The perfect May hiking destination: the "Little Jiuzhaigou of Western Sichuan"

1. Trip highlights - Wild deer interaction: Asia’s largest wild water deer habitat, feed carrots along the road (10 CNY each), 90% chance to see deer from 6:00 to 8:00 am - Alpine water sliding spectacle: Asia’s highest-altitude alpine water slide (200m drop), kayak downstream for an adrenaline rush, open through October in summer - Starry sky camping at its best: Ye Zhou Island campsite offers a night view of the Milky Way spanning snowy mountains, with professional telescopes available for rent - Seasonal wild charm: May’s Paulownia flower sea, September’s red leaves covering the hills, December’s frost and ice formations, each season offers unique scenery --- 2. Route plan (2 days 1 night highlights) Day 1: Easy hike + alpine water slide - Morning: - Self-drive/shuttle: Depart Chengdu via Chengya Expressway → Yakang Expressway → National Highway 318 (3 hrs), navigate to “Laba River Scenic Area East Gate” - Longyin Trail hike: Walk along wooden boardwalk through primeval forest, spot wild monkeys (do not feed), pass the 30m Kaimen Stone Waterfall - Afternoon: - Explore Red Stone Beach: Photograph red sandstone and turquoise reflections, wear non-slip shoes (slippery in rainy season) - Alpine water slide experience: Slide from 2,000m to 1,500m altitude, about 15 min (ticket + gear 198 CNY), bring waterproof phone case - Night: - Ye Zhou Island starry sky camp: Stay in a tent (300 CNY per tent including breakfast), Milky Way clearly visible after 8:00 pm, professional photography guidance provided Day 2: Jiao Mountain sunrise + return exploration - Early morning: - Jiao Mountain viewing platform: 3,700m altitude, watch sunrise with rolling sea of clouds and snowy mountain silhouettes (arrive before 5:30 am, bring oxygen tank) - Morning: - Deer Pool stroll: Visit wild deer drinking spot, autumn lake reflects stunning red leaves (best light 9:00–11:00 am) - Return and rest: After descending, visit Tianquan Cilangyi Homestay (30 min drive from scenic area), experience Tibetan Tea Horse Road culture --- 3. Accommodation recommendations (pitfall guide) 1. Ye Zhou Island starry sky camp - Features: Transparent dome tents, star-gazing equipment rental (50 CNY/hr), includes bonfire party - Pitfalls: Be cautious of “private guide night hikes” with hidden costs; bring electric blanket in winter 2. Blue Crystal Grand Hotel - Highlights: Lake view rooms facing Deer Pool, outdoor hot spring included (600 CNY/night), restaurant serves wild mushroom hot pot - Pitfall warning: “Tibetan family visits” at scenic entrance are often shopping stops, participate carefully --- 4. Food guide (must-try list) - Mountain delicacies: - Mushroom hot pot: At scenic restaurant “Luming Shifu” (80 CNY per person), combination of matsutake, boletus, and bamboo fungus - Cured meat bamboo rice: Freshly baked at Hetaoping Homestay (30 CNY per serving), cured meat with balanced fat, rich bamboo aroma - Snacks to try: - Mom’s meat pie: Mobile food cart inside scenic area (10 CNY each), crispy crust, best with wild mushroom soup - Spicy pepper chicken: Tianquan county “Old Brand Spicy Pepper Chicken” (40 CNY per person), fragrant pepper oil without harshness --- 5. Photography guide (95% success rate) - Recommended shots: - Red Stone Beach aerial: DJI Mavic 3 Pro + 200mm telephoto, top-down shots of red rocks and turquoise water, side lighting enhances texture - Deer interaction: Macro lens to capture antler details, use telephoto over 200mm to avoid disturbing animals - Starry sky time-lapse: Tripod + wide aperture (f/2.8), ISO 1600–3200, capture Milky Way movement trails - Outfit tips: Wear a windbreaker + bright scarf (contrast with Red Stone Beach background), non-slip hiking shoes for slippery sections --- 6. Practical tips (safety first) 1. Transportation: - Self-drive: Chengdu → Yakang Expressway → National Highway 318 (3 hrs), winding mountain roads require cautious driving - Shuttle: Daily 7:30 am departure from Xinnanmen Bus Station to Laba River (50 CNY ticket), last return bus at 3:00 pm 2. Gear checklist: - Essentials: Non-slip hiking shoes, trekking poles, 1.5L water + energy bars, sunscreen (SPF 50+) - Recommended: Knee pads (protect knees on long steps), raincoat (rainy season landslide prevention), offline maps (no signal in some areas) 3. Safety notes: - Wildlife: Keep over 5m distance, no feeding meat, gently scare monkeys by tapping tree trunks with sticks - Weather alerts: Frequent summer showers, bring waterproof shoe covers; winter snow on some roads requires traction chains - Environmental rules: Carry out all trash, no open flames (strict forest fire control period) --- 7. Trip options (flexible choices) - Half-day quick tour: East line hike (Longyin Trail → Kaimen Stone Waterfall) + Red Stone Beach (4 hrs) - In-depth experience: Day 1 Jiao Mountain sunrise + starry camping; Day 2 Deer Pool exploration + alpine water slide --- 8. Best travel times - May–June: Paulownia flower sea in full bloom, 15–25℃, occasional sea of clouds spectacle - September–October: Hills covered in red leaves, perfect for aerial photography, golden photography season - December–January: Frost and ice wonders, but watch for road closures - Avoid: July–August heavy rains, after November vegetation yellows and scenery dulls --- Summary: Laba River is the “last ecological secret of Western Sichuan.” Spend 2 days crossing snowy mountains, seas of clouds, and primeval forests, feeling the symbiosis of nature and life with the rhythm of dawn and dusk. Avoid tourist traps and measure this underdeveloped Western Sichuan gem on foot.