Not Western Sichuan, but Jiyuan, Henan! A great free spot for water fun!

No entrance fee here—just herds of cattle and sheep, babbling streams, making it a perfect choice for hiking, camping, and family water play! ➡ Navigate to "Manghekou Reservoir." When you see an arched culvert, park your car along the roadside—the rest of the journey requires hiking! ➡ Follow the trail down to the riverbed—the path is clear. It only takes a few minutes from the parking spot to reach the water, which is clean and perfect for play. If you don’t want to go further, you can enjoy the water here! Wear sandals or water shoes if possible. ➡ Reaching the dam at the end takes about 30-40 minutes. The route is quite sunny, so sunscreen and plenty of drinking water are a must—there are no vendors inside! But it’s not overly hot, as the riverbed lies in a canyon with cool breezes. ➡ Swimming, camping, and paddleboarding are allowed here. But please, while bringing your gear and supplies, also bring your manners and trash bags. Leave nothing behind but memories in this beautiful place.