Where is a good place to go for a self-driving trip around Sichuan during the summer weekends?

Qionghai is the second largest natural freshwater lake in Sichuan Province. It is an important water source for the residents and ecological water use in Xichang City. It is also one of the top ten scenic spots in Sichuan Province and the "Mother Lake" of Liangshan Prefecture and Xichang City. Traveling to Qionghai by self-driving during the summer not only provides coolness, but also a good way to relax both physically and mentally.

Bird Island

The Guanniaodao Wetland Park is located on the northwestern coast of Qionghai, on the eastern side of Guanhai Road, covering an area of 85,200 square meters. It is the first phase of the lakeside leisure trail project on the western coast of Qionghai. The main landscapes are composed of five themed tourist areas: the subtropical style area, the fisherman's bay area of Haimen Bridge, the source of life area, the core area of prayer and blessing, and the area of willow shade for fishing and bird watching.

Water town in a dream

"Dream Waterside" wetland extends from the southern Guanniaodao Wetland Protection Area Phase I to Xiaohai, and reaches the northern outlet of Xinhai River. It is bordered by the coast of Cheng Sea in the east and the pedestrian fitness trail on the Binhai Road in the west. The main landscapes consist of the ecological protection forest walking tour belt, the wetland water tour and sightseeing belt, the botanical garden wetland area, the egret beach water plant viewing area, and the natural wetland restoration area. The natural wetland restoration area accounts for over 80% of the total area.

Misty Rain over Luchou Island

"The Yanyu Luchou Wetland Park is a lake wetland located in the urban landscape interface, reducing the distance between the city and the Qionghai Lake to 1 kilometer. It is a rare secondary wetland in the city. Based on the restoration of natural freshwater lake wetlands in the Qionghai Highland, Yanyu Luchou highlights various functions such as ecological education, ecotourism, biodiversity conservation, and water environment protection, with a focus on the reconstruction of internationally significant bird habitats in southern China. Yanyu Luchou offers a magnificent view of the ancient city to the north, a vast Qionghai Lake to the south, majestic mountains to the west, and a glorious blend of sun and moon to the east. It is a natural and picturesque landscape that can be enjoyed, appreciated, and touched, creating a natural beauty that is both created by humans and originated from heaven."

Xibo Crane Wetland

Xibo Crane Wetland (Phase Four of Qionghai Wetland) on the west bank of Qionghai is an ecological project, a bright sea project, and a livelihood project implemented by the Party Committee and Government of the city to "build an internationally important wetland and a modern ecological countryside in Xichang". It restores and constructs 1,750 acres of wetland, with Xibo Crane Wetland connecting Moonlit Charm Town to the north and Qionghai Bay Hotel to the south, with a total length of 3.5 kilometers, creating a vibrant green landscape chain and an ecological and dynamic corridor along the entire west bank of Qionghai.

Dreaming of a flower sea

"Dream Seeking Flower Sea" wetland is connected to "Misty Rain Egret Island" wetland in the north. It covers an area of 8341 mu and has an estimated investment of 2.57 billion yuan. It will focus on flowers and showcase the biodiversity of Qionghai based on excellent climate and light conditions, and build a wetland ecosystem of "four seasons flower sea". The key focus is on river mouth soil and water conservation and delta wetland restoration, while eliminating the threat of sedimentation, which is the biggest factor endangering the safety of the Qionghai ecosystem.

Dream back to the countryside

Dream Back to the Countryside Wetland is connected to the "Xibo Crane Shadow" Wetland, with a planned area of 4,600 mu and an estimated investment of 1.4 billion yuan. The restoration of plateau freshwater lakes and wetlands and the reconstruction of habitats for rare fish and birds will be the focus, creating a high-quality wetland eco-tourism attraction and a modern agricultural planting demonstration window, and forming "two axes, three belts, six major tourist nodes, and six major modern agricultural planting demonstration areas".