After visiting Heizhugou four times, I finally figured out how to make the most of it.

📍 Key Information

• Location: Ebian Yi Autonomous County, Leshan City, Sichuan, about a 3-hour drive from Chengdu.

• Tickets: ¥50/person (discounts available for online booking), half-price for students and seniors with valid ID, free for those over 65.

• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM). Arrive early to avoid crowds.

🚗 Transportation Tips

• Self-drive: Take the Chengdu-Leshan Expressway → Leshan-Hanyuan Expressway → Provincial Road S306 directly to the scenic area parking lot (free).

• Public Transport: Take a bus from Chengdu/Leshan to Ebian County, then transfer to a rural minibus to Heizhugou Town (about 1 hour, ¥14/person), and charter a car to the scenic area (about 20 minutes, ¥70/vehicle).

🌿 Must-Visit Attractions

1. **Malilengjiu (Alpine Meadow)**
◦ Hiking Route: Jing Shui Lake → Hand-in-Hand Bridge → Thousand-Year-Old Silver Magpie Tree → Viewing Platform (about 5 km total, 45 minutes at a relaxed pace).
◦ Highlights: Boardwalks through pristine forests, seas of azaleas in spring/summer, frost and snow scenery in autumn/winter—perfect for photos.

2. **Fengchao Rock (Canyon & Waterfalls)**
◦ Route: Shimen Pass → Chuanxin Pavilion → Shuxin Pavilion (1.5 km, 20 minutes). Crystal-clear streams and abundant negative oxygen ions.

3. **Ronghongde Hot Springs**
◦ Open Hours: 7:00 AM - 12:00 AM, featuring pools, soaking tubs, and steam rooms—ideal for post-hike relaxation.

🏡 Accommodation Recommendations

• Inside the Scenic Area: Heizhugou Site Inn (near the visitor center, 4.5-star rating, includes breakfast); Yefu Yi Homestay (cloud-sea view rooms, ~¥150/person).

• Heizhugou Town: Chanyi Resort Hotel (boutique style with Yi cultural experiences), great for in-depth exploration.

🍖 Food Guide

• Yi Cuisine: Tuotuo Meat (large boiled pork chunks with chili dip), roasted suckling pig, buckwheat pancakes. Try "Qianguanhong Yi Flavor Restaurant" (Gujing Village, ~¥60/person).

• Local Snacks: Fried potatoes (with fish mint), Lianzha Cai (wild greens cooked in soybean broth). Available at stalls near the entrance.

⚠️ Important Notes

1. Traffic Control: No private vehicles allowed inside; walk or take the shuttle (¥18/person, round-trip between two main sites).

2. Gear Advice: Wear anti-slip shoes for hiking and bring a windproof jacket (altitude 1,600-1,900m, large temperature swings).

3. Cultural Respect: Do not take photos in Yi villages without permission; follow instructions at bonfire events.

4. Safety: Off-limits areas (e.g., "Yinyang Boundary") are prohibited; hike with companions.

📌 Pro Tips

• Best Seasons: April-June for azaleas, October-November for autumn foliage. Avoid rainy season (June-August, slippery roads).

• Discounts: Free entry for Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan visitors in 2025; Shaoxing residents enjoy same benefits as Leshan locals.

Sample Itineraries

• 1-Day Trip: Chengdu → Malilengjiu hike → Fengchao Rock → Hot springs before return.

• 2-Day Trip:
D1: Chengdu → Ronghongde Meadow → Hot Springs
D2: Fengchao Rock → Yi Village Experience → Return

Heizhugou’s mystique and untamed beauty are worth capturing in photos and words. Check the official WeChat account for updates before your trip! 🌿✨