National Day Escape to Erlang Mountain Labah River: A 3-Hour Drive from Chengdu to a Green Wonderland, Sharing Mornings with Wild Sika Deer

Open the window, and a sea of forest greets you, birdsong replaces the alarm clock, and sika deer stroll leisurely on the lawn—mornings here can heal a whole year’s fatigue. While major scenic spots are crowded during the National Day holiday, I found a true “reverse tourism” paradise at Erlang Mountain Labah River, just a 3-hour drive from Chengdu. As soon as I got off the car, the cool scent of Korean pine mixed with the mountain breeze embraced me. The temperature was nearly 10 degrees cooler than the city, and even the weakening phone signal felt like a relief—this must be the relaxation urbanites dream of. As a travel blogger who has visited countless attractions, I dare say Labah River is the most underrated hidden gem in Western Sichuan. With 95% forest coverage, a natural 20°C air conditioner, and herds of wild sika deer and Tibetan macaques, it feels like a green wonderland forgotten by time. 01 Itinerary Planning: A Perfect Two-Day One-Night Trip Day 1: Depart from Chengdu → Arrive at the scenic area by noon → Leisurely explore the East Line (from Hetaoping to Blue Crystal Waterfall) → Stay overnight at Blue Crystal Hotel to stargaze → Watch sika deer forage at the Deer Viewing Platform at night. Day 2: Experience a morning forest bath → Explore the West Line (take sightseeing bus and cable car up the mountain) → Take photos at Red Stone Beach → Encounter sika deer at Deer Pool → Return to Chengdu in the afternoon. Best Season to Visit: October to November marks the start of the colorful forest season at Labah River, with mountains painted in vibrant hues, breathtakingly beautiful. During National Day, the number of visitors is relatively low, making it an excellent choice to avoid crowds. 02 East and West Line Hiking: Two Completely Different Experiences East Line: Family-Friendly Forest Walk Starting from Hetaoping Visitor Center, hike along Longyin Trail to Blue Crystal Hotel, a one-way distance of 4.5 km, elevation about 1200-1300 meters, taking approximately 2.5-3 hours. This boardwalk is built along the mountain and water, with streams flowing and waterfalls connected all the way. Must-visit spots include: • Popular Suspension Bridge: Near Luming Hotel, great for photos • Open Door Stone Waterfall: Cascades down from a height with powerful flow, most beautiful at 3 PM when sunlight pierces the mist • Blue Crystal Waterfall: The East Line endpoint, majestic with misty rainbows appearing occasionally The East Line hike is easy and gentle, suitable for families with elders and children. I personally saw three generations walking and singing together, with kids chasing butterflies joyfully. West Line: A Natural Wonder Above the Clouds The West Line is for adventurous visitors and offers the essence of Labah River’s scenery. First, take a sightseeing bus winding up the mountain, then transfer to a cable car reaching the Jiao Mountain Viewing Platform at over 3600 meters elevation. As the cable car passes through clouds, the forest below spreads like a green velvet carpet, and distant mountain ranges stretch endlessly, like a fairyland. West Line must-see spots: • Red Stone Beach: Iron-rich stones glow vividly red under sunlight, like scattered rubies on the earth • Deer Pool: Wild sika deer often come here to drink and play at dawn and dusk, known as the “Little Nara of Western Sichuan” • Heart-Shaped Lake: Requires a 30-minute hike from the cable car station, but the scenery is absolutely worth it Note: The West Line is at high altitude; those prone to altitude sickness should proceed with caution and prepare oxygen bottles in advance. 03 Hidden Activities: Unexpected Encounters with Wildlife The most charming aspect of Labah River is the surprise of encountering wild animals. At the Deer Viewing Platform near Luming Hotel, from 9 PM to 5 AM, herds of sika deer come to lick salt, sometimes numbering over a hundred, creating the spectacular “Hundred Deer Salt Licking” scene. Watching quietly through the hotel’s glass windows, their graceful postures are breathtaking. Early morning and dusk are the best times to spot animals. Near Yindong Sea on forest trails, I saw a sika deer drinking by the stream, sunlight filtering through leaves onto its body, a scene as beautiful as a dream. The monkeys here are also quite amusing, but remember not to tease or feed them—they might snatch your bag. 04 Accommodation Options: Wonderful Stays Amid Scenic Beauty Blue Crystal Hotel is nestled by the mountain and water, with green views from the window, falling asleep to insect sounds at night, and waking to birdsong in the morning. The Blue Crystal Lake in front of the hotel is emerald blue, and the waterfall roars thunderously—an excellent location. Luming Hotel is more budget-friendly, with the biggest highlight being the close-up view of sika deer. At night, deer come near the hotel to lick salt, allowing you to experience the magic of wildlife encounters without traveling far. For those who enjoy experiential stays, Hetaoping Camp offers tent overnighting, where you can gaze at the starry sky and listen to the babbling stream at night, a unique charm. 05 Food Recommendations: Memorable Mountain Flavors The scenic area’s restaurant serves clay pot ayu fish soup, exceptionally fresh and flavorful, a local specialty. The cured bacon is marbled with fat and lean, rich but not greasy, salty and fragrant; wild vegetable scrambled eggs are refreshing and tasty, carrying the flavor of the wild. Since the scenic area is large and some routes are long, it’s recommended to bring energy bars, beef jerky, fruits, and other snacks to replenish energy anytime. 06 Practical Tips: Make Your Trip Easier 1. Clothing: Mountain areas have large temperature differences between morning and night; even in summer, bring a thick jacket; for hiking, windbreakers and thermal pants are necessary. 2. Mosquito and Sun Protection: Forests have many insects, spray mosquito repellent in advance; on sunny days, sunscreen, sun hats, and sunglasses are essential. 3. Safety First: Keep distance from monkeys, avoid rummaging bags or carrying plastic bags in public; stay quiet when watching sika deer to avoid startling them with flash. 4. Photography Tips: Wear bright colors in front of waterfalls for better photos; deer are active at dawn and dusk; drones can capture stunning cloud sea shots (registration required). 5. Eco-Friendly Travel: The scenery is precious, take away beautiful memories, leave the mountains clean, do not litter, protect the Red Stone Beach ecosystem. Standing at Jiao Mountain Viewing Platform, watching the sea of clouds surge beneath my feet, I suddenly understood why so many people fall in love with Labah River. There are no crowded crowds, no noisy horns, only the sound of wind through the trees, the babbling of streams, and occasional bird calls. A mother with her child told me, “In this forest, my child learned to quietly observe a deer walking, which is more meaningful than visiting an amusement park ten times.”