Songpan Ancient Town, the gateway to the Silk Road in Sichuan

🏯 “Travel back in time… Strolling through Songpan Ancient Town, the gateway to the Silk Road in Sichuan.”

On this trip, I had the opportunity to visit Songpan Ancient Town, a small town in Sichuan Province. Known as an important ancient gateway on the Silk Road, it was also a popular stopover before continuing on to Jiuzhaigou (or Huanglong).

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🚶♀️ Strolling along the Old City Wall

The first thing that caught my eye upon arriving was the ancient city wall, which still retains its strength and mystique, as if it had traveled back to the Ming Dynasty. The tall stone walls and archways made me feel like I had stepped into a Chinese historical film.

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🛍️ A pedestrian street with a nostalgic atmosphere

I strolled down the main street of the old town, lined with shops selling souvenirs, local handicrafts, vibrant Tibetan clothing, and local food. The atmosphere was lively yet warm. Both Chinese and international tourists stop by to buy and try them.

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🍲 Delicious food you can't miss

Songpan offers a wide variety of local cuisine, especially dishes influenced by Tibet. I tried dried Yak meat, butter tea, and Tibetan dumplings. The flavors were unusual but unexpectedly delicious, and they energized me to continue my exploration.

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🏮 Charming at Night

As night falls, the lanterns and shops begin to light up, bringing the ancient streets to life in a new way. I loved the slow pace, watching people laugh and vendors call out to customers. It was a simple and memorable experience.

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🕒 Opening Hours
• The ancient city is open 24 hours a day, but most shops are open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

💵 Admission
• Free (you can walk around the city walls).
• If you want to walk on the ancient city walls, there's an entrance fee of approximately 40 yuan.
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