2 Days & 1 Night Ultimate Guide to Mount Qingcheng｜Real-life Fairy Tale Forest

If you're visiting Chengdu! Set aside a day for Mount Qingcheng to experience its legendary serenity: mountain springs, cascading waterfalls, murmuring streams, fragrant forests, and ancient tranquil paths... Discover cultural relics and immerse in Taoist heritage! This personally tested guide covers transportation, accommodation, food, and itineraries—bookmark it for a hassle-free trip! 😘 🚗 Chengdu → Mount Qingcheng Self-drive/Private car Take the Chengguan Expressway from Chengdu, 1.5-hour direct drive. Navigate to "Mount Qingcheng Scenic Area Parking Lot" (Front Mountain parking fee: ¥20/day). 🏠 Accommodation Recommendations 🌲 Front Mountain Area Hidden Beauty Resort: Zen-style retreat on the mountainside with tatami rooms and forest hot pools. 10-minute walk to Tianshi Cave. ~¥400+/person. Shangqing Palace Taoist Lodge: Experience monastic life! Vegetarian meals + morning bells & evening drums. ¥100/bed (advance phone booking required). 🌳 Back Mountain Area (Nature Lovers) Cloud Peak Villa: Wake up to sea of clouds, near Baiyun Cable Car. Family-friendly with breakfast included. ~¥600+/room. Taian Ancient Town Homestays: Try "Bamboo Shadow Homestay"—bamboo-themed design + authentic farmhouse cuisine. From ¥200/night, perfect for evening strolls. 💡Tips: Book 3 days ahead during peak season (May-Oct)! Front Mountain hotels offer convenience but higher prices; Back Mountain is budget-friendly but requires shuttle rides. 🍜 Must-Try Foods: "Four Wonders" + Street Delicacies 💥 Taoist Flavors "Four Wonders" 1. Ginkgo Chicken Stew: Free-range chicken + ginkgo nuts slow-cooked for 8hrs. Try at "Luo Chicken" (Front Mountain base), ¥98/pot. 2. Cave Heaven Fruit Wine: Kiwi-fermented fruity wine (25% alcohol). Sold at Taoist shops, ¥25/bottle. 3. Qingcheng Pickles: Crispy-spicy perfection with congee. Free self-service at "Zhang Laozao" (their glutinous rice cakes are a must!). 4. Smoked Bacon: Back Mountain farmhouse specialty. Stir-fried with garlic shoots (~¥40/jin). 🚶 Itinerary Highlights: Front Mountain Culture + Back Mountain Nature 💫 Day1: Front Mountain Cultural Route (~5hrs) Route: Entrance → Yuecheng Lake (boat ¥5) → Buyun Corridor Cable Car (up ¥35) → Ciyun Pavilion → Shangqing Palace → Laojun Pavilion (summit cloud views) → Hike down → Tianshi Cave (millennium ginkgo) → Jianfu Palace. Pro Tips: Cable car up saves energy; stone steps down offer serenity. Tianshi Cave has legends of Zhang Sanfeng's meditation—golden ginkgo in autumn! 💫 Day2: Back Mountain Nature Route (~6hrs) Route: Taian Town → Wulong Gully (highlight! Waterfalls + plank paths) → Youyi Village (farmhouse lunch) → Baiyun Cable Car (up ¥45) → Baiyun Temple → Cuiying Lake (boat ¥2) → Feiquan Gully → Return to town. Pro Tips: Photogenic "Golden Doll Waterfall" in Wulong Gully. 🚫 Practical Tips 🔸 Tickets: Front Mountain ¥90 (online ¥80), Back Mountain ¥20. ID card entry. 🔸 Attire: Summer—mosquito repellent + light jacket (5°C cooler than Chengdu). 🔸 Rainy season: Non-slip shoes + raincoat for wet paths. 🔸 Weak signal: Download offline maps. 🔸 Best seasons: April-May for azaleas; October-November for autumn foliage.