With clear skies and crisp autumn air, the hiking season has come around once again. The breeze carries the fragrance of osmanthus, while the forests of early autumn remain lush and green. Before the leaves fall and the grass withers, it is the perfect time to explore some of Chengdu’s hiking destinations for a refreshing breath of air amid forests.

 

 

Yong’an Lake Urban Forest Park

 

 

 

Forest coverage here is exceptionally high: the park is home to more than 3,000 flowering trees and over 10,000 cypresses that are more than fifty years old. An elevated skywalk winds along the waterfront like a red ribbon. With slopes to climb and boardwalks to explore, walking through the park feels more like hiking in the mountains. Visitors can have a rare taste of the wild.

 

 

Zhongba Forest Park

 

 

 

The park sits at elevations ranging from 1,100 to 3,800 meters and provides an ideal habitat for nationally protected rare tree species and wildlife. When the weather is fine, the golden sunlight will spill like harp melodies over the verdant hills and dense woods, leaving visitors feeling peaceful and soothed.

 

 

Qimu River Wetland Park

 

 

 

The Qimu River flows gently throughout the year, bringing the wetland park to life and creating an inviting atmosphere as it winds through old river channels, low-lying wetlands, and small lakes. Lush vegetation makes the park an ideal place for a leisurely stroll or bike ride, where everyday worries seem to melt away.

 

 

Western Sichuan Bamboo Sea Scenic Area

 

 

 

A bamboo forest of more than 100,000 mu ripples in green waves. The rustling leaves gently brushed by the passing breeze quiet the mind instantly. Embraced by a harmonious blend of flowers, grasses, bamboo, and streams, visitors strolling through the bamboo sea are accompanied by birdsong and babbling water.

 

 

Mottled Bamboo Grove Scenic Area

 

 

 

A national AAAA-rated tourist attraction, the scenic area covers over 650 mu, 90% of which is covered by forests. Rivers surround the peninsula: the Yangma River and Shiyu River run through the area, while the Xihe River and Jinma River encircle it. A walk through the forest offers a refreshing dose of oxygen and a sea of green that eases fatigue.

 

 

Lingyan Mountain

 

 

 

Verdant woods offer visitors picturesque scenery as they walk up the mountain along the trail. From late October to mid-November each year, ginkgo trees blanket the mountain in gold, presenting a poetic autumn landscape.

 

 

Yunhua Mountain

 

 

 

The hidden gem for hiking seamlessly integrates beautiful scenery, camping, and sunrise viewing. The free, pristine trail takes only 3-5 hours to unlock the surprises of “shifting views”, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the tranquility of the forest.

 

 

Gongjia Mountain

 

 

 

At an elevation of 1,010 meters, the site offers sweeping views of the Tuojiang River’s “Little Three Gorges” and Sichuan Jintang Economic Development Zone (Chengdu-Aba Industrial Park) from a 360-degree panoramic viewing platform. Clouds, sunrise, and sunset take the stage in turn.

 

Edited by Zhang Yuanlin

Source: Home in Chengdu