Foraging for Mushrooms and Embracing Wilderness at the Serene Forest Retreat in Xinduqiao 🌄

The winds of Western Sichuan are truly addictive. On the road from Kangding to Tagong Grassland, the sky stretches endlessly, with distant snow-capped mountains faintly visible. Driving through feels like stepping into a painting. Xinduqiao is the gentlest stopover on this journey. This time, I stayed at Muguilin Homestay tucked away in Waze Village, at an altitude of about 3,400 meters—quiet yet convenient. Though not right by Highway 318, it's just a 15-minute drive to the local market. Open the window, and mountain and river views greet you instantly. The minimalist wood-toned room design brings peace of mind, equipped with smart lighting, a high-end smart toilet, and 24-hour floor heating. Altitude sickness? No worries—there’s even an oxygen machine on standby. The biggest surprise? This isn’t just a hotel but more like a holiday garden camp. By day, brew coffee in the spacious courtyard, lounge in the tent area soaking up the sun and playing with dogs. At dusk, chase the sunset on a swing—photos need no filter 📷. At night, gaze up at the Milky Way cascading over a sea of cosmos flowers, so quiet you can hear your own breath. The location is super convenient: about an hour’s drive to Yuzixi, Tagong Grassland, Gunong Village, and Balangshengdu, while Jiagenba and Gedilamu are within half an hour. The hotel even leads free mushroom-foraging trips to Jiagenba, followed by a taste of the relaxed Tibetan lifestyle. The restaurant, with floor-to-ceiling windows in Japanese style, serves hearty yak meat hotpot—enjoy it on the terrace with sunset views for pure bliss. What’s rarer is the warmth here: the owner’s welcoming smile and the staff’s natural hospitality make it feel like a second home. If you’re looking for a peaceful, uncrowded retreat where you can savor the scenery and slow down, give this place a try 🏠.