In Chengdu! I rarely use the word "stunning" to describe a place...
Chengdu Huanglongxi Happy Pastoral Guide | An Underrated Kid-Friendly Paradise, So Fun You'll Want to Visit Again and Again! 🥳
I'd long heard that Huanglongxi Happy Pastoral was dubbed the "Disneyland of the countryside," but it wasn't until I experienced it firsthand that I truly understood—this is no ordinary farm! It's as if nature and childlike wonder have been woven into reality! 🌿 As a Chengdu local, I can count on one hand the places that truly leave me in awe, and this is definitely one of them! Especially when I discovered you can even play mahjong on the water—my jaw dropped. Chengdu folks really know how to enjoy life! 🀄️
📍Address & Transportation
- Location: No. 1, Nongbo Road, Huanglongxi Town, Shuangliu District, Chengdu
- By car: Just navigate directly—the parking lot is free and huge, never crowded even on weekends. A dream for the lazy! 🚗
- Public transport: Take Metro Line 5/6 to Huilong Station. On weekends, there's a "Holiday Shuttle" (¥2/person) that goes straight there. The bus drivers are super friendly! 🚌
👶 Kid-Friendly Zones Where They'll Play All Day Without Wanting to Leave!
- Luxi Pasture: Promise me you'll visit! You can feed alpacas, ponies, and cows by hand! 🐑 The alpacas will chase you for treats, and their soft fur is a joy to pet. The giant straw castle in the pasture offers a panoramic view of the fields from the top, and kids love crawling through it—their laughter carries far and wide!
- Rainbow Slide: A 100-meter-long colorful slide fun for both kids and adults! The speed is just right—not too thrilling. My kid went down five times in a row, shouting, "Again!" The wind rushing past as you slide is incredibly relaxing. 🌈
- Water Engineering Zone: Features mini dams and canals where kids can play "flood control" with shovels and buckets! Splashing around here in summer is pure bliss—just remember to bring an extra set of clothes, or they'll be soaked on the way home. 💦
📸 Photo Spots for Stunning Countryside Shots
- Butterfly Love Flower Art Gallery: Indoors, mirrors and floral installations make it feel like you've stepped into a fairy's home! Wear light-colored clothes for photos that’ll light up your social media. ✨ My mom spent 20 minutes here, saying it was more photogenic than any scenic spot!
- Rice Fields by Dazi Restaurant: In season, golden rice fields ripple in the wind. Standing on the ridges for photos is pure therapy! In autumn, there are scarecrow installations—some cartoonish, others themed around farming—adding whimsy and romance. 🌾
- Riverside Flower Corridor: A hundred-meter-long tunnel covered in bougainvillea and wisteria. When in bloom, it feels like walking through a floral dream! At sunset, the petals glow golden—perfect for couples or even solo shots full of "lonely romance." 🌆
💦 Hidden Gem: Water Mahjong Is Next-Level!
I have to rave about the water mahjong here! Set up on bamboo tables and chairs in a bamboo-lined stream, with your feet soaking in the cool water while you play, and ice jelly vendors nearby—it’s pure Chengdu leisure. 🌿 Kids can splash around nearby while adults battle it out at the table, making it the perfect setup for families!
🍜 Must-Try Local Eats—Taste the Countryside
- Floral Restaurant: Don’t miss the flower cakes and rose lattes! The petals are grown on-site, fragrant but not overpowering. Sitting by the river, enjoying the view with your meal, is pure bliss. 🌸
- Pastoral Song Restaurant: Try the grilled lamb chops and countryside salad! While eating, you might spot deer outside or alpacas passing by—an experience you won’t find in the city. 🐑
- Hidden Snack Stands: The "countryside roasted sweet potatoes," slow-cooked over firewood, are so sweet they drip honey. And the antler-shaped ice cream is as photogenic as it is delicious—kids love posing with it. 🍦
🏡 Where to Stay: Bring Home to Nature
- Wild Fun Hotel: Treehouses, tents, and honeycomb rooms are a hit with kids! Stays include free tickets and shuttle rides. Wake up to birdsong and open your window to fields and grazing sheep—perfect for families. 🌳 My friend’s kid stayed in a treehouse and was so excited about the stars at night, they couldn’t sleep!
- Nearby B&Bs: Huanglongxi Ancient Town has many charming inns, just a 10-minute walk away. At night, stroll through the lantern-lit streets and try the famous "One Noodle" dish—pure carb joy! 🍜
From 9 AM until closing (extended to 8:30 PM on weekends), your feet might ache, but your heart will be full. Here, there’s no city noise—just running kids, gentle animals, wind rustling through rice fields, and the laughter of water mahjong players. Next time, I’m bringing a picnic mat to turn the day into poetry. 💫 Highly recommended for anyone looking to escape the city, whether with kids or on a date—everyone will have a blast!