Things to do in Xichang

Taking the cable car up the mountain saves energy, while the toboggan ride down adds to the fun. From the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Qionghai Lake – the scenery is beautiful. There are many monkeys on the mountain, and feeding them is quite fun, just be careful.

Passing through Xichang, we visited Qionghai Lake, located in Xichang City, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is the second largest freshwater lake in Sichuan Province. Anciently known as Qiongchi, it is a rift lake from the Early Pleistocene, formed approximately 1.8 million years ago. Xichang, the capital of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, is best known as a satellite launch site and for Qionghai Lake, which circumferentially spans over 30 kilometers.

A visit to Jianchang Ancient City is a must when in Xichang. This 600-year-old Ming and Qing dynasty city retains a vibrant, down-to-earth atmosphere, unlike some completely commercialized imitations. Centered around the Four Archways, the ancient city features nine main streets and eighteen alleys. The cobblestone streets, old courtyards, and city walls all exude a strong sense of history. Everywhere you look, you'll find Yi ethnic minority shops and intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, making for great photo opportunities. It's recommended to visit in the evening. As night falls and the lanterns light up, the atmosphere is exceptionally beautiful. Climbing the city walls offers panoramic views of the old city. The streets are full of street food, offering a wide variety of local delicacies such as oil tea, rice rolls, and roasted potatoes at affordable prices. You can sit and relax in one of the shops when you get tired. The ancient city is free to enter and easily accessible. It's recommended to allow 2-3 hours for a leisurely stroll. The only minor drawback is that electric scooters sometimes travel through some streets and alleys, so please be careful where you step. It's a great place to experience the local culture of Xichang and definitely worth a visit.

(1) Dashiban Ancient Village is quite ordinary and small for an ancient village. It has a few guesthouses, but the presence of Lingying Temple makes it special and worth a visit. Parking is convenient, and it's not far from Xichang. (2) Dashiban Ancient Village is located in the Qionghai National Tourist Resort Area, backed by Luoji Mountain and surrounded by mountains on three sides, facing Qionghai Lake. The village was first built in the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. It was once an important post station on the Tea Horse Road and the Southern Silk Road. Historical buildings such as Lingying Temple and the Five Provinces Guild Hall still exist.

I cycled around Qionghai Lake, and the scenery was breathtaking! Knowing there was a Xichang launch base, I had a stereotype that Xichang was barren, a Gobi oasis at best. Well, I apologize! Here, the mountains and lakes are breathtaking, birds are singing, and flowers are blooming. Fruit trees grow outside every house around the lake. I was superficial. Qionghai Lake is beautiful!

Preliminary preparations - Documents: Bring valid documents such as ID cards. - Clothing: Xichang has plenty of sunshine and a large temperature difference between day and night. Bring light clothes and a warm jacket. - Other items: Prepare sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, mosquito repellent, comfortable sports shoes, and bring a camera or mobile phone to record beautiful moments. Transportation Guide - External transportation: You can choose to take a plane to Xichang Qingshan Airport, or take a train or high-speed rail to Xichang West Station, and then transfer to urban transportation to the scenic area. - Internal transportation: There are buses such as No. 105, No. 106, No. 17, No. 22, No. 306, and No. 158 in Xichang City to reach Qionghai Park Station. From Qionghai Park, you can walk to Lushan Scenic Area. Scenic Spots - Lushan: Start from the foot of Lushan Mountain and hike up the mountain along the hiking trail to enjoy the forest scenery with towering ancient trees. On the way, you will pass by ancient temples such as Sanjiao Temple and Guangfu Temple to feel the strong religious and cultural atmosphere. You can also interact with wild monkeys on the mountain, but be careful not to feed or provoke them at will. - Qionghai: After visiting Lushan, go to Qionghai. You can choose to rent a bicycle or electric car by the lake, ride slowly along Qionghai, and enjoy the scenery of lakes and mountains. You can also enjoy beach time at Jinlin Beach, and go to the bird watching wetland park to observe rare birds.   Food Recommendation - Qionghai Fresh Fish: Qionghai is rich in fish and shrimp, such as bighead carp, sea shrimp, etc. You can taste special fish dishes such as pumpkin bighead carp soup, spicy fish, drunken shrimp, steamed shrimp, etc. - Xichang Barbecue: Xichang Barbecue is unique, with roast suckling pig, roast beef, roasted small intestines, etc., with special dipping sauces, the taste is very delicious. Precautions - The monkeys in Lushan are more naughty and may snatch food from tourists. Try not to expose food in front of monkeys, and don't take the initiative to provoke them. - The ultraviolet rays in Xichang are strong, so take sun protection measures to avoid sunburn.

The Moonlight Style Town on the shore of Qionghai is at the foot of Lushan Mountain. There are many restaurants and homestays here. The trail around the lake is very wide. Many tourists gather in front of the check-in statue by the lake. There are also occasional cruise ships and seagulls and wild ducks playing in the lake. The homestays by the lake are beautifully built, with large viewing windows and large green lawns. Here you can relax in the sun, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and spend a wonderful leisure time.

Jinlin Beach is a must-visit destination, with the following highlights: - Beautiful Natural Scenery: Located on the shores of Qionghai Lake, the beach boasts fine, soft sand, surrounded by lush greenery and tropical vegetation. The lake is crystal clear, and the rolling hills in the distance create a striking contrast against the blue sky and white clouds, creating a captivating scene. - Rich Tropical Charm: Coconut and palm trees surround the beach, complementing the stunning scenery of Qionghai Lake and its surroundings, creating a rich tropical resort atmosphere. It's known as the "Little Sanya of Sichuan." - Spectacular Sunsets: This is a prime spot for watching the sunset. In the evening, the setting sun shimmers across the lake like shimmering gold, creating a captivating Instagram photo. It's perfect for couples and photography enthusiasts. - Abundant Activities: The beach offers umbrellas, lounge chairs, and other amenities, as well as children's play equipment like slides and swings, making it a great destination for the whole family. You can also take a boat tour to admire the beauty of Qionghai Lake or play with sand and build castles on the beach. Overall, Jinlin Beach is a popular destination in Xichang, suitable for families, photography enthusiasts, and those who enjoy nature. However, there are some drawbacks. For example, it can be crowded during holidays, which may affect the experience. Food and water supplies within the scenic area may be limited, so it is recommended to bring your own water and food. Furthermore, Xichang is at a high altitude, with strong ultraviolet rays, so please take good sun protection when visiting.

Xichang Tang Garden is located in Xichang City. It is a modern ancient building built in imitation of the Tang Dynasty City that Never Sleeps. During the day, you can mainly play inside and appreciate the unique style of the ancient building. At night, the Tang Garden will turn on the lights, and the night view is very beautiful.

In Xixi, about 15 kilometers south of Xichang City, Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan Province, there is a mysterious place hidden - Anha Yi Village Immortal Cave. It is like a bright pearl forgotten in the world, with its beautiful and charming scenery and various karst scenes.