Leshan · Luer Ping | Off-the-Beaten-Path Hiking Guide

This forgotten "Little Switzerland" of Western Sichuan is hidden deep in the Heizhugou area of E'bian County, Leshan. Luer Ping is a pristine secret paradise unknown even to most Sichuan locals. Alpine meadows, sea of clouds, rhododendrons, streams, and forests await—you might even encounter wild red pandas! If you want to avoid crowds during the May Day holiday, this place is absolutely worth visiting. 📍 Location: Heizhugou Town, E'bian Yi Autonomous County, Leshan City, Sichuan Province 🚗 Transportation: 1. Self-driving (recommended): About 4.5 hours from Chengdu. Navigate to "Heizhugou Scenic Area," arrive at the main entrance, then take a shuttle bus to Luer Ping (currently private vehicles cannot drive directly there). 2. Public transportation: From Chengdu Shiyang Station to E'bian County (about 3.5 hours), then hire a car to Heizhugou (1 hour). 📅 Recommended Itinerary (2 days, 1 night) Day 1: Explore Luer Ping - Morning: Depart from Chengdu, arrive at Heizhugou Town by noon, enjoy Yi ethnic cuisine (recommended: Tuotuo meat + sour potato soup). - Afternoon: Take the scenic shuttle to Luer Ping, hike through meadows and forests (about 3 hours), wait for sunset and sea of clouds in the evening. - Night: Stay at a hotel in the scenic area (or return to a guesthouse in town). Day 2: Light Adventure in Heizhugou - Early morning: Visit Mali Lengjiu (core scenic area of Heizhugou, featuring alpine wetlands and dove tree forests). - Noon: Experience Yi village life with roasted potatoes + buckwheat pancakes. - Afternoon: On your way back, visit Jinkou River Grand Canyon (featuring spectacular waterside highway views). 🌄 Must-Do Experiences 1. Luer Ping Meadow: Wild flowers bloom in May, like stepping into a Windows desktop background, with occasional herds of cattle and sheep raised by local herdsmen. 2. Sea of clouds at sunrise: If it rains the night before, you'll likely see rolling clouds the next morning. 3. Stream hideaway: Walk to the end of the trail to find a clear stream where you can wade in summer. 4. Rhododendron sea: May is the flowering season, with pink and white alpine rhododendrons dotting the green carpet. 🍢 Food Recommendations ✔ E'bian Tuotuo Meat: Yi ethnic specialty of large chunks of pork, charcoal-grilled, rich but not greasy. ✔ Sour Potato Soup: Highland potatoes + wild pickled vegetables, perfect appetizer. ✔ Buckwheat Pancakes: Dip in honey, deliciously sweet whole grain flavor. 💡 Practical Tips 1. Safety first: Some areas of Heizhugou have weak cell signals. Hike with companions and don't stray from the trails. 2. Recommended gear: Non-slip hiking shoes, windbreaker (elevation 2,500m with significant temperature differences), rain gear. 3. Avoid rainy season: June-August has heavy rains and landslide risks; May is the best time to visit. 4. Respect local customs: This is a Yi ethnic area, avoid taking photos of local elders without permission. 🌟 Why Choose Luer Ping? - Fewer crowds: During May Day holiday, Heizhugou receives less than 1/10 of Mount Emei's visitors. - Affordable: Entrance fee 50 yuan + shuttle bus 20 yuan, excellent value. - Photogenic: Meadows, forests, and streams in one frame—every shot looks like National Geographic material. If you're tired of Instagram hotspots, this place offers a genuine wilderness experience (remember to bring power banks—you'll take so many photos your phone will run out of battery 📸)