Located in the northern part of Sichuan Province, Guangyuan is a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage. Known as Lizhou in ancient times, Guangyuan has over 2,300 years of history and is situated at the junction of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces. It is famous as the birthplace of China’s only female emperor, Wu Zetian. The city boasts numerous historical sites, including the Jianmen Pass, a key military stronghold during the Three Kingdoms period, and the ancient town of Zhaohua. Guangyuan is also renowned for its natural beauty, featuring scenic spots like the Thousand Buddha Cliff and the Tangjiahe Nature Reserve. The city is a blend of historical significance and natural splendor, making it a unique destination in China.
1. Jianmen Pass
Jianmen Pass, located in Jiange County, is a national 5A-level tourist attraction known for its breathtaking natural scenery and rich historical significance. The area features the renowned Jianmen Seven Peaks, well-preserved ancient plank roads, and numerous historical relics.
Unique Features: Jianmen Pass is famous for its “majestic, strange, beautiful, and dangerous” landscapes. Highlights include the cliffside plank road, a suspended glass viewing platform, and the Tian Ladder Gorge plank road, along with historical sites like Cuiyun Corridor and Jianmen Pass.
Travel Tips: Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring enough water and snacks. The weather can change quickly, so carrying rain gear is advisable.
Transportation Guide: From Guangyuan city center, you can take a bus or drive to Jiange County via the Chengmian Expressway, which takes about an hour.
2. Zhaohua Ancient Town
Zhaohua Ancient Town, located in Zhaohua Town, is a historic town with over two thousand years of history. It is famous for being the site of several stories from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, such as Zhang Fei’s night battle with Ma Chao.
Unique Features: Known as the “First Mountain and Water Tai Chi,” the town is surrounded by mountains and water, featuring numerous historical relics like the Zhaohua County Office, Examination Hall, and Jinghou Temple.
Travel Tips: Enjoy local snacks and specialties in the town. Renting a guide device can help you learn more about the historical background.
Transportation Guide: From Guangyuan city center, take a bus or drive to Zhaohua Town, which takes about 30 minutes.
3. Thousand-Buddha Cliff
Located on the east bank of the Jialing River in Lizhou District, Thousand-Buddha Cliff is the largest stone grotto group in Sichuan. It features thousands of cliff carvings, each with unique and lifelike expressions.
Unique Features: The cliff carvings are stacked like beehives, creating a stunning visual effect. The intricate stone carvings are a testament to ancient Chinese artistry.
Travel Tips: Bring a camera to capture the exquisite stone carvings. Wear comfortable shoes as there are many pathways to explore.
Transportation Guide: From Guangyuan city center, take a bus or drive to Lizhou District, which takes about 20 minutes.
4. Mingyue Gorge
Mingyue Gorge, located 1 km south of Chaotian Town, is a scenic area with a rich history and cultural heritage. The gorge features rolling mountains and flowing rivers, making it a crucial passage between Sichuan and the Central Plains.
Unique Features: Mingyue Gorge boasts unique geological formations and historical relics such as ancient plank roads, old fortresses, and battlefields.
Travel Tips: Bring sunscreen and enough water. Consider taking a boat ride to enjoy the scenic views along the river.
Transportation Guide: From Guangyuan city center, take a bus or drive to Chaotian Town, which takes about 30 minutes.
5. Zengjia Mountain
Zengjia Mountain, located in Chaotian District, has an average altitude of 1200 meters and covers an area of 518 square kilometers. It is known for its pleasant climate, making it an ideal summer resort and winter snow-viewing destination.
Unique Features: Zengjia Mountain is renowned for its unique geological formations and rich biodiversity, earning it the nickname “Kingdom of Caves” and “Homeland of Stone Forests.”
Travel Tips: In summer, bring light clothing and mosquito repellent. In winter, wear warm clothing and non-slip shoes.
Transportation Guide: From Guangyuan city center, take a bus or drive to Chaotian District, which takes about an hour.
6. Tangjiahe Nature Reserve
Tangjiahe is a national nature reserve located in the northwest corner of Qingchuan County, covering an area of 40,000 hectares. It is primarily dedicated to protecting rare animals such as giant pandas, golden monkeys, and takins.
Unique Features: Tangjiahe is home to rich flora and fauna, including the habitat of giant pandas. The scenic beauty makes it an ideal destination for eco-tourism.
Travel Tips: Bring binoculars and a camera to observe and record wildlife. Wear comfortable shoes as there are many trails to explore.
Transportation Guide: From Guangyuan city center, take a bus or drive to Qingchuan County, which takes about two hours.
7. Qili Gorge
Qili Gorge is part of the Gucheng Mountain-Qili Gorge Scenic Area, located in Gucheng Township and Mengzi Township of Wangcang County. The area is known for its clear mountains and waters and pleasant climate.
Unique Features: Qili Gorge is famous for its unique geological formations and rich biodiversity. The area includes Gucheng Mountain, Qili Gorge, and Bailong Palace.
Travel Tips: Bring enough water and snacks, and wear comfortable shoes. Hiking is a great way to enjoy the natural beauty.
Transportation Guide: From Guangyuan city center, take a bus or drive to Wangcang County, which takes about 1.5 hours.
8. Huangze Temple
Huangze Temple, located in Lizhou District, is a historic temple that houses a true-to-life stone statue of Empress Wu Zetian. The temple preserves 57 grottoes from the Northern Wei to Tang dynasties, with over 1,200 statues.
Unique Features: Huangze Temple is renowned for its rich historical relics and exquisite stone carvings. The unique architectural style attracts many visitors.
Travel Tips: Bring a camera to capture the beautiful stone carvings. Wear comfortable shoes as there are many pathways to explore.
Transportation Guide: From Guangyuan city center, take a bus or drive to Lizhou District, which takes about 20 minutes.
9. Qingxi Ancient Town
Qingxi Ancient Town, located in Qingchuan County, is a charming town filled with ancient buildings and traditional handicrafts from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Unique Features: Qingxi Ancient Town is known for its quaint streets and exquisite stone carvings. The locals live a peaceful life, preserving traditional crafts.
Travel Tips: Try local delicacies such as handmade pastries. Walking through the town is the best way to experience its tranquility and harmony.
Transportation Guide: From Guangyuan city center, take a bus or drive to Qingchuan County, which takes about 1.5 hours.
10. Cuiyun Corridor
Cuiyun Corridor, located in Cangxi County, is an ancient road lined with dense forests and bamboo groves. The area is serene and historically significant.
Unique Features: Cuiyun Corridor is famous for its unique natural scenery and rich historical relics, including ancient plank roads, old fortresses, and ancient city walls.
Travel Tips: Bring enough water and snacks, and wear comfortable shoes. Hiking is a great way to enjoy the natural beauty.
Transportation Guide: From Guangyuan city center, take a bus or drive to Cangxi County, which takes about an hour.
These attractions not only showcase the natural beauty and historical culture of Guangyuan but also offer a rich travel experience for visitors. I hope this information helps you plan your trip to Guangyuan.
Guangyuan Airport
Guangyuan Panlong Airport, also known as Guangyuan Airport, is a domestic regional airport located in Guangyuan, Sichuan, China. It has a terminal area of 5000 square meters, 4 C-class aircraft parking spaces, and a runway that can accommodate up to 50,000 passengers annually. In 2021, the airport served 45.9399 million passengers, ranking 133rd nationally. It also saw an 80.6% increase in cargo throughput and a 78.1% increase in aircraft movements. The airport has future expansion plans to meet the growing demand, aiming to handle up to 450 million passengers by 2050.
