Perched about 500 metres above sea level on the slope of Zhenwu Mountain in Chongqing's Nan'an District, this is the city's best-known night-view platform, named after the century-old huangjue tree (Ficus virens, Chongqing's official city tree) preserved on the grounds. The main viewing terrace opened in January 1997 and the six-storey, roughly 28.8-metre observation pavilion followed in January 2002, together offering a sweeping look across the Yangtze to the high-rise skyline of the Yuzhong Peninsula. As of 2026 it operates normally as a ticketed attraction with posted hours of 09:00β22:30 (last entry 22:00), though the city's floodlights and searchlights are switched off around 22:00, so the usable viewing window ends earlier. Treat it as an evening destination: arrive before sunset and stay through blue hour into full darkness.
Highlights
The century-old huangjue tree that gives the site its name ("Yikeshu" means "one tree"). It is Chongqing's designated city tree and the origin of the park's identity.
The "front terrace, rear pavilion" layout: a 600 mΒ² main platform flanked by two 500 mΒ² auxiliary platforms, outlined by some 550 contour lights so the deck itself glows after dark.
The six-storey observation pavilion, about 28.8 m tall and radar-shaped, completed in 2002. It can hold more than 500 visitors at once and houses tea and lounge space on its upper floors.
The panorama of the Yuzhong Peninsula wrapped by the Yangtze, with the Jiefangbei and Hongyadong skyline and its reflection on the water forming the site's signature composition.
Blue hour, roughly 30 minutes after sunset (about 19:30β20:00 in summer), when residual blue in the sky contrasts with the city lights. It makes the single biggest difference to photographs.
Walkable neighbours: Laojundong Taoist temple about 10 minutes away, and Huangjueya Old Street and Tushan Temple each roughly 20 minutes on foot, easy to chain into one half-day route.
Good to know
SeasonChongqing is one of China's notorious "furnace" cities. In July and August temperatures approach 40Β°C with humidity above 80%, and most of the deck is open-air with little shade, so skip midday, go after sunset, and carry water, a handheld fan and sun protection. From December to February the opposite problem applies: fog and low cloud are frequent and the night view can be hazy or entirely obscured, as it can be during heavy rain over the Yangtze basin. If the night view is your main goal, check same-day visibility and keep a spare evening in your itinerary.
RulesEntry requirements differ by nationality; China's temporary visa-free scheme for a number of countries, including South Korea, currently runs to 31 December 2026 for tourism, business and transit stays of up to 30 days. Carry your physical passport regardless, since Chinese attractions frequently require real-name booking and passport verification at the gate.
RulesAlipay and WeChat Pay QR payments are effectively the default here. Both can be linked to a foreign passport and overseas card, but verification can take one to three days, so set it up before you travel. Linking a UnionPay card reduces foreign-card surcharges, and small cash notes are still handy at ticket windows and street stalls.
RulesGoogle, Instagram, WhatsApp and many other overseas services are blocked on mainland networks. International roaming or an overseas eSIM generally routes around this, but relying on local Wi-Fi alone can leave you without maps or messaging. Install Baidu or Amap for navigation and DiDi for ride-hailing before you go up the mountain.
SafetyCrowds head downhill all at once near the 22:00β22:30 closing window, and the last city-bound buses may already have gone. The mountain road is winding with sharp bends and is not a safe walking route at night, so confirm your way back β a DiDi booking or the last bus time β before you go up.
CautionUnlicensed cars touting rides back into the city sometimes work the bus stop and car park area; boarding without agreeing a price first can mean paying several times the normal fare. Use only licensed taxis or app-dispatched DiDi rides, and confirm prices for extras such as instant photo prints or coin-operated telescopes before using them.
MannersThe railing-side spots get very congested on public holidays and weekend evenings. Do not monopolise a position with a tripod, and step aside once you have your shot. Nearby Laojundong and Tushan Temple are working religious sites, so keep noise down and respect posted photography restrictions.
Practical info
Take the Chongqing Metro Loop Line to Shanghao station, leave via Exit 3C and transfer to bus 347 to the Chongwen Road stop, then walk about 300 m; alternatively ride the Yangtze River Cableway to Shangxinjie and connect with bus 364, 384 or 347. Posted hours are 09:00β22:30 with last entry at 22:00, and admission is listed at around 30 RMB (15 RMB for students; free for children under 1.2 m and visitors aged 70 and over) with advance online booking recommended β but fares, hours and booking requirements change, so verify the latest details through official channels before you go.
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