Only 1.5 hours from Chengdu! A natural refrigerator hotel hidden on the hillside of Qingcheng Mountain, perfect for summer cooling
Help! With Chengdu experiencing continuous 38°C days, I actually put on a light jacket in Qingcheng Mountain! This "Zunbo Forest Resort Hotel," secretly loved by locals, is like a real-life natural refrigerator—open the window to see the lush ancient forest of Qingcheng Mountain, and at night you need a quilt to sleep; even the air you breathe carries the cool, fresh scent of plants! As a seasoned visitor to Qingcheng Mountain with three visits, this treasure hotel I discovered completely changed my perception. I have to share this full guide for "summer cooling + wellness + family fun" with you all—missing it will make you regret the heat for a whole year!
🌿 Hotel Test: Bringing the forest into your room with a secluded aesthetic
The secret to cooling on the hillside
The hotel’s location is unbelievably perfect! Nestled on the hillside next to Gate 2 of Qingcheng Mountain Scenic Area, just a 1.5-hour drive from Chengdu. The moment you get out of the car, you’re hit by a wave of coolness—temperatures are 5°C lower than the city, combined with the negative oxygen ions in the mountain breeze, instantly blowing away the summer heat🌬️. The architectural design is amazing: black, white, and gray new Chinese-style villas hidden among the trees, the popular hot spring pools in the public area surrounded by green bamboo. In the morning, while drinking tea on the terrace, you might even see squirrels carrying pine cones scampering across the railing—this is the kind of weekend every working person deserves!
Smart and elegant living in the forest
- Natural wood healing space: Creamy white walls paired with light walnut furniture, even the clothes hangers are custom bamboo designs. As soon as you enter, you smell a faint woody fragrance. The most stunning feature is the 270° panoramic floor-to-ceiling window; lying in bed, you can watch the mountain mist drifting through the bamboo forest, like sleeping in the filming location of "A Dream of Splendor"🌿
- Lazy-friendly details: Electric curtains open with one button to reveal the mountain view, smart toilets with constant temperature function, even the bathroom mirrors have anti-fog features—every detail shows thoughtful care that "understands you."
- Hidden gem: Some rooms come with private hot spring pools. At night, fill them with hot water and sprinkle rose petals, soaking while stargazing creates an atmosphere that’s simply perfect✨
📸 Photo Guide: Five top Instagrammable spots to take over your social feed
1. Forest Hot Spring Area (two faces day and night)
During the day, sunlight filters through the leaves onto the pool, making every shot a "wild mountain hot spring masterpiece." At night, the pool lights up with strings of lights, and the mist swirling around feels like stepping into a fantasy drama scene. Secret tip: The hot spring water is sourced from a 2,000-meter-deep mineral spring, leaving your skin silky smooth like you’ve applied body lotion after soaking!
2. Glass Sunroom (perfect for star trail photography)
The transparent glass room on the top floor is a hidden gem! Shoot mountain silhouettes during the day, capture the sunset painting the clouds red at dusk, and set up your camera late at night for star trails—the low light pollution means you can even see the Milky Way with the naked eye, with a 100% chance of great shots📸
3. Ancient-style Zen Pavilion
Walk along the stone path to the back mountain, where a white-walled, green-tiled pavilion hides beside flowing water and bamboo tubes. Wearing Hanfu and standing there evokes the poetic scene of "Asking the child under the pine." The hotel offers free Hanfu experiences—remember to choose light colors, which match perfectly with the forest background!
4. Squirrel encounters in the garden
Several squirrels live in the public garden area and are quite social, often running up to visitors on the steps looking for peanuts. It’s recommended to bring some unsalted nuts, squat down, and feed them slowly. Capturing their little hands holding food is so cute it will melt your heart🐿️
🍲 All-in-one dining and accommodation: unbeatable value packages
Three must-book value packages (with money-saving tips)
- Basic package at 439 RMB: 1 night in a forest room + breakfast for 2 adults and 1 child + exquisite afternoon tea + unlimited hot spring access + Hanfu experience. It breaks down to just over 100 RMB per person for food, lodging, and fun.
- Advanced package at 499 RMB: Includes everything above plus a Qingcheng Mountain cured meat hot pot. The cured ribs are so tender they fall off the bone, paired with locally produced green chili dipping sauce—spicy yet fresh and super appetizing. Recommended for families of three.
- Extended stay package at 798 RMB: Stay 2 nights with free airport transfers, perfect for those wanting a deep oxygen recharge. It’s over 200 RMB cheaper than booking nights separately.
Deeply connected nearby activities
❶ Qingcheng Mountain hiking secret (6-minute walk)
Take a shortcut from the hotel’s back door to Gate 2 of Qingcheng Mountain Scenic Area, avoiding the crowds at the front gate and stepping straight into the heart of "Qingcheng, the world’s quietest." Recommended route: "Five Caves - Shangqing Palace - Laojun Pavilion," where you can see ancient temples and sea-of-clouds wonders. The old-fashioned ice pops at the summit cost only 5 RMB—enjoy one while overlooking the mountains, it’s amazing!
❷ Panda Valley for panda watching (9-minute drive)
Rush to Panda Valley before 8:30 AM to catch the famous scene of young giant pandas fighting over bamboo🐼. Head straight to the "Juvenile Giant Panda Villa" where the little fluff balls climb trees and tumble around, guaranteed to make you laugh until you’re out of breath. The panda-themed souvenir shop at the exit sells exclusive fridge magnets 30% cheaper than outside the park!
❸ Water fun at the hotel
A small creek hides behind the hotel’s back mountain. In summer, inflatable pools and water guns are set up for kids to splash around all afternoon; in winter, it transforms into a private hot spring sanctuary where you can soak in warm water while watching snowflakes fall on red leaves by the pool—breathtakingly beautiful❄️
📝 Pitfall avoidance guide: hidden tips locals won’t tell you
- Transportation: Take the intercity railway from Chengdu Xipu Station to Qingcheng Mountain Station, then a 10-minute taxi to the hotel—cheaper than driving and paying for parking.
- Dressing: Wear light-colored dresses during the day for ancient-style photos, and add a light jacket at night as the mountain has a big temperature difference between day and night.
- Bonus: The hotel front desk lends hiking poles and mosquito repellent. There are wild berries on the back mountain—ask staff if they’re safe to eat.
- Avoid: Flower wreaths sold at the scenic area entrance cost 20 RMB; haggle down to 10 RMB to get one.
After staying two nights at Zunbo Forest, I realized Qingcheng Mountain is not just about hiking and checking in—hiding in the forest to soak in hot springs, feed squirrels, and shoot star trails is the true summer cooling ritual for Chengdu locals! The packages in this guide are the best value after comparing three platforms, so save this and just go for it~