Successfully Escaping the Heat at Labah River (2-Day Tour without Staying in the Scenic Area)

Chengdu's 40-degree heat is unbearable, but successfully escaped the heat at Labah River. The scenery of the scenic area is only worth 2 stars, but from the perspective of escaping the heat, it deserves 4 stars. 📝Itinerary Since we decided to go a day in advance, both hotels in the scenic area (Luming and Blue Crystal) were fully booked and a bit expensive. Based on various travel tips, we finally found a newly opened homestay in Hongling Village, 37km away from the scenic area, costing 85 per person, highly recommended (you can also stay in Tianquan County, but it's very hot). 1️⃣Day 1: Chengdu - Hongling Village Homestay in Labah River Town After resting at the homestay, you can go to Maoziyan, about 500 meters nearby, to dip in the water. The river valley is shaded, not sunny at all, and the water is refreshingly cool! Dinner can be homemade dishes at the homestay, most of the vegetables are grown by the owner. In the cool evening, you can pick up stones, fish, and pick wild cherry tomatoes by the river outside the homestay. 2️⃣Day 2: Homestay - Labah River Scenic Area After ticket verification at the entrance of the scenic area, drive to Hetaoping and park the car there. It is recommended to buy tickets online in advance (50/person) to save time. 🌈One-Day Tour Specific Route 1️⃣Morning: West Line From Hetaoping, turn left to the west line, take the sightseeing bus, and get off at the lower station of the cableway. You can take the cableway to continue up the mountain. The sightseeing bus + cableway combo ticket costs 💰128. After reaching the upper station of the cableway, it is not the top of the mountain yet, you need to hike 1.2km to Heart-shaped Lake (altitude 3758m), which takes 1-1.5 hours round trip. Personally, I suggest that a one-day tour does not need to go there, as high-altitude hiking is somewhat difficult, and the scenery at the top is very average, and it's hard to call Heart-shaped Lake a lake. If you still want to hike up, you don't need to bring trekking poles because the entire path is a hollow steel frame walkway, and trekking poles are useless. Remember to bring a jacket, it's cold. If you don't take the cableway up the mountain, take the sightseeing bus down the mountain. There are attractions like Red Stone Beach, Zipline Station (where wild monkeys and deer gather), and Deer Pool along the way. You can choose to stop and visit. 2️⃣Afternoon: East Line After finishing the west line, return to Hetaoping and start the east line. You can drive to the Blue Crystal Hotel at the end, stopping to play at places you like along the way. You can also walk the entire Longyin Trail (4.5km) with almost no elevation gain, which is easy. Summary: If you are on a one-day tour to escape the heat, just slow down and play in the shaded areas by the river on the Longyin Trail on the east line for a day, which is more relaxing and enjoyable. If it's a two-day tour (staying in a scenic area hotel), you can do one line per day, which won't be so intense. ⭐Some Other Tips 1️⃣There are snack shops at Hetaoping/lower station of the cableway for supplies. 2️⃣Bring a jacket, it's cold enough to get goosebumps at 8 am when the sun hasn't come out yet. 3️⃣Be safe! Don't go to deep water areas with strong currents when going down the river, just step in the water at the edge. If the water level rises upstream, there is time to avoid danger. The place we went on the first day was recommended by the homestay owner, and they had considered safety, but you must also have safety awareness. 4️⃣Although the monkeys are friendly, don't tease them or take out food in front of them. 5️⃣Sun protection! My feet got sunburned because I didn't apply sunscreen on the exposed parts while wearing sandals. It's not about getting tanned, it hurts a lot. 6️⃣Please take all your trash with you!