Legs go weak on the glass bridge, catching crabs in the stream! Chongqing’s hidden “off-season fairyland” can no longer be kept secret

Deep in Chongqing’s mountains lies a “20℃ natural air-conditioned room”! A secret summer retreat so popular it’s packed with tourists, yet even locals have kept it to themselves for ten years When the main city bakes under 40℃ heat, the mornings in Kangjiazai, Chengkou County, Chongqing require a light jacket to watch the sea of clouds roll by; when city air conditioners roar outside, the streams here gently flow over your feet, carrying the chill of snow-capped mountains; when popular spots are crowded, the cable car station here lines up with “migratory elders” in cotton and linen shirts, leisurely sipping tea as they wait to ascend—the place is not Switzerland, nor western Sichuan, but Chongqing’s best-kept summer secret for a decade: Kangjiazai Scenic Area. There’s no commercial gimmickry here, only the coolness of 1400 meters above sea level; no cookie-cutter ancient-style buildings, only authentic Bashan mountain villages; and no “sky-high homestay prices” traps, with accommodations ranging from 50 to 500 yuan, making it comfortable for workers, seniors, and families alike. When you pass through the bamboo forest beside Provincial Road 301 and see the four characters “Kang Gu Xin Bridge,” congratulations, you are about to enter a half-year-long 20℃ cool feast. ------ 1. Why has Kangjiazai become the “top summer retreat in Chongqing”? Three solid reasons you can’t refuse 1. Climate shock: 40℃ in the city vs. 20℃ here, the “off-season magic” where you need a jacket in summer Chengkou County lies on the southern slope of the Daba Mountains, with an average summer temperature of only 22℃, dropping to as low as 16℃ in the early morning and evening. Open the wooden window of your homestay at dawn, and mist flows over the mountain peaks like milk, dew wets your shoe tips; at noon, sunlight filters through century-old Chinese fir branches, casting mottled shadows on the bluestone slabs, and even the breeze carries the fresh scent of pine needles; at dusk, sitting on the viewing platform, watch the sunset dye the layered mountains orange-red, the temperature just right for a light knit sweater. Some visitors joke: “Come here for summer and bring clothes for three seasons—short sleeves, long sleeves, and a thin down jacket.” 2. Ecological shock: Legs go weak on the glass bridge, catching crabs in the stream—this is the “true face of the wild mountains” The core experience of Kangjiazai is throwing yourself into the primeval forest to play wild. • Suspended glass bridge: A 158-meter glass walkway spanning two mountain peaks, with a bottomless gorge beneath your feet—fear of heights beware! But the brave will be rewarded with a breathtaking “walking on clouds” perspective—distant views of rolling green mountains, close-up views of wild rhododendrons clinging to cliffs. • Longdong River valley: Follow the 3-kilometer creek tracing trail, stepping on cobblestones to cross the river, catch wild crabs, chill watermelon in mountain spring water, while children’s laughter startles a flock of egrets. • Thousand-year-old rhododendron forest: Every May, the 1800-meter-high mountaintop turns into a sea of pink and purple flowers, with wild rhododendron trees over 10 meters tall and flower crowns as large as basins—photographers call it the “Chongqing version of alpine gardens.” 3. Cultural shock: The whole village is “service staff,” the “slow life of Bashan” packed with out-of-town tourists The villagers here have hospitality ingrained in their DNA. Walking on the bluestone streets, an old man selling bamboo crafts will gladly teach you how to weave grasshoppers; the homestay hostess climbs the mountain at 5 a.m. to pick wild mushrooms just to cook a pot of fresh chicken soup that’s unbelievably delicious; even the roadside dog “Dahuang” wags its tail to accompany you on part of the mountain path. What’s more rare is that prices inside the scenic area are on par with the county town—a bowl of noodles costs 8 yuan, a stir-fried bamboo shoot with cured meat 30 yuan, and parking is free. A visitor commented: “Here, money flows like paper through flowers, but happiness overflows like mountain spring water.” 2. In-depth travel guide: How to make the most of the “20℃ summer” 1. Three must-do core experiences • Cable car vs. hiking trail, choose one: • Cable car (40 yuan one way): 7 minutes straight to the summit, ideal for families with elders and children, aerial views of the “Daba Mountain fold” landform, like watching a 3D ink painting. • Hiking trail (free): 1.5-hour trek with wild cherry trees and waterfalls along the way, ending at “Kang Gu Viewing Platform” with 360° panoramic mountain views. • Glass bridge challenge: Recommended to arrive before 9 a.m. for fewer people and better light; wear light-colored clothes for better photos. At the bridge entrance, a small stall sells “courage certificates” for 5 yuan each, stamped with Kangjiazai’s bamboo leaf seal. • Night tour of Kang Gu: After dark, the whole street is lit with red lanterns, homestay owners organize bonfires, teach visitors the Tujia hand-waving dance, and serve homemade corn wine. 2. Hidden experiences: “Cool secrets” only locals know • Find the “mountain spring water source”: Borrow a bucket from the homestay owner and go upstream on Longdong River to find natural spring water, chilling watermelon sweeter than any fridge. • Collect “three-colored leaves”: In autumn, the trail is woven with red maple leaves, yellow ginkgo, and green pine needles—pick some as bookmarks, more meaningful than postcards. • Join the “villagers’ tea party”: At 3 p.m., elders often gather under the old locust tree at the village entrance to chat; bring a pack of sunflower seeds and listen to “road-building stories” from 50 years ago. 3. Nearby attractions: The “cool triple set” of the Daba Mountains • Huang’anba alpine meadow: A 1-hour drive to the “Chongqing version of Hulunbuir,” camp under the stars, horseback ride through meadows, and pick wild blueberries in July. • Chengkou Daba Mountain National Geopark: Explore the “Daba Mountain arcuate structure,” see 400-million-year-old marine fossils, a paradise for geology enthusiasts. • Heyu countryside farming experience: Participate in making glutinous rice cakes and tofu, pay 30 yuan to claim a vegetable plot, and harvest your own potatoes in autumn. 3. Practical information: “Off-peak tips” to avoid 90% of tourists • Address: Kang Gu Scenic Area, Dong’an Town, Chengkou County, Chongqing (search “Kangjiazai Scenic Area” on navigation, 5 hours from the main city) • Opening hours: Open year-round, best summer period June to September • Tickets: Scenic area free, cable car, glass bridge, and other attractions charged separately • Accommodation recommendations: • High-end: Kang Gu Hotel (500 yuan+/night, with floor heating and viewing terrace) • Cost-effective: Mountain Stream Homestay (200 yuan/night, hostess’s homemade cured meat included) • Backpacker: Youth Hostel (50 yuan/bed, shared kitchen available) • Transportation: • Self-drive: Chongqing → Baomao Expressway → Chengkou exit → follow Provincial Road 301 (road conditions good throughout) • Bus: Chongqing North Station South Square Bus Station → Chengkou Passenger Center → transfer to Dong’an Town shuttle (3 trips daily) 4. Why is this place “more healing than popular spots”? When your legs go weak and tremble on the glass bridge, villagers below shout, “Don’t be afraid, we walk it every day”; when you worry about finding the right photo angle, passing photographers will gladly help adjust your camera settings; when you worry about homestay hygiene, the owner will lift the mattress to show you “we even clean the bed boards daily.” The healing here doesn’t come from deliberately crafted “artsy vibes,” but from the warmth of the land itself—the mountain breeze blows away anxiety, the stream water washes away fatigue, and the strangers who warmly welcome you will make you believe again that “kindness” is the most beautiful scenery in travel. ------ Conclusion: What we’re avoiding isn’t the heat, but the weight of life Summer in Kangjiazai carries no pressure of “must-check-in” spots, only the ease of “just wandering.” Sitting in a rocking chair at the homestay, watching clouds rise and fall, listening to cicadas chirp, you suddenly understand: summer retreats are just about finding a place where your soul feels lighter than your body. Here, the 20℃ cools your body temperature and warms your heart.