December 2nd, actual test at Laojun Mountain: the Golden Summit is incredibly cold.

Laojun Mountain in December is both beautiful and incredibly crowded 😭 👉🏻The tour I booked through XHS for 💰2️⃣1️⃣0️⃣ was a real gem! It includes the scenic area entrance ticket and round-trip cable car ride 1. Direct pick-up and drop-off from the city center to the cable car station saves you a lot of time and energy by avoiding transfers and ticket queues. 👉🏻I specifically chose to go during the week to avoid peak times, but the scenic area was packed! Whether it was the cable car queues or the Golden Summit viewing platform, there were constant traffic jams. 👉🏻I must praise the cleanliness of the scenic area! There were trash cans everywhere along the way, and there were also uncles and aunties cleaning up. I hardly saw any litter, and the rest areas were also spotless, making for a fantastic experience. 👉🏻It was quite hot during the climb, and I sweated a lot, but the cold at the summit was more intense than I expected! At the Golden Summit, over 2200 meters above sea level, the wind was so strong it could make you dizzy. Waiting for the lights to come on around 5:30 PM, my hands and feet were numb. Thankfully, the Mixue Ice Cream shop at the summit provided a hot milk tea that warmed me up. 👉🏻 December Outfit Suggestions: ▪️ Inner layer: quick-drying thermal underwear + middle layer: fleece/thin down jacket + outer layer: windproof down jacket (three layers are needed for warmth) ▪️ Lower body: thermal pants + ski pants, windproof and cold-resistant ▪️ Goggles/sunglasses, hat, scarf, and gloves are essential! Also, add some hand warmers (super effective on the waist, abdomen, and soles of the feet) ▪️ Choose non-slip hiking boots, as some areas at the summit are still snowy and slippery. Although I was freezing and questioning my existence, the moment the lights on the Golden Summit came on, I truly understood the romance of "a breathtaking feast on earth" ✨✨