Songpan Ancient City
松潘古城
A Ming-dynasty border fortress town on the Min River, with intact walls, gates and Gusong Bridge; a former hub of the Tea Horse Road and a convenient stop on the Jiuzhaigou–Huanglong route.
Songpan, known in ancient times as Songzhou, was where Princess Wencheng traveled to Tibet during the Tang dynasty, and where Songtsen Gampo once stationed troops. Built with brick and stone walls in the Ming dynasty, it was a military stronghold and tea-horse trading center in northwestern Sichuan. Most of the city walls remain, along with the north gate Zhenjiang Gate and the south gate Qixing Pass. Inside are Gusong Bridge, a mosque, and shops run by Hui and Tibetan traders; from a hill outside the walls you can look down over the city. Entry to the old town is free (climbing the walls and some sites charge fees). It lies about 17 km from Chuanzhusi and 60 km from Huanglong, making it a good place to stay overnight or to spend a half day during a Jiuzhaigou–Huanglong trip.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Munigou Valley
- Red Army Long March Memorial
- Chuanzhusi Town
- Huanglong Scenic Area
- Primeval Forest
- Long Lake
- Swan Lake & Fragrant Hill Lake
- Five-Colour Pond