Family Trip Around Chengdu: Return to Nature and Stay in a Fairy-Tale Treehouse

"Worship the water at Dujiangyan, seek the Tao at Mount Qingcheng." I never expected to find such a hidden gem in Dujiangyan, surrounded by mountains. Forests, treehouses, small lakes, and the starry sky visible at night—these are all things that people living in the city dream of. After being cooped up at home for over two months, Chengdu finally began to recover. I couldn't wait to bring Zhang Xiaomeng here. I heard that Animix is perfect for family trips, with treehouses, family rooms, and forest cabins, just like living in a fairy tale.

About Animix

Animix International Resort is located in Dujiangyan, a treasure for family trips around Chengdu. The "Animix" Tixing Valley Eco-Hotel within Dujiangyan Lotus Lake has been officially recognized by National Geographic, becoming one of the top 50 institutions globally to receive this honor. It is also the only creative eco-resort hotel group in a comprehensive tourist destination selected in China, becoming a new member of National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World.

About Transportation

Animix is located in Dujiangyan Lotus Lake (if driving, search for "Animix" on Baidu Maps). From my home (Wuhou Flyover) to Animix, it takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes by car (a total of 74 km, including about 30 km of expressway, with very good road conditions throughout. Especially near Animix, the roadside is full of blooming rapeseed flowers. If you come in early March, it will be very beautiful. Since we went on a weekend, the weather was nice, and there were many people driving out to barbecue and picnic along the way. This route is one of the most popular weekend trips for Chengdu locals.)

About the Hotel

The most distinctive feature of Animix is its rooms. There are several types: treehouses, family rooms, forest cabins, and space capsules. Each type has its own characteristics. I have only stayed in the treehouse and forest cabin so far.

Treehouse: Every treehouse is named after a constellation, hidden among the mountains and surrounded by bamboo forests. Staying here, you can completely immerse yourself in nature. Through the glass window on the roof, you can even see the long-lost starry sky.

Forest Cabin: The forest cabins are located at the end of Tixin Valley, feeling like a secret realm within the forest. Compared to the treehouse, the forest cabin is slightly larger. If you bring a child and didn't get a family room, I recommend booking this type.

This is the treehouse at Animix! Their treehouses are not built on a large tree, but instead, they choose a spot in the mountains and build a small wooden cabin among the trees using wood. Such rooms are more natural and comfortable.

Every room is an independent wooden cabin, each in a different color, and each represents a different constellation. One red cabin is Leo, looking very passionate.

The whole cabin gives me a feeling of returning to nature. Upon entering, the room is not very large, but just right for two people.

Since we brought a child, we chose the forest cabin. Compared to the treehouse, the forest cabin has a larger indoor area, perfect for a child.

The room also provides water and snacks for free—definitely a thumbs up!

Outside is a small terrace where you can lie down and have zero-distance contact with nature.

Also, there is a cool "Star Ark" room in the resort. It is the cheapest of all room types, located a bit farther away and not inside Tixing Valley.

Recreational Facilities

The biggest feature of Animix is its Fox Barbarian Planet with abundant recreational facilities, a paradise for children. Even if you don't stay here, you can bring kids to play these activities separately.

Fox Barbarian Planet ticket: 60 yuan (includes entry). Recommended family three-person ticket: 199 yuan/3 people (includes: zip line experience, rock climbing, archery, trampoline). Also available is a combo ticket: 199 yuan/3 people (zip line experience, rock climbing, free fall, archery, Fox Net, go-kart, trampoline). Kayak: single 68 yuan/person; double 128 yuan (40 minutes experience).

Fox Net is a popular spot for kids, but you need to be taller than 1.2 meters to play.

Fox Net has three levels; you can choose one level to challenge, or try all three. Most people, whether adults or children, gather on the second level. I saw a child on the third level—really impressive, because many adults dare not go to the third level.

Go-kart also requires children to be taller than 1.2 meters, as they need to drive themselves. The go-karts are slow and safe, suitable for children. Adults who like thrills can pass.

Next to the go-kart is archery, with adult bows and children's bows, so both adults and kids can play.

Kayaking on the resort's lake is highly recommended. Spring is a great time for kayaking, as the weather is not too hot and the sun is not too strong. The scenery along the riverbanks is also beautiful.

Bounce Camp is a paradise for children under 1.2 meters. Although they can't play many activities, this place is definitely their heaven. Zhang Xiaomeng didn't want to leave when she entered; she played for hours before agreeing to go.

Besides Bounce Camp, Fox Barbarian Planet has many free children's facilities, such as ball pits and slides.

There are also some outdoor gadgets that kids love.

The last stop is one of the most popular activities at Fox Barbarian Planet: zip line experience and rock climbing. We played around the resort and arrived just in time for the last session of zip line experience (4:00 PM). There were really a lot of people on the weekend. I suggest if you buy the combo ticket, come earlier to do this activity, because many people leave it for last, and then wait in line to put on gear, which is time-consuming.

Just like our "jungle zip-lining" experience in Thailand, there are several routes built at Animix Resort in Dujiangyan. They also have "short routes" and "long routes." Since we went during the epidemic period, we only experienced the short route.

After the zip line experience, you need to return to the starting point to change gear, then continue to rock climbing. Rock climbing is physically demanding—those who reach the top are heroes.

Lock Bar is the only restaurant in the resort, where Huaiyang cuisine and Sichuan cuisine blend into a unique style. I recommend ordering the embroidered ball tofu to witness the chef's incredible knife skills.

"Cuisine" is the art of food. When we usually cook, it's just making dishes. Only when a master cooks for us can it be called "cuisine." Cuisine emphasizes craftsmanship, skillfully combining different ingredients to achieve perfect color, aroma, taste, and form—truly an art of food.

"Stewed Morel Mushroom with Embroidered Ball Tofu in Broth" is a dish that best showcases knife skills. The tofu is cut into the shape of an embroidered ball by the chef.

Their Sichuan dishes are also authentic. No matter your taste, coming here is a good choice. Okay, I'll stop here. The weather in Chengdu is getting hotter, the pandemic is almost over, and kids haven't started school yet—they're going stir-crazy at home. Take your kids out; you don't need to go far. Dujiangyan is just fine.