Tiantai Mountain Exploration: Summer Escape, Scenery Viewing, Firefly Watching Tour

Number of days: 1 day
Time: August
Average cost: 100 yuan
With whom: With friends
Tour kinds: food, hiking, weekend trips
Updated: 2024.08.13

To the west of the Chengdu Plain, surrounded by mountains, there is also such a secret place: it is known for its "mountain wonders, beautiful water, forests, and stone monsters", with flowers in spring, water in summer, red leaves in autumn, and snow in winter.
At the moment, this is the season when fireflies dance. In the dense forest, thousands of elves flicker beside them, as if they are in a fairy tale world.
In the hot summer, I embarked on a summer vacation that I could just go, and the destination was the famous Qionglai Tiantai Mountain.

In this August, the hustle and bustle of the city seem to have been left behind, leaving only a heart that longs for nature and coolness. Heading towards that green secret realm.
In the early morning, when the first rays of sunlight penetrated the mist, I was ready to start the day's expedition from Xiaojiawan.

Xiaojiawan, a place that sounds full of quaint charm, is the gateway to Tiantai Mountain. Along the way, the trees are shady and the breeze is blowing, as if it is nature's most gentle welcome ceremony. The air is filled with the freshness of dirt and leaves, which instantly lifts people's spirits.
Not long after walking along the winding mountain road, a majestic Changhong rope bridge came into view. The bridge spans between two mountains, like a dragon lying horizontally, connecting this shore and the other bank.

Standing on the bridge, with the babbling stream under your feet and the crisp birdsong in your ears, people can't help but slow down and savor this tranquility and magnificence. I carefully walked across the rope bridge, and every step was a heart-pounding excitement and excitement.
After crossing the Changhong Rope Bridge, not far away is Changhong Waterfall. The waterfall is like silk, gently brushing over the rocks, making a pleasant sound, like the sound of nature. I sat on the rock next to the waterfall, closed my eyes, and let my heart flow with the sound of the water, feeling the tranquility and harmony.

I stood in front of the waterfall, letting the water droplets wet my clothes, and the coolness penetrated to the bottom of my heart, instantly dispelling the summer heat.

Continuing deeper, we came to the beehive. It is said that this place was once a nest of wild bees, and although it is difficult to find bee tracks now, the original wild fun is still unforgettable. The cool breeze inside the cave contrasts sharply with the heat outside, as if they are two worlds.

Continue along the mountain road to Xiangshuitan Waterfall. Before getting closer, the roaring sound of water was deafening, as if it were nature's most passionate movement. The waterfall cascades down from a high place, the water mist is permeated, and the sunlight reflects the colorful light through the water mist, which is beautiful.
After lunch, we took a short break and headed higher. Inverted boot stone, flower stone forest, Zhengtiantai...... These names sound desirable.

Next is Butterfly Bay, a place where you can play in the water to your heart's content. The water here is crystal clear and cold, making it the best place to cool off in summer. Tourists play in the water and enjoy the joy of splashing. The sun shines on the water, sparkling like countless diamonds jumping.

In the evening, we took a cruise to the Eighteen-Mile Herb Gully on the other side. The scenery along the way is picturesque and intoxicating. After arriving on the other side, we walked along the trail of Herb Gully, and the herbs on both sides swayed in the wind, exuding bursts of fragrance, which made people feel refreshed. It's not only scenic but also a fun-filled adventure. We walked along the ravine, sometimes climbing rocks, sometimes through dense forests, and experiencing the magic of nature.

When night fell, we returned to the firefly viewing platform in Xiaojiawan. At this time, Tiantai Mountain had changed into another face, and in the silence, dots of fluorescence flickered in the darkness, like stars in the sky falling into the mortal world. I sat quietly on the platform, watching these elves dance through the grass, my heart full of tranquility and emotion. At this moment, I seemed to be one with nature, and all my worries and sorrows went away with the wind.

This one-day trip to Tiantai Mountain not only made me feel the coolness and comfort of summer, but also appreciated the magic and infinite charm of nature. In the days to come, this beautiful memory will always be with me and become the most precious treasure in my heart.

Information about the scenic spot:
Ticket information: Full ticket 58 yuan/person, excluding sightseeing bus fees.
Sightseeing ticket: 8.5-day sightseeing car summer special offer is online, one-way ticket is 10 yuan/person (valid for a single time. The longest one-way distance can be from the visitor center to the rooftop of the mountain, the whole journey is about 15 kilometers), and a single ride is valid; 20 yuan/person (valid on the same day, unlimited number of rides).
Preferential policy for children: children between 1.3 meters and 1.5 meters enjoy half tickets, and children under 1.3 meters are free of charge (limited to 2 people per bus).
Opening hours: 8:30-18:00 in summer and autumn, 9:00-17:00 in winter and spring (this period is the opening time of scenic spots, if you stay in a hotel in the scenic area, you can enter the park at any time)
Self-driving up the mountain: Tourists staying in the scenic area can drive up the mountain (less than 7 seats) to enter the hotel after confirming with the hotel in advance to reserve a parking space.
Recommended hiking routes (two days and one night):
Day 1: Visitor Center → (by car) → Xiaojiawan → (walking) → etc. Le'an→ Tang Dynasty Chaoshan Ancient Road→ Small Mill → (by car) → Zhengtiantai → (walking) → Bailongdu→ Xiushui Sanyun / Shibali Herb Gully → Zhengtiantai → (by car) → Hotel → (walking/car) →Firefly viewing spot→ Hotel
Day 2: Hotel → (walking/car) →Huangzhi Rock/Yehegang/ Silver Peak (watching the sunrise and sea of clouds) → (by car) → Monk Yamen → (walking) → Sandaowan → (by car) → visitor center → (by car) → the Red Army Long March Memorial Hall.