Stumbled Upon a 2-Hour Secret Getaway from Chengdu! This Valley Homestay is Like a Fairytale 🌿

Originally planned to hike Tiantai Mountain, but ended up staying at this "divine retreat"—Tianfu Honggu·Gengdu Taoyuan! Just a 2-hour drive from Chengdu to Qionglai, the moment I opened the door, I was instantly healed: babbling streams, rustling bamboo groves, and the aroma of tea wafting from old wooden houses... This is what summer should feel like! 🏨 The homestay was converted from an old paper mill, preserving the original 1958 building as a library—where nostalgia meets modern comfort. The wooden structure of Sichuan-style houses, lush greenery everywhere, even the breeze carries the scent of plants! A crystal-clear stream flows by the courtyard, so clear you can spot tiny fish between the rocks. In the morning, you can even collect duck eggs by the river (my kid found two and treasured them like gold 😂). Stayed in a Zen-inspired Chinese room with solid wood furniture and a tatami tea table, opening the window to bamboo groves 🎋 and the stream! At night, sipping tea on the tatami while listening to the stream and flipping through a book—time slows down beautifully. Some rooms even have private hot spring baths. Perfectionists will love the details: the mattress is just the right firmness, pillows come in different heights, and the bathroom has a dry-wet separation with natural botanical toiletries. Parents, rest assured—the space is so spacious kids can run wild chasing butterflies without anyone nagging! The biggest surprise? The food! Breakfast features freshly ground soy milk and farm-style buns—warm and hearty. Dinner’s star is the tomato beef brisket soup—tomatoes grown on-site, perfectly tangy and sweet, with tender beef that melts in your mouth. My kid downed three bowls and still begged for more! Lunch offers farm-to-table dishes like stir-fried tender bamboo shoots with pork, stream fish, and fresh seasonal veggies—all bursting with mountain flavors. Even my picky mom devoured two bowls! Summer here is a kids’ paradise! The shallow, clear stream is perfect for wading (bring sandals—the rocks are slippery 😂). They can play with water guns, catch tiny fish, and run around for hours without tiring. The highlight in early summer? Fireflies! The homestay backs onto Tiantai Mountain, Chengdu’s largest firefly habitat. No need to hike—just stroll by the forested stream at dusk. Sitting on the terrace at night, watching flickering lights dance in the grass feels like stepping into a fairytale. (Best around 7 PM for dreamy golden-hour photos!) While the homestay is a "natural oxygen bar," the surroundings are equally fun! A 20-minute drive to Tiantai Mountain (hiking/cloud-sea views), forest trails lined with buried wine jars (learn about brewing traditions), and lawn activities like tent-pitching and sweet potato roasting. End the day singing around a bonfire—pure relaxation! 「Pro Tips for Summer Trips」 ▪️ Drive to "Tianfu Honggu Gengdu Taoyuan"—free parking. ▪️ Pack mosquito repellent and heat-relief meds. ▪️ Best photo times: 9-10 AM (soft light) or 7 PM (golden hour). ▪️ Pet-friendly! Fur parents, go for it!