Wanggangping, an underrated treasure trove

The breathtaking view of the sunlit Golden Mountain can be enjoyed around 6 a.m., which is truly awe-inspiring. The giant rocks have an exotic charm, and to capture their full panorama, one needs to stand at a distance. Before sunrise, around 4 or 5 in the morning, the reflection from the snow mountain is very bright, but the hazy beauty is also uniquely enchanting. There's also the peculiar forest, a place for nature and plant lovers to savor slowly. As for transportation, we chose to drive there, which is only about a 3.5-hour drive from Chengdu, and parking costs 20 yuan. I heard there's a direct bus from Jinniu District, but it requires a group of at least four and needs to be booked in advance. The scenic area has no admission fee, with the main expenses being the sightseeing bus and cable car. The cable car here is known as the one with the largest drop in China, taking about 20 minutes one way. The ticket price is quite reasonable, although those with a fear of heights might feel a bit apprehensive; remember to try not to look outside. In terms of accommodation, there are options like camping sites, modular cabins, hotels, and wooden cottages. The most economical is camping (Laiye Campsite/Xingkong Campsite), and our booking at Xingkong Campsite, which included a two-person cable car tour, was only 468 yuan, quite a bargain, and you can see the snow mountain right from your tent. However, it's not recommended to stay here when it rains. For those with higher accommodation standards, wooden cottages or hotels are more suitable, though more expensive, costing over 1000 yuan. You can also bring your own tent, but there is a 60 yuan cleaning fee, which I find a bit troublesome. Regarding food, there aren't many options within the scenic area, with vending machines available to buy water and biscuits. Barbecue is not always available and is quite expensive, costing about two to three hundred yuan for two people. Junlan Hotel offers special Chinese meals, with a set meal for two costing 268 yuan. Like 'special forces', you can bring your own food as there is always boiling water available in the area, and the toilets are mobile without lights inside. The place is very pet-friendly, and the staff all love dogs. If you want to stay overnight, you should call ahead to inquire, and some places may charge an additional cleaning fee, which is not cheap. If you visit on a weekday, you can also try negotiating over the phone, and you might be successful when it's not crowded. In terms of clothing, you can wear normal summer clothes during the day with proper sun protection; at night, it's recommended to wear a thick coat or down jacket. The night we went, it rained, and we thought it would be a wasted trip, but the sunrise in the morning was truly stunning. The sunrise happens quickly, and in no time, the sun was out, with blue skies and white clouds, and the air was super fresh!