Peak Tranquil Cliff,” all of which have been celebrated for centuries as some of Chongqing’s most breathtaking attractions. For generations, Gele Mountain has been a beloved destination for poets, scholars, and officials, seeking solace in its peaceful beauty.
At the foot of the mountain lies a different kind of attraction – one that tells the somber story of modern history. The Martyrs’ Cemetery is home to sites like the Sino-American Cooperation Institute, the Bai Mansion, and Zhazidong Prison. These locations, part of a scenic area spanning over 10,000 meters, preserve the memory of China’s resistance and martyrdom, with many of them recognized as key national heritage sites.
Travel Information about Gele Mountain
Ticket and Opening Hours
Tickets:
- Bai Mansion and Zhazidong Prison are free, but online reservations are required.
- Gele Mountain Forest Park charges 10 RMB (the park has a timed entry system, and entry is free before 9:00 AM and after 4:30 PM).
- The one-way cable car ticket costs 30 RMB, and the round-trip ticket costs 50 RMB.
Opening Hours:
- Bai Mansion: Closed on Mondays, open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Zhazidong Prison: Closed on Mondays, open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Gele Mountain Forest Park: Open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Best Time to Visit
Visitors can experience the famous “Cloud Summit Mist” of Gele Mountain, especially on foggy days. The area is known for its year-round mist and low-hanging clouds, creating a magical atmosphere. When standing at the mountaintop, tourists can witness the swirling clouds and rolling mists. While it may not rival the vast sea of clouds at Emei Mountain, the picturesque scenery of “half-clouds and half-pines” offers a sense of being in a dreamlike realm.
Access to the Scenic Area
- Location: Gele Mountain Town, Shapingba District, Chongqing.
- Transportation: You can take Bus 278 to Gele Mountain Station or Bus 210 directly to Bai Mansion.
Scenic Ratings
- Cultural Value: ★★★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Distinctiveness: ★★★★
- Scenic Beauty: ★★★
- Thrill: ★★
- Romance: ★
Highlights of Gele Mountain
Gele Lingyin
Gele Lingyin is the most famous attraction in Gele Mountain. The term “Lingyin” refers to the harmonious sounds created by the wind moving through the valley and the gradually rising waves, producing a melodious echo that travels from afar to nearby. When the wind is gentle, the sounds are soft; when the wind is strong, the waves produce a powerful roar. During storms, the winds and waters resonate together, creating a symphony that can be considered one of nature’s most extraordinary performances.
In the Qing Dynasty, Gele Lingyin was recognized as one of the Twelve Scenic Spots of Bayu. The best location to listen to Gele Lingyin is at Shifeng (Lion Peak), which also features the ruins of the old residence of Lu Zhonglin, a general from the late Qing Dynasty, for visitors to explore.
Gele Mountain Forest Park
Gele Mountain Forest Park, located in the Shapingba District, is situated 16 kilometers from downtown Chongqing. Recognized as a national 4A scenic area, it received accolades as both a National Forest Park and a Sports Theme Park in Chongqing in 2003. The park is celebrated for its natural landscapes, which include mountains, water, forests, springs, caves, clouds, and mist. With a style described as “clear, tranquil, ancient, and spacious,” it is often referred to as the “Green Gem of the Mountain City,” serving as a natural oxygen bar alongside Nanshan.
Each year, Gele Mountain Forest Park hosts a variety of events that attract numerous visitors from across the country. Highlights include the Chongqing Gele Mountain Tourism Culture Festival, the “Gele Superstar” arm-wrestling competition, rock climbing competitions for university students, dart tournaments, and the Gele Mountain Mountaineering Festival. Other events such as the May Day Sports Competitions, the Gele Mountain Triathlon, Guinness World Record challenges for juggling, mountain biking competitions, and various climbing contests enrich the park’s appeal. These activities offer guests opportunities to enjoy sightseeing and participate in fitness and leisure activities.
Ecological Trails: The park also features six ecological hiking trails, totaling approximately 2,000 meters in length, situated along the Gele Mountain sightseeing cableway, Liege Road, and within the Gele Mountain National Forest Park. These trails, designed with cultural significance, guide visitors on proper hiking techniques while allowing them to appreciate the rich narratives behind each path.
Sightseeing Cableway: The Gele Mountain sightseeing cableway, known as the first tourist cableway in Chongqing, directly connects to the summit of Gele Mountain, referred to as the “First Peak of Western Chongqing” at Yunding Peak. The cableway spans over 900 meters and operates at a speed of approximately one meter per second, with the entire journey lasting about 17 minutes. Passengers can enjoy breathtaking views of the lush forests as well as the urban landscapes of Jialing River, Shapingba District, Jiangbei District, and Yuzhong District from the gondola.
Gele Mountain Martyrs’ Cemetery
Gele Mountain Martyrs’ Cemetery is situated at the site of the former “China-US Cooperation Society” concentration camp, located in the northwest outskirts of Chongqing, beneath Gele Mountain. As visitors enter the cemetery through the main gate, they are greeted by what was once the parade ground of the “China-US Cooperation Society.” This historic parade ground has been transformed into a beautiful green area, with a large sculpture titled “Immortal” positioned to the east of the parade ground.
To the north of the sculpture lies the main exhibition hall, which houses a permanent exhibition detailing the history of the “China-US Cooperation Society” concentration camp. This exhibition features 490 photographs, 108 artifacts, and a semi-landscape painting depicting the “January 27 Massacre.” It vividly reveals the dark and brutal truths of the Kuomintang concentration camps and the operations of the China-US Special Technical Cooperation Society. The exhibition provides a comprehensive introduction to the heroic struggles of numerous revolutionary martyrs who fought relentlessly for the establishment of New China.
Zhazidong Prison
Zhazidong is located in the suburbs of Chongqing, beneath Gele Mountain, near Ciqikou and Wuling Temple. Originally a small coal mine characterized by its low coal yield and high slag, it earned its name due to these conditions. The site is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces a ravine, making it quite concealed.
In 1938, the Nationalist Party secret police transformed Zhazidong into a secret prison specifically designed to detain and persecute revolutionaries. Many heroic and tragic events took place here. The prison complex consists of an inner and outer courtyard. The inner courtyard houses 16 male cells distributed over two levels, along with two single-story buildings used as female cells. The outer courtyard served as the offices and interrogation rooms for the secret police.
As the founding of New China approached, the Nationalist secret police set fire to Zhazidong, resulting in the tragic deaths of most of the imprisoned revolutionaries. Only 15 managed to escape. Notable red literary works such as “Eternal Life in Flames,” “Red Rock,” and “Sister Jiang” are inspired by the events that unfolded in this harrowing location.
Bai Mansion
Bai Mansion was originally a villa in the outskirts of Chongqing, belonging to the Sichuan warlord Bai Ju. In 1939, the head of the military intelligence, Dai Li, chose this location to serve as a secret detention facility for interrogation and confinement purposes due to its privacy.
After the establishment of the “China-U.S. Cooperation Office” in 1943, Bai Mansion was repurposed as a guesthouse for American military personnel visiting China. However, by 1945, it was once again transformed into a “special detention center,” where numerous individuals were held. This site holds significant historical importance as it reflects the tumultuous events of that era.
Hongyan Spirit Square
Hongyan Spirit Square in Chongqing is the first square in the country named after the spirit of martyrs. Established in 1999 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the “January 27” revolutionary martyrs, it is built on the site of the former “China-U.S. Cooperation Office” parade ground.
The square consists of two main areas: the Observance Zone and the Memorial Zone, connected by a pedestrian bridge that measures 21 meters wide and 18 meters long, creating a seamless integration between the two sections. The overall design of the square is grand and dignified.
In the Observance Zone, the centerpiece is a striking red granite sculpture group titled “Eternal Heroism,” which stands tall and majestic like a giant ruby embedded in a sea of greenery. It captures the essence of “gazing toward dawn from the verdant peaks of Gele Mountain.” At the top of this area is the inverted dome-shaped tomb of the “January 27” martyrs. Complementing this are a collection of poetical inscriptions and a large mural titled “Baptism of Blood and Fire.”
The Memorial Zone features a crystal white marble monument inscribed with the words “Chongqing Gele Mountain Martyrs’ Cemetery,” penned by Comrade Deng Xiaoping. On either side of the central axis, there are 18 granite memorial pillars, crowned with blooming red plums, symbolizing resilience – often interpreted as “breaking the cage to allow plums to bloom.” The tall pillars represent the immortal character of the martyrs, with their walls engraved with the poets’ verses and final words. At the eastern end of the square, the sculptural wall titled “Eternal” frames a musical fountain inscribed with the lyrics and melody of “Praise the Red Plum,” resonating with the martyr sculpture group in the Observance Zone, signifying that although time flows relentlessly, the spirit of the Hongyan heroes is eternally preserved in the river of history.
Visitor Guide for Gele Mountain
Food Options
Gele Mountain is renowned for its bustling farmhouse dining experiences, with dozens of establishments attracting visitors. Among them, notable spots like Tianchi Resort and Longdong Farmhouse have emerged as distinctive options. These establishments have transcended traditional farmhouse economics, standing out in both quality and scale compared to other nearby farmhouses in the Chongqing suburbs.
Tianchi Resort (天池度假村), one of the oldest farmhouse dining venues in Gele Mountain, offers guests the chance to stay in unique water villas or traditional quadrangle courtyards. The resort features a spacious artificial lake, perfect for boating and fishing. The cuisine here is a highlight, with authentic farmhouse dishes made from local ingredients like chicken, duck, fish, and rabbit, alongside innovative river-style dishes.
A must-try local specialty is spicy chicken (辣子鸡). This dish is prepared with particular attention to detail, using freshly slaughtered local roosters to ensure tenderness and flavor. The recipe incorporates high-quality Sichuan peppers and fragrant flower pepper from the region, creating a dish that is aromatic and incredibly appetizing.
Accommodation Recommendations
Gele Mountain is conveniently located near several universities, each offering guesthouses. While the facilities may be basic, they are affordable and provide a sense of security for travelers. Additionally, there are several farmhouses in Gele Mountain Town that offer accommodation. These options typically feature decent conditions and are known for their friendly service, making them a great choice for visitors seeking a comfortable stay while exploring the area.