Cool mountain retreat offers a respite for urban dwellers

Tiantai Mountain in Qionglai, west of Sichuan province's capital Chengdu. [Photo by You Zixiu/China Daily]

Speaking about the business in the area, Gao, who makes 60,000 yuan in profit a year, says: "All hotels here are fully booked during peak seasons."

Currently, the Tiantai Mountain authority plans to launch an online parking lot booking system for self-drive tourists. There are 1,700 parking lots, and tourists can make reservations in advance.

"This is to avoid traffic congestion during peak season," says Xiao, adding that the scenic spot once received 140,000 tourists in a day.

For those who fail to get a parking spot, a bus service will be available, says Xiao.

For now, the mountain is striving to be a national 5A scenic spot. So, in addition to tourism development, the local authority is also focusing on environmental protection.

As a result, rare plant species are monitored and pest control is implemented.

Also, a pollution treatment system has been put in place for restaurants and hotels.

Gao believes that the future is bright, adding: "Even more people will come if the mountain becomes a national 5A tourist attraction."