On September 27, the Hailahe Scenic Area at Erlang Mountain in Ya’an officially opened after eight years of development. Located at the foot of Erlang Mountain in Tianquan County, Ya’an, the Hailahe Scenic Area boasts abundant natural ecological resources. Its opening marks another strong addition to Sichuan’s eco-tourism development and offers locals yet another great destination for travel and vacation.
Statistics show that in recent years, China’s tourism market has been transforming — shifting from sightseeing tourism to leisure and vacation-oriented travel. In the future, the industry will continue evolving toward new forms such as eco-tourism and forest vacationing. The Hailahe Scenic Area at Erlang Mountain was developed precisely in response to these market trends.
Connected to Kangding and Luding to the west, bordering Baoxing to the north, and just 180 kilometers from Chengdu to the east, the Hailahe Scenic Area is the first stop along the National Highway 318 — a major route on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway — and also the starting point of the “Golden Tourism Loop of Western Sichuan.” The area is notable for its diverse and composite natural resources, making it one of China’s most representative mountainous tourist destinations. It is particularly famous for wild water deer viewing, water sliding activities, and autumn foliage.
Covering a total area of 960 square kilometers with a sound ecological environment, the scenic area has a forest coverage rate of 78.2%, primarily composed of evergreen species such as fir, hemlock, tianzhili, camphor, spruce, and emei fir. With such superior natural resources, it is foreseeable that Hailahe’s eco-tourism and forest vacation offerings will be highly popular.
It is deep autumn now, and Hailahe is ablaze with color. Under the azure sky, the clouds are light and the air is pristine. The golden, intoxicating hues of the lake reflections and the vibrant layers of autumn foliage are endless... The "Four Treasures Forest," woven together by maple, linden, metasequoia, and various types of acer trees, blazes like the sun and glows like a red cloud. When the autumn wind rises, it brings the sound of rain, while the towering cliffs of the Grand Gorge and the One-Line Sky, along with the breathtaking waterfalls, captivate all who see them.
The leaves of ancient trees gradually turn yellow. Thanks to their lush foliage, a single tree can display various shades of green, brown, yellow, and red, resembling a giant palette. Vast stretches of these ancient trees create a sea of autumn colors, truly a spectacular sight. Each year in autumn, the red leaves spread across the 960-square-kilometer area, dyeing the forests in brilliant hues. The rainy climate of Ya’an, known as the "City of Rain," enhances the unique charm of its red leaves, highlighting their vivid beauty and adding splashes of radiant color. A touch of crimson adds even more allure. The air here is exceptionally fresh, and the red leaves are nothing short of miraculous. The foliage, partially veiled by mist and clouds, appears ethereal, while the leaves bathed in bright sunlight glow brilliantly red — creating the magnificent sight of experiencing two landscapes in one mountain. All of this is truly unforgettable.
Since you can’t resist its beauty, why wait? Hailahe is about 220 kilometers from Chengdu with good road conditions. For those driving, take the Chengya Expressway and exit at Duoying. Then get on National Highway 318, follow the Qingyi River toward Tianquan, and at the fork near Feixiangguan Bridge, turn left. Follow the signs for the “Erlang Mountain Tourist Area,” pass through Donggong and Shiyang townships, continue following the “Erlang Mountain Tourist Area” signs, and after reaching Tianquan County, drive another 30-plus kilometers to arrive. After an eight-year hiatus, the scenery has been reborn — the beauty remains~