Shocked! This hidden gem with a niche lake view actually holds the most poetic summer in Sichuan!

Shocked! This hidden gem with a niche lake view actually holds the most poetic summer in Sichuan! "When the clouds outside the car window suddenly parted, and a patch of emerald-colored lake water burst into view, I almost slammed on the brakes—this isn’t a lake at all! It’s clearly a jade cup spilled by a fairy!" Standing on the Yanu Lake viewing platform, I finally understood why locals say, "Yanu Lake came first, then Wawu Mountain." This stunning lake hidden deep in the mountains of Hongya County, Meishan, is overturning all visitors’ imaginations of western Sichuan’s landscapes with its misty, fairy-like aura. 1. The underestimated "Pearl of the Three Mountains": A paradise hidden on the loop Yanu Lake’s location is truly heaven-chosen—it lies quietly at the center of the golden triangle formed by Mount Emei, Wawu Mountain, and Zhougong Mountain, yet it remains little known due to its low profile. It’s only a 2.5-hour drive from Chengdu, and the last 30 kilometers of winding mountain road is a visual feast: when the clouds outside the window churn like a sea, the suddenly revealed lake surface looks as if enchanted, so tranquil you can hear your own heartbeat. "The average summer temperature here is 23°C, 8°C cooler than Chengdu!" Local homestay owner Lao Zhou handed me a cup of clear tea. Outside the window, fine rain was falling, but the lake surface shimmered with tiny silver lights. Yanu Lake is actually a high-altitude lake formed by the Wawu Mountain Hydropower Station, sitting at 1,080 meters above sea level. Its 15 square kilometers of lake surface is surrounded by primeval forest, with negative oxygen ion content reaching 30,000 per cubic centimeter—this isn’t just a lake; it’s a natural oxygen bar built in the clouds! 2. 360° no-dead-angle play guide: 24 hours from morning mist to starry sky Morning Mist Wonderland (5:30-7:30) "To see the soul of Yanu Lake, you must arrive before sunrise." Photographer A Jie, staying at the lakeside "Yunqi Cottage," dragged me out of bed before dawn. When the first ray of sunlight pierced the clouds, the entire lake suddenly woke up: Wawu Mountain in the distance appeared faintly through the mist, its reflection in the water shattered into thousands of silver scales; nearby, the reeds were covered with dewdrops, and occasionally a white egret skimmed the water surface, its wingtip ripples waking the sleeping fish. 📸 Photo Tips: • "Mist Trail" on the east side of the viewing platform: Use a telephoto lens to compress space and capture the magical feeling of the sea of clouds passing through the mountains • West dock of the lake: Early morning fishing boats just leaving port, capture the overlapping silhouette and reflection of the bow • Homestay terrace: Bring a cup of hot tea and use time-lapse photography to record the movement of the mist Lake Loop Exploration (8:00-11:00) Rent an electric bike and ride along the 18-kilometer lake loop road, every corner a surprise: 1. Waterfall Viewing Platform: A hidden gem halfway up the mountain; during the rainy season, water cascades down from 60 meters high, and the mist cools the air by 5°C instantly 2. Wild Fishing Paradise: "Jiang Taigong" fishing spots are everywhere by the lake; locals say the cold-water fish here are the plumpest, and if lucky, you can catch a 10-pound Yayu fish 3. Ancient Village Flavor Hunt: Wangping Village preserves Ming and Qing dynasty old houses; 70-year-old Grandma Zhang’s "Wawu Mountain smoked meat stewed with bamboo fungus" is so fragrant it makes you eat three bowls of rice Afternoon Leisure Time (13:00-15:00) Recommended experiences: • Boat afternoon tea: Spend 80 yuan to rent a small boat, brew a pot of Mengding Mountain tea in the middle of the lake, and watch the cloud shadows break into ripples at the bow • Forest handicrafts: Lakeside workshops offer plant dyeing experiences, making exclusive eco-friendly bags with fallen leaves from Yanu Lake • Waterfall coffee: A trendy café hidden in the mountain stream; sit by the floor-to-ceiling window watching the waterfall cascade, with blue sky reflected in your coffee cup Sunset Feast (18:30-19:30) "To watch Yanu Lake’s sunset, you need to bring three senses." Local guide Xiao Li said mysteriously. When the setting sun dyes Wawu Mountain golden, indeed: • Your ears hear the calls of returning birds echoing through the valley • Your nose smells the fresh pine needle scent baked by the sunset • Your tongue tastes the iced yangmei juice brought by the homestay auntie—made fresh from wild yangmei picked by the lake 3. Live inside the scenery: From wild luxury tents to cloud-level homestays For nature lovers: Lakeside camping base Although the water level has risen recently, the adjusted camping area is closer to the forest. The 300 yuan/night tents have floor heating; you’ll be woken by birdsong in the morning and lie on moisture-proof mats at night counting stars, with the Milky Way so clear it looks like silk within reach. For art lovers: Hushan Book House Homestay A homestay converted from an old grain station, each room named after a poem. The top-floor "Listening to Waves" room has 270° floor-to-ceiling windows, where you can watch the lake view lying in the bathtub. The housekeeper prepares a mugwort foot soak bucket and gives a hand-drawn map of the lake loop. For families: Wawu Mountain Residence Hotel A fairy-tale castle hidden deep in the forest, with a children’s playground and cute pet interaction area. The most stunning feature is the infinity pool, which feels like swimming at the top of the forest by day, and at night the pool lights blend with the starry sky. 4. Foodie’s secret map: A feast of mountain delicacies and lake fresh flavors • Must-try trio: 1. Wawu Mountain cold bamboo shoots stewed chicken: Slow-cooked for 4 hours with mountain spring water, the bamboo shoots are so crisp you can hear the "crack" 2. Yanu Lake whole fish feast: Multiple ways to enjoy one fish—fish head stewed soup, fish body cooked with pickled vegetables, fish tail fried crispy 3. Hongya vine pepper duck: Marinated with local green Sichuan peppercorns, numbing your lips but you can’t stop eating • Hidden menu: • Saturday morning market: The farmers’ market at Wangping Village entrance, wild raspberries at 5 yuan per jin sweeter than first love • Late-night canteen: Lakeside barbecue stall’s grilled Yayu fish, crispy skin and tender fish meat like tofu • Souvenirs: Freshly roasted Wawu Mountain walnuts, half the price of supermarkets and shelling included 5. Practical tips: Smart ways to avoid crowds 1. Off-peak secret: Fewest tourists from Tuesday to Thursday, homestay prices drop by 30% 2. Transportation bonus: Chengdu New South Gate Station has a direct tourist line to Yanu Lake, ticket includes entrance fee 3. Weather alert: Prepare waterproof shoe covers during rainy season (June-August), but the cloud and mist scenery is most stunning then 4. Money-saving trick: Buy the "Three Mountains Combo Ticket," saving 56 yuan compared to buying tickets separately Standing on the return bus, watching Yanu Lake gradually disappear into the mountains, I suddenly understood why it’s called "Yanu"—it has the grace of a refined lady (the vast lake surface), the liveliness of a delicate beauty (the ever-changing mist), and the spicy character unique to western Sichuan women (the food). This summer, if you want to find a place to let your soul breathe, Yanu Lake is waiting deep in the mist for a 23°C date with you.