Aspiring Life: Guide to Western Sichuan's 'Mount Ruo Ding'

1. Things to know before going up Mount Ruo Ding: If you're not staying overnight, you need to spend at least 108 yuan per person on afternoon tea to be allowed to check in and take photos for sightseeing. Whether you're staying overnight or just visiting, remember to make a reservation in advance, as there is a barrier gate on the way up the mountain. You need to call ahead to make a reservation so they can arrange for someone to lift the gate. 2. Accommodation on Mount Ruo Ding: There are only 5 rooms available. The price of each room varies, ranging from 499 to 1880 yuan. 3. Road conditions to the mountain: Navigate from Moxi Ancient Town to 'A Bu Ruo Ding Mountain Folk' to get there. It's 15km, about 30 minutes. 4. Road conditions up the mountain: The road is entirely unpaved, with many potholes. It is recommended that off-road vehicles go there, and sedans and business cars should not attempt it. If your car can't make it up, you can call and ask the guys on the mountain to come and pick you up. 5. Dining in Moxi Ancient Town at the foot of the mountain: Breakfast is about 10 yuan per person, lunch and dinner are about 20 to 30 yuan per person. 6. Accommodation in Moxi Ancient Town at the foot of the mountain: 100-200 yuan per room. The newly opened Yue Shan Ju Homestay is around 100 yuan and is quite nice. 7. Hailuogou natural hot springs at the foot of the mountain: 50-100 yuan per person 8. Hailuogou Scenic Area: Entrance ticket is 90 yuan per person, sightseeing car is 70 yuan per person, cable car is 135 yuan per person. 9. Food and drink on Mount Ruo Ding: Ethnic BBQ set meal is 168 yuan per person, heartwarming chicken and mushroom soup pot is 158 yuan per person, A Bu's roasted chicken is 288 yuan each, roasted Ruo Ding mountain village free-range black pig is 88 yuan per jin, free-range goat is 98 yuan per jin, afternoon tea is 108 yuan per person, beer is 35-50 yuan per bottle, fruit wine is 25-398 yuan per bottle, pure liquor is 68 yuan per glass, and mixed drinks are 88-108 yuan per glass. 10. Animal friends on Mount Ruo Ding: Xila (a 100 jin big wolf dog), Gongga (a big cat), Lafi (a black and white horse), Shala (a white horse), chickens, geese 11. The host of Mount Ruo Ding: A Bu