As the summer heat surges and cicadas chirp louder, when the city is sweltering under rolling waves of heat, are you counting the days until you can retreat to the coolness of mountains and forests?

Right now, a midsummer invitation from Ebian in the Xiaoliang Mountains is arriving on the swift 1.5-hour bullet train. Ebian, the closest window to Yi-Han cultural displays from Chengdu, and a cozy haven in the cool secret realm of Heizhugou, is sketching all the poetic charm and yearnings of this summer with its whole-region wonders.

Route 1: Immersive Experience of Ancient Yi Customs

Touching the threshold of Ebian, you stumble into a millennia-old scroll of Yi customs. As the vital vein of Yi culture in the Xiaoliang Mountains, every breath here carries the profound charm of time-honored traditions.

1."Memory of Ebian" Historical and Cultural Block

Located on Binhe Road, Shaping Town, Ebian Yi Autonomous County, it vividly reproduces the historical origins and inheritance of Ebian's Yi and Han people through unique artistic displays on scenic walls. Wandering through, vibrant paintings and totem sculptures tell stories of the past, while the melodious sounds of the yueqin (a traditional stringed instrument) echo with new life. Every corner silently speaks of the ethnic groups' endeavors.

2.Beifengshan Park

Standing at the northern end of Ebian County town, its name means "the northern mountain that blocks the wind". It houses 1 Memorial Hall of the Lexi Anti-Japanese War Highway, preserving the spirit of road-building; 15 Beacon Pavilions that illuminate Yi myths; and 5,123 steps, making it a top choice for hiking challenges and an outdoor experience base.

3.Yi Embroidery Workshop

Provincial intangible cultural heritage comes alive at the fingertips of embroideresses. Exquisite patterns carry ancient legends, and every stitch weaves the beauty of Yi villages. Step into the workshop and take home a uniquely crafted embroidery piece – a travel souvenir etched with Ebian's DNA.

4.Mingxin Village

Known as the "national internet-famous spot for Yi family inns", its 153 Yi-style houses serve as natural backdrops for photos. Here, you can enjoy one-stop experiences of Yi hospitality: authentic Yi barbecue, Yi-style reading, Yi medical wellness, characteristic accommodations from the Daliang and Xiaoliang Mountains, and maybe even stumble upon a lively Dati Dance gathering.

Route 2: Secret Realm "Forest Breathing" – Heizhugou Summer Escape & Exploration

While the city bakes in heat, Heizhugou Scenic Area overflows with a refreshing 22°C coolness. The murmur of mountains and forests calls to every soul yearning for freedom, waiting for you to plunge into this emerald-dyed cool dream.

1.Malilengjiu – Strolling Above the Clouds

Endless alpine meadows ripple like green waves, with mist flowing like gossamer between mountain peaks. Leisurely cattle and sheep dot the landscape. Lean against the café, feel the 22°C breeze, and the summer heat vanishes in an instant. This is a natural photography studio – every shot captures a fairyland.

2.Fengchaoyan (Honeycomb Rock) – A Green Fairyland

Towering ancient trees block out the sky, thick moss colors the ground, and clear streams leap through boulders covered in honeycomb-like caves. Listen to birds chirp and insects sing, and surrounded by negative ions, marvel at the wonders shaped by geological movements hundreds of millions of years ago.

3.Waheiluohuo – Hiking the Meadow

With rolling sea of clouds and stretching green fields, the vitality of primeval ecology is on full display here. Every snap becomes a blockbuster. There’s no ceiling here – only the joy of enthusiasts.

4.Midou Hotel – Gazing at the Starry Sky

Stay inside Heizhugou Scenic Area in a forest cabin. The night is cool as water, and under a dazzling starry sky, the rustle of pine trees lulls you to sleep – a tranquility hard to find in the city.

Route 3: Vibrant Pulse – New Urban Style Route

Admire Chengdu in the morning, tour the Xiaoliang Mountains at noon. Today’s Ebian not only boasts stunning natural scenery and rich cultural history but also pulses with the strong momentum of high-quality county development. From Chengdunan Railway Station, the fastest bullet train takes only about 1.5 hours to reach Ebiannan Railway Station.

1.Three Must-See Performances – New Cultural Landmarks

Don’t miss these three shows in Ebian. The "Nightfall at Sanhe: Intangible Cultural Heritage Immersion" performance in the "Memory of Ebian" Historical and Cultural Block brings to life Xiaoliang Mountain Yi traditions and Ebian’s development history through Bimo chanting, Yi wedding customs, folk music, silver craftsmanship displays, and Yi embroidery performances, with interactive sessions. The grand ethnic epic musical Goddess of Beauty: Ganmo Aniu blends stage art with ethnic culture, drawing audiences into a distant, mysterious legend through stirring melodies, soulful songs, vibrant dances, and vivid scenes. The immersive "Yi Love for Heizhugou" Yi wedding show combines a landscape-based drama, a Yi wedding ceremony, and folk experiences, showcasing the hospitality of the Yi people.

2.Industrial Vitality – Green Business Cards

Visit the Zhejiang-Sichuan East-West Cooperation Agricultural-Photovoltaic Complementary Industry Demonstration Park in Mingxin Village, Xinlin Town, to learn about modern cultivation techniques of Ebian’s authentic Chinese medicinal herbs. Explore the kiwifruit agri-tourism integration park in Maoping Town to uncover the secrets of growing fruits with 18° sweetness. Wander Caoping Village, Yiping Town, to feel the industrial prosperity of the 10,000-mu loquat orchard. You can also head to Xingxing Village, Xinchang Town, to pick blueberries, harvest chili peppers, fish for lobsters, and savor farm-style delicacies... Every town hides nature’s gifts. Here, you can feel the warmth of the land and taste the flavors of sunshine and rain, touching the pulse of the county’s industrial development.

3.Twilight Charms – Flavors of the Night

As neon lights come on, by the Dadu River with gentle breezes, the county’s food streets offer mouthwatering treats: fragrant tuotuo meat (chunked meat), tangy sour vegetable soup, soft buckwheat cakes, and mellow paoshui wine (soaked wine). Every combination dances on your taste buds with traditional flavors, revealing the city’s open, inclusive, and hospitable side.

Why Visit Ebian This Summer?

1.Ultra-Convenient Access: 1.5 hours by bullet train, about 3 hours by car – the closest Yi cultural hub and summer retreat from Chengdu, perfect for a weekend getaway.

2.Cultural Treasures: Intangible cultural heritage like Yi embroidery, unique Bimo culture, and vibrant dances and costumes, offering immersive experiences.

3.Cool Paradise: Heizhugou’s 22°C natural air conditioning and high coverage of primeval forests make it a rare summer escape in the Xiaoliang Mountains.

4.Safe & Comfortable: Convenient transportation and extraordinarily warm Yi and Han people.

Ebian Travel Tips

1.Transport: Bullet train is recommended – Chengdunan Railway Station → Ebiannan Railway Station, fast and comfortable. For self-driving, navigate to "Ebian Yi Autonomous County" or "Heizhugou Scenic Area".

2.Accommodation: In the county town, Jinjiang Hotel and hotels/ homestays of various grades are recommended (ideal for experiencing Yi customs); in Heizhugou Scenic Area, Midou Hotel or homestays in Didi Ancient Village and Gujing Village are top picks.

3.Cuisine: Must-try dishes include tuotuo meat, sour vegetable soup, buckwheat cakes, paoshui wine, and seasonal organic vegetables.

4.Clothing: Summer in the county town is mild, but bring warm coats and rain gear for mornings and evenings in Heizhugou and surrounding areas; comfortable hiking shoes are a must.

This summer, no need to travel thousands of miles. Take a bullet train or drive along mountain roads – in no time, you’ll find yourself in this secret realm deep in the Xiaoliang Mountains. Here, you’ll gain not just the joy of travel, but a profound understanding of unique ethnic culture, magnificent natural ecology, and the thriving landscape of a county. (Text/Photos by Shi Jiayi, Wu Yinghui)