What is the best route for a two-day trip to Tiantai Mountain in Chengdu

It's another great time for outdoor outings during the year, and during this May Day holiday in Chengdu, there is also a very worthwhile place to visit, which is Tiantai Mountain. Not only does it have beautiful natural scenery, but there are also many fireflies worth watching. So, what are the details of the best two-day tour route to Tiantai Mountain in Chengdu

DAY 1

Chengdu Qionglai Tiantai Mountain

During the day/on foot, from Le'an to Zhishan Gate, the whole journey goes downhill, passing through forests, waterfalls, and Changhong Cable Bridge

In the evening/after visiting Tiantai Mountain Firefly Research Institute, go to Xiaojiawan to watch fireflies

DAY 2

Tiantai Mountain Qionglai Chengdu

Play in Huashi Forest and Huashi Sea, from Zhengtiantai to the top of the mountain, passing through hydrangea flower sea and cedar forest (high-altitude boardwalk), Leiyin Temple and Butterfly Beach

Fireflies in Tiantai Mountain can be observed from April to October every year. Firefly luminescence is a communication language and courtship signal, with a lifespan of about 10 days

The first peak period of fireflies in 2024

Time: around April 18th to May 8th

Location: Xiaojiawan Firefly Observation Platform in Tiantai Mountain

Variety: Trilobite Firefly

Transportation Guide

Bus (Chengdu Tiantai Mountain)

Purchase tickets from Chengdu West Station and transfer to Qionglai Passenger Transport Hub Station

Self driving (Chengdu Tiantai Mountain)

1. Qionglai Tourism South Line

Chengming Expressway - Jiaguan (Exit) - Tiantai Mountain

2. Qionglai Tourism West Line

Chengming Expressway - Qionglai West (Exit) - Baiheshan - Huojing Town - Tiantai Mountain

Self driving (within the scenic area)

In addition to admission tickets, additional parking tickets within the scenic area need to be purchased at the tourist center

Non weekend holidays, you can purchase your own parking ticket to drive and play

During weekends and holidays, parking tickets must be purchased through hotel bookings within the scenic area, and visitors can walk or take sightseeing buses for sightseeing

Scenic spot sightseeing bus

Follow me, you can buy tickets at the tourist center

Same day pass: 30 yuan/person

Two day pass: 45 yuan/person

Short distance single ticket purchase: 10 yuan/person/time

First impression of Tiantai Mountain

Tiantai Mountain is located in Qionglai City, Chengdu, only about 110 to 120 kilometers away from the city center, with a 2-hour drive. This makes it an excellent choice for short distance and weekend trips. For people living in Chengdu, there is no need to travel long distances to easily reach this natural destination

Tiantai Mountain has a unique advantage in geographical location. It is located between the mountains and rivers in the southwest of Qionglai, with an area of 29.1 square kilometers. The transportation here is convenient, and there are corresponding choices for self driving, taking buses, or group tours. However, for young people, self driving is often the more recommended mode of transportation because it allows for more freedom and convenience in travel. You can adjust your itinerary according to your preferences and mood at any time, and explore every corner of Mount Tiantai to your heart's content

Tiantai Mountain not only has a superior geographical location, but also has rich natural landscapes and cultural history around it. Pingle Ancient Town, as a famous historical and cultural town in China and one of the top ten ancient towns in Sichuan, complements Tiantai Mountain. The origin of the Baimo River is Mount Tiantai, and the river slowly flows through Pingle Ancient Town, adding a sense of beauty and tranquility to the town. Entering Pingle Ancient Town is like stepping into the elegant atmosphere of a water town in western Sichuan, traveling through the history of the Qin and Han dynasties two thousand years ago. As an important part of the World Natural Heritage of the Habitat of Giant Pandas in Sichuan Province, Tiantai Mountain is one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world. The natural scenery here is like beautiful paintings, making people intoxicated and reluctant to leave

2. The Charm of Tiantai Mountain

(1) Pleasant Climate

Tiantai Mountain has a pleasant climate with an average annual temperature of only about 16 ℃, making it an excellent place to escape the summer heat. The forest coverage rate here is as high as 94.4%, the air is fresh, and the content of negative oxygen ions is extremely high, like a huge natural oxygen bar. Strolling through the mountains and forests of Tiantai Mountain, every breath feels incredibly comfortable, making it an ideal place for hiking and hiking. In the hot summer, come to Tiantai Mountain, feel the cool breeze, stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and enjoy the tranquility and comfort brought by nature

(II) Waterfalls in groups

Tiantai has abundant mountain and water resources, with numerous waterfalls of different sizes. Among them, Panlong Waterfall has three cliffs and a slightly curved shape, with a front height of over 80 meters. The water flows continuously throughout the year, with pearls and jade splashing and water mist permeating. The Xiangshuitan Waterfall is known as the first waterfall in western Sichuan due to its high and fierce sound, magnificent momentum, and shaking of the valley. A huge stream of water cascades down from a cliff over 60 meters high, and when encountering uneven rock formations, the water will splash down in all directions, falling layer by layer. Under the sunlight, you can see rainbows coming towards you. Tourists can get up close to the water source here, play in the water to their heart's content, and enjoy the coolness. From Zhengshanmen (Xiaojiawan) to Dengle'an, Tiantai Mountain gathers over 10 waterfalls of various sizes, such as Changhong Waterfall, providing tourists with rich visual enjoyment and fun

(III) Firefly viewing destination

As one of the eight major firefly viewing bases in the world, Tiantai Mountain has a unique charm. There are numerous species of fireflies here, with nearly 20 species belonging to 5 genera in the firefly family. The main species include trilobite fireflies. The number of fireflies is huge, and during the peak season, thousands of fireflies dance gracefully along the roadside and in the grass, flashing with fluorescence, creating a spectacular sight. The viewing time is long, and fireflies can be seen from early April to November every year. Fireflies are distributed from the foot of the mountain at an altitude of about 800 meters to the main rooftop at an altitude of about 1400 meters. The fireflies here are not only beautiful natural landscapes, but also precious gifts bestowed upon us by nature

III. Transportation

(1) Self driving routes

There are mainly the following self driving routes from Chengdu to Tiantai Mountain:

1. Chengwen Qiong Expressway - Chengming Expressway - Jiaguan (exit) - Tiantai Mountain
2. Chengwen Qiong Expressway - Chengming Expressway Qionglai West (exit) - Baiheshan - Huojing Town - Tiantai Mountain
3. Self driving regulations and precautions within the scenic area:

• Normal self driving: Only after purchasing a ticket can one enter the scenic area by self driving. Vehicles must be parked in designated parking spaces within the scenic area. Taxis, operating vehicles, vehicles with 7 or more seats (excluding 7 seats), coaching cars, RVs, vehicles with a height limit of 2.2 meters or more, motorcycles, elderly scooters, freight vehicles, etc. are prohibited from entering the scenic area
• During holidays, self driving: It is necessary to book a hotel in the scenic area in advance and ask the hotel to reserve a parking space, purchase tickets, and obtain a self driving pass before entering the scenic area. The vehicle should be parked in the designated parking space of the hotel
• Precautions: There are many bends and narrow roads in the scenic area, and parking is not allowed on the roads; During the driving process, the speed limit for vehicles is 30km/h. Attention should be paid to vehicle avoidance and driving safety, and illegal activities such as drunk driving are strictly prohibited; Vehicle clearance will be adjusted according to the principle of "priority for public transportation". When there is a large number of tourists, clearance will be implemented in different time periods. Please follow the guidance of on-site staff to pass or park in an orderly manner. Vehicles within the scenic area can travel as far as the main rooftop area, and all areas above the main rooftop are pedestrian zones

(II) Public Transportation

1. Bus: Chengdu West Station (or Chengdu East Station) - Qionglai Passenger Transport Hub Station - Pingle Ancient Town - Tiantai Mountain
2. High speed rail and tourist line: Take the high-speed rail from Chengdu East, South, and West Stations to Qionglai Station, and then take the No. 11 Tiantai Mountain tourist line directly to the Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area Tourist Center at Qionglai Bus Station. Among them, from Chengdu South Station to Qionglai Station, the running time is about 06:30 to 21:00, with 21 trips per day and a ticket price of 27 yuan; From Chengdu East Station to Qionglai Station, the operating time is about 06:30 to 18:40, with 9 trips per day and a ticket price of 35 yuan; The travel time from Chengdu West Station to Qionglai Station is about 06:30 to 18:40, with 13 trips per day and a ticket price of 25 yuan. The ticket price for Route 11 Tiantai Mountain Tourist Line is 15 yuan, with 6 trips per day; Departure times from Qionglai Tourist Distribution Center to Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area: 07:40, 9:00, 11:00, 12:40, 14:50, 16:00; Departure times from Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area to Qionglai Tourist Distribution Center: 9:20, 10:40, 13:00, 14:20, 16:30, 17:40
3. Airport customized passenger transportation: Tourists departing from the airport to the scenic area can adopt customized passenger transportation. The ticket purchasing process is as follows: download "Yilai Passenger Transport" from the mobile app store; Enter the app and select the departure, arrival city, and travel date on the intercity shuttle page; Click to take a car and select a travel time slot; Select the boarding and alighting address within the service scope; Confirm itinerary information; Online payment for ticket purchase. The "Yilai Passenger Transport" platform will dispatch vehicles according to passengers' travel needs, and drivers will arrive at the boarding location on time

(III) Scenic Area Sightseeing Bus

1. Ticket Price: Starting from August 5, 2024, the scenic area has launched summer special tickets for sightseeing buses. A one-day pass is 20 yuan per person, valid for the same day and allows unlimited rides; A one-way ticket costs 10 yuan per person and is valid for a single ride. The longest journey can be from the tourist center to the rooftop, with a total distance of about 15 kilometers. Tickets can be purchased at ticket stations such as the Visitor Center, Leijia Mountain, Xiaojia Bay, Dengle An, Bird Language Forest, Xiaomaofang, and Zhengtiantai
2. Departure and pick-up times: The sightseeing bus departs from the tourist center at 8am from June to September, and at 08:30am from October to May of the following year; The departure time from Zhengtiantai is 08:40 from June to September, and 09:10 in the morning from October to May of the following year. The pick-up time for both the tourist center and the main rooftop is 6:00 pm from June to September, and 5:00 pm from October to May of the following year
3. Discount Policy: Children under 1.3 meters in height can ride sightseeing buses free of charge, and children between 1.3 meters and 1.5 meters in height can enjoy a 50% discount policy. Each sightseeing bus can only provide two free tickets. If the number of children on this bus exceeds two, the excess passengers need to purchase tickets or take other buses
4. reachable areas: Scenic sightseeing buses can reach multiple attractions within Tiantai Mountain, providing convenient transportation services for tourists

Fourth, the best route for a two-day trip

(1) First day

Starting from Chengdu, driving all the way to Tiantai Mountain, it takes about two hours to embark on this wonderful journey with longing and anticipation for nature. After arriving at Tiantai Mountain, first go to the tourist center to apply for tickets, and then go to the reserved hotel to check in. Put down your luggage, pack lightly, and choose to hike or take a sightseeing bus to enter the scenic area. The first stop is Leiyin Temple. Leiyin Temple is hidden among the mountains and forests, with ancient and elegant architecture and a peaceful atmosphere that instantly washes one's soul. After leaving Leiyin Temple, continue to Butterfly Beach. There are clear streams and beautiful natural landscapes here, like a beautiful painting. Find a local specialty restaurant in the middle of the mountain, taste old bacon, specialty wild vegetables, tender tofu pudding and other Tiantai Mountain delicacies, and feel the unique local flavor

(II) The next day

In the early morning, before dawn, set off to Huangjiang Rock, Yehe Gang or Yinding Peak to watch the sunrise and sea of clouds. When the first ray of sunlight penetrates through the clouds and falls on the undulating mountains, the golden light shines on the earth, and the sea of clouds churns like a dream, as if in a fairyland. At this moment, one will feel the greatness of nature and their own insignificance, filled with reverence for life and love for it

Fifth, travel tips

In summer, going to Tiantai Mountain, sun protection and mosquito prevention are essential measures. Although the sunshine in Tiantai Mountain is not as hot as in the city, prolonged outdoor activities may still cause sunburn. It is recommended that tourists bring high magnification sunscreen and reapply it at regular intervals. At the same time, bring mosquito repellent, floral water and other mosquito repellent products, try to wear long sleeved tops and pants, reduce skin exposure, and lower the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes