Things to do in Guangyuan

Having passed through Jianmen Pass, no obstacle in life is insurmountable. Jianmen Pass was one of the attractions we had been longing to visit. This time, we used both our hands and feet to traverse the "bird path," truly experiencing the difficulty of the Shu Road. The large and small tunnels were both quite unique, while the Stone Bamboo Shoot Peak and the One-Line Sky were rather ordinary. If you don't want to take the bird path, you can climb the cliffside corridor, while the gate tower stands tall and imposing.

The Thousand Buddha Cliff in Guangyuan is the largest cliffside grotto complex in Sichuan Province. Located on the east bank of the Jialing River in Lizhou District, Guangyuan City, beside the ancient Jinniu Road, it is famous for its more than 7,000 statues carved from the Northern Wei to the Qing Dynasty. The Thousand Buddha Cliff boasts a vast number of statues, and the Jinniu Road ruins are also worth seeing.

●Tourism Experience: The ancient city is characterized by its Three Kingdoms culture, with its antique cobblestone streets and alleys exuding a rich historical atmosphere. Visitors can experience a leisurely, lively atmosphere and admire the confluence of three rivers and the Tai Chi-like landscape of mountains and water. Folk performances and storytelling can be watched at certain times, and the nighttime scenery is particularly beautiful. Overall, it's a great place for a leisurely stroll, taking photos, and sampling Sichuan snacks. ●Tourism Suggestions: The ancient city streets are free to enter. It's recommended to start by strolling along the main street, allocating half a day to a full day. Staying overnight allows you to fully appreciate the nighttime views. Some smaller attractions charge admission, but a combined ticket is a good deal. Zhaohua West Market is a hub for food, where you can try hot pot fish, Taishou fried dough twists, and wooden hammer pastries, among other delicacies. ●Transportation: High-speed rail + tourist shuttle bus (highest recommended): A direct tourist bus service from Guangyuan High-speed Railway Station to Zhaohua Ancient City provides a seamless connection between the high-speed rail and the scenic area. Departure times: 9:50, 11:50, 13:10, and 15:10 from Guangyuan Station, 4 trips daily. Ticket price: 10 yuan/person from Guangyuan Station, 9 yuan/person from other stations. Travel time: Approximately 30-50 minutes, directly to the scenic area visitor center. Ticketing methods: Online purchase via the "Guangyun Shenma" mini-program, or purchase at the station window. Stops along the route: Guangyuan High-Speed ​​Railway Station → Nanhe Bus Station → Yushu Jiayuan → International Trade City → Quhui Health Center → Zhaohua Ancient City. Minibus: Take the Guangyuan-Zhaohua minibus from Guangyuan Nanhe Bus Station, approximately 30 minutes, 9 yuan/person; or take Baolun No. 1 bus, approximately 20 minutes, 2 yuan/person. Driving: (The Zhaohua entrance/exit is currently under renovation and cannot be accessed; it is recommended to use the nearest entrance/exit to the highway). Jingkun Expressway (G5), Guangnan Expressway, Jianzhao Highway (starting from Jianmen Pass, 33 kilometers in total, about a 50-minute drive, with beautiful scenery along the way, is a top choice for self-driving tours). Parking fee: 10 yuan/car for small cars. Parking is available at the Ancient City Visitor Center, West Gate Parking Lot, and West City Parking Lot. ● Facilities and Services: The scenic area staff are generally enthusiastic and will proactively provide directions and introduce tour routes. Major paid attractions support QR code verification, making entry convenient. Accommodation, parking, and dining facilities are readily available within the ancient city, and the environment is generally clean and hygienic. ● History and Culture: Zhaohua, formerly known as Jiameng, is known as "the first county in Bashu and the second capital of Shu," and is one of the best-preserved Three Kingdoms ancient cities in China. The city retains Ming and Qing dynasty streets and alleys with a T-shaped layout paved with bluestone slabs, also featuring military defensive characteristics. Numerous Three Kingdoms relics exist, such as Jiameng Pass, Fei Yi's Tomb, and Tianxiong Pass, and stories like Zhang Fei's battle against Ma Chao are still told today. ●Notes: The ancient town has a strong commercial atmosphere with many shops along the street; some small attractions (such as the county government office, examination hall, and city wall) have simple interiors and are not very interesting, so choose according to your own preferences; there are significantly more tourists during holidays, and some areas are crowded, so it is recommended to visit during off-peak hours.

The true national treasures are the grottoes. • Zetian Hall: The central statue of Empress Wu Zetian, wearing a jeweled crown and a monk's robe, is said to depict her in her later years. Inside the hall is the Song Dynasty "Guangzheng Stele," a crucial artifact for verifying Wu Zetian's background. • Great Buddha Cave (Central Pillar Cave): A work from the Northern Wei Dynasty, and the largest cave in the entire temple. The main Buddha is about 6 meters tall, with a relief behind it inscribed "World-Renowned Buddha." • Five Buddha Pavilion and the Cave with the Heart Sutra: Early Tang Dynasty sculptures, with the Heart Sutra carved on the adjacent cliff face, believed by scholars to have been written by Wu Zetian's grandson, Emperor Suzong of Tang. • Caves 45 and 51: Sculptures from the Wu Zhou period, with clothing patterns still reflecting the style of the High Tang Dynasty. • Listed as one of the first batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units in 1961, it is a national-level site, just a different category, like the 4A-level cultural relics at Jianmen Pass. • Guangyuan Huangze Temple Museum: Inside the temple, one can learn about Wu Zetian's life and political achievements.

Cuiyun Corridor is a mid-to-high-quality scenic spot. The area isn't large, and a leisurely stroll takes about an hour. Upon entering, you'll see rows of ancient cypress trees, their towering branches providing ample shade. The ancient Shu Road stone path is rustic and imposing, and the fragrant cypress scent fills the air, creating a rich atmosphere that allows you to directly experience the profound historical heritage of the Shu Road. Rare ancient trees like the Jiange Cypress are also worth admiring. The overall path is relatively gentle, easy on the feet, and the air in the forest is fresh and comfortable. The downside is that the activities are somewhat limited, with few additional experiences; the main focus is on viewing ancient trees and immersing oneself in the atmosphere of the ancient road. It's a great place to visit in conjunction with Jianmen Pass, and worth a visit for those who appreciate history and ancient trees.

Because of some unforeseen circumstances, we didn't enter the scenic area until after 2 PM. It was so cold for the Dragon Boat Festival; the wind was howling and it was raining. I hadn't brought a jacket, so I just took a quick look around. I thought it was a riverside boardwalk, but it turned out to be a mountain climb, which was too tiring, so we gave up. We only saw monkeys around the hotel in the scenic area, which was a bit of a disappointment, but the kids had a great time.

Young people can challenge themselves and feel excited. Hahaha, those who understand will understand.

It's very tiring to go straight up the cable car and experience the bird path.

Mingyue Gorge, cliffside plank road, the long winds of the Jialing River... Beneath your feet lies the ancient plank road, above you is National Highway 108, across the river is the Baoji-Chengdu Railway, and in your ears you hear the rumble of trains cutting through the mountains. Quietly experience the history of the ancient Shu Road's multi-modal transportation development...

Exceeded expectations, matches the platform's pictures and description, great value for money, highly recommended! I'm a repeat customer, always satisfied with my experience in Jiange, the hot springs are excellent, the small hot spring pools are a perfect experience!