Hidden Hiking Gems | Ancient Temples × Mountaintop Tea × Mystical Forests

| Ancient Temples × Mountaintop Tea × Mystical Forests. 🌿Explore Mount Lingyan in Dujiangyan: Hidden Hiking Gems | Ancient Temples × Mountaintop Tea × Mystical Forests Near Chengdu, there's a magical mountain forgotten by time—Mount Lingyan ⛰️. Here, ancient trees tower into the sky, clouds and mist swirl, and the serenity of thousand-year-old temples blends with the tranquility of mountaintop tea houses. A favorite "divine route" among hiking enthusiasts, it lacks the crowds of Mount Qingcheng's front mountain, offering a unique and secluded tranquility ✨. Today, join me on this mystical forest path and experience the poetic fusion of hiking and nature. 🚶♀️Route Highlights Lingyan Mountain Boardwalk—Lingyan Ancient Path—Lingyan Ancient Street—Yunzuo Tea House—Lingyan Academy 📌Approx. 7 km | ⏳Duration: 3.5 hrs | 🌟Difficulty: ★★ 👨👩👧👦Suitable for all ages | 🍁🌸❄️Scenic year-round 🌳Stop 1: Lingyan Zen Wonderland: Forest Bathing on the Boardwalk Starting from the Erwang Temple parking lot in Dujiangyan, gently ascend along the "Lingyan Zen Wonderland" boardwalk. Towering fragrant nanmu and ginkgo trees on both sides intertwine to form a green canopy🍃. In late autumn, golden leaves carpet the stone steps🍂, and the soft pine needles underfoot rustle. Mist hangs in the air☁️, occasionally punctuated by birdsong🐦, as if stepping into a fairytale forest from a Miyazaki film. Looking back from the mountainside, the city of Dujiangyan appears and disappears like a traditional Chinese ink painting🎨. 🏮Stop 2: Lingyan Ancient Street: A Glimpse into the Past This ancient bluestone street is a must-see before reaching the summit! Wooden houses in the Sichuan style, adorned with faded red lanterns, line the street. A friendly little yellow dog🐕 wags its tail at the corner, becoming a "lucky charm" for hikers. The firewood-cooked douhua rice🔥 at the end of the street is a hidden gem—soft douhua dipped in chili sauce🌶️, a mountain delicacy that touches the soul! (⚠️Tip: Bring cash💵! The signal on the mountain often "disappears.") 🍵Stop 3: Yunzuo Tea House: Cliffside Relaxation Passing through the ancient street, halfway up the mountain, lies the cliffside Yunzuo Tea House. Built with old Yunnan wood, the tea house offers stunning views of the rolling sea of clouds☁️. Brew a pot of Pu'er tea over a charcoal fire, and let the tea aroma dance with the mountain breeze🌬️. The owner jokes, "Time here isn't for rushing, but for wasting⏳." Sitting and watching the clouds, you might forget whether you're in the mortal world or a fairyland✨. 📖Stop 4: Lingyan Academy × Ancient Temple: A Thousand Years of Zen The final stop is the Lingyan Academy, nestled deep in the forest! Thousands of books📚 line the shelves between the blue tiles and white walls. Sunlight☀️ streams through the carved window lattices onto the ancient texts, inviting a sense of reverence. Further up, the bell🔔 of Lingyan Temple echoes, ancient nanmu trees embrace the temple, and the lingering incense dispels all restlessness. In late autumn, the ginkgo leaves fall like golden rain🍂, a hidden gem for photographers📸! 🚗Practical Hiking Tips 1️⃣ Transportation ▸Drive to "Lingyan Ancient Street Parking Lot"🚗 (20 mins less walking than Erwang Temple parking lot) ▸High-speed rail: Chengdu Xipu Station → Dujiangyan Station (30 mins), then a 15-yuan taxi ride 2️⃣ Packing List ▸Essential: Non-slip hiking shoes👟 | 1L water bottle💧 | Windproof jacket (large temperature difference at the summit!) ▸Optional: Hiking poles (some stone steps are steep and slippery) | Camera📷 (too many beautiful views!) 3️⃣ Seasonal Activities 🍁Oct-Nov: Colorful autumn leaves + ginkgo rain | 🌸Apr-May: Blooming alpine azaleas ⚠️Caution: Stone steps are slippery and dangerous in rainy weather! 4️⃣ Hidden Gem Watch a sunset🌅 at the Yunzuo Tea House! As night falls, the lights at the foot of the mountain intertwine with the starry sky🌌, a breathtaking sight. 🌌Postscript The beauty of Mount Lingyan lies in its tranquility🌿. No noisy crowds, only the whispers of the wind, birdsong, and your own footsteps👣. If you're tired of the hustle and bustle of popular attractions, come here and be a mountain dweller for a day: ▸Sip a cup of cloud-mist tea, and feel the wind between your fingers🍵 ▸Read half a volume of an old book, and listen to the bell awaken the world📖 ▸Walk through the falling ginkgo rain, and collect the autumn colors in your heart🍂 📌Trip Information Card 📍Address: Mount Lingyan, Dujiangyan City, Sichuan Province 🎫Tickets: Free (temple incense is voluntary) ⭐Recommendation: ★★★★☆ 👥Suitable for: Family hikes | Zen retreats | Photography 🌟Follow me to discover more hidden hiking gems!