Lushan has endured the hardship and is back, ready to speak some harsh truths

🌿 First Impressions of Lushan

Lushan is basically Henan’s “The Wizard of Oz”! In August, the average temperature here is 22°C, with a forest coverage rate of 97%. Stepping into the pine forest feels like falling into ice-cold sparkling water💦. The mountaintop has rolling seas of clouds, adrenaline-pumping canyon rafting, and a “crystal palace” inside the karst caves… This procrastinator finally put together this “Lazy Person’s Survival Guide,” just save it and you’re set!

📸 Must-Visit TOP 5

1️⃣ Yaoshan Grand Canyon Rafting

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What to do: 10 km super long river route, 150 meters drop, 4 hours of soaking and screaming (VIP ticket 388 RMB to skip the line).

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Dark tip: Don’t wear light-colored clothes! At the end, looking in the mirror feels like you’ve been splashed with soy sauce😂.

2️⃣ Zhongyuan Giant Buddha Scenic Area

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Freebie: Free for seniors over 60 and children under 1.4m! Making a wish at the feet of the 208-meter Buddha is very effective, remember to touch the Buddha’s feet and spin three times~.

3️⃣ Huamei Valley

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Hidden fun: Stream trekking and spotting wild Hwamei birds, the 4A-level “Mini Three Gorges” lives up to its name, ticket included in rafting package, a great deal.

4️⃣ Songyun Lake

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Photo hotspot: Shoot the “sunset molten gold” at 4 PM, the lake surface looks like a spilled eyeshadow palette, wearing a white dress will make you a star (free!).

5️⃣ Wanshi Maze

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Inner child alert: Crawling through narrow gaps like playing real-life “Temple Run,” bring a flashlight to find the “wolf’s den bed” Easter egg.

🚗 3-Day Intensive Itinerary

Day 1: Rafting Warrior Edition

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Morning: Head to Yaoshan rafting (starts at 10 AM), team up for a water fight, recommend buying water guns + waterproof bags (beware of tourist traps).

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Noon: At the rafting endpoint, eat “Lan Guo Cai” (pot stew), tofu soaked in meat juice, goes perfectly with rice for three bowls.

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Evening: Stay at That Year That Evening Homestay, starry sky room + mountain spring foot soak, five-star farmhouse, 150 RMB per person including breakfast.

Day 2: Buddha-style Wellness Day

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Morning: Capture the “Buddha’s light” in the morning mist at Zhongyuan Giant Buddha, eavesdrop on the guide’s gossip about Shakyamuni.

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Noon: Eat “Qiang Guo Hui Mian” (spicy pot stewed noodles) on Mozi Ancient Street, chili oil so fragrant it makes you sneeze, noodles so chewy you could jump rope with them.

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Evening: Stay at Kunlun Yaju Hotel, smart toilets + free shuttle, a Trip.com 4.9-star gem.

Day 3: Wild Nature Day

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Morning: Hike Huamei Valley, eat ice-cold watermelon under the waterfall (bring your own).

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Noon: Eat Yaoshan stew pot with native chicken + wild mushrooms, soup so thick it sticks to your lips.

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Evening: Before heading back, have green bean noodles, lamb soup base + hand-pulled noodles, mint leaves add an amazing freshness.

🍜 Food Hit List

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Lan Guo Cai: Pork belly + meatballs + bracken mixed stew, tastes like eating hot pot base with rice.

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Hu La Tang: Pepper so spicy it makes your head spin, with oil film on top you instantly become a Henan local.

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Huang Men Rou: Three-layer pork stewed until tender, dipping steamed buns in the sauce is the soul of the dish.

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Spring Water Tofu: Made with Songyun Lake water, tofu so fragrant you’ll doubt you ever ate plastic before.

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August Fried Wild Fruits: Free dessert picked from the mountains, tastes like a mix of lychee and banana.

💸 3-Day Expense Breakdown

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Tickets: Rafting 168 + Buddha 120 ≈ 288 RMB (don’t forget your student ID for half price!)

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Food: 80 RMB per day on average, stew pot 50 RMB per person is the priciest but worth it.

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Accommodation: Homestay 150 + hotel 200, total 350 RMB.

Total: Around 800 RMB, feels like Southeast Asia prices in a county town!

📱 Photo Trick Spots

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Cliff pine tree at Guan Yun Peak (wide-angle shot from below makes your legs look 2 meters long).

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Wooden boardwalk at Songyun Lake (back view + hair flip, full atmosphere).

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Messy photo at rafting endpoint (perfect for memes).

⚠️ Survival Tips

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Wear water shoes for rafting! The ones sold at the scenic spot are like disposable plastic bags.

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Hire a guide for wild hiking, don’t pick wild kiwifruit (fine warning).

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Booking on Trip.com is cheaper than on-site, lock your room 3 days in advance.

Endured: Hiking in sandals, almost had my toenail pried off by a rock… Didn’t apply sunscreen rafting, came back with “panda arms”👋.

Final ramble: Lushan really suits someone like me who’s both clumsy and loves to play! Any pros have secret tips? Come to the comments and let’s debate~ 🌈