Tiantai Mountain Tourist Attraction(Tiantai Mountain National Forest Park)

Tiantai Mountain Tourist Attraction is located in Qionglai, the first city west of Chengdu on the ancient Southern Silk Road. Approximately 110 km from downtown Chengdu, its main peak Yuxiao Peak stands at 1,812m above sea level. The attraction is part of the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries World Natural Heritage Site, a National Scenic Area, National Forest Park, and a National AAAAA Tourist Attraction. It's also recognized as one of the world's top eight firefly viewing destinations.TiantaishanOriginally known as East Meng Mountain, it is said to be where Emperor Yu offered sacrifices to heaven during his flood control efforts, earning the name "Yu Gong Meng Mountain." Historically, it was a shared sacred site for Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, with over 100 temples, Taoist shrines, and official residences at its peak. The attraction features a box-shaped syncline terrain, resembling the letter "U" and a westward-facing "armchair." The mountain rises in three terraces—First Heavenly Terrace, Second Heavenly Terrace, and Main Heavenly Terrace—creating the striking landscape described as "Each terrace ascends to the heavens, layer upon layer reaching the ninth sky." Renowned for its "peculiar peaks, bizarre rocks, pristine waters, serene forests, and enchanting clouds," the area boasts "90 miles of rivers with 800 streams, 9,000 odd rocks, and 2,000 peaks." With a forest coverage of about 95%, it is rich in biodiversity. The saying "As high as the mountain, so high the water" holds true here, as the Jinlong River meanders down from the highest peak, Yuxiao Peak, forming scenic features like long beaches, cascading streams, waterfalls, and alpine lakes, along with phenomena such as low-altitude sea of clouds and Buddha's halo. Praised as "After Jiuzhaigou, no water compares; after Tiantai, no waterplay satisfies," it is a mountainous summer retreat famous for high-altitude water activities and nighttime firefly viewing, serving as a biodiversity-focused natural attraction for eco-education.

Recommended half-day tour routes in Tiantaishan Scenic Area:

Route 1: Visitors Center → (15-min ride) → First Terrace (visit the Firefly Micro Museum, check in at Tiantai Mountain Gate, approx. 40-min tour) → (walk) → Wanshui Bridge → Changhong Waterfall → Shenfeng Cave → Xiangshuitan Waterfall → Patriarch Bridge (approx. 1.5-hour walking tour at First Terrace) → Second Terrace (check in at Silk Road Post Station, Tiantai Mountain Geology Micro Museum) → (25-min ride) → Visitors Center (return trip).

Route 2: 1. Visitors Center > (15 min ride) > Yitian Platform (visit the Firefly Micro Museum, check in at Tiantai Mountain Gate, approx. 40 min tour) 2. > (30 min ride with distant views of Changhong Waterfall, Geological Museum, Inverted Boot Stone, Flower Stone Sea, and Jinglun Temple) 3. > Zhengtian Platform (check in at Tianfu Tree King)Sea of HydrangeasHigh-altitude Forest Boardwalk → Butterfly Beach → Bailong Crossing (approx. 30 min walking tour) → (approx. 15 min walk) → Zhengtian Platform → (approx. 40 min ride) → Visitor Center (return trip).

Recommended 1-day tour routes in Tiantaishan Scenic Area:

Visitor Center > Yitian Platform (visit the Firefly Micro Museum and Firefly Research Institute, check in at the Tiantai Mountain Gate) > (walking tour of Changhong Waterfall, Shenfeng Cave, and the No.1 Waterfall in Western Sichuan - Xiangshuitan Waterfall)GuanyinqiaoApprox. 1.7km away) → Er Tiantai (check in at the Silk Road Post, visit the Tiantai Mountain Geological Micro Museum) → (approx. 3.6km by car) → Zheng Tiantai (visit Leiyin Temple, the Millennium Yew Tree King of Tianfu,Sea of Hydrangeas,Forest Skywalk) → Bailong Crossing (Branch 1: Butterfly Beach and Shibali Fragrant Grass Valley offer high-altitude water fun with over 20 interactive water activities; branch route approx. 1.2km. Branch 2: Explore Xiushui Three Rhythms and Panlong Waterfall; branch route approx. 2.2km.) → Zhengtiantai (approx. 14km by vehicle) → Visitors Center.

Recommended 2-day tour routes in Tiantaishan Scenic Area:

Day 1

Tiantai Mountain Visitor Center > Your hotel > Yitai Xiaojiabay Entrance to Mountain (Visit the Firefly Micro Museum and Firefly Research Institute, check in at the Tiantai Mountain Entrance) > (Walking tour: Changhong Suspension Bridge, Changhong Waterfall, Shenfeng Cave, Xiangshuitan Waterfall, and other attractions along the Ancient Southern Silk Road. Distance approx. 1.7km) > Ertai (Check in at the Silk Road Post Station, visit the Geology Micro Museum) > Ancient Southern Silk Road (Tang Dynasty Pilgrimage Trail) > (Walking tour: Tang Dynasty Giant Buddha, Tianfeng Gorge, Drunken Stone Maze, Ginseng Tree, Small Mill, and other attractions. Distance approx. 1.2km) > (Take the shuttle from Small Mill Station to Zhengtai, approx. 10 min ride) > Zhengtai (Walking tour: Leiyin Temple, Millennium Yew Tree King of Tianfu,Hydrangea sea, forest aerial walkway, Butterfly Beach, and other attractions (approx. 1 km away) > Bailong Crossing (Route 1: Shibalixiangcao Valley, enjoy high-altitude water activities with over 20 water experience projects, approx. 1.2 km away; Route 2: Xiushui Three Charms, a walking tour including Noble Concubine Pool, Fragrant Grass Cascading Stream, Moon Cave Flying Water, Coiling Dragon Waterfall, and other attractions, approx. 2.2 km away) > Zhengtian Terrace > Hotel (dinner) > Firefly viewing spots (Xiaojiawan/Denglean/Zhengtian Terrace) > Hotel (late-night snacks, entertainment, rest).

Day 2

Hotel > Huangjiang Rock/Yehe Ridge/Silver Summit Peak (sunrise and sea of clouds view) > Hotel (breakfast) > Monk's Yamen (walking tour through Ten-Mile Shady Forest)Stone Lions of the Ming DynastyAttractions such as the Monk Yamen and the Southern Silk Road Poetry Corridor (approx. 1.3km away) → Entrance of Sandao Bay (walking tour passes through the ruins of Jinglun Academy, Yingyue Bridge, and the Camellia Corridor)Dieyin SpringAttractions (approx. 3 km away) → Sandao Bay Exit → Hotel (lunch, check-out) → Tiantai Mountain Visitors Center →Red Army Long March Memorial Hall(VisitRed Army Long March Memorial HallReturn via attractions such as the Former Site of the Shita District Soviet Government, the Southern Song Dynasty Shakyamuni Buddha Relic Pagoda, and the Red Army Long March Digital Memorial Museum.