Things to do in Hongya

I arrived at Ya'nv Lake at the foot of Wawu Mountain in early September, just in time to avoid the summer peak season. The lake area was surprisingly quiet and peaceful with few tourists. The daytime sunshine was bright and clear; the mountains had already shed their summer heat in September, and a gentle breeze made it incredibly comfortable. The high-altitude lake had crystal-clear water, with the distant Wawu Mountain silhouetted clearly. Sunlight shimmered on the lake's surface, creating a beautiful reflection of the mountains and water, offering expansive views. Whether driving slowly along the road or stopping at the viewing platform to enjoy the fresh air and the fragrance of nature, there was no need to fight for a good photo spot; every snapshot was a clean and soothing picture of nature. The scenic area is free to enter and not overly commercialized, making it perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation. Without the hustle and bustle of peak season, there was a tranquil and leisurely atmosphere amidst the mountains and water. Whether it's a short stop to take photos or staying overnight to watch the sunset and sunrise, it's a great place for a short, relaxing vacation. Traveling off-peak provides a fantastic experience, and I highly recommend it to those who appreciate quiet, natural scenery.

Caoyutan Scenic Area is located on the bank of Qingyi River in Wucunba, Caoyutan Town, Hongya County, Meishan City, Sichuan Province, covering an area of ​​18 square kilometers. The scenic area is divided into 6 major scenic spots and more than 40 scenic spots, with convenient transportation. There are 4 hotels of various types with more than 1,100 beds; there is the "Yajiang Academy" with Qing Dynasty architectural style in the green mountains and green ridges; the 33-meter-high Kuixing Pavilion scenic spot has a panoramic view; the "Thousand Pagodas Buddha Country" is scattered in an orderly manner; The "Natural Laughing Buddha", "Jinshan Waterfall" and "Tongtian Cloud Stack" on the cliffs of Jinchuan Mountain are known as the "Three Wonders" of Caoyu Beach; the Arhats in Jinzhou Temple have different shapes and the king of heaven is majestic; the peak backwater in Jiaocheng Gorge Turning around, the cliffs on both sides of the strait penetrate the sky, majestic and precipitous. Caoyu Beach integrates beautiful scenery and is an ideal place for tourism, vacation and leisure.

- Profound historical and cultural heritage: Gaomiao Ancient Town has a history of nearly 700 years. The ancient buildings are well preserved. 125 of them were built in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. They are representative of the architectural style of western Sichuan in the Ming and Qing dynasties. There are cultural relics protection units such as Jiangxi Guild Hall and Wushenggong Theater. It is an important post station on the main roads of Mount Emei, Leshan Giant Buddha and Wawu Mountain.   - Beautiful natural scenery: The ancient town is surrounded by mountains and beautiful scenery. The Li River and Zhang River are surrounded and converge at the bottom of the slope to form the source of Huaxi. From the opposite Baihu Mountain or Er'e Mountain, the ancient town looks like a plow or a dragon head sucking water; looking back at the bottom of the town, the mountains on both sides are majestic, the ancient bridges are in the air, and the forests are dense. - The style of the ancient town is original: there is not much commercial development here, and the original and simple charm is maintained. The streets are paved with bluestone, and there are wooden ancient buildings on both sides. You can also see old people sitting in front of the door to bask in the sun and play mahjong, and children chasing and playing in the alleys, with a strong breath of life. - Rich specialties: Gaomiao tofu pudding, ancient town candied haws, special snacks, Gaomiao liquor, rice candy, etc., as well as ecological native goats, old-style native steamed buns, etc., to satisfy tourists' taste buds. - Poor transportation convenience: The location is relatively remote, and public transportation is not well developed. For tourists without private cars, it is not convenient to go to the ancient town. Although there are buses from Hongya Bus Station to Gaomiao Town, the number of buses may be limited. - Imperfect tourist facilities: Most of the accommodation facilities in the ancient town are homestays, with relatively simple conditions, and lack of high-end hotels and large resorts. In terms of catering, except for some local snack bars and farmhouses, there is a lack of diversified restaurant options. In addition, there are relatively few public facilities for tourists to rest, such as benches and pavilions. - Fewer things to do: The ancient town is small in scale, mainly focusing on sightseeing, lacking some participatory and experiential tourism projects, and tourists stay for a short time, which is easy to feel monotonous.

The Thousand Pagodas Buddha Kingdom in Caoyutan Scenic Area in Hongya County is a place that few tourists visit. It is located on the innermost hillside of the scenic area. You can only see the pagodas in the mountains and forests when you get closer, especially in the riverside area under the hillside and on the other side of the Qingyi River. It is hard to imagine how so many different pagodas were built in the past. No wonder this place is called the "Angkor Wat" of Sichuan.

Wenshu Fang, nestled against the ancient Wenshu Monastery, exudes the rustic charm of western Sichuan folk customs amidst its blue bricks and gray tiles. I strolled leisurely here with my dog, wandering through bamboo paths and red-walled, green corridors; even he couldn't resist frolicking on the stone slabs. There's none of the hustle and bustle of trendy shops, only the jasmine fragrance wafting from teahouses and the gentle sounds of artisans hammering bamboo – the atmosphere is simply divine! Wenshu Fang is a hidden gem of a Chengdu food map! Just step outside and you can enjoy authentic "Dongzikou Zhang Lao Er" sweet water noodles, their sour, spicy, and savory flavors instantly awakening your taste buds. I squatted by the window and ordered a spicy hot pot for my dog, and he quietly devoured half the bowl! There's also freshly ground soy milk and ice jelly on the street corner; even my dog ​​couldn't resist licking the soy pulp clean from the rim of the bowl! Wenshu Fang is incredibly pet-friendly! I took photos with my dog ​​in front of the "Wenshu Fang" cultural and creative shop; he posed on the bluestone slabs against the backdrop of the ancient buildings with their upturned eaves – every snapshot looked like a masterpiece of traditional Chinese style. The shop also thoughtfully provided a water station for pets, so you don't have to worry about your pet getting thirsty.