Panzhihua endured the hardship and is back, here are some blunt truths

🌞 Panzhihua August Walking Guide: A Healing Journey of Sunshine, Canyons, and Mango Freedom

Location

Panzhihua, Sichuan’s “Little Sanya,” has an average temperature of 21-31°C in August. The daytime sun is intense but humidity is low, and the cool breeze at night is super comfortable～ Here you can enjoy the Jinsha River Grand Canyon, Ertan High Dam, Yi ethnic villages, and the outrageously sweet Kate mango!

🚀【Super Detailed 3-Day Itinerary】Just follow this and you’re set!

Day 1: Industrial Epic + Canyon Shock

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Morning: Rush to Ertan Hydropower Station to see Asia’s tallest dam! Take a boat tour on Emerald Lake (about 80 RMB)

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Noon: Head straight to Yongxing Town, Yanbian County to eat Youdi Pork, a thousand-year-old intangible heritage pork that’s fatty but not greasy

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Afternoon: Dash to Jinsha River Grand Canyon, the fully transparent viewing platform stands above a bottomless abyss

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Evening: Stay at Hilton Hampton by Hilton Panzhihua Central Plaza, family rooms have bathtubs

Day 2: Cave Adventure + Yi Ethnic Style

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Morning: Explore Zhuanxu Dragon Cave, a 9.6 km stalactite light show like an underground palace, remember to wear a jacket (18°C inside)!

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Noon: Arrange for Tong Hot Pot in Miyi County! Ten layers of ingredients piled like a tower, cured pig’s trotters + native chicken broth so fragrant you’ll lick the pot～

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Afternoon: Visit Yishala Yi Village, 600 years of history with red walls and black tiles, rent Yi ethnic costumes (30 RMB) for ethnic-style photoshoots.

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Evening: Overnight at Gesala Starry Sky Tent Camp, lie down and watch the Milky Way, there’s a meteor shower at dawn!

Day 3: Grassland Horse Riding + Hot Spring Relaxation

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Morning: Gesala Grassland horse riding through the twisted pine forest (50 RMB/hour)

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Noon: Experience Tuotuo Meat in the Yi village, big chunks of black-bone chicken dipped in spicy chili paste, an intense and bold way to eat!

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Afternoon: Soak in the radon springs at Hongge Hot Springs, apply a hot spring facial mask in the starry sky pool, your skin will be so smooth even mosquitoes will split!

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Evening: Before heading back, rush to Bingcaogang Food Street, the grilled fermented tofu at the barbecue stalls is crispy outside and tender inside

🌟【Must-Visit Checklist】Miss it ≈ miss the trip!

1.
Ertan Hydropower Station: Free! Viewing platform offers a panoramic view of the dam, generator room requires a ticket (about 50 RMB).

2.
Gesala Ecological Area: Perfect summer escape in July-August, sinkholes and Yi ethnic song and dance performances (free).

3.
Yanbian Youdi Pork: Golden chunks at Song Yanhua Restaurant, melt-in-your-mouth and not greasy～

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Yishala Village: No entrance fee! Red houses against blue sky, photographers’ paradise.

5.
Panzhihua Barbecue: Grilled tilapia in every courtyard, crispy, spicy, and numbing, beats Chengdu skewers!

🏨【Accommodation Recommendations】High ratings on Trip.com

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Luxury Lover: Hongge Hot Springs Junlan Resort Hotel, private hot spring courtyards that will make your skin peel～

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Best Value: Vienna International Hotel (Gangcheng Economic and Trade Building branch), 312 RMB/night, smart room controls + mountain view floor-to-ceiling windows!

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Family Friendly: Laishi Hotel family suite, child safety fence + mini fridge, parents can fully relax～

🚌【Transportation Guide】

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Day 1: City private car → Ertan (1.5h) → Jinsha River Canyon (40 minutes), business car about 400 RMB/day.

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Day 2: Rent a car and drive → Dragon Cave (1h) → Yishala (1.5h), good road conditions, sedan is fine.

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Day 3: Gesala scenic area shuttle (combo ticket 150 RMB), return trip can take the free shuttle from the hot spring resort area.

🍽️【5 Must-Try Foods to Blow Your Taste Buds】

1.
Yanbian Beef: Braised and spicy cold dish, meat so tender it slides like a slide on your tongue～

2.
Hunjiang Tofu Pudding: Soft tofu pudding without gypsum, dipped in spicy sauce that makes you tear up but you can’t stop eating!

3.
Truffle Steamed Egg: The luxurious aroma of black truffle, steamed egg silky like silk～

4.
Yellow Spotted Catfish: River delicacy at Panzhihua Fish House, fish meat sweeter than first love!

5.
Kate Mango: In season in August, flesh thick enough to eat as a meal, sweetness off the charts!

💰【3-Day Expense List】

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Accommodation: Hilton Hampton 2 nights 722 RMB, 361 RMB/person/night, the freedom to soak in the tub is worth the ticket price!

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Food: Tong hot pot 120 RMB + barbecue 80 RMB + Yi village long street feast 60 RMB… three days stuffed, about 400 RMB per person.

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Tickets: Boat + Dragon Cave + Hot Springs ≈ 300 RMB.

Overall feeling: Spent big but had an explosive good time, especially the hot springs and mangoes, wallet got thinner but soul got fatter!

⚠️【Tips】Bitter lessons learned

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Sunscreen! UV rays strong enough to melt foundation, hat + arm sleeves are lifesavers!

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Gesala Grassland has no restaurants, bring your own snacks or you’ll cry from hunger～

😭Hardship: The glass on the Jinsha River viewing platform cracked, I kept my toes digging into the ground all the time not daring to move! The steps in Zhuanxu Dragon Cave were slippery, I slipped badly wearing flip-flops…

The sunshine in Panzhihua feels like it has a filter, the canyon wind blows away all the emo～ Walking 20,000 steps a day, but looking at the photos on my phone makes it all worth it! Do you have any hidden ways to play? Drop them in the comments, next time I’ll plan a second trip!