Six Off-the-Beaten-Path Cities Within 1-2 Hours from Sichuan for a Perfect Getaway

**1. Pengzhou (1h from Chengdu)**
- **Highlights**: Hidden ancient towns + glacial waterfalls
- **Things to Do**:
- **Haiwozi Ancient Town**: Authentic Western Sichuan-style houses, must-try oil-braised goose!
- **Zhongba Forest**: Hike through the misty forest reminiscent of *Twilight*.
- **Panlong Valley**: Trek along streams to see wild waterfalls, perfect for summer escapes.

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**2. Hongya County, Meishan (1.5h from Chengdu)**
- **Highlights**: Secluded forests + millennia-old towns
- **Things to Do**:
- **Liujiang Ancient Town**: Stroll under rainy corridors and ancient banyan trees, stepping into an ink painting.
- **Gaomiao Ancient Town**: Zero commercialization! Cobblestone paths lead to Ming-Qing era wineries.
- **Caoyutan**: A free "mini Cambodia" with pagodas and cycad valleys.

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**3. Qianwei County, Leshan (1.5h from Chengdu)**
- **Highlights**: Steam trains + mysterious mines
- **Things to Do**:
- **Jiayang Steam Train**: Ride the world’s only narrow-gauge steam train through rapeseed fields (best in March).
- **Bagou Ancient Town**: Retro industrial-style slogan walls from the 1960s, great for photos.
- **Huangcunjing Mine**: Descend 46 meters underground to experience a miner’s life.

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**4. Mianzhu City, Deyang (1h from Chengdu)**
- **Highlights**: New Year painting village + alpine pastures
- **Things to Do**:
- **New Year Painting Village**: Paint Mianzhu New Year paintings by hand and savor firewood chicken.
- **Qiyue Lushan**: Climb the bamboo sea ladder and visit red maple forests (vibrant in October).
- **Yunhu Forest Park**: Alpine lakes + wild monkeys, feeling like Switzerland.

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**5. Rong County, Zigong (2h from Chengdu)**
- **Highlights**: Grotto treasures + pottery workshops
- **Things to Do**:
- **Rongxian Giant Buddha**: Tang Dynasty cliff carvings, quieter than Leshan’s Giant Buddha.
- **Pottery Creative Park**: Mold clay and fire kilns, experiencing intangible cultural heritage.
- **Shuangxi Lake**: Boat at sunset to see Buddha reflections on the water.

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**6. Longchang City, Neijiang (1.5h from Chengdu/Chongqing)**
- **Highlights**: Land of stone archways + ancient fortress secrets
- **Things to Do**:
- **Nanguan Stone Archway Cluster**: Ming-Qing stone carvings, "3D history books," stunning at night.
- **Yunding Ancient Fortress**: A military castle on cliffs, explore landlord manors.
- **Guyu Lake**: A winter birdwatching paradise, cycling around the lake is pure therapy.

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**💡 Key Tips**
- **Transport**: All destinations are accessible by high-speed rail or car, perfect for weekend trips.
- **Accommodation**: Prioritize ancient town homestays (Liujiang, Bagou) or county hotels (~$15 per person).
- **Hidden Food Gems**: Pengzhou’s *Junton Guokui*, Hongya’s peppercorn duck, Longchang’s mutton soup!

**Escape the crowds and uncover these hidden gems—bookmark this list and hit the road this weekend!** 🌿