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The main area for sightseeing in Xichang is the Qionghai-Lushan Scenic Area, where the attractions are relatively concentrated, so it only takes 1-2 days. The surrounding attractions are mostly natural scenery, which is relatively far away by car, so it takes at least 3-4 days to complete them.
Route Features: Visit the most essential attractions in Xichang and appreciate the mountains, rivers and city scenery of the "Moonlight City".
D1: Xichang → Xichang Satellite Launch Center → Xichang Ancient City;
D2: Xichang → Luoji Mountain;
D3: Lusan → Gyeonghae
Day 1: Upon arrival in Xichang, travel by bus to the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, known as the "Houston of the East." Visit the launch tower, actual rockets, the Space Park, and the Moon Landing Tower, learning about China's advanced aerospace technology. It's a truly impressive experience to take a photo with the launch pad. Return to downtown Xichang in the afternoon and take a bus to the Datong Gate of Xichang Ancient City. Enjoy authentic Xichang snacks. In the evening, explore Xichang's bustling night market and climb the city tower to admire the nightscape of the "Moonlit City." Overnight in Xichang.
Day 2: In the morning, travel by bus to Luoji Mountain, a National AAAA-level scenic spot. Then, transfer to the scenic sightseeing bus to the Luoji Mountain Cableway Station. Ride Asia's highest-drop cableway to admire the beauty of Luoji Mountain. Then, hike into the Luoji Mountain Scenic Area and enjoy the natural oxygen of the pristine forest. On the way down, visit the Luoji Mountain Yi Village, featuring distinctive Yi residential courtyards and rich Yi culture. Return to Xichang for the night.
Day 3: In the morning, visit the Lushan Scenic Area. Lushan Mountain is perpetually lush, with ancient cypresses, pines, and golden osmanthus trees. It boasts numerous Taoist temples, a rare blend of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. You can also visit China's only museum dedicated to the Yi slave society. Afterward, on your return to the city, visit the Yihai Alliance Statue and learn about the Red Army's Long March through Liangshan. In the afternoon, take bus No. 106 for a lakeside circuit. In the evening, stroll through Qionghai Moonlight Town and Qionghai Park, savoring their signature drunken shrimp and brazier barbecue. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the lake and mountains, along with the fine wines and delicious food.
Route Features: This is the most convenient self-driving route from Chengdu to Xichang, connecting the most worthwhile attractions in and around Xichang.
D1: Chengdu → Xichang;
D2: Xichang → Luoji Mountain → Dacao River Hot Spring Waterfall → Huanglianguan Earth Forest → Xichang;
Day 3: Guanhai Bay → Lushan Mountain → Qionghai Lake → Xichang Old Town;
D4: Xichang → Lizhou Ancient Town → Xichang Satellite Launch Center → Mianning County;
D5: Mianning Yihai Lingshan Temple Scenic Area → Chengdu
Day 1: Depart at 8:00 AM and arrive in Xichang around 1:00 PM. After exiting the highway in Xichang, enjoy lunch at Lizhou Old Square Table near Hangtian Avenue. Then, follow Hangtian Avenue to the Qionghai "Moon Bay" scenic area. You can choose to stay at a roadside hotel or inn in the Moon Bay area. After a short rest, you can begin exploring Qionghai's attractions, including "Moon Bay," "Qinglong Beach," and "Qinglong Temple." In the evening, enjoy a barbecued drunken shrimp dinner and watch the sunset by the sea. After dinner, stroll along the beach, count the stars, and enjoy the sea breeze – a truly magical experience.
Day 2: Depart from your Moon Bay accommodation at 8:00 AM and drive along the G212 to Luojishan Town in Puge County, Liangshan Prefecture (approximately 50 kilometers from Xichang) to visit Luoji Mountain, a National AAAA-level tourist attraction. After descending from Luoji Mountain, you can enjoy the nearby Dacaohe Hot Spring Waterfall. In the afternoon, return to Guanhai Bay for a meal nearby. Then, continue along the G108 towards Dechang, passing Luogubo Town, and arrive at Huanglianguan Town in Xichang (approximately 30 kilometers from downtown Xichang). The Huanglianguan Clay Forest in this town is a natural masterpiece sculpted by wind and rain over millennia. The scenic area boasts a magnificent natural landscape, with ravines, cliffs, and a variety of formations. After dinner at Guanhai Bay, return to your Moon Bay accommodation and visit Qionghai Lake to witness the sunset.
Day 3: Depart at 8:00 AM and begin your tour of the Guanhaiwan Scenic Area. Guanhaiwan offers breathtaking scenery, with views of the sea and flowers blooming in the distance, creating an idyllic scene of birdsong and fragrance. Afterward, visit Lushan Mountain and its Guangfu Temple on the southwest shore of Qionghai Lake. From the summit, you can overlook the entire Qionghai Lake. At the foot of the mountain, you can visit the Liangshan Yi Slave Society Museum, China's first ethnic museum. After descending the mountain, take a boat to a small fishing village on the opposite shore and continue your tour of Qionghai Lake and the Wetland Park. Afterward, head to Xichang Old Town, home to numerous unique restaurants. Enjoy lunch near Datong Gate before exploring Datong Gate and other ancient city ruins. Behind Datong Gate lies South Street. Walking along South Street, you'll reach an intersection where South Street, North Street, Cang Street, and Fu Street meet, marking the heart of Xichang Old Town. In the evening, climb to the summit of Datong Gate to admire the nightscape of the ancient city. Afterward, enjoy Xichang barbecue and other delicious food at the nearby night market.
Day 4: In the morning, travel along the Ya'an-Xichang Expressway to Lizhou Ancient Town, where you'll spend half a day exploring its architecture. After lunch, head to the Xichang Satellite Launch Center to experience the awe-inspiring "Space City." After the tour, return to Mianning County and stay overnight.
D5: In the morning, go to the Lingshan Temple Scenic Area in Yihai to visit the historically famous "Yihai Alliance" site. Afterwards, you can choose to visit cultural attractions such as the Red Army Long March Memorial Hall and the Yihai Memorial Hall; or climb to the top of the Buddha in Lingshan Temple and look eastward at the thousands of peaks of Daliang Mountain and the scattered Yi villages that stretch for hundreds of miles, and westward at the majestic Yak Mountain and the thousands of hectares of fertile fields on both sides of the Anning River. Then drive back to Chengdu, ending your pleasant trip.