Neijiang

Neijiang was formerly known as the “Sweet City.” It is a city in southern Sichuan that is well suited to leisurely exploration. Alongside its traditions of calligraphy and painting and its thousand-year-old stone carvings, it offers affordable local food with a distinctive character. The main attractions are relatively close together, making the city suitable for a relaxing weekend or short holiday.

• Daqian Garden: Built to commemorate the renowned Chinese painting master Zhang Daqian, the garden contains the Zhang Daqian Museum, Memorial Hall, former residence and Xilin Temple. The grounds are extensive and feature an overall ink-wash landscape design. You can also climb Taibai Tower for views over the Tuojiang River. Admission is free, and the garden is closed on Mondays.

• Shengshui Temple: First built during the Tang dynasty, this temple is known as the “No. 1 Chan Monastery in Central Sichuan.” It preserves 67 niches containing more than 450 cliff carvings from the Tang and Song dynasties. The Thousand-Hand Guanyin with masculine features from the late Tang dynasty is particularly eye-catching. Admission is 1 yuan, and the temple grounds are relatively quiet.

• Neimian 1958: A retro cultural and creative park converted from an old cotton mill, it is often called Neijiang’s version of Dongjiao Memory. The park retains red-brick factory buildings and a large old smokestack, and it has a wall bearing the large characters “Neijiang,” making it a good spot for industrial-style photos. Admission is free, and parking is available.

• Jiandao Street: One of Neijiang’s most representative food streets, it is marked by a prominent staircase bearing the large red characters “Neijiang.” A variety of local snacks can be found nearby, making it ideal for sampling food while strolling and experiencing the atmosphere of everyday life in the old town.
• Sifangkuai: Located in Neijiang’s old town, this century-old neighborhood carries the city’s memories and combines leisure with cultural tourism. Gray brick and tile buildings, large murals and dialect graffiti come together here, blending traditional street life with modern design. It is well suited to an urban walk.

• Xianglongshan Stone Carvings: Located in the middle of the busy city center, these grottoes date from the late Tang dynasty and are a nationally protected cultural heritage site. The main statue inside is a 7.8-meter-tall Thousand-Hand Guanyin. The site is imposing and is a good choice for visitors interested in history, culture and lesser-known heritage sites. Admission is free.

Two-Day Leisure Itinerary

Neijiang’s main attractions are relatively close to one another, so two days is enough to combine historic sites, local food and the character of the old town without making the schedule too tight.

• Day 1: Historic Sites and Old-Town Life
  • Morning: After arriving in Neijiang, start with a bowl of local beef noodles, then head to Daqian Garden. Visit the Zhang Daqian Museum and former residence to learn about the area’s calligraphy and painting culture.

• Afternoon: Take a taxi to Shengshui Temple to see its cliff carvings, then walk to the neighboring Neimian 1958 cultural and creative park to admire its retro industrial architecture.
  • Evening: Return to the old town and visit Jiandao Street and Sifangkuai in turn, sampling local specialties such as Liu Xiao Potatoes and Huahua Snacks. After dinner, take a stroll around Dazhou Square and enjoy the evening scenery along the Tuojiang River.

• Day 2: Stone Carvings and Nearby Attractions
  • Morning: Visit the Xianglongshan Stone Carvings to learn about the thousand-year-old grotto heritage. If you would like to add another cultural attraction, you can also visit the cliff carvings at Donglin Temple to see the largest Thousand-Hand Guanyin in Sichuan Province.
  • Afternoon: If time allows, visit the Neijiang Sugar Industry Museum to learn about the history of the “Sweet City.” Alternatively, buy Ma’s crispy date rabbit and Neijiang candied fruit as souvenirs before beginning your journey home.

Local Specialties to Try

Besides being known as the “Sweet City,” Neijiang is also noted for its noodles and spicy flavors. Many specialty eateries are scattered along old streets and in alleyways, making it convenient to sample them near the attractions on your itinerary.

Transportation and Accommodation Tips

• Transportation: If you are traveling by high-speed rail, Neijiang North Station is usually the most convenient choice. Trains from Chengdu and Chongqing take about 40 minutes. Attractions within the city are relatively concentrated, shared electric bicycles cover a wide area, and taxi fares start relatively low. For two people traveling together, taking a taxi is usually more time-efficient.
• Accommodation: Consider staying near Wanda Plaza or Jiandao Street. Hotels around Wanda Plaza are generally newer and concentrated in one area, with convenient dining and shopping. Around Jiandao Street, you can walk to the night market, making evening sightseeing and snack-hunting easy, while keeping overall travel costs reasonable.

Travel Notes

• Reservations and opening hours: Venues such as Daqian Garden are closed on Mondays, so check opening arrangements before setting out. Some venues may stop admitting visitors after 4 p.m.; arriving early is recommended so you have enough time for a full visit.
• Sun protection and clothing: Use sun protection in summer and early autumn. The parks have plenty of greenery, so mosquito repellent may be useful. Jiandao Street and Shengshui Temple include some stairs, so comfortable flat shoes are recommended.
• Ordering food: Some noodle shops and snack stalls may have a wait during peak dining hours. Some mainly take orders verbally, so waiting patiently or visiting outside busy periods can make things easier.
• Nearby excursions: If you have more time, drive or hire a car to Longchang to visit its stone archway groups and Guyu Lake. You can also visit the ancient town in Zizhong or experience Shiban River in Weiyuan for a deeper look at southern Sichuan culture.