Heizhugou · Mali Lengjiu | Chengdu People's Altay

Mali Lengjiu Travel Guide: Secret Garden Deep in Heizhugou🌿🏔️ Destination Overview Malilengjiu, a 'High Mountain Eden' hidden in Heizhugou, Leshan, Sichuan! In the Yi language, it means 'meadow covered with flowers,' a pristine secret realm at an altitude of over 2,000m. Here are scattered alpine lakes, meadow pastures with herds of cattle and sheep, mist-shrouded Dove Tree forests🌳, and the legendary sacred place of blessing for the Yi Bimo (priests). When the morning mist drifts over the log bridge across the stream, you'll understand why Chinese National Geography calls it 'the last virgin land at North Latitude 30°'✨. Transportation Guide Recommended Driving Route - Starting from Chengdu: Chengdu → Jingkun Expressway → Mount Emei → Ebian → Heizhugou Town → Malilengjiu (Approx. 4.5-hour drive) 🚗 - Key points: - From the entrance of Heizhugou Scenic Area to Malilengjiu, you need to transfer to a sightseeing bus (CNY 20 per person, self-driving is prohibited due to the steep mountain road) 🚌 - Set the navigation destination to "Heizhugou Scenic Area", Malengjiao is a core attraction within the scenic area. Car-Free Options - Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station to Ebian County (4-hour bus ride) to Heizhugou Town by chartered car (RMB 50 per person) 🚌 - Scenic Area Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30, Latest Entry: 15:00🕒 Top must-dos Misty Forest Adventure Dove Tree Kingdom: May: Walk through the "dove flower" corridor (Gongtong flowers resemble white doves in flight) 🕊️ Follow the stream to find thousand-year-old ancient trees with bark covered in carved Yi ethnic group prayer symbols. ⚠️ Safety Tip: Do not stray from the boardwalk! There are swamps and wild animals deep in the forest🐾 Frolic in the alpine meadow Attractions - Rent Yi ethnic clothing (CNY 30/set) and take stunning photos in the pasture, with cows and sheep as a natural backdrop 🐏 - Find herdsmen to experience milking sheep/goats (CNY 10 per time), and enjoy freshly boiled sheep/goat milk wine to warm you up 🥛 📸 Magic moment: Meadow dew drops reflect rainbow light at sunrise 🌈 Lengxiang Spring Holy Water Blessing Secret Spot Location: Hidden Spring on the West Side of the Meadow Sense of ritual: - Using a wooden spoon, sprinkle water three times to honor heaven and earth (Yi ethnic group tradition) 🙏 - Tying colorful prayer flags requires inviting a Bimo to chant scriptures (RMB 50 per piece) Starry Sky Meadow Camping Limited Experience: - Designated camping area (CNY 100/tent), the Milky Way reflects in the lake at night 🌌 - Bonfire party dancing the Datimu dance (Yi ethnic group version of square dance), roasted potatoes with chili powder 🥔🔥 Yi Taste Revolution - Large Chunks of Boiled Pork: Boiled in plain water, dipped in salt and pepper, and hand-torn to eat (CNY 68 per serving) 🥩 - Pickled Cabbage Potato Soup: High mountain potatoes + ancient method pickled cabbage, the soup is fresh and appetizing (CNY 15/bowl) 🍲 - Buckwheat Baba: Made from bitter buckwheat flour, charcoal-grilled, perfect with wild honey spread (RMB 5/piece) 🍯 - Dark Challenge: Blood Sausage (pig blood + glutinous rice sausage), intense, with a strong, bloody fragrance (20 yuan/piece) 😱 Accommodation Bible Landscape Lover: - Midu Hotel: the only hotel in the scenic area, window views of the sea of clouds (RMB 400 per night with breakfast) 🌅 Cultural: - Heizhugou Town Yi ethnic homestay: Chatting by the fire pit at night + Learn Yi embroidery (CNY 80/bed) 🧵 Wild Side: - Malilengjiu Camping Area (moisture-proof mat provided, bring your own sleeping bag) ⛺ A painful lesson 1. Unpredictable weather: - Experience four seasons in one day, bring a jacket, raincoat, and sunscreen 🌧️🌞 - Summer thunderstorms are frequent, do not stay in open meadows after 14:00 ⚡ 2. Altitude Sickness Warning: - Some areas have an altitude of 2500m, bring glucose oral solution 🥤 - The forest air is rich in oxygen, but climbing mountains still requires knowing your limits 🚶‍♂️ 3. Ecological Iron Rule: - No-fly zone for drones in the entire area (Nature Reserve Policy) 🚁 - Fine for picking wild flowers: 500 yuan, do not pick wild mushrooms (May be poisonous) 🌼🍄 4. Transportation Traps: There is no public transportation from Heizhugou Town to the scenic area. Book your return transportation in advance 🚗 - Winding mountain roads, motion sickness warning, prepare plastic bags + mint balm 🤢 5. Code of Conduct: - Keep distance from Yi ethnic group sacrificial activities, no photos or loud noise 🙊 - Accommodation is tight during the Torch Festival (24th day of the 6th lunar month), book 2 months in advance 📅 When the morning mist drifts over the agate-colored lake, step barefoot onto the dew-kissed meadow. In the distance, the chanting of the Bimo (Yi shaman) intertwines with the tinkling of sheep bells, and the green smoke from burning pine branches, carrying the scent of buckwheat, drifts into your nostrils—this pristine secret realm, where even a mobile signal is a luxury, perhaps is the most luxurious antidote for city dwellers🌿🕊️ Best Season - May-June: Dove tree flowers bloom + Alpine rhododendrons 🌺 - September-October: Colorful forests like fire + mushroom harvest 🍄 - Dec-Feb: Ice and Snow Wonderland (some areas closed) ❄️ 🔔 Fun fact: Heizhugou is called "China's Bermuda", but the Mali Lengjiu area is well-developed and safe!