Vista Chinesa Walking Tour
Vista Chinesa - A Chinese Pavilion and one of the best views Rio has to offer
If you want to enjoy what many consider one of the best views of Rio, head on up to the Vista Chinesa where you'll get to enjoy spectacular views of the city and mountains without the high cost involved in getting to some of the other vantage points. You will also get a taste of Chinese culture as it was represented in Brazil.
Vista Chinesa is a lookout featuring a Chinese style pavilion located in the Tijuca Forest of Rio de Janeiro. It was inaugurated in 1903 by the mayor of Rio Periera Passos and was restored in 2013 after 110 years of existence. The restoration included a new paint job and manual restoration to maintain the style of the monument. It is thought the monument was built to commemorate the arrival of Chinese in Rio de Janeiro bringing tea to the Portuguese. Unfortunately, the tea plantations were not overly successful though it is not certain whether this was due to incompetence on the part of the plantation managers or due to an incompatible environment.
The Vista Chinesa is situated at 380 meters above sea level and presents beautiful views of the South Zone of Rio, the Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugarloaf mountain and the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. The view alone is enough to make this hike worth your while.
Since 1961 the Tijuca rainforest has been designated as a national park and is home to a wide variety of plant and wildlife. This rainforest has approximately 30 waterfalls including the Cascatinha Waterfall and is a very popular place to visit if you are in Rio de Janeiro, not only for its attractions, vistas, and nature, but also for the opportunities to engage in hiking, running, cycling and even longboarding.
This is more of an uphill walk on a paved road than a hike. From where the bus drops you off to the lookout is a tad under 4 kilometres. It should take you about one hour to walk at a modest pace, however, with stops to enjoy the surroundings along the way you should count on it taking longer. Going back it's all downhill and therefore a little faster. We recommend that you allow a minimum of 2 hours for the round trip from the bus stop; but 2½ hours is probably more ideal.
We highly recommend using our verified directions below for this attraction. Automated walking directions are in beta and may not be suitable or safe for this attraction.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: NoVista Chinesa Walking Tour Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: Estr. da Vista Chinesa, S/N - Alto da Boa Vista, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20531-590, Brazil
Official Website: Vista Chinesa Walking Tour
Vista Chinesa Walking Tour Reviews
Rated out of 5
Vista Chinesa offers one of the most stunning views in Rio de Janeiro, blending nature and the city perfectly. The Chinese-style pavilion, surrounded by the lush Tijuca Forest, provides panoramic views of Rio’s iconic landmarks like Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the beaches. It’s a peaceful spot, great for photography or just soaking in the scenery. The drive up through the forest is scenic, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination. Highly recommend visiting early for fewer crowds and clearer skies.
Drake Masters - 3 weeks ago
There are some gorgeous trails and viewpoints all along the road and this is one of them. Take about half a day to go around all of them, you can spend more time if you want to do the many trails available.
The forest area and greenery are worth visiting and the security staff at the gates are very helpful. Keep some water with you as it can get hot and humid in the trail areas depending on when you go. It is also great for biking if you are up for it. There are no rentals available at the spot, so you will have to arrange for these beforehand elsewhere.
VJ - 6 years ago
When visiting the state park this was a must see portion of the experience. The views are stunning and allow you to see so much of Rio.
Jamie Rady - a year ago
Very nice viewpoint. On Sunday the road is closed to cars, perfect for a bike ride
Guido Boffetta - 3 weeks ago
Directions
| Metro and Metro Bus and City Bus Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 - Orange or Line 2 - Green | Botafogo | 2 Hours Round Trip |
How to get to Vista Chinesa Walking Tour by Metro and Metro Bus and City Bus
Take the Metro to Botafogo Station. Take the Saõ Clemente exit and walk back to the bus stop eastbound on Rua Saõ Clemente just east of Rua Nelson Mandela. Catch the #409 Jardim Botanico city bus and ride to the last bus stop on Rua Pacheco Leao. This is a regular city bus and will require a separate cash fare both going and returning after you hike, so make sure you have the appropriate fare ready. Exit the bus and continue up Rua Pacheco Leao going right at the 'Y' up Estrado Dona Castorina. Continue walking into the park and simply follow the paved road all the way to the lookout. Note that there is no sidewalk on this road, and while it is quiet, you should be vigilant for cars.
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Accommodations near Vista Chinesa Walking Tour:
Photo Gallery
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The spectacular view from the Vista Chinesa lookout cc licensed photo by Leonardo Shinagawa -
Entrance to the Tijuca National Park cc licensed photo by Santaum -
Photo Credit: TumaTickr - cc license via Flickr
Video
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