Guangyuan

Guangyuan is a hidden-gem small city wrapped in great food and ancient Shu Road culture. It is directly accessible by high-speed rail, offers excellent value, and is perfect for a weekend or short holiday of sightseeing and eating. Here is a classic 3-day, 2-night itinerary for you to follow directly.

Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival and Urban Culture

Arrive in Guangyuan in the morning and check in to your hotel. It is recommended to stay near Totem Square or Wanda, where dining and daily conveniences are easy. In the afternoon, first visit Huangze Temple to see the stone carving of Wu Zetian’s true likeness, then head to Thousand-Buddha Cliff to experience the awe of Sichuan’s largest grotto complex. In the evening, go to Wuzhao Food Street or Shanghe Street Morning Market for late-night snacks and a taste of local everyday life.

• Day 2: Take On the Difficulty of the Shu Road

Spend the whole day at Jianmen Pass. The recommended route is “enter from the north and exit from the south”: take Cableway No. 1 up the mountain, experience the thrilling Bird Path or Yuannao Path, and finally check in at the Pass Tower, known for “one man guarding the pass against ten thousand.” In the afternoon, return or go to Cuiyun Corridor to see thousand-year-old cypresses. In the evening, have an authentic meal of Jianmen tofu or hotpot.

• Day 3: Ancient-Town Stroll and Return

In the morning, head to Zhaohua Ancient Town. Walk along the ancient city wall and visit Longmen Academy to experience the Three Kingdoms history of “the first county of Bashu.” In the afternoon, you can climb Phoenix Tower for a panoramic view of the city, or go to South Station Memory Block for retro film-style photos, then buy some souvenirs before heading home.

Must-Visit Attractions

Guangyuan’s attractions are mainly concentrated in the urban area and Jiange County. Getting around is convenient whether by self-driving or by high-speed rail plus bus.

Must-Try Food and Restaurants

Guangyuan’s carb-heavy and spicy dishes are a real surprise. Here are some good spots locals often visit:

• Empress Steamed Cold Noodles: Guangyuan’s signature dish, tangy, spicy, and chewy. Just choose any shop with plenty of locals; a small portion for 5 yuan is enough. Recommended with fish mint and dried tofu.
• Xiao Tang Walnut Cake: Located at Shanghe Street Morning Market. The 5-yuan walnut cakes are generously filled, made and sold fresh, crisp and flaky, and good to pack as souvenirs.
• Wu Pangzi Spicy Skewers: A Jiange County specialty, averaging 60+ yuan per person. Beef, eel, and pork kidney are recommended. Be sure to dip them in the dry seasoning; the original broth is also very fragrant.
• Tang Ge Pork Intestines: A hidden-gem morning market spot. It opens at 7:30 a.m. and sells out by noon. The pork intestines are stir-fried to order, soft and glutinous with a little chew, and the potato and onion sides are deeply flavorful.
• Laoma Fresh Pepper Fish: Locals’ top pick. A meal for two costs around 120 yuan and comes in a very generous portion; the glutinous rice cakes are 10 yuan for 10 pieces. The restaurant gets crowded, so booking in advance is recommended.

Transportation and Pitfall-Avoidance Guide

• Intercity Transport: Guangyuan Station is the top choice for high-speed rail, as it is in the city core. If flying, arrive at Guangyuan Panlong Airport, then take a taxi for about 20 minutes to the urban area.
• Scenic-Area Transport: From the city to Jianmen Pass, you can take the tourist shuttle bus (20 yuan/1 hour), or take the high-speed rail to Jianmen Pass Station (18 minutes). Self-driving is the most convenient, but there are many mountain bends, so watch your speed.
• Pitfall Reminders: The Bird Path at Jianmen Pass has a daily visitor limit and closes at 4 p.m., so be sure to go early. Food and drinks inside the scenic area are relatively expensive, so bringing your own water and snacks is recommended. Phoenix Tower stops allowing visitors to climb at 17:30, so don’t arrive at the last minute and miss it.