3h Direct from Chengdu! 23℃ Cool Secret Spot | The Hidden Hiking Gem of Western Sichuan Found by Me

| The hidden hiking gem of Western Sichuan found by me. Wilder than the back mountain of Qingcheng! More magical than popular scenic spots! This "Emerald Forest" hidden in Erlang Mountain, Ya'an can no longer be kept secret! 🌲 ✨ Reasons to Recommend ✅ 3h drive from Chengdu, all on highways + national roads ✅ 95% forest coverage, 20℃ natural air conditioning, super cool ✅ Entire hike on wooden boardwalks, beginner-friendly 👟 ✅ 99% chance to encounter wild sika deer/red pandas! 🦌 🗺️ Secret Route Hetao Ping → Luming Hotel (Deer Viewing Platform 🦌) → Kaimen Stone Waterfall 💦 → Yindong Sea (Alpine Lake) → Small Scenic Spot (Ancient Tree Group 🌳) → Blue Crystal Waterfall (Perfect photo spot 📸) 📌 Practical Guide 📍 Navigation: Erlang Mountain Labah River Scenic Area 🚶 Hiking: 4.5km / about 3h (including photo stops) ⏰ Best time: June-September for summer cool | October-November for colorful forests 🏡 Accommodation: Luming Hotel / Blue Crystal Hotel inside the scenic area (snow-capped mountains visible from the window ⛰️) 🎫 Tickets: 50 RMB + sightseeing bus 35 RMB (refer to discount policies) 💡 Must Experience ▫️ Feed sika deer at the deer viewing platform of Luming Hotel early in the morning ▫️ Row a transparent boat in the mist over Yindong Sea (feels like floating in the air) ▫️ Night visit to Blue Crystal Waterfall (starry sky + fireflies create a magical scene ✨) 📸 Photo Tips ✔️ Wear bright clothes in front of the waterfall for better photos ✔️ Deer appear mostly at dawn & dusk ✔️ Drone shots of the sea of clouds are possible (registration required) --- Trip.com Travel Edition (Personal Travelogue Style) "3h from Chengdu! I Entered a Real-Life Emerald Forest 🌳" — Includes a detailed 2-day 1-night guide for Labah River I thought the back mountain of Qingcheng was the ultimate spot Until I found this hidden gem in Western Sichuan! Entire hike on wooden boardwalks + chance to see wild deer 20℃ summer is truly not a fairy tale! 🚗 Transportation Test ▫️ 3h direct from Chengdu (Ya'an-Kangding Expressway is very smooth) ▫️ Parking 20 RMB/day, friendly for new energy vehicles 🔋 🏔️ Detailed Hiking Route 1⃣️ Hetao Ping Entrance → Luming Hotel (1km flat road) ✨ Hidden feature: wild monkey groups behind the hotel 🐒 2⃣️ Kaimen Stone Waterfall (30min stairs) 💦 Best photo time: 3pm when sunlight pierces the mist, stunning! 3⃣️ Yindong Sea lake loop (40min very easy) ⚠️ Note: Minimum spend 68 RMB/person at lakeside wooden tea house 4⃣️ Blue Crystal Waterfall (15min walk) 📸 Must shoot: rock spot on the right side of the waterfall (wide angle looks grand) 🛏️ Accommodation Tips ▫️ Luming Hotel: snow mountain view from window, but poor sound insulation ▫️ Blue Crystal Hotel: waterfall view rooms slightly damp, bring a dehumidifier ▫️ Camping: Hetao Ping campsite allows overnight tents ⛺️ 🍲 Food Recommendations ▪️ Scenic area restaurant: Claypot Ya fish soup (128 RMB/serving, super fresh!) ▪️ Bring your own snacks: no supply stations on the way, bring enough water and energy bars ⚠️ Hard Lessons Learned ❌ Don’t wear slippers! Moss near the waterfall is very slippery ❌ Don’t feed animals casually (monkeys will snatch bags!) ⭕ Must bring: mosquito repellent + light jacket (big temperature difference) 🎒 My Backpack List Sunscreen | Trekking poles | Power bank | Waterproof phone case | Portable raincoat ---