Ziyang In-Depth Travel Guide

The Hidden Gem of Sichuan: A Millennial Bond Between Stone Carvings and Lemons

I. Essential Pre-Trip Info
1. Transportation Guide
- Rail Transit: Take Chengdu Metro Line 18 to S3 Line (Ziyang Line), reaching Ziyang North Station in 1 hour. Changhong Square is right outside the station.
- Self-Drive: Accessible via Chengdu-Chongqing Expressway. Ample parking available at major attractions (e.g., Yuanjue Cave, Chen Yi's Former Residence).
- Local Transport: Buses cover main attractions; shared bikes are ideal for short trips (e.g., Ziku Mountain to Sanxian Park).

2. Best Seasons
- Spring & Autumn (Mar-May/Sep-Nov): Pleasant 20°C weather, perfect for sightseeing.
- Festivals: Anyue Lemon Festival in September (picking experience at Baosen Scenic Area), Stone Carving Culture Week in May (blessing activities at Yuanjue Cave).

II. 2-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Stone Art & Red Culture
- Morning: Explore Anyue Stone Carvings
- Yuanjue Cave (8:30-12:00): Marvel at the 7m-tall Tang Dynasty "Three Western Saints" statues and Twelve Bodhisattva reliefs. Tip: Free entry; guided tours (¥30/session) explain Buddhist stories.
- Pilu Cave (13:30-15:30): Must-see "Bamboo Guanyin" - a Song Dynasty masterpiece hailed as "Eastern Venus". ¥40 ticket; best photo light in early morning.

- Afternoon: Red Culture
- Chen Yi's Former Residence (16:00-18:30) (Lezhi County): Visit the marshal's home and poetry garden. Free with reservation; allow 2 hours. Holiday craft activities available.

- Night Stay: Recommend Howard Johnson Hotel (indoor pool + lemon-themed meals) or local B&Bs like Mingyuan Lake Farmhouse.

Day 2: Nature & Culture
- Morning: Landscape & Faith
- Half Moon Mountain Buddha (8:30-10:30): Sichuan's 3rd largest Tang seated Buddha (22m tall). Free; hilltop views of Yanjiang.
- Reclining Buddha Temple (11:00-13:00): See China's longest left-side reclining Buddha (21.3m). ¥5 ticket; don't miss cliff carvings.

- Afternoon: City Culture
- Ziku Mountain Park (14:30-16:00): China's first Chinese character-themed park. Free Tang-style architecture.
- Ziyang Museum (16:30-18:00): Teapot-shaped building housing 30,000-year-old "Ziyang Man" skull. Free; closed Mondays.

- Evening: Sunset at Sanxian Park's Fangxian Bridge, learning about three local sages.

III. Must-Try Flavors
1. Local Dishes
- Yanjiang "Sha Dou" Beef Noodles: Try at Old Town's Liu's Noodle House.
- "Nosebleed" Tofu: Crispy outside, tender inside, served with chili dip.

2. Snacks & Souvenirs
- Anyue Lemon Products: Dried lemons, lemon tea (best at Baosen Scenic Area store).
- Huang Pancake + No.1 School Cold Noodles: Student favorite combo.

3. Food Streets
- Behind Meixi Department Store: Affordable night snacks.
- Binjiang Avenue: Try "Ziyang Drunken Fish" with river views.

IV. Practical Tips
- Stone Carving Highlights: Prioritize Yuanjue Cave, Pilu Cave, and Reclining Buddha Temple.
- Budget: ~¥400/day (incl. lodging); low ticket costs.
- Unique Experiences:
- Make lemon jam at Baosen Lemon Park (best in September).
- See "Tree Embracing Buddha" at Baoguo Temple (free, 18km from Lezhi).

Warnings:
1. Wear anti-slip shoes for stone steps; bring mosquito repellent in summer.
2. Narrow rural roads near Reclining Buddha Temple - consider shuttle buses.

Ziyang's charm lies in the serene gaze of ancient Buddhas, lemon-scented breezes, and steaming beef noodles. Avoid crowds and discover authentic Sichuan in this tranquil city. Reclining Buddha Temple Anyue Stone Carvings Ziyang·Sichuan