Guangyuan

Guangyuan lies in northern Sichuan. Its main attractions are the rugged mountains along the ancient Shu Road and the history and culture of the hometown of Empress Wu Zetian. With a relaxed pace of life and relatively low travel costs, it makes a good destination for a weekend or short break.

Main Attractions

• Jianmen Pass: Known as “the greatest mountain pass under heaven,” its gate tower is a highlight. Visitors keen to try steep mountain trails can choose the Bird Path or Monkey Path, which make it easy to see why this terrain was so easy to defend and difficult to attack.

• Huangze Temple: China's only temple dedicated to Wu Zetian stands beside the river. Red walls and ancient cypresses create a historic atmosphere, and visitors can also look out over the Jialing River.

• Thousand Buddha Cliff: One of Sichuan's largest grotto complexes, Thousand Buddha Cliff has more than 7,000 Buddhist statues spread across a 388-meter-long cliff face. The riverside walkway provides convenient views of the grottoes and good opportunities for photography.

• Zhaohua Ancient Town: Once a strategic transport hub for the whole Shu region, this is China's only fully preserved ancient town from the Three Kingdoms period. The streets are free to explore, making it a good place to slow down and take a closer look at the lanes and alleys.

• Mingyue Gorge: Remains of plank roads dating to before the Qin dynasty survive here. A chance to try a traditional jigongche wheelbarrow offers insight into ancient transport and a comparison with modern travel. You can also seek out viewpoints used in films and television dramas.

• Cuiyun Corridor: Rows of ancient cypresses line the road, with deep historical ties to the ancient Shu Road. The peaceful woodland setting is well suited to walking and photography.

Suggested 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Guangyuan and explore the city's historic sights
  • Morning: After arriving at Guangyuan Railway Station, take a taxi to your hotel in the city center and check in.
  • Afternoon: Start at Huangze Temple to see the stone portrait of Wu Zetian and Tang-style architecture, then walk to Thousand Buddha Cliff to explore its historic grottoes.
  • Evening: Try snacks at Hejie Morning Market, which remains open into the early evening, or eat and browse at the Tuteng Square night market for a glimpse of everyday local life.
• Day 2: Explore Jianmen Pass and the terrain of the Shu Road
  • Morning: Head to Jianmen Pass. You can enter through the north gate and visit the gate tower. Those with enough energy can take the Bird Path; other visitors can choose the regular walking trail.

• Lunch: Eat in Jianmenguan Ancient Town and try the local Jianmen Tofu Banquet.

• Afternoon: Continue exploring Jianmen Pass, or head to the nearby Cuiyun Corridor to see its thousand-year-old cypresses.
  • Evening: Return to the city for an evening cruise on the Jialing River. Board at Fengxiang Tower Wharf and enjoy the nighttime scenery along both banks.
• Day 3: Explore Zhaohua Ancient Town and head home
  • Morning: Visit Zhaohua Ancient Town, walk along its flagstone streets, and climb the town walls for a view of the confluence of three rivers. Visit Fei Yi's Tomb and the ancient town walls.

• Lunch: Eat in the ancient town, choosing Zhaohua Pork Intestines and other local snacks.

• Afternoon: Plan the rest of your day around your high-speed train's departure time. If time allows, stop at the South Station Memories historic and cultural district for retro-style photos before heading to the high-speed railway station for your return trip.

Local Food in Guangyuan

• Guangyuan Steamed Cold Noodles: This signature Guangyuan food is recognized as provincial-level intangible cultural heritage. Rice is ground into a batter and steamed, producing a soft yet springy texture. Chili oil and garlic water give it a sour and spicy flavor.

• Jianmen Tofu Banquet: Made with soybeans and spring water from Jianmen Mountain, this delicately textured tofu can be prepared in more than a hundred dishes. Representative examples include Huaitai Stuffed Tofu and Bengshan Tofu.

• Chaotian Walnut Cakes: This traditional northern Sichuan snack is baked fresh over charcoal and comes in savory and brown-sugar varieties. The cakes have a crisp crust and a generous walnut filling, with the best texture when eaten hot.

• Tangge Pork Intestines: This well-established local favorite specializes in stir-fried pork intestines. The dish is fragrant without being overly greasy, and the accompanying potatoes absorb plenty of flavor.
• Old Town Spicy Skewers: This local Guangyuan take on Sichuan malatang has a lighter flavor profile. It uses a refined-oil base, with prominent braised-food and spice aromas. Try the konjac “eel” and sliced pork kidney.

Accommodation and Transport

• Where to Stay:
  • City Center (Lizhou District): The areas around Tuteng Square and Jialing River Binjiang Road are convenient for dining and leisure, with short taxi rides to Huangze Temple and Thousand Buddha Cliff.

• Jianmenguan Town: If you plan to explore Jianmen Pass in more depth, consider spending a night at Tianci Hot Spring Resort Hotel, where you can relax in the hot springs after hiking.

• Zhaohua Ancient Town: To enjoy the town's quiet atmosphere after dark, choose a guesthouse or inn within the old town. When staying in a historic courtyard property, check how well the rooms are soundproofed.

• Getting Around:
  • Intercity Transport: Direct high-speed trains from Chengdu and Xi'an reach Guangyuan Railway Station in about 1.5 hours and 2 hours, respectively. The high-speed train journey from Guangyuan to Jianmenguan Station takes about 10 minutes.
  • Local and Nearby Transport: The city's sights are relatively close together and can be reached by taxi or bus. A dedicated shuttle bus to Zhaohua Ancient Town takes about 40 minutes.

Practical Travel Tips

• Attraction Ticket Discounts: Your own high-speed train ticket dated within the past seven days can get you 30% off admission at several attractions, including Huangze Temple and Thousand Buddha Cliff. Keep your train ticket when traveling.
• Free Admission to Jianmen Pass: Passing a recitation test on the poem *The Difficulty of the Shu Road* qualifies you for free main admission to Jianmen Pass. Check the eligibility requirements and procedure through the attraction's official channels in advance.
• Clothing and Footwear: Both Jianmen Pass and Thousand Buddha Cliff have sections with steps, so wear comfortable athletic shoes with good grip. If you plan to take photos in hanfu, consider Huangze Temple or Zhaohua Ancient Town.
• Sun Protection and Water: There is little shade along the route at Thousand Buddha Cliff, so bring sun protection. Carry bottled water when hiking.
• When to Visit: Jianmen Pass and Zhaohua Ancient Town get busy during public holidays. Where possible, visit on a weekday or enter early in the morning.