Itinerary :2 days of Chengdu - Ya'an - Bifengxia - Baima Spring - Shangli Ancient Town

Pandas in Bifengxia Reserve Center, Chengdu

Ya'an city is located in the west of Sichuan province. At the junction of the Tibetan plateau, Sichuan basin and Yunnan plateau, Ya'an is the main pass on the South Silk Road of ancient times. It is an area steeped in history and natural beauty with such sights as Bifengxia scenic area and Baima Spring, Shangli Ancient town. Travel to the area is suitable all year round as the average temperature is 15 degrees Celsius. If you prefer a quieter time and a pristine atmosphere in the ancient town, we suggest you visit in autumn and summer as they are rainy seasons. Wandering along the rain drenched Shangli ancient path will put you in a wonderfully peaceful state of mind.

Transportation to Ya'an is easily arranged. From Chengdu New South Gate coach station, take a direct bus to Bifengxia. Bifengxia tourist area consists of two valleys forming the letter V. The left valley is 7 kilometers long and the right one is 6 kilometers long. With its charming natural beauty, Bifengxia is a great place to spend a summer holiday. Wandering around the 1.5 meter flagstone path, you can visit the Huanglongxia, Tianxian Bridge, the natural miniascape, the Waterfall with thousands of terraces, Bailong Pond and Qinglong Pond. Bifengxia Safari Park is a must see attraction, as it is the first one based on the zoology of China. In total, there are about 263 acres in the public visiting section, including wild lion, bear and tiger areas as well as the small animal sections. In this Safari Park, there are as many as 400 species of wildlife, among which, more than 30 species are under the first-grade State protection, about 50 species are under second-grade State protection and 4 species belong to the rare animal category. After visiting the Zoo including the Giant Panda base, return to Ya'an for the night. The entrance fee to Bifengxia is CNY80. If you would like to visit the Zoo in the evening and take part in the bonfire evening, accommodation is available in the Xiaoxitian area on the mountain. In Ya'an, we recommend that you stay at the Yudu Hotel.

Shangli ancient town in Ya’an

The next day, take a bus or taxi to Shangli ancient town, which is a historical and cultural ancient town in Sichuan. This small town lies under a mountain and near a river. Numerous small frame houses are preserved perfectly in the architectural style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Nowadays, it has become famous as the setting for scenes in many film and television programs. Along Shangli's main path, the elegant shops and houses are all made of wood.  There are as many as ten bridges in different styles to be found through the small town. Some date from as far back as the Ming and Qing dynasties. You can also admire the three toriies in the town. If you are interested, you can also visit the Hang's Compound, which boasts a unique layout and various delicate carvings. In the afternoon, take a taxi to Baima Spring, which is located in the Baima Temple, 4 kilometers to the north of Shangli. Baima Spring is a geyser with a water temperature of around 15 degrees Celsius. After visiting, return to Ya'an city.