[2025 Tianquan Attraction] Travel Guide for Zishixiang (Updated Oct)

|||🏞 Now is the perfect time to see the colorful forests in Western Sichuan, but crossing snowy mountains and altitude sickness might discourage many travelers. Last year around this time, I went to Laba River, less than 3 hours from Chengdu, with an elevation of only about 2000 meters. From late October to early November, the hills are covered with charming colorful forests, and you can also see many small animals. It's great for a weekend trip! - 🚙 Laba River is located in Tianquan County, Ya'an, about 2.5 hours from Chengdu. The scenic area has two routes: a walking boardwalk and a sightseeing vehicle route. On the first day, you can walk along the riverside path, and in the evening, you might even encounter deer looking for food. On the second day, you can take the sightseeing vehicle up the mountain. If the weather is good, taking the cable car to the top offers views of a sea of clouds. Unfortunately, the day I went was cloudy and foggy all over the mountain, but it had a unique apocalyptic beauty. - 🚙 The sightseeing vehicle going up continues to the cable car station, where there is a café to relax in ☕️. The sightseeing vehicle going down stops at various scenic spots along the way, where you can get off to explore and wait for the next ride. If you have enough time, you can visit the Red Stone Beach and Deer Pond, both with great scenery 😁. - 🏘 There are two hotels in the scenic area for accommodation. Luming Hotel is closer to the visitor center, facing the river, with a convenient location but slightly outdated facilities. Blue Crystal Hotel is deeper inside the scenic area, with better conditions and facilities, and a relatively quieter environment. 🍲 Both the hotels and visitor center have restaurants, but there is basically no food available up the mountain, so bring some snacks. - ✅ PS: 1⃣ Large temperature difference between morning and evening, bring warm clothes. 2⃣ You will encounter many monkeys along the way, keep an eye on your belongings. 3⃣ The Red Stone Beach requires about a 20-minute uphill walk, so save your energy 💪. 4⃣ Protect the environment of the scenic area, pack out your trash 👌.

“The Wizard of Oz” “The Ultimate Summer Escape”... Is the wildly recommended Labah River really worth visiting? After personal testing, I found many highlights, but some detailed tips were not fully explained. This article will clarify the activities and pitfalls all at once! 📍Location: Labah River Scenic Area, Ya'an, Sichuan 📝Core Activities: Split routes for check-ins, recommend staying 2 days Labah River is divided into east and west routes, each with its own scenic focus. If you have enough time, it’s best to explore both. - East Route (Canyon Hiking Trail) Route: Luming Hotel → Bishuiwan → Popular Ancient Tree → Yezhou Island → Blue Crystal Hotel The entire route follows the riverside canyon boardwalk, 4.5 km one way, 3-4 hours round-trip hiking. If you lack stamina, you can take the scenic area shuttle back. This route emphasizes “water interaction + forest vibe,” suitable for those who enjoy easy hiking. - West Route (Alpine Scenery Route) Route: Visitor Center → Cable Car → Heart-shaped Lake → Red Rock Beach → Deer Pond First take the sightseeing bus to the cable car station, then ride the cable car up to the 3500-meter viewing platform (it’s windy on the mountain, remember to bring a jacket). From the viewing platform, hike 1.5 km to Heart-shaped Lake, and on the way back, visit Red Rock Beach and Deer Pond. The natural scenery here is more magnificent. 🚗Transportation & Fees - Transportation: Self-driving is most convenient, about 3 hours from Chengdu; if you don’t have a car, you can take a direct shuttle from Ya'an Station (advance booking required). - Fees: - Entrance Ticket: 50 RMB - West Route Sightseeing Bus: 35 RMB - Cable Car: 90 RMB 🏨Accommodation & Hidden Perks - Recommended to stay at Blue Crystal Hotel or Luming Hotel. At night, you might encounter wild sika deer coming down the mountain, and if you’re lucky, you can observe them up close~ - Free Souvenir Badge: Check in at 6 designated photo spots to redeem. The west route has 8 check-in points, the east route has 4. If you’re doing a one-day trip and want the badge, prioritize the west route. ❓Frequently Asked Questions 1. Are there many monkeys? There are monkeys on both east and west routes. It’s recommended to bring a trekking pole for protection. Don’t shake bags or shoulder bags in front of them, and keep your camera safely stored. 2. Can you see deer? Wild sika deer are shy and tend to appear when there are fewer people in the early morning or evening. The west route has a higher chance of sightings. 3. Are there red pandas? The chance of encountering them near the cable car station is high. When I visited, I saw a sleeping red panda on a tree near the cable car lower station! 4. How effective is it for summer cooling? The river water is icy cold, and the breeze is very refreshing, but the UV rays are strong on sunny days, so be sure to apply sunscreen. 5. Can you bring pets? Yes, but keep dogs on a leash to avoid conflicts with monkeys. 6. Is a day trip from Chengdu enough? If you start early, it’s enough to enjoy. The west route takes about 4-5 hours, the east route about 3-4 hours, so you can choose one. 7. Will there be altitude sickness? The altitude is around 2000 meters, so altitude sickness is basically unlikely. Feel free to go! The beauty of Labah River is truly not exaggerated, but preparing in advance can help you avoid many troubles. Take advantage of summer to experience this refreshing coolness!

How to Enjoy the Highly Praised Labah River Online❓ Let me explain clearly❗ A green wonderland near Chengdu❓ A summer resort❓ Is Labah River really that good❓ The online reviews are not lying, but the details are unclear, so here’s a guide to fill in the gaps. 📍Filming Location: Labah River Scenic Area, Ya'an, Sichuan 📖 Travel Guide: Labah River is divided into east and west routes. If you have enough time, it’s recommended to spend two days exploring. Day 1️⃣ East Route: Luming Hotel → Bishuiwan → Popular Ancient Tree → Yezhou Island → Blue Crystal Hotel The east route follows the canyon boardwalk along the river, one way is 4.5 km, round-trip hiking takes 3-4 hours. If you get tired, you can take the scenic area shuttle back. Day 2️⃣ West Route: Visitor Center → Cable Car → Heart-shaped Lake → Red Stone Beach → Deer Pond For the west route, first take the sightseeing bus from the visitor center to the cable car station, then take the cable car up to the 3500m altitude viewing platform. It’s windy on the mountain, so it’s recommended to wear a jacket. From the viewing platform, hike 1.5 km to Heart-shaped Lake and then return. At the cable car station, take the bus down, stopping at Red Stone Beach and Deer Pond for sightseeing. 🚗 Transportation: Driving is more convenient, about 3 hours from Chengdu. If you don’t have a car, you can take a direct shuttle from Ya'an Station, but you need to book in advance. 🎫 Tickets: 50 RMB 🚌 West Route Sightseeing Bus: 35 RMB 🚡 Cable Car: 90 RMB 🏨 Accommodation: You can stay at Blue Crystal Hotel or Luming Hotel. At night, the sika deer come down the mountain, and if you’re lucky, you can see them. 🔍 Related Questions: 1️⃣ Which route has no monkeys? Both routes have many monkeys. Hold a hiking stick or wooden stick, don’t wave bags or shoulder bags in front of them, and make sure your camera is securely stored. 2️⃣ Where are the deer? The deer are wild and shy. They usually appear in the evening and early morning when there are fewer people. You’re more likely to see them on the west route. 3️⃣ Are there really red pandas? The chance of seeing red pandas is higher near the cable car station. This time, I saw a red panda sleeping on a tree right next to the cable car lower station. 4️⃣ Is it cool inside the scenic area? The river water is very cold, and the breeze is especially refreshing. However, if the sun is out, it can still be very sunny, so be sure to take sun protection measures. 5️⃣ Are the medals free to claim? You can get a free medal by checking in at 6 photo spots. The east route has only 4 check-in points, while the west route has 8. If you only have one day and want the medal, choose the west route. 6️⃣ Can you bring pets? The scenic area is pet-friendly, and you can bring dogs. Since there are many monkeys, be sure to keep your dog on a leash. 7️⃣ Is one day enough for a round trip from Chengdu? If you start early in the morning, you can finish. The west route takes about 4-5 hours, and the east route about 3-4 hours. 8️⃣ Is the altitude high? The altitude is about 2000m+, and there is basically no altitude sickness. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me in the comments!

1. Trip highlights - Wild deer interaction: Asia’s largest wild water deer habitat, feed carrots along the road (10 CNY each), 90% chance to see deer from 6:00 to 8:00 am - Alpine water sliding spectacle: Asia’s highest-altitude alpine water slide (200m drop), kayak downstream for an adrenaline rush, open through October in summer - Starry sky camping at its best: Ye Zhou Island campsite offers a night view of the Milky Way spanning snowy mountains, with professional telescopes available for rent - Seasonal wild charm: May’s Paulownia flower sea, September’s red leaves covering the hills, December’s frost and ice formations, each season offers unique scenery --- 2. Route plan (2 days 1 night highlights) Day 1: Easy hike + alpine water slide - Morning: - Self-drive/shuttle: Depart Chengdu via Chengya Expressway → Yakang Expressway → National Highway 318 (3 hrs), navigate to “Laba River Scenic Area East Gate” - Longyin Trail hike: Walk along wooden boardwalk through primeval forest, spot wild monkeys (do not feed), pass the 30m Kaimen Stone Waterfall - Afternoon: - Explore Red Stone Beach: Photograph red sandstone and turquoise reflections, wear non-slip shoes (slippery in rainy season) - Alpine water slide experience: Slide from 2,000m to 1,500m altitude, about 15 min (ticket + gear 198 CNY), bring waterproof phone case - Night: - Ye Zhou Island starry sky camp: Stay in a tent (300 CNY per tent including breakfast), Milky Way clearly visible after 8:00 pm, professional photography guidance provided Day 2: Jiao Mountain sunrise + return exploration - Early morning: - Jiao Mountain viewing platform: 3,700m altitude, watch sunrise with rolling sea of clouds and snowy mountain silhouettes (arrive before 5:30 am, bring oxygen tank) - Morning: - Deer Pool stroll: Visit wild deer drinking spot, autumn lake reflects stunning red leaves (best light 9:00–11:00 am) - Return and rest: After descending, visit Tianquan Cilangyi Homestay (30 min drive from scenic area), experience Tibetan Tea Horse Road culture --- 3. Accommodation recommendations (pitfall guide) 1. Ye Zhou Island starry sky camp - Features: Transparent dome tents, star-gazing equipment rental (50 CNY/hr), includes bonfire party - Pitfalls: Be cautious of “private guide night hikes” with hidden costs; bring electric blanket in winter 2. Blue Crystal Grand Hotel - Highlights: Lake view rooms facing Deer Pool, outdoor hot spring included (600 CNY/night), restaurant serves wild mushroom hot pot - Pitfall warning: “Tibetan family visits” at scenic entrance are often shopping stops, participate carefully --- 4. Food guide (must-try list) - Mountain delicacies: - Mushroom hot pot: At scenic restaurant “Luming Shifu” (80 CNY per person), combination of matsutake, boletus, and bamboo fungus - Cured meat bamboo rice: Freshly baked at Hetaoping Homestay (30 CNY per serving), cured meat with balanced fat, rich bamboo aroma - Snacks to try: - Mom’s meat pie: Mobile food cart inside scenic area (10 CNY each), crispy crust, best with wild mushroom soup - Spicy pepper chicken: Tianquan county “Old Brand Spicy Pepper Chicken” (40 CNY per person), fragrant pepper oil without harshness --- 5. Photography guide (95% success rate) - Recommended shots: - Red Stone Beach aerial: DJI Mavic 3 Pro + 200mm telephoto, top-down shots of red rocks and turquoise water, side lighting enhances texture - Deer interaction: Macro lens to capture antler details, use telephoto over 200mm to avoid disturbing animals - Starry sky time-lapse: Tripod + wide aperture (f/2.8), ISO 1600–3200, capture Milky Way movement trails - Outfit tips: Wear a windbreaker + bright scarf (contrast with Red Stone Beach background), non-slip hiking shoes for slippery sections --- 6. Practical tips (safety first) 1. Transportation: - Self-drive: Chengdu → Yakang Expressway → National Highway 318 (3 hrs), winding mountain roads require cautious driving - Shuttle: Daily 7:30 am departure from Xinnanmen Bus Station to Laba River (50 CNY ticket), last return bus at 3:00 pm 2. Gear checklist: - Essentials: Non-slip hiking shoes, trekking poles, 1.5L water + energy bars, sunscreen (SPF 50+) - Recommended: Knee pads (protect knees on long steps), raincoat (rainy season landslide prevention), offline maps (no signal in some areas) 3. Safety notes: - Wildlife: Keep over 5m distance, no feeding meat, gently scare monkeys by tapping tree trunks with sticks - Weather alerts: Frequent summer showers, bring waterproof shoe covers; winter snow on some roads requires traction chains - Environmental rules: Carry out all trash, no open flames (strict forest fire control period) --- 7. Trip options (flexible choices) - Half-day quick tour: East line hike (Longyin Trail → Kaimen Stone Waterfall) + Red Stone Beach (4 hrs) - In-depth experience: Day 1 Jiao Mountain sunrise + starry camping; Day 2 Deer Pool exploration + alpine water slide --- 8. Best travel times - May–June: Paulownia flower sea in full bloom, 15–25℃, occasional sea of clouds spectacle - September–October: Hills covered in red leaves, perfect for aerial photography, golden photography season - December–January: Frost and ice wonders, but watch for road closures - Avoid: July–August heavy rains, after November vegetation yellows and scenery dulls --- Summary: Laba River is the “last ecological secret of Western Sichuan.” Spend 2 days crossing snowy mountains, seas of clouds, and primeval forests, feeling the symbiosis of nature and life with the rhythm of dawn and dusk. Avoid tourist traps and measure this underdeveloped Western Sichuan gem on foot.