A Hidden Paradise Near Chengdu - Mount Wawu

This exceptionally hot summer has drained all the beautiful fantasies of summer from the people of Chengdu. Power rationing, high temperatures, the pandemic, this summer, 'heat' became the keyword for everything. Before, air conditioning, ice cream, and chilled watermelon were the three wonderful things of summer. Now, power cuts and water outages mean the air conditioner can barely cool down. This 45-degree summer became a frequent topic on trending searches. Every weekend, my mom looked for nearby places to escape the heat, but unfortunately, the people of Chengdu could barely stand the scorching heat. Popular nearby farmhouses were already fully booked. Suddenly I remembered going to Mount Wawu last summer. The summit was so cold I had to rent a windbreaker on the spot. The summit was shrouded in clouds and mist, while at the foot of the mountain, streams surrounded the area. There were also very gentle wild monkeys 🐒. The small town at the foot of the mountain was also very cool, with Yanyu Lake and rafting nearby. A perfect weekend getaway for cool outings. So I decided to take the family to Hongya to escape the heat.

In the silent valley, a leaf and a pavilion. A forest wonderland, Alice's garden in the swirling mist.

Amidst splashing water and drizzling mist, this paradise is nothing less. The high-altitude cable car hanging in the clouds and mist—in winter, you can see the northern forest of the snow-capped peaks from here. A dreamlike connection: a winter scene. Mountains and waters merge into a painting, the maiden embraced by surrounding peaks.

Departing on Friday afternoon, we drove about 2.5 hours and arrived at Yanyu Lake near dusk. The lake looked as if it had just rained, covered in a thin layer of mist. Mountain winds blew, the wild forest rustled, and the damp sky and earth were still hazy and beautiful. Surrounded by rolling peaks and lush green forests, the sight was refreshing and cool.

Several private cars were already parked at the entrance of the small inn, presumably all people fleeing the high temperatures of Chengdu. Although Yanyu Lake is at the foot of Mount Wawu, it already felt very comfortable, completely free of the dryness and irritation of downtown Chengdu. The wind on the face was cool and carried a faint scent of grass and trees. I parked the car by the lake, took deep breaths of fresh air, and felt negative ions flowing through my body. A long-lost sense of freedom and refreshment: freedom from the city and refreshment from being immersed in the mountains and waters.

Yanyu Lake offers many water activities, such as motorboats and speedboats. That day was relatively overcast, so taking a cruise out to 'sea' allowed us to enjoy the mountain and water scenery without getting too sunburned. The 'Cloud on Wawu' cruise ship sailed on the emerald green lake, as if traveling through a natural ink painting, blending with the landscape. Taking the boat out to 'sea' gave us a different perspective of the surrounding mountains merging into the painting. Yanyu Lake looked like a maiden lying in the embrace of the mountains. Looking down from the lakeside road, the lake surrounded by peaks was gentle and serene, truly touching. Walking slowly along the lake, we could take in the full view of the quietly standing Mount Wawu in the distance, along with a rare touch of cool comfort on a hot summer day. It was cloudy, so unfortunately there was no brilliant sunset. Life has its ups and downs; not everything can be perfect. Leave a little regret for another day. Such a beautiful Yanyu Lake deserves a return visit.

We chose the Shanli Ju Holiday Hotel at the foot of Mount Wawu. It was very close to the scenic area, so we could walk in early the next morning. The window looked out onto lush forests. If it snows in winter, the view outside would be a blanket of white. Nearby were small restaurants, fruit stalls at the door, and convenience stores with everything available. Clean, comfortable, affordable, and good value for money.

Breakfast was a Chinese buffet, especially convenient for visitors entering the scenic area early. Parking was free; we parked the car right at the hotel entrance, which had a large open space. After settling in, we went out for barbecue. The small town was very crowded, probably all people escaping the heat. After nightfall, everyone came out for a stroll. The streets were exceptionally lively, bustling with people, many families with children and elderly. Various vendors hawked their goods. When we returned to the room, we actually felt a bit cold. A long-lost comfortable temperature, and we soon fell fast asleep.

A stream, forest, wonderland—a 16-degree summer.

The next morning, the temperature was very low. I put on a thin jacket before heading up the mountain. It was the third time I took the high-altitude cable car at Mount Wawu. Especially the second section, which traverses through clouds and mist in the sky, with a vast forest below. I was full of anticipation for the scenery.

Mount Wawu has lush trees, dense vegetation, abundant rainfall all year round, a forest coverage rate of 95%, making it the largest national forest park in the country, with countless plant species. The high-altitude cable car glided through the air, as if floating in a misty mountain. Green was the base color of the mountain in the mist, even the green stone steps were hidden in the emerald bamboo forest. A gentle breeze stirred the white clouds, which swirled around. The mountain wind was soft, and the coolness was enough to dispel all restlessness. I accidentally captured a heart-shaped cloud—so adorable! It was like a heart embedded in the valley.

In winter, the cable car offers stunning snow views—the window looks like a romantic northern forest ❄️. I've been lucky enough to see it once, and I'll never forget it.

After the first cable car ride (Jinhua Bridge), we walked a short distance to take the second cable car (Gufoping). Along the way, there were cute little fairytale houses, a red wooden corridor, and some statues, flowers, and plants. This pavilion had an antique charm, perfect for photos, and we could rest there if tired. There was a snack shop at this stop selling milk tea, grilled sausages, and corn.

Taking the Gufoping cable car further up, the mist grew thicker. Everything was a vast expanse of white, with swirling mist outside the window. The summit of Mount Wawu is at 2800 meters above sea level. Even in midsummer, the weather forecast showed only 16°C here—truly a top-notch escape from the heat. I quickly fished out a thin sweater from my backpack and put it on.

Arriving at the summit, it was still shrouded in clouds and mist. Various towering ancient trees appeared mysterious in the fog. I took a deep breath, full of negative ions and oxygen. My body and mind relaxed, sinking into a sea of greenery. We originally wanted to go to Mandarin Duck Pond, but the fog was too thick, and it started raining halfway. We couldn't go on. I'll make up for the regret with a winter photo of the pond.

Coming down from the summit, we decided to hike the low-altitude waterfall area. We took a sightseeing bus to Qian Wozi, then hiked 3.5 kilometers to Shuangxi Cave. This was probably the most beautiful route I've ever walked: deep valleys, small streams, and gurgling water. From the mountaintop, the Lanxi Waterfall across the way roared loudly, like a piece of white silk splashing on a jade wall. At the entrance of Qian Wozi, wild monkeys appeared. Recently, feeding them is not allowed. We were very lucky: we came out of the hike quite late and happened to see a dozen wild monkeys, in groups, descending the mountain to rummage through trash cans for food. They were very cute, including a mother carrying a baby monkey. They were completely different from the monkeys at Mount Emei.

Our first stop in Qian Wozi was a viewing platform surrounded by greenery, where we could overlook the Sanxing and Dafa Waterfalls. Every few intervals, there were small pavilions for rest. If you don't want to walk further, after viewing the waterfalls, you can go back to the platform and take the bus to the next stop, Shuangxi Cave. If you like hiking, start from here to Shuangxi Cave (3.5 km), a very beautiful route with mountain streams, wooden bridges, and caves along the way. It takes about 3 hours in total. Descending along the stone steps by the river, you can also explore an ancient pavilion in the mountains. The ancient green trees, bathed in the mountain mist, looked antique and solemn. Resting in the pavilion for a while and gazing at the lush forest was very pleasant. I really enjoyed walking alone through the forest like this, focusing on every plant beside me without distraction.

Going further down, we crossed a small wooden bridge to reach the waterfall area. Walking on the boardwalk by the stream, the landscape was layered. In the ancient primeval forest, there were many characterful old trees with branches stretching freely, vigorous and powerful. When the alpine rhododendrons bloom next May, this place will become another beautiful world. Dripping water was like strings of crystal necklaces, translucent. When sunlight shone, the droplets looked like pearls in a giant scallop shell. Soaking my feet in the water gave a refreshing coolness. A gentle breeze, a hint of coolness. The waterfall cascaded, the sound seemed to pierce through my ears. I took a short video with my phone, and from the screen, it really looked as if I had stumbled into Alice's wonderland. The branches and leaves缠绕着 tree trunks, winding and twisting. Sunlight filtered through the leaves. In the quiet depths of the forest, harmonizing with nature—I really love this feeling of freedom. If I had time, I would sit here all day. The stream water was icy cold and crystal clear. I cupped some and drank directly—it was sweet. The stream water was icy cold and crystal clear. I cupped some and drank directly—it was sweet.

Continuing forward, there were wooden bridges and streams all the way, like a carefully crafted garden, yet so naturally formed. Small wooden pavilions for rest appeared every short distance. The temperature was about 22°C, very comfortable. Walking all the way didn't feel hot.

Passing through small bridges, bamboos shaded the path, and clear streams refreshed the mind and spirit. The air carried the coolness of greenery, something mechanical air conditioning cannot match. The mountain streams were so clear you could see the bottom. The valley was densely packed with hundreds of waterfalls and plunging streams, forming a rare waterfall group spectacle. Here you could hike, camp, and play in the water. Sanxing Waterfall was the middle part of the two scenic sections; we had already covered almost half the distance. Standing at the foot of the waterfall, the Milky Way plunging down was immensely awe-inspiring. Amidst the vast forest, clear springs splashed against rocks, waterfalls flew across streams. Amidst splashing water and drizzling mist, this paradise is nothing less. Descending from the sky, pouring down—when I got close for a photo, I was completely soaked by the spray. Among the many poems describing waterfalls, my favorite is this: 'Like ten thousand pieces of silk gauze, hanging across the door, falling straight down beyond measure, pounding pearls and shattering jade, splashing and surging back, like smoke and mist rising into the air, extremely majestic and fierce. It is said that the pearl curtain does not roll up, and the flying stream hangs over distant peaks—none can fully describe its grandeur.' Further ahead was a clear stone pool. This was a primeval forest, occasionally you might encounter some cute little animals. The fragrant bamboo forest gave off a refreshing scent, making everything feel invigorating and all worries vanish. The murmuring stream was incredibly clear. Every one of us couldn't resist taking a sip of the sweet mountain spring.

There were many unfamiliar plants, each introduced with a sign. This place is truly a natural forest oxygen bar. Escape the city and embrace freedom and the wilderness 🍃.

Shuanglong Waterfall, about 8 meters wide and 20 meters high, cascaded down and was split into two by a huge rock, hence the name. The beautiful Moon Pool 🌛 from afar really looked like a fairy's bathing place. The water was emerald green, and you could see colorful stones at the bottom through the music.

Lüye Pond was named for its leaf-like shape. The water was clear and fresh, like a mountain spring stretching thousands of miles.

There was an old bamboo raft in the water. How romantic it would be to play in the water on it! We lingered too long in the valley, and when we came out, almost all the tourists had left. We were about to hurry along when we suddenly saw many monkeys jumping down from rooftops in the distance, rummaging through trash bins. They were so smart—they squeezed leftover milk cartons to drink the last drops, turned the trash cans upside down to find food. There was also a mother monkey holding a cute baby monkey, waiting by the trash can for her dad to find food. They were really adorable. We watched for a long time and found that they were not afraid of humans and did not harm humans. Isn't this more educational than textbooks? The harmonious coexistence of humans and animals, teaching children love and respect for nature, respect for life, respect for everything that exists in this world.

Recommended 2-day itinerary around Mount Wawu:

Day 1: Chengdu - Ya'an - Meishan Hongya Yanyu Lake (depart Friday afternoon, arrive at Yanyu Lake at dusk for sunset, then a ten-minute drive to the small town at the foot of Mount Wawu)

Day 2: Mount Wawu Scenic Area - Gaomiao Ancient Town (go to the scenic area early in the morning, descend the mountain in the afternoon to visit Gaomiao Ancient Town for food and shopping, stay overnight in Gaomiao)

Day 3: Qiliping Rafting - Qiliping - Chengdu (Qiliping rafting is super fun! The water quality is great. After rafting, go to Qiliping, have dinner, and then head back to Chengdu)

Finally, I wish everyone a pleasant weekend~

Transportation:

Self-driving: Starting from Chengdu, the total distance is over 200 km, about 4 hours by car.

Public transportation: You can take a bus from Xinnanmen in Chengdu to Hongya County, then transfer to a tourist bus to Mount Wawu.

Xinnanmen Bus Station: Departs at 9:20 AM and 5:00 PM daily, two trips per day. Fare: 45.5 yuan/person.

Hongya County Bus Station: Departs at 3:30 PM daily, fare: 17 yuan/person (to Wuzhuang) and Hongya - Jinhua Bridge 25 yuan/person, departs at 4:10 PM.

The road from Chengdu to Hongya is in good condition, suitable for self-driving. About 2 hours to Hongya County. Exit the station, turn left, go straight about 300 meters, cross a bridge, and you'll see another station. There is a direct minibus to Mount Wawu there. Fare: 10 yuan, about 2 hours.

Ticket prices:

Peak season: 100 yuan/person; Off-peak season: 60 yuan/person.

Jinhua Bridge Cable Car: 88 yuan/person (round trip), 50 yuan/person (one way).

Gufoping Cable Car: 98 yuan/person (round trip), 50 yuan/person (one way).

Note: One-way tickets must be purchased at the ticket window of the scenic area visitor center. If you are unsure about which means of transportation to take, it is recommended to buy a round-trip ticket for the Jinhua Bridge Cable Car.

Peak season (total 142 days): January 1 - February 28, July 1 - August 31, Qingming Festival holiday (April 3-5, 3 days), Labor Day holiday (May 1-5, 5 days), Dragon Boat Festival holiday (June 12-14, 3 days), Mid-Autumn Festival holiday (September 19-21, 3 days), National Day holiday (October 1-7, 7 days).

Off-peak season (total 223 days): March 1 - June 30, September 1 - December 31 (excluding the above legal holidays).