This is the shocking moment a monkey ripped off a woman's wig on a nature trail in China.

Footage shows the primate sitting near the holidaymaker before suddenly grabbing her hairpiece at Qianling Mountain in Guizhou on April 14.

The toupee fell to the ground, prompting the woman to quickly retrieve it from the pavement.

Her friends can be heard laughing at the unexpected incident, while the monkey climbed onto a nearby guardrail post.

The embarrassed woman did not sustain any injuries from the encounter.

Authorities urge tourists to keep a safe distance from monkeys, as these animals may become aggressive if they feel threatened.

Monkey bites can pose serious health risks, including wound infections, the herpes B virus, and rabies.