Avoid all the crowded tourist traps. Lixiping in Zhenba, deep in the Qinba Mountains, is an absolute hidden gem with pristine, breathtaking scenery 💚
No admission fees! No commercialization! Few crowds, stunning views!
Visit the alpine meadows, primeval forests, sinkholes, and caves all in one trip.
The autumn vibes are off the charts~🍂
🚗 [Complete self-drive route from Hantai District | Tested and verified guide]
Depart from Hantai District 👉 Zhenba County (approx. 4 hours)
I highly recommend getting on the highway by 8:00 AM!!
It gets dark very early in the mountains, so please don't leave late.
Driving back on winding mountain roads at night is dangerous!!
Arrive in Zhenba County around noon for lunch and to stock up on supplies.
Once you're fueled up, head out 👉 Lixiping, Sanyuan Town (2 hours of winding mountain roads).
All attractions are along the way, so you won't have to backtrack.
📍 Navigation: Lixiping, Sanyuan Town, Zhenba County.
🌿 Every one of these four spots is stunning.
▪️ Lixiping Alpine Meadow
The wide-open view is enough to cure any burnout!!
Vast, flat meadows with a full mountain wilderness vibe.
Super photogenic 📸
I recommend wearing a trench coat or light-colored autumn outfits; you'll get great shots straight from your camera.
▪️ Bashan Forest Farm
A massive primeval forest, bursting with negative oxygen ions.
Important heads-up 🍂: In just over ten days, the autumn colors will be legendary!
The entire forest will turn into a colorful tapestry, the most beautiful time of the year!
▪️ Tianxuan Sinkhole
Nature's masterpiece!
A unique karst geological site with breathtaking landscapes.
Standing on the boardwalk looking down is both magnificent and healing.
▪️ Lingbing Cave
A natural ice cellar deep in the mountains, absolutely magical.
Even in midsummer, it's cool and chilly inside, with a natural icy feel.
A niche and unique exploration of a pristine cave.
🥹 I really have to praise Sanyuan Town.
The local residents are super simple and warm-hearted.
Coming here isn't just about seeing beautiful scenery; it warms your heart too.
🛒 Must-buys for the return trip | Pristine mountain specialties
You can pick up so many great mountain goods while exploring the town.
Zhenba cured meat, local honey, mountain bamboo shoots, chestnuts, and Qiuyue pears.
They are all homegrown by locals, completely natural, affordable, and authentic.
⚠️ Real-life travel tips (super important)
1. The entire route involves long, winding mountain roads with very sharp turns.
The drive is long with continuous curves, making it very easy to get carsick.
If you get carsick, make sure to prepare motion sickness medicine in advance!
2. Not recommended for babies under 3-4 years old.
The mountain roads are too winding and long; most young children will get carsick and feel uncomfortable.
3. Most places in the mountains have no cell signal.
Make sure to travel with others, tell your family your itinerary in advance, and download offline maps.
4. The temperature difference on the mountain is huge, and the wind is fierce.
Even if it's hot at the bottom, it's very cool on the mountain, so bring a thick jacket.
5. It's a purely pristine wilderness with no shops.
Prepare drinking water and snacks in advance.
6. Be careful when taking photos at the sinkhole and cliff edges; the cave floor is slippery.
Make sure to wear non-slip shoes, protect the environment, and take your trash with you.
A little surprise ✨ There are waterfalls and mountain streams along the way.
Seeing a little girl walking by the waterfall, the scene was as healing as a fairy tale.
Every photo you take looks like a blockbuster 📸
Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, coming here to breathe in the fresh air and clear your mind is truly healing.
Waiting for the autumn colors all over the mountains in a couple of weeks; I definitely have to come back again 🍂