Panxi Sunshine & Lugu Lake
Follow the Anning River Valley in winter through Xichang, Miyi, Panzhihua, and Huili, then cross the mountains to Lugu Lake.
This is the highly recommended Panxi route for winter travel in Sichuan. Starting and ending in Xichang, it covers Qionghai Lake, Xinshan Terraces, Panzhihua, Hongge Hot Springs, and Huili Ancient City. After returning to Xichang, cross the mountains to Lugu Lake—this segment is the most challenging drive of the trip. With abundant sunshine and low altitudes, it is perfect for escaping the winter cold and for families traveling with seniors. Lugu Lake can be skipped to make this a relaxed 6-day route.
Mountain roads in the Lugu Lake section may freeze in winter; check road conditions and prepare snow chains.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in the Moon City & See Qionghai Lake
Xichang（Qionghai Lake & Wetland Park、Qionghai Fishing Village）
Pick up your rental car at the airport and drive to the north shore of Qionghai Lake (approx. 40 minutes). Spend the afternoon walking or cycling along the lake.
You can also take a train from Chengdu to Xichang and pick up a rental car locally.
Stay: North Shore of Qionghai Lake
Day 2 · Mount Lu & Yi Minority Museum
Xichang（Lushan Mountain & Guangfu Temple、Liangshan Yi Slave Society Museum、Jianchang Old Town (Xichang)）
Drive from the north shore of Qionghai Lake to Mount Lu (approx. 20 minutes), walk on the mountain for half a day, and drive to the ancient city in the afternoon (approx. 30 minutes).
Stay: North Shore of Qionghai Lake
Day 3 · South to Miyi Xinshan Terraces
Panzhihua（Xinshan Lisu Terraced Fields, Miyi、Zhuanxu Dragon Cave, Miyi）
Drive from Xichang along the Jingkun Expressway to Miyi (approx. 2 hours), then detour to the Xinshan Terraces, totaling about 4 hours of driving for the day.
Stay: Miyi County Town
Day 4 · Third-Front Movement Museum & Steel City
Panzhihua（China Third Front Construction Museum、Panzhihua Development & Construction Memorial Hall、Ashuda Flower Park）
Drive from Miyi to downtown Panzhihua (approx. 1.5 hours). Sightseeing in the city is mainly done by short taxi rides or self-driving.
Stay: Bingcaogang, East District
Day 5 · Hongge Hot Springs Half-Day Relaxation
Drive from downtown Panzhihua to Hongge (approx. 1 hour). Spend the evening soaking in the hot spring resort, with no long drives required.
Stay: Hongge Hot Springs
Day 6 · Huili Ancient City & Pomegranate Alleys
Huili Ancient Town（Huili Ancient Town、Kejia Lane、Bell and Drum Tower (Huili)、Huili Confucian Temple）
Drive from Hongge to Huili (approx. 70 km, 1 hour of driving). Spend half a day exploring the ancient city on foot.
Cars are not allowed inside the ancient city; confirm parking spaces on the outskirts in advance.
Stay: Huili Old Town
Day 7 · Return to Xichang & Transfer to Lugu Lake
Xichang → Lugu Lake（Caohai Wetland & Walking Marriage Bridge）
Drive from Huili back to Xichang via the expressway (approx. 2 hours), then take Highway G348 to Lugu Lake (approx. 5 hours), totaling about 430 km.
The Xixiang Expressway is not yet open; the mountain roads have many sharp bends, so avoid driving at night.
Stay: Dazu Village
Day 8 · Lugu Lake Loop Day Tour
Lugu Lake（Lovers' Beach、Lige Peninsula、Liwubi Island、Lugu Lake Viewpoint）
Drive along the 70 km lake loop road, stopping at various viewpoints (approx. 5 hours in total), and return to the Dazu area in the evening.
Liwubi Island must be reached by boat. Sunrise in winter is around 08:30.
Stay: Dazu Village
Day 9 · Cross Mountains back to Xichang for Departure
Drive from Lugu Lake through Yanyuan along Highway G348 back to Xichang (approx. 260 km, 5 hours of driving), and head to the airport to return the car.