Northeastern Sichuan

Northeastern Sichuan includes Guangyuan, Nanchong, Guang'an, Dazhou and Bazhong, with the Shu Road at Jianmen Pass and Three Kingdoms relics, Langzhong Ancient City, Guangwu Mountain's red leaves, and Bashan Grand Canyon.

Northeastern Sichuan is defined here by the Northeastern Sichuan Economic Zone in Sichuan's official "Five-Zone Co-prosperity" economic planning, covering five cities: Guangyuan, Nanchong, Guang'an, Dazhou and Bazhong. It lies on the southern slopes of the Daba Mountains and in the Jialing River basin, bordering Shaanxi to the north and Chongqing to the east. Highlights: Guangyuan is a key node on the ancient Shu Road. Jianmen Pass is famous for its formidable defile ("one man holds the pass, ten thousand cannot break through") and Three Kingdoms culture, and the Cuiyun Corridor of old cypresses, Zhaohua Ancient Town and the Huangze Temple honoring Wu Zetian are also here. Langzhong Ancient City in Nanchong is one of the best-preserved ancient cities, where you can see the Zhang Fei Temple, the Imperial Examination Hall and the feng shui layout along the Jialing River, and taste Baoning vinegar and Zhang Fei beef. Guangwu Mountain in Nanjiang, Bazhong, is famed for its autumn red leaves and known as the "Home of Red Leaves," and is also part of the Sichuan–Shaanxi revolutionary base area. Bashan Grand Canyon in Xuanhan, Dazhou, is a newly popular canyon area where you can experience Tujia culture. Guang'an has Deng Xiaoping's hometown. Classic itineraries: the Shu Road and Three Kingdoms route of Jianmen Pass–Zhaohua–Langzhong in Guangyuan, 3–4 days; in autumn, add two days for the red leaves at Guangwu Mountain to make a 5–6-day northeastern Sichuan loop; Bashan Grand Canyon can be combined with Dazhou and the Chongqing direction. Getting around: Guangyuan, Nanchong, Bazhong and Dazhou all have airports; the Xi'an–Chengdu high-speed line passes through Guangyuan, the Lanzhou–Chongqing railway links Guangyuan, Langzhong and Nanchong, and the Chengdu–Dazhou–Wanzhou high-speed line connects Dazhou; between mountain scenic areas, self-drive or a chartered car is best. Practical notes: visitors crowd Guangwu Mountain during the red-leaf season, so book rooms early and watch for visitor caps; mountain roads are winding, and in winter watch for ice on the road.

Destinations

Itineraries