Bazhong

Deep in the Daba Mountains, Bazhong is known for its autumn foliage, thousand-year-old grottoes, and old-town lanes. Prices are relatively low and life moves at an easy pace, making it a good destination for a weekend or short holiday exploring mountain scenery and historic sites.

• Guangwu Mountain Scenic Area: Known as “China’s top mountain for red leaves,” this area is best visited for autumn colors from late October through November. It includes the Taoyuan, Daba, and Shibayuetan sections, with opportunities for mountain walks and photography among the colorful forests.

• Enyang Ancient Town: This former river-trading town on the ancient Micang Road has a history of 1,500 years. Its flagstone streets and Ming- and Qing-dynasty stilt houses remain largely intact, with a moderate level of commercial development. After dark, you can watch the “Enyang Boat Tales” light show.

• Nankan Grottoes: One of Bazhong’s landmark historic sites, these cliff carvings were begun during the Sui dynasty and flourished during the Tang dynasty. More than 2,700 finely carved stone figures survive. Climb Feixia Pavilion for views across Bazhong.

• Nuoshui River Scenic Area: Part of a global geopark, this area is known for its extensive cave systems and underground rivers. Zhongfeng Cave is billed as “the world’s finest cave,” and cave rafting is an option in summer.

• Micang Mountain National Forest Park: Offering mountain and forest scenery that complements nearby Guangwu Mountain, this park has fewer visitors and a quieter natural setting. The Natural Gallery and Black Bear Valley are good places to see colorful foliage and its reflections in the water. Take the Xianglu Mountain cable car for elevated views of the sea of clouds.

Suggested 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: City History and Grottoes
  • Morning: Start at Nankan Grottoes to see High Tang cliff carvings up close and learn about a tradition of Buddhist stone carving that spans a thousand years.

• Afternoon: Walk to the Sichuan–Shaanxi Revolutionary Base Museum and the Generals’ Stele Forest. Explore the exhibits and memorial wall to learn about the area’s revolutionary history.

• Evening: Take a stroll and have dinner in Bazhong’s old town or on Jiangbei Food Street. Try local dishes such as Bazhong chuanchuan skewers or Nanjiang yellow goat soup hotpot.

• Day 2: Exploring the Lanes of Enyang Ancient Town
  • Morning: Travel from the city center to Enyang Ancient Town, a journey of about 30–50 minutes. Walk along the old flagstone streets, then settle into a traditional teahouse for tea served in a lidded bowl.

• Afternoon: Visit Qifeng Bridge, Wanshou Palace, and the stilt houses by the old wharf in turn. Sample Enyang titang sesame pastries and rice with soft tofu in the old town.

• Evening: If time allows, take a boat cruise to enjoy the Enyang River at night and watch the outdoor “Enyang Boat Tales” performance, viewing the old town’s illuminated scenery from the water.

• Day 3: Seasonal Mountain or Cave Excursion
  • Autumn foliage route: Set off early by car and choose either Guangwu Mountain or Micang Mountain. A mountain itinerary can include the Natural Gallery boardwalk and Xianglu Mountain cable car, leaving the full day for colorful forests and seas of clouds.

• Summer or general heat-escape route: Choose the Nuoshui River Scenic Area to explore underground caves and try boating on an underground river or cave rafting in the cooler cave environment.

Local Food in Bazhong

• Enyang Titang Sesame Pastries: A good choice of souvenir from the old town. Freshly baked pastries have a sesame-coated crust and a filling of maltose, chopped walnuts, and peanuts. They are crisp, fragrant, and quite sweet.

• Nanjiang Yellow Goat Soup Hotpot: Especially suited to autumn and winter, this dish features tender goat meat with little gaminess and a flavorful broth. Pair it with rice or steamed bread.

• Bazhong Youcha: A common local breakfast made with a thick rice paste topped with crisp fried dough strands, peanuts, and pickled vegetables. It combines soft and crunchy textures with a mainly savory flavor.

• Tongjiang Snow Fungus Sweet Soup: Tongjiang is known as the home of snow fungus. Simmered into a sweet soup, it has a thick, silky texture and a light sweetness. It can be enjoyed year-round and is also suitable for older adults and children.

• Bazhong Chuanchuan and Hotpot: These dishes feature a rich beef-tallow aroma and a pronounced heat that is not overly harsh. Small restaurants frequented by local residents are good places to try the local style.

Accommodation and Transport

• Where to stay:
  • Bazhou urban area (Jiangbei/Huifeng): Plenty of hotels and dining options, with convenient transport. A practical base for your arrival day and the last day of your trip.
  • Near Enyang Ancient Town: Suitable for travelers who want to enjoy the old town after dark and explore at a slower pace. Staying nearby also makes it easy to stroll through the quieter lanes early in the morning.
  • Guangwu Mountain Town: A useful base for autumn foliage trips, with some rooms offering views of red leaves right outside the window. Farm stays and guesthouses are relatively affordable; book ahead during peak season.
• Getting there and back:
  • High-speed rail: Bazhong Station has direct high-speed trains to Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xi’an. The journey to Chengdu takes about 3 hours.
  • Driving: Allow about 3.5 hours from Chengdu, 3 hours from Chongqing, or 6 hours from Xi’an. Road conditions along the way are generally good.
• Getting around:
  • Taxis between attractions in the city generally take 10–20 minutes each way.
  • Bus 33 runs to Enyang Ancient Town, taking about 50 minutes.
  • Mountain transport note: Guangwu Mountain, Micang Mountain, and the Nuoshui River are far from the city center, with mountain-road journeys taking about 2–3 hours each way. Driving or hiring a car with a driver is recommended, as public transport connections are inconvenient.

Seasons and Practical Tips

• When to visit: Guangwu Mountain’s red leaves are best viewed from late October through November. This is also peak season, so book accommodation early. From June to August, visit the Nuoshui River caves to escape the heat and go rafting. In March and April, head to Micang Mountain for rhododendrons.
• Clothing and footwear: Mountain temperatures vary considerably between morning and evening, while the caves stay around 18°C year-round. Bring a light jacket in any season. With plenty of flagstone streets and mountain trails, comfortable trainers with good grip are recommended.
• Tickets and entry: Admission to Nankan Grottoes is about RMB 40. The Sichuan–Shaanxi Revolutionary Base Museum is free, but entry requires registration with an identity card; it is closed on Mondays. Enyang Ancient Town’s streets and lanes are free to explore, so there is no need to buy a package ticket just to walk around them.
• Assessing hired-car itineraries: Be cautious about Guangwu Mountain “two-day round-trip” hired-car packages promoted at attraction entrances or along the roadside. Round trips on mountain roads take a long time, and a two-day itinerary can leave you spending much of your time in transit rather than sightseeing.