Brother Monkey snatching food, squirrels dancing! Wawu Mountain wild cute animal guide revealed
Explosive! This "Asia's largest table mountain" hides divine experiences, sea of clouds, waterfalls, and adorable beasts all for you!
"You think Sichuan only has Jiuzhaigou and Emei Mountain? Wrong! In Hongya County, Meishan, there is a 'Sky Table' spoiled by clouds and mist—Wawu Mountain! Here, not only is there the world's largest area of original fir forest, but also one of the world's highest waterfalls, Lanxi Waterfall, and you might even encounter the 'national treasure-level cutie,' the red panda! Just rolled back from the mountain, carrying a phone full of beautiful photos and heart-pounding memories, I’m here to tell you what a 'must-check-in in this lifetime' fairyland-level trip really means!"
1. Sea of Clouds Cable Car: A 5D heart-pounding experience through clouds and mist
Starting from Jinhua Bridge Visitor Center, take a 30-minute panoramic cable car straight to the summit. This journey is like a "roller coaster in the sky." When the cable car breaks through the last layer of thin fog, the view suddenly opens up: the sea of clouds surges like waves beneath your feet, distant mountains appear like floating islands, and fir trees topped with snow peek through the cloud gaps. Key tips:
• Best time: 7-9 AM when the fog is thickest; recommend queuing an hour early to catch the first cable car
• Photo trick: Use your phone’s slow-motion to capture the moment the cable car breaks through the clouds, caption it "Tearing through cotton candy at 3000 meters high"
• Hidden gem: There’s a "Cloud Viewing Platform" halfway up the mountain; the driver sometimes stops for 10 minutes—rush to the railing for silhouette shots!
2. Lanxi’s Three Wonders: Waterfall, plank road, and adorable beasts triple hit
1. Lanxi Waterfall: A sound and light show of the Milky Way falling from the sky
Hike 1.5 km to the waterfall viewing platform at 2830 meters elevation. The 1040-meter-high water crashes down the cliff, and the mist instantly cools the air by 10°C! Must-try:
• Stand directly under the waterfall and have a friend shoot from a 45-degree side angle for a stunning "hit by the Milky Way" photo
• Take a deep breath! The mist is rich in negative oxygen ions, cleansing your lungs like a forest spa
• Listen carefully: Close your eyes and hear the roar hiding the waterfall’s "heartbeat frequency"
2. Lanxi Cliffside Plank Road: An adrenaline-pumping walk in the clouds
This 2.8 km cliffside plank road has a 1000-meter vertical drop on the left and misty fir forests on the right. Survival guide:
• Wear non-slip shoes! Some sections are slippery; hiking poles recommended
• Don’t panic if "Brother Monkey blocks your way"; put away snacks in advance—they only snatch, don’t harm
• Must-shoot spot: The "Sea of Clouds Gate" stone frame mid-way, framing the mountains like an ink painting
3. Cute beast sightings: Red pandas and squirrels’ healing triple hit
Between Yuanyang Pool and Gufoping, there’s a 60% chance to spot wild red pandas! Observation tips:
• Most active before 9 AM and after 4 PM
• Keep a 10-meter distance; they might slowly climb to your feet
• Squirrels are bolder! Bring some nuts, and they’ll jump onto your hand to eat
3. Divine experiences: From wuxia drama scenes to social media showstoppers
1. Wuxia film set real experience
At the "Secret Pool" below the waterfall, wear Hanfu and hold an oil-paper umbrella, shoot a "Lingbo Weibu" (light stepping on water) video at 0.5x speed with the soundtrack "A Laugh in the Vast Sea," guaranteed to go viral on Douyin!
2. Creative check-in spots
• "Hiking challenge success" arch: Pose with a trophy + waterfall background, caption "Conquered Asia’s largest table mountain"
• Fun photo frame: Frame the sea of clouds in a heart shape, write "Put the sky into your heart"
• Wawu Memory Wall: Use a Polaroid to stick photos, write "In 2024, I’m waiting for you in the clouds"
3. Rainy day alternatives
If it rains, don’t rush to leave! Rain-only experiences:
• Wear a raincoat on the plank road, shoot dreamy "Cloud Fairy" photos
• Drink ginger tea at the visitor center and watch the "Sea of Clouds live stream" on the monitor
• Join a craft class and make "Wawu Mountain bookmarks" from fallen leaves
4. Practical tips: Avoid 90% of tourist traps
1. Clothing guide
• Big temperature difference at the summit! Bring a thin down jacket in summer, wear a windbreaker in winter
• Rain essentials: waterproof shoe covers + foldable raincoat (sold for 30 RMB each in the park)
• Color advice: Wear bright-colored jackets for better photos in the sea of clouds
2. Equipment protection
• Apply waterproof film on phone/camera; mist on the plank road can damage lenses
• Bring a power bank! Cold drains batteries fast; rentals often run out
• Drones prohibited! But there’s a panoramic VR experience at the visitor center
3. Locals’ secret routes
Avoid crowds with this "reverse route":
• Stay at a hotel at the foot of the mountain on day one, arrive at the visitor center before 7 AM the next day
• After taking the cable car to Gufoping, first walk the west line to see the waterfall, then the east plank road at noon
• Descend before 3 PM to avoid the return peak
5. Transportation and accommodation full guide
1. How to get there
• Self-drive: 3 hours from Chengdu, navigate to "Wawu Mountain Scenic Area Parking Lot"
• Bus: Take a direct bus from Xinnanmen Station (86 RMB/person, 2.5 hours)
• Group tours: Recommended "Wawu Mountain + Liujiang Ancient Town" 2-day tour for convenience
2. Accommodation recommendations
• Best value: "Minjiang Donghu · Wawu Mountain Residence" at the foot of the mountain (400 RMB+/night, includes floor heating)
• Light luxury experience: "Xiang’er Mountain Villa" at the summit (book 1 month in advance, excellent stargazing)
• Hostel recommendation: "Cloud House" (80 RMB/bed per night, suitable for backpackers)
Conclusion:
"At Wawu Mountain, every breath is filled with fairy aura, every step quickens your heartbeat. This is not just a simple attraction but a deep dialogue with nature. When you stand at the cliff edge at 2830 meters, watching the sea of clouds surge beneath your feet, hearing the waterfall roar in your ears, and touching the soft fur of a red panda—that moment, you will understand what 'worth the trip' truly means."