Celestial Ladder of Love Hiking Trail
Trail Highlights
Tucked away in Chongqing’s Jiangjin District, The Ladder of Love Hiking Trail is a captivating 2.2-kilometer trail, perfect for intermediate hikers.
Nestled in the scenic Simian Mountain region, this trail offers breathtaking views and a deeply moving experience tied to one of China’s most iconic love stories.
As you ascend the 6,208 hand-carved stone steps, you’ll uncover the remarkable tale of Liu Guojiang, who devoted decades to crafting this path for his beloved wife, Xu Chaoqing.
Visitors will not only be immersed in stunning natural beauty but also inspired by the enduring power of love etched into every step.
Getting to Ladder of Love Hiking Trail
From our information so far, driving is the only option to get to this hiking trail. It sits approximately 30 kilometers away from Jiangjin’s Zhongshan Ancient Town.
From Chongqing, drive on the highway and get off from the highway at Zhongshan Exit. From there, drive towards the Ladder of Love Parking Lot. You can park your car at the designated parking area, and it is a paid parking lot. A park staff will come to get your payment.
Things to Know Before Visiting
Restaurant
At the trail’s summit, the descendants of Liu Guojiang and Xu Chaoqing maintain the couple’s historic home and operate a small convenience shop.
They offer water, snacks, and douhua fan (tofu pudding with rice), a local delicacy. Prices are slightly higher than market rates, and as supplies are carried up the same trail you’ll hike. Consider resting at their home, exploring this living piece of history, and supporting their efforts by purchasing refreshments or enjoying a bowl of douhua fan (which comes with chili oil).
Hiking
This hiking trail is a 2.2-kilometer, one-way loop trail. The hike takes approximately 2 to 3 hours to complete, leading you up 6,208 hand-carved stone steps to the former home of Liu Guojiang and Xu Chaoqing. From the summit, a newly constructed path guides you back down to the park entrance.
This trail is best suited for experienced hikers due to its challenging terrain and significant elevation gain over short distances. It is not recommended for first-time hikers. Certain sections require squatting to maintain balance and gripping metal chains for support, demanding physical agility and stamina.
Beyond the physical challenge, you’ll be immersed in breathtaking views of the Simian Mountain region and inspired by the enduring love story of Liu Guojiang, who chiseled these steps for his wife, Xu Chaoqing. The trail offers a unique blend of adventure, history, and romance, making it a rewarding experience for prepared hikers.
Hikers are reminded to stay on paved trails. Do not go into the forest without permission.
Wildlife
Insects
There are lots of insects in the forest due to its hot and humid environment. Protective clothing and insect repellents are recommended for this trail.
Restroom
There are restrooms at the park entrance.
There will be no restroom when you start the hiking trail up until you get to their home. Trash cans can be found along the trail.
Drone
There is no active signage to prevent from flying a drone.
Cell Service
Limited to no cellular connection along the trail.
Fire Ban
Fire ban in effect all year round, no exception. All visitors have to be registered at the checkpoint before being allowed to enter the park.
Smoking
Smoking is strictly prohibited at this park.
Pets
Pets and domestic animals are not recommended for this trip.
Camping
Camping is not permitted at this park. Stay on paved trails. Do not go into the forest without permission.
Accessibility
This trail is not recommended for people with mobility issues.
Celestial Ladder of Love Trail Routes
- Parking Lot
- Tourist Centre (Restroom available)
- Mutual Guard Tomb
- Home of Liuguojiang’s Son (Restroom available)
- Story Museum
- First Step of The Celestial Ladder (Restroom available)
- Hiking Trail
- Former Residence (Restroom available)
- The Rock Shelter
- Mountain Waterfall
- Story Museum
- Tourist Centre
Hiking Experience at The Celestial Ladder of Love
We begin our hiking journey from the parking lot and are greeted by a love-themed suspension bridge. At this place, everything is love-themed, even the signs are with love.
Check out this sign. I assume it says “Watch your steps, or you will fall with love.”
The path winds along a babbling stream, framed by pristine forests and vibrant vegetation, offering breathtaking views that make every step a joy. Yet, the humid air teems with insects, so pack repellent to fully savor this enchanting hike.
Next up, you will see the Narration Pavalion, which talks about Xu Chaoqing and Liu Guojiang’s love story. If you want to save energy for hiking, you can skip it and just read my summary below.
In 1956, 19-year-old Liu Guojiang fell in love with 29-year-old Xu Chaoqing, a widow with four children. Defying societal scorn and traditional pressures, they fled to the remote wilderness of Simian Mountain with Xu’s children in tow. Here, in a secluded haven far from judgment, they built a life together, raising seven children (three of whom survived after the tragic loss of their youngest daughter).
When Liu Guojiang and his family settled in Simian Mountain, only a perilous path trodden by hunters and wild animals connected their home to the world below. Xu Chaoqing once fell, her body bruised from the treacherous terrain.
Determined to protect his loved ones, Liu embarked on a monumental task: carving a safe path down the mountain.
For over 50 years, he chiseled through stone, felled trees, and cleared moss, breaking 20 hammers and 40 steel rods. His solitary, tender labor gave birth to this 6,208 steps trail – a trail of love.
Life on the mountain was harsh in the early years. With limited arable land, the family often went hungry, relying on foraged wild greens, banana roots, and ferns seasoned with salt.
Using rudimentary tools, Liu Guojiang and Xu Chaoqing reclaimed the rugged terrain, growing sweet potatoes, corn, and pumpkins, alongside vegetables like cucumbers, eggplants, radishes, and peppers. Rice and meat were rare treats, savored only during festivals, a testament to their resilience in building a life from the wilderness.
As you walk down the trail, you will be greeted by this rock which marks the first step of the trail. There are still 6000 steps to go.
Be extremely careful as you climb up, as moss and sand on the stones can become slippery, especially after rain.
Some sections, propped by wooden beams, hang over cliffs; others, nearly vertical, with steps up to 40 cm high, demand careful navigation.
This was left from the trail. The Small handholds, known as “handkerchief grips,” offer support.
Stick to marked paths—unpaved areas near cliffs pose hidden dangers. Wear sturdy, non-slip hiking shoes; sandals or flat shoes are unsafe on this challenging terrain. Safety is paramount to fully enjoy this remarkable trail.
After taking all the steps, you will arrive at the former residence of Liu and Xu. It’s humbling to imagine Liu and Xu’s family thriving in such isolation.
Today, their descendants maintain the couple’s home, running a small shop at the summit.
They sell water, snacks, douhua fan (tofu pudding with rice 豆花饭), and refreshing Chongqing specialties like ice jelly (冰粉). Prices are slightly higher, as they carried all the supplies up from the bottom of the mountain, and through the same hiking trail.
When tourists arrive, they warmly offer refreshments and a glimpse into their heritage, preserving the spirit of their parents’ tranquil, love-filled life.
Near the summit, to the left of their house, stairs are taking you up to where their parents first stayed. A simple overhang, not quite a cave, where they stored stacks of firewood. This space speaks to their early struggles, a poignant reminder of the life they built from nothing but love and determination.
The trail going down to the parking lot is easier. It is a different trail built by the park to allow tourists to descend more safely.
On the way back, I reflected on Liu and Xu’s life, which echoed Tao Yuanming’s Peach Blossom Spring. Like that fabled utopia, their mountain haven was a world apart, free from gossip and strife, where they lived a pure, pastoral life with their children.
Though no one knows if Tao’s paradise exists, Simian Mountain feels like its closest kin—a place of love and tranquility, yet grounded in the real sacrifices of a devoted couple.
The descent follows a newer, park-built trail, designed for safety with handrails and gentler slopes. Unlike the original, steep path Liu carved, this route offers a smoother return, though it still holds some challenges. Compared to the ascent, it’s a welcome relief, guiding you back to the park entrance with ease.
