Around Chengdu | A Seriously Underrated Summer Escape

Just 3 hours from Chengdu! In June, Erlang Mountain Laba River is breathtakingly beautiful 🌲 While the scorching June sun bakes the city, Erlang Mountain Laba River near Chengdu hides a cool and stunning summer paradise. It's a haven for escaping the heat, a playground for wildlife, and the perfect place to connect with nature 🐾 🌍 Basic Info 📍 Location: Erlang Mountain Laba River Scenic Area 🚗 Transportation: Highly recommended to drive. From Chengdu, take the Chengwen-Qiong Expressway and Yakang Expressway, arriving in about 3 hours. The scenic drive is part of the enjoyment~ ⏰ Suggested Duration: 2-3 days to fully immerse in its beauty 🗺️ Itinerary **West Route: Scenic Highlights 🌟** 1. **Visitor Center**: Buy tickets 🎫 and take the sightseeing bus (¥20 one-way) to start the West Route journey. 2. **Mountain Top Viewing Platform**: Reach the summit for panoramic views of rolling green mountains—a perfect photo spot 📷 3. **Cable Car (optional)**: For a bird's-eye view of the forest, take the cable car 🚡 and soak in the vast greenery. 4. **Hug Café**: A glass-walled café on a cliff ☕ Sip coffee while enjoying breathtaking views—pure bliss. 5. **Red Stone Beach**: Orange moss-covered boulders contrast with crystal-clear streams, like a fairy tale world 🧚‍♀️ 6. **Rhododendron Boardwalk**: Though most rhododendrons bloom earlier, some late flowers remain. The boardwalk winds through lush forests, fresh and serene 🌺 7. **Deer Pool**: Arrive early! At dawn, mist shrouds the pool as herds of sika deer drink and forage 🦌 It’s like stepping into a fairy tale—bring a telephoto lens! **East Route: Hiking Adventure 🧗‍♂️** 1. **Hetaoping**: Start your hike here. 2. **Kaishimen Waterfall**: Water cascades down, splashing cool droplets 💦 3. **Dragon Hidden Boardwalk**: Trek through primeval forests, embracing nature’s tranquility—you might even spot a wild red panda 🐼 4. **Yezhou Island Star Camp**: Pitch a tent ⛺ here to enjoy sunset and stargazing. 5. **Blue Crystal Hotel**: The hike’s endpoint and a great place to rest, with beautiful surroundings and full amenities. 🏨 Accommodation 1. **Blue Crystal Hotel**: Highly recommend lake-view rooms 🛏 Open your window to Deer Pool’s beauty, with deer often grazing by the shore. Rooms include humidifiers and electric blankets—cozy and thoughtful. 2. **Deer Call Hotel**: Great value, just 5 minutes from the deer salt-lick site 🦌 Perfect for watching deer. Includes a diverse breakfast buffet. 3. **Nearby B&Bs**: Budget-friendly options outside the scenic area (~10-minute drive), priced at ¥150-300/night. 🍜 Food 1. **Hotel Restaurants**: Must-try wild mushroom hotpot 🍲 at Blue Crystal Hotel—fresh local mushrooms and mountain potatoes, delicious! (~¥80-100/person). 2. **Snack Stalls**: Near the entrance, offering grilled corn, sausages, and cold noodles 🍢 Pricier but handy in a pinch. 3. **DIY Snacks**: Pack self-heating hotpot, fruits, and water 🍎 for energy during hikes. 📌 June Tips 1. **Attire**: Daytime—shorts, T-shirts, and sunscreen gear 👚 Evenings—bring a light jacket. Water shoes for shallow streams. 2. **Sun & Bug Protection**: High-SPF sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses 🕶️ Mosquito repellent for the woods. 3. **Wildlife Etiquette**: Don’t provoke or feed macaques; secure belongings. Observe sika deer from a distance—use zoom lenses 📸 4. **Extras**: Weak signal—download offline maps 🗺️ Pack band-aids, stomach meds, etc. In June, Erlang Mountain Laba River is nature’s gift—a treasure for escaping heat, admiring scenery, and reconnecting with the wild. Gather your loved ones and go! 🌳