A Leisurely Two-Day Getaway on Mount Qingcheng, Where Classical Charm Meets Modernity, Just Outside Chengdu
In autumn and winter, Mount Qingcheng, just 1.5 hours from Chengdu, welcomes a breathtaking autumn scenery. Though it’s winter and a bit chilly, there are still plenty of visitors. The mountain here is not as towering as Mount Tai, nor as steep as Mount Hua, but its beauty moves anyone who experiences it firsthand, slowing down even their breath.
Tranquility is what strikes me most about Mount Qingcheng. Breathing in the fresh air rich in negative oxygen ions, admiring the mountain scenery so different from spring, I hardly noticed it was nearly dusk. Fortunately, I had booked the nearby Wanda Vista Hotel Chengdu in advance. Nestled against the mountain, it is quaint and elegant, brimming with a classical Chinese charm that blends ancient and modern.
As soon as I entered the hotel, I could smell a faint natural aroma diffusing in the air, an intense Oriental appeal that seemed to wash away all travel fatigue.
As a high-end villa-style resort hotel, Wanda Vista Hotel Chengdu takes the architectural soul of the Shu-Han heritage as its design concept. The spacious and grand lobby subtly incorporates low-key luxury classical elements into its décor, creating an atmosphere that combines modern artistic flair with traditional cultural charm.
The lofty space is expansive and dignified, with a condensed and graceful classical Chinese sentiment. I particularly love the three-sided transparent design of the lobby, which offers an unobstructed view of the outdoor scenery. In the center of the lobby, a lacquered wood carving backdrop tells the history of Chengdu—quite unique.
The entire hotel, including the lobby, is equipped with underfloor heating—something other hotels don’t have—making it especially suitable for guests staying in winter. Shuttle buses run between the lobby and rooms for guests, a very thoughtful service.
All guest rooms are stand-alone villas, each with its own hot spring. In the courtyard leading to the rooms, flowers, rocks, and Chinese miniature landscapes are cleverly arranged, blending seamlessly with the surrounding nature, calming the mind and transcending the mundane. Every detail humbly responds to nature, seeking balance and fitting beauty.
The room I stayed in was one of the larger ones in the hotel, consisting of two rooms and also equipped as a family room. The décor is elegantly classical Chinese style, paired with modern facilities, allowing you to fully feel the warmth and comfort of home within its understated, restrained Oriental character.
Each bed also has a thoughtful little panda plush toy with Chengdu characteristics placed on it. The large red antique-style basket contains fresh welcome fruit—another thoughtful touch by the hotel.
The items and facilities in the room are very new; even if you have high standards for hotel hygiene, you won’t find any fault. What’s even more surprising is the hotel’s high-end amenities: L’Occitane toiletries, premium bedding—doubling the pleasure of your stay.
Outside is a healing countryside; inside, grand vistas are transformed into miniature views—everywhere you look is a scene. Each room also has a private hot spring. After a day of travel, soaking in the springs is the best way to relieve fatigue.
The hotel’s facilities are comprehensive, featuring a first-class gym, a children’s playroom, a billiard room, a yoga room, and a heated swimming pool. Across from the hotel is the Sunac Snow World; next to it is a KTV, and at the entrance there’s a commercial street—enough to meet the needs of different guests. Plus, the hotel offers one-stop service, so I immediately decided to handle all meals and accommodation right here.
Tonight’s dinner is at the Taste West Restaurant on the hotel’s first floor. The restaurant connects with the adjacent courtyard, with an elegant ambiance. The floor-to-ceiling windows allow you to enjoy the lake view and nightscape on the opposite shore while sitting inside.
The dishes are well paired and delicious. The appetizers are cheese-baked avocado and pan-seared tuna.
The main course is lamb chops marinated with garlic, accompanied by organic vegetables, rosemary, olive oil, and other seasonings—best at medium-rare (70-80% done).
The salad mixes organic vegetables with various mushrooms—shiitake, shimeji, truffles, and more—along with nuts, giving it a rich layering of textures. The salad comes with different flavored nut sauces for you to choose from.
For soup, I ordered oxtail soup. Fresh oxtail, mushrooms, and vegetables are slow-simmered for a long time. Though simple in ingredients, the essence of the oxtail is extracted into the broth—nourishing yet not greasy.
The dessert is also good. It’s strawberry-flavored, garnished with a heart shape and a top layer of feather-shaped decorations—beautiful presentation too.
After dinner, I returned to my room, threw myself onto the comfortable bed, and slept until dawn. Entering the hotel restaurant for a rich and exquisite Chinese and Western breakfast prepared for guests, I truly felt how blessed I was.
Today, I mainly visited the rear mountain of Mount Qingcheng. Compared to the front mountain, where temples and Taoist shrines appear every few hundred steps, the rear mountain is deeply hidden in lush forests, exceptionally quiet and serene. Hiking up, a cool breeze from the woods gently blows, the air incredibly fresh. Amid the rugged rocks, I feel the mountain’s majesty; beside the babbling springs, I feel the water’s gentleness. Occasionally, a little wild cat darts across the path, bringing a knowing smile—this is the charm of Mount Qingcheng in winter.
At noon I returned to the hotel for lunch at the Pin Zhen Chinese Restaurant, which also served as a filming location for the same variety show featuring Ouyang Nana. The food came quickly, and the dishes were quite distinctive.
This “flavor-coated bok choy heart” is an upgraded version of Kimchi. It’s said that only the first red layer of each radish is used, with ten pounds of radish yielding just one portion—sweet and delicious.
Ginseng fruit stewed with free-range chicken: the unique fruity aroma of ginseng fruit infuses the chicken, creating a special flavor.
Kimchi flower bone fish is made with the signature cold-water fish from Mount Qingcheng, seasoned with young ginger and shredded green vegetables—tangy and appetizing, with luffa at the bottom for a refreshing touch.
Cellar-aged beef cubes, though beef, have a crispy texture similar to “strange-taste broad beans”—sweet, sour, numbing, spicy, fresh, and fragrant—all flavors present.
Sautéed chicken wings with millet chili peppers resemble the Ziliang cuisine style, using double peppers and young ginger as main ingredients. The chicken meat is tender and flavorful, with a strong numbing-spicy kick!
In the afternoon, I experienced the hotel’s signature—the internet-famous floating afternoon tea.
Priced at 288 yuan per serving, it’s delivered to the room, including fruit tea, ice cream, French pastries, and more—unbelievably abundant. The key is enjoying it in the private hot spring: soaking in the warm water while savoring exquisite afternoon tea, taking photos, and chatting—nothing could be more pleasant.
My two-day, one-night trip to Mount Qingcheng is coming to an end. Compared to the beautiful scenery, what surprised me the most was the Wanda Vista Hotel Chengdu, with its perfect combination of antique appearance and modern facilities. In the tranquil valley, enjoying fine views, soaking in hot springs, and sipping fragrant tea—what a distinctive experience.
Amid the green mountains, a hermit meets you; half mountain, half water, accompanied by fate.
With warmth in the heart, why fear the winter cold?
Travel Tips:
1. Wear loose clothing and soft shoes for easy hiking. Pay attention to safety when taking the cable car on Mount Qingcheng.
2. A two-way direct shuttle bus will operate from Chengdu Wuhou to Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng scenic areas. If you purchase tickets for all three scenic spots, you can enjoy free regional shuttle service.
3. For hotel reservations, please book online or by phone in advance. Room rates are mainly referenced online and may vary by season.
