The best way to understand a place is to discover its ancient traces. Xichang's ancient city ruins are primarily concentrated around Datong Gate. The Qionghai and Lushan Scenic Area is also a highlight of the city's attractions, boasting numerous themed areas and cultural relics. From Lushan Mountain to Qionghai Lake, you've pretty much covered most of Xichang.
Due to the passage of time, only a few ruins remain of the ancient city of Xichang, with Datong Gate being the last remaining trace. Surrounding it are numerous shops and quaint buildings. If you visit at night, you can climb up to Datong Gate for a breathtaking view of the surrounding nightscape. The market next to Datong Gate is also bustling with shops and a wealth of goods.
Tucked away in the tranquil and secluded Jiyang Alley, this mosque is the largest in the Panzhihua region. Built during the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, it retains numerous historical relics. Its elongated gate faces east, and the four large characters "Pure and Tranquil Realm" (清静真境) on the screen wall facing the gate stand out strikingly. Indeed, here, free from noise and bustle, everything appears tranquil and solemn. At Jiyang Alley Mosque, you can find one of only two remaining temple screen walls from Xichang's old city. In this hidden haven, you can explore religion and experience local ethnic culture.
Qionghai, Sichuan Province's second-largest freshwater lake, is a favorite weekend retreat for locals. The scenic area boasts numerous attractions worth visiting, including Moon Bay, New Beach, and Guanhai Bay on the north shore, the Birdwatching Wetland Park on the south shore, and the charming Moonlight Town at the foot of Lushan Mountain. Whether you're staying by the lake for a weekend, enjoying a boat trip and sampling the lake's fresh produce, or renting a bicycle for a scenic cruise, the experience is truly captivating.
Lushan Mountain is connected to the Qionghai Scenic Area, allowing for a combined visit. At only 2,317 meters above sea level, it can be climbed in a single day, making it a perfect destination for hiking enthusiasts. Notably, the mountain's diverse religious landscape, encompassing Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, has coexisted for millennia, creating a truly unique experience. At the foot of the mountain lies the Yi Slave Society Museum, showcasing Yi history and culture. Guangfu Temple, a popular temple, is also located on the mountaintop. A viewing terrace overlooks Qionghai Lake and Xichang City. Within the Lushan Scenic Area, the longest trough slide in Southwest China, at 1,180 meters long, is known as a "dry land bobsleigh." The high-speed descent is highly recommended. Another attraction is viewing wild monkeys on Lushan Mountain. During the hike, you're likely to encounter a group of monkeys, offering a chance for close encounters with the animals.
Luoji Mountain's name comes from its "sister" relationship with Mount Emei: "Mount Emei resembles a woman's silkworm-moth brow, while Luoji Mountain resembles the snail-shaped bun on a young girl's head." Luoji Mountain is a great place to visit year-round, with frequent sunny days, and summer is especially ideal for escaping the summer heat. Luoji Mountain boasts five unique attractions: "alpine lakes," "horn-shaped ridges," "glacier grooves," "seas of clouds and fog," and "seas of azaleas." Every April and May, when the azaleas are in full bloom, visitors can take Asia's longest cable car from the scenic area entrance to admire the sea of azaleas. Afterwards, they can hike to the summit for panoramic views of the world's largest ancient ice grooves and alpine lakes. In the evening, they can enjoy the unique Yi flower drum dance. Furthermore, Luoji Mountain was once one of my country's earliest Buddhist sacred sites, making it a great place to explore Buddhist relics.
This is both a cascading waterfall and a rare hot spring bathing spot in the southwest. Its water temperature remains at 32°C year-round, making it a natural "preventive and treatment center" for skin diseases. Bathing in it is incredibly refreshing. The hot spring waterfall is divided into three tiers, extending from the mountainside. The first tier cascades down from a spring on the cliff face. The second tier forms a natural pool, 10 meters long, 2 meters wide, and waist-deep, accommodating over 20 people at a time. The third tier features a fairy pool, from which hot springs gush down to form a "water curtain cave." Two pools, each accommodating two people, are nicknamed "mandarin duck pools."
Lizhou Ancient Town was a major post station on the ancient Southern Silk Road, and the Red Army passed through it during the Long March. While not a flashy or bustling town, its brightly lit courtyards and towering fire-walls convey a rich sense of history. The town is home to numerous teahouses, bustling every morning with elderly Yi people enjoying tea and playing cards around traditional square tables. Lizhou Ancient Town is small, yet quaint and exquisite. The best way to experience it is to take a day, bring your camera, and explore its rich history, discovering its verdant bricks, green tiles, eaves, and courtyards. Looking back, you'll feel like you've traveled back in time. It's best to depart from Xichang and spend a day exploring, returning to Xichang in the evening.
The Xichang Satellite Launch Center, nicknamed the Houston of China, is one of only three satellite launch bases in China and the site where Chang'e 1, 2, and 3 were launched. There are two things to visit: the actual rocket and the launch site. Marvel at the majestic launch tower, dating back to the 1970s and 1980s. You can also visit the command and control hall and the launch site, which consists of two workstations. Here, you can also see the actual Long March 3 rocket, one of China's first launches, and purchase a small model rocket to take home.
The clay forests of Huanglianguan Town are a truly remarkable landscape. They are magnificent and feature a variety of shapes. This poorly protected natural relic, with fallen earth pillars visible within the scenic area, presents a breathtaking display of nature's wonders. If properly developed, they could rival the Stone Forest of Yunnan. However, the clay forests are subject to rapid weathering, so visit early; if you're late, you might lose them.
This is the historical site of the renowned "Yihai Alliance," one of China's 100 finest red tourism attractions. Comprising the Yihai Scenic Area and the Lingshan Scenic Area, it offers an ideal setting for historical exploration and natural wonders. Visitors can visit the Red Army Long March Memorial Hall, the Yihai Memorial Hall, and other cultural attractions. They can also ascend to the summit of Lingshan Temple, where views of the snow-capped Yangluo Snow Mountain can be seen to the north. To the west, the majestic Yakniu Mountain and the vast expanses of fertile plains along the Anning River can be seen. To the east, the sprawling Daliang Mountains, with their thousands of peaks and numerous Yi village villages, stretch for hundreds of miles.