Hidden Gem in Western Sichuan: Cool Off at Laba River...

[RoundNails] Erlangshan Laba River Scenic Area is located in Tianquan County, Ya'an City, Sichuan Province. It's a transitional zone between the Sichuan Basin and the Western Sichuan Plateau, featuring deep mountain valleys. Renowned for its rich ecological resources, distinct four-season landscapes, and unique wildlife viewing experiences. - 🕐Opening Hours: 08:30-17:30 (extended to 23:00 in some seasons) - 🎫Ticket Price: ¥50 (free for children under 1.2m) - [Tricycle] Sightseeing Shuttle Round Trip: ¥35/person (free for children under 1.2m) - 🚡Cable Car Round Trip: ¥90/person (free for children under 1.2m) - ⏳Recommended Visit Duration: 1-2 days (2 days for in-depth exploration) 🌴 Best Seasons to Visit - Spring-Summer (May-July): Summer retreat with 🌳high forest coverage, cool streams, and alpine azaleas in bloom. - Autumn (Oct-Nov): 🍁Maple leaf viewing season with layered colorful forests, perfect for 📸photography. - Winter (Dec-Feb): [SnowFlake] Ice & Snow Festival with rime wonders, cable car rides for snowy views. 👍Top Attractions (1) Deer Lake - A 2,400m alpine lake frequented by wild water deer, misty mornings create fairy-tale scenery. - Wooden boardwalks for hiking and deer watching. (2) Jiao Mountain - Summit at 3,700m, take cable car (~¥120 round trip) to viewing platform for 🌫sea of clouds and 🌅sunrise. (3) Red Stone Beach - Orange moss-covered boulders contrasting with streams, great for photos. (4) Silver Cave Lake - Alpine lake for fishing and [Canoe]boating, morning mist resembles celestial pools. (5) Azalea Lake & Colorful Valley - [Sakura]Azaleas in spring-summer, 🌈vibrant colors in autumn, ideal for hiking. 🚶‍♀️Recommended Itineraries One-Day (Highlights) Morning: Visitor Center → Shuttle to Deer Lake → Hike Red Stone Beach. Afternoon: Cable car up Jiao Mountain → Descend to Silver Cave Lake/Azalea Lake. Two-Day (In-Depth) - Day1: Five-Color Lake → Tiansi Waterfall → Hetaoping → Blue Crystal Hotel (night light show). - Day2: Jiao Mountain Cable Car → Red Stone Beach → Deer Lake → Azalea Lake. 🚉 Transportation - Drive: 🚗From Chengdu via Cheng-Ya Expressway → Ya-Kang Expressway → Tianquan exit (~3hrs). - Public Transit: 🎫Chengdu Shiyangchang Station → Ya'an → Tianquan → Transfer to scenic area shuttle. 🏤Accommodation - Blue Crystal Hotel: Modern facilities with floor heating, night light shows. - Deer Cry Hotel: Near Deer Lake for easy viewing (older facilities). - Ginkgo Log Cabins 🏚: Rustic nature retreat, high chance of deer encounters. ⚠️Tips - Wildlife: 🐒Many monkeys—do not feed to avoid scratches. - Temperature: 🥼Bring jackets for chilly mornings; sun protection for daytime. - Weather: Cloud seas/fall foliage visibility varies—check forecasts before visiting.