Escape Destinations Around Chengdu

🌿 Just 3.5 hours from Chengdu! Yele Lake + Menghuo City 2-Day Fairy Tale Guide｜Camping/Hiking/Kayaking Full Experience 🌿

No complicated plans needed, avoid the crowds, and go on a weekend trip anytime! This guide combines natural wilderness and off-the-beaten-path experiences to unlock the healing aesthetics of Western Sichuan’s "Little Switzerland."

🚗 Transportation Guide｜3.5h Direct to the Fairy Tale Entrance

Route: Chengdu → Yaxi Expressway → Liziping (about 3 hours) → Menghuo City (20 minutes) → Yele Lake (40 minutes)

• Road conditions: Entirely highway + paved roads, the last half hour is winding mountain roads with many turns; experienced drivers recommended, sedan speed ≤40km/h.

• Caution: Be careful during the rainy season (July-August), some sections prone to landslides; check weather and download offline maps before departure.

• Parking: Menghuo City scenic area parking fee 20 RMB/car, Yele Lake village collective camping site free parking.

📅 2-Day Itinerary｜A Duet of Nature and Culture

💚 Day 1: Chengdu → Jiuxiang → Menghuo City → Shimian

• 07:30 Depart from Chengdu

• Pass through Qingxi Ancient Town, check in at the Tea Horse Road ruins, where the bluestone paths soak in millennia of merchant stories.

• 10:30 Jiuxiang Ancient Town

• Explore Ming and Qing dynasty stone archways, eat Gongjiao beef noodles, spicy aroma hits your head.

• 12:30 Menghuo City Scenic Area

• Tickets: Free, sightseeing bus 20 RMB/person (round trip).

• Activities:

• Red Stone Beach: Stream covered with red moss, wear a white dress for forest-style photos.

• Forest Trail: 1km hike to a thousand-year-old dead tree, said to be Menghuo’s sacred tree, hang prayer flags for blessings.

• Beacon Tower: Climb up to overlook meadows and snow-capped mountains in one frame, hold your hat tight in the wind.

• Tips: Scenic area closes at 17:00, plan your time accordingly.

• 18:00 Shimian County

• Stay at Fengxiang Langqin Bay Theme Hotel (140 RMB/night), eat at Sister Luo’s BBQ, flame-grilled beef with pickled cabbage soup, about 75 RMB per person.

💚 Day 2: Shimian → Yele Lake → Chengdu

• 08:00 Yele Lake

• Camping site: Village collective camping ground (free), best lake view on the east shore, west shore slopes are slippery.

• Activities:

• Lakeside stroll: At 7:00 wait for morning mist and golden sunlight on the mountains, at 19:30 capture sunset dyeing the snowy peaks.

• Kayaking: Paddle on the lake, light blue water intertwined with snow mountain reflections, 30 RMB/hour.

• Horseback riding: Ride around the lake on horseback at the ranch, 60 RMB/hour, sheep as the natural backdrop.

• Gear: Bring your own windproof tent + thick sleeping bag (0°C at night), canopy tent rental available (50 RMB/day), toilet tent essential.

• 12:00 Return trip

• Pass through Jiuxiang, eat yellow beef hotpot, beef offal 80 RMB/jin, paired with mint leaves to cut grease.

🏕️ Yele Lake Camping Full Guide｜Free Campsites + Pitfall Tips

📍 Campsite Options

• Village collective camping site: Free, wide lake views, but no water or toilets, bring your own supplies.

• Avoid Lei Pastoral Town: 40 RMB/person, small site, low cost performance.

⛺️ Essential Gear

• Survival kit: Windproof tent, -5°C sleeping bag, shell jacket, headlamp, trash bags (3x volume).

• Food kit: Cassette stove, instant noodles, self-heating rice, bottled water (2L/person/day).

• Photo kit: Telephoto lens (for snow mountain reflections), folding stool (to avoid damp meadows).

⚠️ Hard Lessons Learned

• Fire safety: Open flames strictly prohibited, forest rangers patrol and fine starting at 200 RMB.

• Environmental protection: Carry out all trash, clean up leftover instant noodle boxes before camping.

• Safety: Soil near the lake is loose, avoid getting close; don’t wear sunglasses when horseback riding (easy to hit trees).

📸 Photo Secrets｜Fairy Tale Scenes Straight from the Camera

1. Morning Mist and Golden Mountains: 7:00 by the lake, use telephoto to compress space, snow mountains and mist like ink painting.

2. Sheep Ranch: 10:00 at the ranch, wear light-colored long dress, interact and capture moments with sheep.

3. Kayak Reflections: Afternoon paddling, low angle to shoot overlapping snow mountains and boat shadows.

4. Beacon Tower Silhouette: 17:00 climb beacon tower, backlight to capture person’s outline and meadow.

🍂 Seasonal Special Highlights

• June-September: Lake water is bluest, meadows bloom with wildflowers, mushroom picking (guide required).

• October-November: Autumn colors dye the forest, layers of colored trees, no filter needed for photos.

• December-February: Snowy fairy tale, lake freezes, perfect for “Frozen” themed photos.

🌄 Yele Lake and Menghuo City are hidden gems of Western Sichuan, the antonym of city hustle. Take this guide, camp by the lake, wait for the golden sunlight on the mountains, and let the sheep and wind heal all your fatigue.