Returned from Suining, really don’t recommend going in August because it’s just too much～

Who understands! Diving headfirst into Suining’s mountains and waters in summer, you get hooked and don’t want to leave—Lingquan Temple’s ancient cypress trees hide coolness, the floating experience at the China Dead Sea brings comfort, the green shade reflects on the bluestone slabs of Longfeng Ancient Town. After 3 days, my phone is full of scenes blending Bashu’s spiritual charm with salt brine culture. Now when I close my eyes, it’s all the scent of Chong, this summer-exclusive refreshment really makes you yearn for it～

🚗Transportation Guide

✈️Flight: From Chengdu Shuangliu Airport, take the high-speed train to Suining (50 minutes/51 RMB), then a 15-minute taxi ride to downtown (about 20 RMB)
🚄High-speed train: From Suining Station, take bus No. 5 to Lingquan Temple (40 minutes/2 RMB), taxis are more flexible in the off-season (about 15 RMB)
🛵Local transport: Rent an electric scooter for 40 RMB/day to explore the old town, electric carts in the China Dead Sea scenic area (15 RMB), drivers will tell stories about salt brine formation

🌊Super detailed 3-day itinerary

Day 1: Lingquan Temple → Guangde Temple → Qu River Scenic Belt

• Early morning rush to Lingquan Temple (45 RMB), the ancient temple is hidden in dense shade in summer! Climb 999 stone steps, morning mist wrapped in incense smoke, the copper bell in Guanyin Hall rings softly in the wind. In the off-season, you can enjoy the wishing pool alone; the clinking of coins feels like a response to your wishes🙏

• Lunch with Suining Chong (8 RMB), the rice fragrance mixed with spicy and numbing flavors. In the afternoon, visit Guangde Temple, see the gnarled branches of Tang Dynasty ancient cypress trees, the imperial decree stele’s characters exude solemnity. Buy a string of Bodhi beads (30 RMB), the vendor says “blessed for safety”📿

• Evening by Qu River walkway, watch the sunset gild the river surface, the evening breeze carries drifting willow leaves. Buy a sugar-coated glutinous rice ball (5 RMB), the caramel aroma mixed with moisture, sit on a stone bench listening to elders tell “the legend of Chuanshan”🍡

Day 2: China Dead Sea → Black Mud Bath → Salt Brine Museum

• Morning at China Dead Sea (200 RMB), the summer salt lake looks like a white crystal! Lie on the water surface watching clouds drift by, the buoyancy is so strong you don’t need to try, in the off-season you can enjoy “floating on water” alone, take the classic “reading newspaper” photo, salt grains on your skin look like sprinkled tiny diamonds💎

• Lunch with Zhuotong Chicken (50 RMB), chicken marinated in salt brine is super flavorful. In the afternoon, try the black mud bath, cover your body with black mud like an alien, staff will help film your “black mud SPA” video, after rinsing your skin feels silky smooth🧖

• Evening visit Salt Brine Museum, see ancient salt well tools, 3D animation restores the principle of “Zhuotong Well,” buy a bottle of salt brine skincare product (60 RMB), the moisturizing effect is surprisingly good. In the off-season, you can take your time in the exhibition hall with no rush🏺

Day 3: Longfeng Ancient Town → Chicheng Lake → Night Market before departure

• Morning at Longfeng Ancient Town (free), the bluestone slabs feel cool in summer! See the polished stone steps at Qingdao Wharf, the wooden carvings on the ancient stage are covered with morning glories, grandma’s bamboo basket holds fresh water caltrops (10 RMB/jin), tender enough to squeeze out water💧

• Lunch with Shehong beef pancake (6 RMB), crispy and flaky with juicy meat. In the afternoon, explore Chicheng Lake, take a boat ride (30 RMB) to see reed beds on both sides, egrets startled into white clouds, in the off-season you can pick lotus leaves on the shore (free), perfect for sunshade and pretty🪷

• Evening at Yucai Road Night Market, buy grilled sweet potato skin skewers (7 RMB), sour radish wrapped with meaty aroma, drink a cup of iced jelly (6 RMB), red sugar syrup is sweet and flowing, auntie’s Sichuan cold noodles (8 RMB), spicy and numbing enough, the summer night market feels like a lively cool pavilion🌃

🌟5 Must-Visit Spots

1. Lingquan Temple Wishing Pool: Summer’s “Secret Wish Realm”! The morning pool reflects the Guanyin statue, ripples spread when you toss coins. No crowds in the off-season, you can slowly choose angles to shoot “wishes and reflections.” It’s said sincere hearts can see fish gathering🐟

2. Floating at China Dead Sea: “Inland Maldives”! The saltwater buoyancy lets you lie flat easily, see the blue sky reflected on the water, shoot a “leisurely float” video with caption “beach experience without leaving the country,” likes explode🌴

3. Longfeng Ancient Town Wharf: “Suining’s Little Jiangnan”! The bluestone slabs shine after rain, holding an oil-paper umbrella walking the wharf feels like stepping into the scene of “Rain Alley.” In the off-season, you can enjoy bamboo chairs alone in the old teahouse, order a cup of jasmine tea (10 RMB), listen to storytellers📖

4. Black Mud Bath Carnival: “Stress Relief Magic”! The funny look covered in black mud makes for a cute contrast in photos, after rinsing your skin is silky smooth, this experience is unique to the Dead Sea. No queues for showers in the off-season🚿

5. Chicheng Lake Lotus Sea: “Summer Limited Flower Sea”! In July, lotus flowers cover the lake, take a small boat into the blossoms, dew drops roll off the buds, shoot photos “in the center of lotus,” the fragrance mixed with moisture is intoxicating, you won’t want to leave🪷

🍲Local Food Recommendations

• Suining Chong: The soul! 8 RMB/bowl, rice ground into slurry and steamed, cut into strips mixed with chili oil and garlic paste, smooth with a bit of chewiness. The old brand “Li Ji Chong” has amazing seasoning, add a spoon of peanut sauce for a stomping spicy kick🌶️

• Zhuotong Chicken: 50 RMB/serving, marinated with thousand-year salt brine, chicken is firm and flavorful, even the bones smell salty and fragrant. The “Salt Well Restaurant” in the Dead Sea scenic area serves freshly marinated chicken, corn cakes dipped in brine sauce are amazing🍗

• Shehong Beef Pancake: 6 RMB/each, beef filling mixed with Sichuan peppercorns, deep-fried crispy outside and tender inside, flakes fall off when bitten, street stalls’ fresh-made ones are the best, eat hot and you can’t stop🥞

• Sugar-coated Glutinous Rice Balls: 5 RMB/skewer, glutinous rice balls fried golden, coated with white sugar and sesame, crispy outside and soft inside. Grandma by Qu River has sold them for 20 years, limited daily quantity, come late and you’ll miss out🍢

🏡Accommodation Recommendations

📍Near Lingquan Temple: Zen-style guesthouse 180 RMB/night, wooden rooms with small courtyard, includes breakfast with vegetarian noodles, wake up to temple bell sounds, perfect for those seeking tranquility🧘
📍China Dead Sea: Salt therapy hotel 300 RMB/night, window views of the salt lake, includes double breakfast and black mud experience voucher, off-season upgrades to sea view rooms, watch stars fall into the lake at night✨
📍City Center: Budget hotel 150 RMB/night, 10-minute walk to night market, includes breakfast with soy milk and fried dough sticks, 24-hour convenience store downstairs, great value for money🏙️

💰Expense Summary (3 days, 2 people)

• Transportation: Round-trip high-speed train 204 RMB + scooter rental 80 RMB + scenic area transport 30 RMB = 314 RMB

• Tickets: Dead Sea + Lingquan Temple etc. = 290 RMB

• Accommodation: 2 nights guesthouse 480 RMB (240 RMB per person)

• Food: Zhuotong Chicken + snacks about 300 RMB (100 RMB/day)

• Souvenirs: Salt brine skincare + Bodhi beads = 90 RMB

• Total: About 1474 RMB (737 RMB per person)

💡Travel Tips

1. Suining is hot and humid in summer! Wear breathable short sleeves + bring a sun umbrella. For Dead Sea visits, prepare swimwear and slippers. Salt water is corrosive, don’t wear metal jewelry (it will oxidize)💍

2. Eat Chong with vinegar! Add two spoons of vinegar to spicy versions to cut the grease, locals all do this. Go early for breakfast, rice slurry is freshest before 7 am, texture is smoother🌶️

3. Don’t float too long at the Dead Sea! Get up every 15 minutes to avoid wrinkled skin from salt water. After black mud bath, rinse thoroughly or you might feel itchy🧴

4. Summer visits are addictive! No crowds at ancient temples, slow floating, heartwarming Chong—each makes you want to come back. This “really good” warning must be heeded～💦

Summer in Suining is the tranquility of ancient temples, the blue of the Dead Sea, the fragrance of Chong. Once you go, you’ll understand why it’s so captivating! Though it makes you reluctant to leave, who can resist this blend of Bashu’s spiritual charm and comfort～