Lushan has endured the hardship and is back, ready to speak some harsh truths

​​🌿 First Impressions of Lushan​​ Lushan is basically Henan’s “The Wizard of Oz”! In August, the average temperature here is 22°C, with a forest coverage rate of 97%. Stepping into the pine forest feels like falling into ice-cold sparkling water💦. The mountaintop has rolling seas of clouds, adrenaline-pumping canyon rafting, and a “crystal palace” inside the karst caves… This procrastinator finally put together this “Lazy Person’s Survival Guide,” just save it and you’re set! ​​📸 Must-Visit TOP 5​​ 1️⃣ ​​Yaoshan Grand Canyon Rafting​​ • ​​What to do​​: 10 km super long river route, 150 meters drop, 4 hours of soaking and screaming (VIP ticket 388 RMB to skip the line). • ​​Dark tip​​: Don’t wear light-colored clothes! At the end, looking in the mirror feels like you’ve been splashed with soy sauce😂. 2️⃣ ​​Zhongyuan Giant Buddha Scenic Area​​ • ​​Freebie​​: Free for seniors over 60 and children under 1.4m! Making a wish at the feet of the 208-meter Buddha is very effective, remember to touch the Buddha’s feet and spin three times~. 3️⃣ ​​Huamei Valley​​ • ​​Hidden fun​​: Stream trekking and spotting wild Hwamei birds, the 4A-level “Mini Three Gorges” lives up to its name, ticket included in rafting package, a great deal. 4️⃣ ​​Songyun Lake​​ • ​​Photo hotspot​​: Shoot the “sunset molten gold” at 4 PM, the lake surface looks like a spilled eyeshadow palette, wearing a white dress will make you a star (free!). 5️⃣ ​​Wanshi Maze​​ • ​​Inner child alert​​: Crawling through narrow gaps like playing real-life “Temple Run,” bring a flashlight to find the “wolf’s den bed” Easter egg. ​​🚗 3-Day Intensive Itinerary​​ ​​Day 1: Rafting Warrior Edition​​ • ​​Morning​​: Head to Yaoshan rafting (starts at 10 AM), team up for a water fight, recommend buying water guns + waterproof bags (beware of tourist traps). • ​​Noon​​: At the rafting endpoint, eat “Lan Guo Cai” (pot stew), tofu soaked in meat juice, goes perfectly with rice for three bowls. • ​​Evening​​: Stay at That Year That Evening Homestay, starry sky room + mountain spring foot soak, five-star farmhouse, 150 RMB per person including breakfast. ​​Day 2: Buddha-style Wellness Day​​ • ​​Morning​​: Capture the “Buddha’s light” in the morning mist at Zhongyuan Giant Buddha, eavesdrop on the guide’s gossip about Shakyamuni. • ​​Noon​​: Eat “Qiang Guo Hui Mian” (spicy pot stewed noodles) on Mozi Ancient Street, chili oil so fragrant it makes you sneeze, noodles so chewy you could jump rope with them. • ​​Evening​​: Stay at Kunlun Yaju Hotel, smart toilets + free shuttle, a Trip.com 4.9-star gem. ​​Day 3: Wild Nature Day​​ • ​​Morning​​: Hike Huamei Valley, eat ice-cold watermelon under the waterfall (bring your own). • ​​Noon​​: Eat Yaoshan stew pot with native chicken + wild mushrooms, soup so thick it sticks to your lips. • ​​Evening​​: Before heading back, have green bean noodles, lamb soup base + hand-pulled noodles, mint leaves add an amazing freshness. ​​🍜 Food Hit List​​ 1. ​​Lan Guo Cai​​: Pork belly + meatballs + bracken mixed stew, tastes like eating hot pot base with rice. 2. ​​Hu La Tang​​: Pepper so spicy it makes your head spin, with oil film on top you instantly become a Henan local. 3. ​​Huang Men Rou​​: Three-layer pork stewed until tender, dipping steamed buns in the sauce is the soul of the dish. 4. ​​Spring Water Tofu​​: Made with Songyun Lake water, tofu so fragrant you’ll doubt you ever ate plastic before. 5. ​​August Fried Wild Fruits​​: Free dessert picked from the mountains, tastes like a mix of lychee and banana. ​​💸 3-Day Expense Breakdown​​ • ​​Tickets​​: Rafting 168 + Buddha 120 ≈ 288 RMB (don’t forget your student ID for half price!) • ​​Food​​: 80 RMB per day on average, stew pot 50 RMB per person is the priciest but worth it. • ​​Accommodation​​: Homestay 150 + hotel 200, total 350 RMB. ​​Total​​: Around 800 RMB, feels like Southeast Asia prices in a county town! ​​📱 Photo Trick Spots​​ 1. Cliff pine tree at Guan Yun Peak (wide-angle shot from below makes your legs look 2 meters long). 2. Wooden boardwalk at Songyun Lake (back view + hair flip, full atmosphere). 3. Messy photo at rafting endpoint (perfect for memes). ​​⚠️ Survival Tips​​ • Wear water shoes for rafting! The ones sold at the scenic spot are like disposable plastic bags. • Hire a guide for wild hiking, don’t pick wild kiwifruit (fine warning). • Booking on Trip.com is cheaper than on-site, lock your room 3 days in advance. Endured: Hiking in sandals, almost had my toenail pried off by a rock… Didn’t apply sunscreen rafting, came back with “panda arms”👋. ​​Final ramble​​: Lushan really suits someone like me who’s both clumsy and loves to play! Any pros have secret tips? Come to the comments and let’s debate~ 🌈