Nanchong

Nanchong is located in northern Sichuan. The city has a relaxed pace, retaining the character of an old town while offering views along the Jialing River and a rich selection of local snacks. Here is a suggested 3-day, 2-night itinerary.

• Langzhong Ancient Town: One of China’s four major ancient towns, with gray-tiled roofs, gray walls, and many flagstone streets. Visit Zhangfei Temple, the Examination Hall, and Huaguang Tower in that order. In the evening, climb the tower for a panoramic view of the ancient town, then stroll along the streets at night.

• Xishan Scenic Area: A pleasant urban green space for leisurely sightseeing in Nanchong. Take the cable car up the mountain, look out over the city from Kaihan Tower, then visit Wanjuan Tower to learn about Three Kingdoms culture. In the evening, enjoy the sunset over the river.

• Jialing River Night Cruise: Take a cruise to see the lights along both banks and their reflections on the water. You can enjoy the light show when passing Bai Ta Bridge. Boarding at around 19:30 is recommended.

• Zhu De’s Hometown Scenic Area: A national 5A-rated red tourism attraction combining rural scenery with memorial sites. The former residence and memorial hall are free to enter, but advance reservations are required. It is a good place to learn about the relevant history in a quiet setting.

• Fengyi Bay China-France Agricultural Science and Technology Park: In autumn, you can see a sea of pink muhly grass covering more than 1,000 mu. The park also has a wetland water town and European-style buildings, making it suitable for landscape photography. Driving is the most convenient way to get there.

• Shengzhong Lake Scenic Area: One of the larger artificial lakes in Southwest China, with relatively little commercial development. Visitors can take a boat, camp, or fish, and can also try the local whole-fish feast.

3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Nanchong city sights and river views: In the morning, visit Xishan Scenic Area. Take the cable car up the mountain, explore Kaihan Tower and Wanjuan Tower, and look out over the city. Have lunch in the city, trying Shunqing rice noodles with guokui stuffed with liangfen. In the afternoon, visit the Nanchong Museum to learn about Jialing River culture and the history of silk. In the evening, watch the sunset from Qinghui Pavilion or the Golden Riverside, then take a Jialing River cruise to see the illuminated riverbanks at night. Afterward, head to the 1227 Street area for dinner and shopping.
• Day 2: A leisurely tour of Langzhong Ancient Town: In the morning, take a bus or high-speed train from Nanchong to Langzhong; the journey takes about 1 hour. During the day, follow the ancient town’s flagstone streets to Zhangfei Temple, the Examination Hall, and Zhongtian Tower, and watch the “Zhang Fei Patrols the City” performance. For lunch, try Zhang Fei beef and northern Sichuan liangfen. In the evening, climb Huaguang Tower for a view over the ancient town, then stay in a guesthouse in the old town and enjoy the nighttime streets.

• Day 3: Landscape or red culture: Option A is to visit Zhu De’s Hometown Scenic Area, where you can enjoy rural scenery and learn about red culture. Option B is to visit Shengzhong Lake, take in the lake views, and try a whole-fish feast. In the afternoon, buy Zhang Fei beef and Baoning vinegar as souvenirs before heading home.

Local Specialties to Try

• Shunqing Rice Noodles: A common local breakfast. Fine, soft rice noodles are served in beef-bone broth, with a choice of beef or pork-intestine topping. You can also add fried guokui pieces soaked in the soup.
• Guokui Stuffed with Liangfen: A crisp guokui flatbread filled with spicy liangfen, offering a range of textures and flavors. The typical price at old street shops is around 10 yuan.

• Northern Sichuan Liangfen: A traditional intangible cultural heritage food made mainly with handmade pea jelly, seasoned with chili oil and mashed garlic. It combines a spicy, numbing flavor with a refreshing texture.

• Zhang Fei Beef: A specialty of Langzhong with a deep red color, distinct grain, pronounced braised aroma, and a dry, savory, chewy texture. It is well suited to buying as a take-home snack.

• Yang’s Duck: A long-established Nanchong food brand. The duck is first braised and then fried, giving it a crisp, fragrant skin and tender, juicy meat with a rich numbing-spicy flavor that is not greasy.

• Heshu Tofu: A product with a national geographical indication. Its texture is smooth and delicate, and it can be steamed, boiled, or fried, allowing you to taste the natural sweetness of soybeans.

• Nanbu Pork Intestine: A local specialty with intangible cultural heritage status. Pork intestine is slowly braised with kelp and radish, then served with sour-pickle rice cooked in a bamboo steamer. The savory sauce and rice aromas blend together.

• Yingshan Cold Noodles: The noodles are springy and are tossed with a secret-recipe chili oil, creating layers of numbing spice, heat, saltiness, fragrance, and coolness. The sour-spicy flavor is especially appetizing.

Transportation and Accommodation Tips

• Transportation: If arriving by high-speed rail, you can get off at Nanchong North Station or Nanchong Station. Taxis and buses are both convenient within the city. To reach Langzhong, take a high-speed train, which takes about 45 minutes, or a bus, which takes about 2 hours. Driving is more convenient for visiting Shengzhong Lake and Fengyi Bay.
• Accommodation: The 1227 Street area or the vicinity of Baituoba in Shunqing District is convenient for transportation and dining. Accommodation costs about 100–150 yuan per person per night. When visiting Langzhong, you can also stay in a guesthouse inside the ancient town for easy access to the nighttime scenery.

Estimated Budget

• Transportation: About 50–100 yuan per person for travel within the city and a trip to Langzhong.
• Accommodation: About 150–300 yuan per night.
• Food: About 80–150 yuan per day; local snacks in Nanchong are generally affordable.
• Admission: About 150–200 yuan per person. The Langzhong Ancient Town combination ticket costs 110 yuan, while many other attractions are free.
• Total per person: About 500–800 yuan, excluding long-distance transportation.

Travel Tips

• Langzhong Ancient Town: The streets and alleys of the old town itself are free, but the main attractions require a 110-yuan combination ticket. Use official channels when purchasing tickets.
• Guokui Stuffed with Liangfen: Choose an old shop where the guokui is made and filled to order. It will be crispier, and there is no need to queue specifically for shops marketed as the most popular.
• Sun Protection and Hydration: If visiting in summer or early autumn, protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated by the river and in the mountains. Bring a jacket for a nighttime cruise on the Jialing River in case of cool river breezes.
• Museum Reservations: The Nanchong Museum requires advance reservations, and visiting outside peak hours is recommended. The museum has a rich range of displays and is also suitable for photographing the architecture and exhibitions.