Escape the Heat near Chengdu | Visit Tongqu Yinquan with Your Beloved
In the scorching summer, many people plan a summer escape, and Mount Qingcheng, renowned as 'the most serene place under heaven,' becomes an ideal destination for many. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Mount Qingcheng not only boasts excellent natural ecology but also features many inns and hotels worth staying for days. Here, I encountered the unforgettable Tongqu Yinquan Hot Spring Resort, where dining, drinking, entertainment, and leisure are all imbued with poetic charm. If you have the chance, be sure to bring your beloved to Tongqu Yinquan—this romantic experience will leave a lifelong impression.
1. At Tongqu Yinquan, Encounter a Moment of Pure Tranquility
Meeting Tongqu Yinquan was a serendipitous encounter during my travels on Mount Qingcheng. I set out at dawn and spent a full day exploring the mountain, truly amazed by its beauty. Yet in my heart, I thought: if I grow tired, I'll simply stay here and rest. On a local friend's recommendation, I learned that fireflies can be seen on the back mountain at night, so I ended up coming across Tongqu Yinquan Hot Spring Resort halfway up the mountain—and thus began a beautiful fate.
The name Tongqu Yinquan Hot Spring Resort is quite interesting. Later, I learned that 'Tongqu' is a homophone for 'childlike fun' and also for 'let's go together.' When do we think of 'together'? It's when we encounter something wonderful and want to share it with family and friends. In 'The Colors of a Cabin,' there is a passage: 'I need a piece of land, a remote one, to be precise. I want an outdoor place prepared for friends, where people can forget about work and instead collaborate closely and hone new skills.' In fact, Tongqu Yinquan Resort is like that treasure—a place prepared for friends to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Tongqu Yinquan Resort is located halfway up the back mountain of Mount Qingcheng in Dujiangyan. Its Chinese architectural style combines simplicity with elegance—a courtyard with a square skywell, white pebbles, and pure white walls that seem to crumble away a leisurely time. The nearby mountains are so close you could almost touch them; the wind rustling through the treetops is the sound of time itself. Tongqu Yinquan in the rain has a special charm all its own.
One courtyard, five room types—the owner has put much thought into the details. The succulents under the eaves have had their branches tousled by the rain. The small touches extend beyond the succulents to everything in the rooms. Clean and tidy rooms with a strong Japanese style instantly relaxed me after a long day. Beneath the soft curtains are purple chairs where you can sit quietly or chat with friends over wine. Pulling back the curtains reveals a view of lush green forest—very pleasing to the eye and strangely uplifting to the mood.
2. Yinquan: The Boiling Life Hidden in Time
Borges once said that if there is a heaven on earth, it must be in the form of a library. But I never expected that Tongqu Yinquan Resort would have a place resembling heaven—the large library on the second floor, where books line the entire wall-high bookshelves. Pick up a book, sip a cup of tea—it doesn't have to be fine tea, just sit quietly; the book doesn't have to be a thick volume, a small one will do, and it can while away an afternoon. Such time becomes precious amidst the noise.
When tired from reading, head to the screening room to watch a film. On the screen are other people's lives; off the screen is your own. The screening room was playing an animated film, and children were watching intently. You can also take the kids to splash and play by the stream next to the inn. Nearby, a stream from Mount Qingcheng flows by, its water crystal clear. The children had a great time playing here, and the adults were happy too. So, coming here in summer to escape the heat is great, especially because it's very safe. Standing by the stream, I felt a pleasant coolness.
Everyone says, 'Where the heart finds peace, there is home.' Tongqu Yinquan Resort is such a place of peace. It is also perfect for spending quality time with family. Guided by the innkeeper, you can enrich your leisure time and do whatever you want here. Just like at home, it makes you feel at ease!
3. Cuisine Here: A Symphony for the Taste Buds
Driving from Chengdu to Mount Qingcheng, I assumed that food in tourist areas would not be refined. But when I arrived at Tongqu Yinquan, I discovered that food can indeed be more beautiful and exquisite. The water of Mount Qingcheng gurgles, bringing not only vitality but also a unique coolness to Tongqu Yinquan. Placing a can of cola in the spring water flowing down from the mountain quickly dissipates the summer heat; the can taken out from the water slowly gathers a mist of condensation—a gift from Mount Qingcheng.
Our dinner here was simple and homey: shredded potatoes, boiled pork slices, and vegetable soup—a simple mix of meat and vegetables bringing a different feeling. We all yearn for a life away from traffic and clamor, longing to 'pick chrysanthemums under the eastern fence and gaze at the southern mountains.' I don't know if Bai Suzhen was beneath Mount Qingcheng, but in Mount Qingcheng, there is Tongqu Yinquan Resort, where the food, seemingly ordinary, is far from mediocre—every dish is exquisite.
A friend once said that if you're feeling down, go have a big meal; if still down, have another. At Tongqu Yinquan Resort, don't sleep in—be sure to get up early and enjoy the Chinese breakfast: an egg, some broccoli, corn, and soy milk. If that's not enough, add a bowl of plain congee and some refreshing wood ear mushrooms. Eating in an elegant courtyard setting, you'll start your day full of energy.
4. At Night, Everything Here Is Charming
If Tongqu Yinquan Resort by day evokes a sense of openness, by night it instills a feeling of tranquility. Legend has it that every firefly is a child lost in the dark, spending its life lighting a lamp to find its way home. In Mount Qingcheng, fireflies can often be seen searching for their way home. From a certain perspective, Tongqu Yinquan Resort seems like the lamp lit by a firefly. At night, the innkeeper took us to find fireflies; seeing them twinkle in the forest, as if dancing, was both moving and joyful. Seeing fireflies as an adult is a rare thing.
Mount Qingcheng, being far from the city, seems to have a deeper darkness at night. But where light gathers is the warm and romantic Tongqu Yinquan Resort. The moon-shaped lantern on the water has been lit, as if the real moon were guarding the way home. Frogs croak and cicadas chirp; at night, sleep is deep and peaceful, as if returning to childhood summers.
That's how it is at Tongqu Yinquan Resort: we travel in clear weather; when it rains, it's a sign from heaven to take a rest. Tongqu Yinquan in the rain is another poetic world. The rain in the mountains always seems more urgent than in the city—starting as a drizzle, then quickly becoming heavy. Standing under the eaves, the wind blows, and the tree in the courtyard still thrives tenaciously. Outside, the storm rages; inside, I feel weary yet warm!
'The rain of the imperial street is as fine as oil; the grass looks green from afar but sparse up close.' The succulents' leaves seem even greener in the rain. Nearby, many tourists come out to watch the rain; in the distance, rainwater gathers into streams flowing away. Living away from home, occasionally encountering beautiful scenery is a blessing; staying in a nice place is even better—everything here is perfect.
1. Self-driving route: Directly navigate to 'Qingchengshan Tongqu Yinquan Hot Spring Resort.' The hotel is located in the back mountain scenic area of Mount Qingcheng. Please bring your ID.
Address: No. 58, Group 8, Hongyan Village, Tai'an Community, Qingchengshan Back Mountain Scenic Area, Dujiangyan, Chengdu
2. Public transport: Take Metro Line 2 in the city to Xipu Station, then transfer to the intercity express train to Qingchengshan Station. From Qingchengshan High-Speed Rail Station to the hotel, the front desk can help arrange a local private car for about 100 RMB per one-way trip. Alternatively, you can take the scenic area bus at the station square for about 13 RMB per person, get off at the scenic area entrance, and then take a local private car to the hotel for about 30 RMB per car.
3. If you want to stay in a hot spring room, you need to book in advance. The hotel has public activity spaces, a library, a small cinema, and other amenities. Book early, and the butler will contact you proactively to assist with everything—the service is excellent.
