A Hidden Gem City Perfect for a 5-Day Getaway – You'll Want to Return!

Suining Travel Guide:

✅ **I. Must-Visit Attractions**
1. **Lingquan Temple**
- **Features**: One of China's earliest Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) worship sites, built during the Sui Dynasty, housing the millennium-old "Lingquan" well with sweet spring water.
- **Highlights**: Panoramic views of Suining from the summit, magnificent temple architecture, and vibrant incense rituals.
- **Address**: Lingquan Road, Chuanshan District.
- **Ticket**: ~¥40.

2. **Guangde Temple**
- **Features**: A royal Zen Buddhist temple from the Tang Dynasty, preserving Ming-era imperial edict archways and jade Buddha statues.
- **Highlights**: Deep Buddhist culture, serene environment ideal for meditation.
- **Address**: Guangde Road, Chuanshan District.
- **Ticket**: ~¥35.

3. **China Dead Sea (Daying Dead Sea)**
- **Features**: A resort built over an ancient underground salt lake, offering "Dead Sea floating," mud baths, and salt therapies.
- **Highlights**: Family-friendly, year-round warm temperatures, indoor/outdoor pools.
- **Address**: Penglai Town, Daying County.
- **Ticket**: ~¥200 (includes floating).

4. **Longfeng Ancient Town**
- **Features**: A Ming-Qing style riverside town themed as the "Hometown of Guanyin."
- **Highlights**: Historic streets, docks, folk performances; try local snacks like *Guo Liangfen* (spicy jelly) and *Guanyin Vegetarian Twists*.
- **Address**: Longfeng Town, Chuanshan District.
- **Ticket**: Free.

5. **Shenglian Island**
- **Features**: An ecological island on the Fujiang River, home to the World Lotus Expo (blooming in summer).
- **Highlights**: Cycling, flower viewing, camping; art galleries and lakeside cafés.
- **Address**: Midstream Fujiang River, Chuanshan District.
- **Ticket**: Free.

6. **Luohu Wetland Park**
- **Features**: Urban wetland perfect for strolls, birdwatching, and photography.
- **Highlights**: Stunning sunsets, lakeside teahouses for relaxation.

✅ **II. Food Recommendations**
1. **Local Snacks**
- *Guo Liangfen*: Sour-spicy jelly, a must-try in ancient towns.
- *Guanyin Vegetarian Twists*: Crispy sweet twists, sold near Lingquan Temple.
- *Shehong Beef*: Spiced braised beef, tender and flavorful.
- *Pangxi Yundou Gao*: Crispy-rice cakes, a traditional breakfast.

2. **Restaurants**
- **Tao De Clay Pot (Suining Branch)**: Locals' favorite Sichuan cuisine, famous for clay pot dishes.
- **Suining Snack Streets**: Kaixuan Road/Xiaobei Street for authentic bites.

✅ **Transport Guide**
- **Getting There**
- *High-speed rail*: ~1hr from Chengdu East Station; ~1.5hrs from Chongqing North Station.
- *Drive*: Via Chengdu-Nanchong Expressway (G42) or Suining-Chongqing Expressway (G93).
- **Local Transport**
- Buses cover major sites; taxis start at ¥6; shared bikes for short trips.

✅ **Accommodation Tips**
- **Downtown (Chuanshan District)**: Convenient for Lingquan/Guangde Temples; recommend Marriott Suining (lakeside).
- **Daying County**: Hot spring hotels like Sun City Resort within Dead Sea.
- **Shenglian Island**: B&Bs for tranquil river views.

✅ **Itinerary Ideas**
- **1-Day**: Lingquan/Guangde Temple → Longfeng Ancient Town → Shenglian Island.
- **2-Day**:
- *Day 1*: Lingquan + Guangde Temples + Luohu Wetland.
- *Day 2*: Daying Dead Sea (full-day relaxation).
- **Extended Trip**: Add Shehong’s Jurassic Park (dinosaur fossils) or Pengxi’s Gaofeng Mountain (Taoist heritage).

✅ **Tips**
1. Summer: Sunscreen/bug spray; winter: layer up for humidity.
2. Temples: Stay quiet; avoid photographing Buddha statues.
3. Dead Sea: Rinse off saltwater post-float to avoid skin irritation.