Where to go near Chengdu? A guide to exploring Nanbaoshan in Qionglai
Preface
I've always been intrigued by the depths of dark caves, and I've always wanted to find that adrenaline rush in the air. The thought of the mulberry trees scattered across the forest makes my mouth water. Perhaps this is why I keep visiting Nanbao Mountain again and again. After fifteen cycling, driving, hiking, and caving adventures in Nanbao Mountain, I'm determined to write a comprehensive guide and carve out a unique and unique route.
Geographical location of Nanbaoshan
Nanbao Mountain is located in Qionglai, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, just 130 kilometers from Chengdu, or about a 2.5-hour drive. A round trip from Chengdu is a day trip, but you can also spend a night in the mountains for a relaxing weekend.
To the north lies the famous Xiling Snow Mountain, known for its "windows reflecting the eternal snow of Xiling," and to the south are Tiantai Mountain and the ancient town of Hepingle. To the west lies Dachuan Town, Lushan County, Ya'an City, and to the east lies Qionglai City. This makes Nanbaoshan a perfect weekend destination for Chengdu residents seeking self-drive, cycling, hiking, camping, picnicking, cave exploration, and simply relaxing in the summer heat.
Nanbao Mountain covers an area of over 90 square kilometers. Its surface rocks display Jurassic landforms, with pebbles embedded within them, creating a truly spectacular sight. The mountain boasts lush vegetation, with a forest coverage rate exceeding 95%. Once a state-owned forest farm, the mountain is home to numerous large cypress and fir trees, so large that it would take two or three people to hug them.
The mountains are home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, and are part of the Giant Panda Habitat World Heritage Site. You never know when you might stumble upon one of these national treasures while hiking in the mountains.
The most spectacular feature of Nanbaoshan is the Baozhushan Grand Canyon, a 15-kilometer-long canyon. From the Yuxi River at its base, 1,000 meters above sea level, to the summit, approximately 2,000 meters above sea level, the dramatic drop in elevation is remarkable. Here, you'll find bamboo forests, Qiang villages, tea plantations, karst caves, the emerald green Yuxi River, and breathtaking cable bridges. So much beauty awaits you, making this Chengdu's last remaining virgin outdoor destination.
How to play in Nanbaoshan
Nanbaoshan is rich in resources and has numerous scenic spots. There are many ways to enjoy the area, from a one- or two-day tour to a multi-day leisurely stay. You can also choose the activities that suit your personal interests, such as cycling, hiking, camping, caving, etc.
Cycling
Starting from Youzha Township at the foot of Nanbao Mountain (500 meters above sea level) to Muti Qiang Village at the summit (1,474 meters above sea level), the winding mountain road ascends continuously for 16 kilometers, with a cumulative elevation gain of approximately 1,000 meters. The average gradient is 6%, with some sections exceeding 10%. The steep climbs and tight turns make it quite challenging. Cycling enthusiasts should definitely visit Nanbao Mountain to tackle this renowned four-star climbing route in Chengdu's cycling community and earn the title of "Hill Climber." Dense bamboo forests line both sides of the road, closing in to obscure the sky. Cycling through them feels like walking through a bamboo tunnel. If you have two days, you can also try the Nanbao Dachuan Loop, which runs from Chengdu to Qionglai, Nanbao Mountain, Dachuan Town, Hengshangang, Xiling Town, Dayi, and finally Chengdu.
on foot
Hiking is a great way to explore Nanbao Mountain in depth. With Jinhua Village at its center, numerous hiking routes offer easy access to caves, suspension bridges, and tea plantations. You can also traverse from the Jiangjun Temple at Nanbao Mountain to the Huashuiwan Hot Springs in Dayi County.
Tips: 1. Nanbao Mountain is located at the junction of the Chengdu Plain and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It belongs to the famous Huaxi Rain Screen. It has a lot of precipitation and the forest is very muddy. Be sure to wear professional hiking shoes.
2. The bamboo forest is very humid and there are many mosquitoes. It is recommended to wear long-sleeved clothes to prevent bites.
3. Nanbaoshan used to be a state-owned forest farm with abundant vegetation. Please do not light a fire in the wild.
Pink Route: Jinhua Village - Alpine Tea Garden - Mabuping Camping Base - Muti Qiang Village, 5 kilometers, with an altitude increase of about 200 meters, takes about 1-1.5 hours.
The Yellow Route: Jinhua Village - Mid-mountain Tea Plantation - Bamboo Forest - Suspension Bridge. This 2-kilometer route covers a 300-meter elevation gain and takes approximately 0.5-1 hour. The view of the Nanbaoshan Grand Canyon from the Yuantong Bridge is breathtaking. The water at the confluence of the Dachuan and Baishi Rivers is a brilliant emerald green. The suspension bridge is the most famous attraction in the Nanbaoshan Grand Canyon. Most online photos of Nanbaoshan are of lush canyon scenery captured from the bridge.
The Blue Route: Jinhua Village - Baishi River - Chengmen Cave, a 5-kilometer journey with a 400-meter elevation gain, takes approximately 1-1.5 hours. Chengmen Cave is the most accessible cave in the Nanbaoshan Cave complex. You can drive to the end of the small road, then hike 1 kilometer down to the Baishi River at the bottom of Lengjingou and continue 100 meters. The cave's entrance is large, resembling an ancient city gate, hence the name Chengmen Cave.
Red Route: Jinhua Village - Jiangjun Temple - Forest Farm - Zuanshan Cave, 8 kilometers, with an altitude gain of about 200 meters, takes about 2-3 hours. Zuanshan Cave is the most unique cave in the Jiangjun Temple cave complex, consisting of three connected caves.
Cave exploration
Nanbao Mountain is home to numerous karst caves, primarily clustered along the Baishi River and near the General Temple. Easily accessible are Chengmen Cave, Panda Cave, Zuanshan Cave, and Swallow Cave. You can search for eyeless cave shrimp in the Chengmen Cave pool, or explore Zuanshan Cave for stalactites and a thrilling journey to the center of the Earth.
The entrance to Chengmen Cave resembles an ancient city gate. Inside, it's three to four hundred meters deep, spacious, and without side passages, making it a safe and accessible cave for beginners. Entering and exiting is easy with your phone's flashlight. The caverns consist of three interconnected caves. Entering from the first cave, you'll pass through a narrow passage to a large cenote, surrounded by several branching caves containing beautiful stalactites. Entering from one of the cave entrances, you'll walk through a narrow, winding passageway to a large hall. Further ahead, there's another exit leading to the other side of the mountain. It's truly magical, like something out of Tao Yuanming's Peach Blossom Spring.
Camping and picnics
Everyone knows that humans evolved from apes. Our ancestors initially lived in caves, only learning to build houses much later. Therefore, camping in a cave is a truly wonderful experience. Lighting a fire at the entrance feels like stepping back in time to the days of the cavemen. In the evening, puffs of white smoke rise from the cave entrance, creating a chill that feels like being under a central air conditioner. It's so cool it's chilly that you'll get goosebumps. Remember to put on a layer of clothing.
Skywalk
The most famous attraction in Nanbaoshan is the Yuantong Bridge, and some of the most famous photos were taken from it. The emerald green waters at the confluence of the Dachuan and Baishi rivers are breathtaking. The bridge is over a hundred meters high, with a hollowed-out section that offers a view of the Yuxi River (called the Yuxi River after the confluence of the Dachuan and Baishi rivers) at the valley floor. Walking across the bridge is thrilling, with its wobbly feel like you're about to fall. I highly recommend taking a friend with a fear of heights on this walk; you might just forget about the scenery and finally overcome their fear of heights. For the more daring, try cycling at high altitude. Not only is it thrilling for you, but the thrill of watching the others on the bridge is even greater, leaving you feeling trembling all over.
Tea picking experience
Nanbao Mountain boasts vast alpine tea plantations, where you can experience the joy of tea picking, carrying a bamboo basket and wearing a cloak. Nanbao Mountain borders Ya'an and forms a vital part of the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Previously, tea grown here was transported to Tibet via the ancient Tea Horse Road as border tea. It may be different from the tea we drink today, being packaged in bamboo baskets in cakes similar to Pu'er tea, which can be stored for a long time. Of course, the plantations now also produce regular green tea. The tea plantations in Nanbao Mountain appear overgrown with weeds, but they may have been cleared only a month ago. However, since the plantations don't use pesticides, the weeds quickly grow back.
Digging Houttuynia cordata
Every year around Qingming Festival, the forests of Nanbao Mountain are filled with Houttuynia cordata, also known as fish mint. Some people might find it inedible, like cilantro and celery, which is a shame. The Houttuynia cordata grown in Nanbao Mountain is different from other Houttuynia roots. While most Houttuynia roots are eaten underground, the Houttuynia root grown in Nanbao Mountain is primarily eaten above ground, leaving only a very small amount of the underground stems. The above-ground stems are plump and tender, making them incredibly delicious. Every year around Qingming Festival, many foodies flock to Nanbao Mountain just to sample the freshest, most delicious Houttuynia cordata. Once you've tried it, you'll know it's the best Houttuynia root you've ever tasted, bar none...
transportation
Self-driving: It is only 130 kilometers from Chengdu to Nanbaoshan, which takes about 3 hours. Search for "Nanbaoshan Jinhua Village" on the map navigation, and the main attractions are nearby.
Shuttle Bus: Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chengdu to Qionglai, then transfer to a bus from Qionglai to Dachuan, getting off at Jinhua Village. Shuttle buses run from Chengdu's Chadianzi Bus Station, East Bus Station, and Xinnanmen Station, with fares of 27/32 yuan. Shuttle bus tickets between Qionglai and Dachuan cost 15 yuan.
stay
Both Muti Qiang Village and Jinhua Village offer numerous farmhouses, offering both accommodation and dining options. Jinhua Village is recommended for its stunning views of the canyon and convenient access to tea plantations, suspension bridges, and caves. Muti Qiang Village and Jinhua Village were relocated to other areas for Qiang people affected by the 5.12 earthquake in Qingchuan County. The residents are primarily Qiang, with simple customs and a primary source of income from tourism.
However, Nanbaoshan remains relatively unknown. Even after eight or nine years of relocation, life hasn't improved significantly. Just as we were recovering from the aftermath of the Wenchuan earthquake, we were struck by the 7.0 magnitude Lushan earthquake in 2013. The owner of the Qingchuan Family Farmhouse in Jinhua Village told me that many people in the Qiang village are clamoring to return to their hometowns in Qingchuan, hoping more tourists will visit Nanbaoshan, a truly beautiful place. Those who enjoy nature can also opt for camping, especially in the caves, which offer a unique experience.
gourmet food
Nanbaoshan boasts a wealth of delicious food. While seafood is unavailable, mountain delicacies are readily available, especially the various wild vegetables found there, such as bracken, bamboo shoots, Chinese toon buds, and watercress. There are also homegrown greens and the owner's Qingchuan cured pork, which is rich but not greasy and tastes fantastic. Of course, fruit is a must-try: the 10,000 mu of kiwifruit at the foot of Nanbaoshan, the alpine blueberry orchards of Zhitai Qiang Village, and the roadside plum trees of Jinshan Village... It's said that fruit tastes even sweeter when picked yourself.
Conclusion
What exactly is the beauty of Nanbaoshan? It's a difficult question to pinpoint. It lacks the stunning beauty of Jiuzhaigou or the thrill of Mount Huashan; its beauty is profound and restrained, understated and natural. The amazing thing is, once you've been there, you'll fall in love, returning in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Come in spring for the flowers, in summer for the water, in autumn for the crimson leaves, in winter for the snow—each season offers a different kind of beauty. You might hike, bike, caving, camp, take a relaxing vacation to watch the clouds drift across the canyon, or walk across a suspension bridge to find your passion for life—each experience suits your unique personality.
