Weekend Getaway to Xichang

After half a month of continuous haze in Chengdu, I suddenly wanted to find a place where I could enjoy some sunshine. A friend told me that Xichang was just a three-hour high-speed train ride away. I bought tickets on a whim and set off. Little did I know that this spontaneous healing trip would become my most comfortable weekend recently. 🗺️My Itinerary: DAY 1: 09:30 Arrived at Xichang West Station by high-speed train 10:30 Strolled through Jianchang Ancient Town (spent 2 hours) 13:00 Visited Torch Square to see the ethnic totem pillars 15:00 Watched seagulls at Bird Watching Island Wetland Park 19:00 Evening walk at Tang Garden DAY 2: 06:30 Waited for sunrise at Fishing Platform 08:00 Morning tea at Moonlight Charm Town 10:00 Hiked Lushan Mountain (encountered many macaques) 13:00 Took Yi ethnic style photos at Dashiban Village 16:00 Waited for sunset at Jinlin Beach 19:30 Return journey by high-speed train 🚴♀️Local Transportation: Renting an electric bike to circle Lake Qionghai is indeed convenient (50 yuan/day) Bus Route 106 reaches most attractions During holidays, ride-hailing apps are recommended 🌿Attractions I Actually Experienced: Jianchang Ancient Town The old alleys with gray tiles and blue bricks have a special charm. I recommend visiting around 3-4 PM when the sunlight falls gently on the city walls. The atmosphere is even better at night when the lanterns are lit. Lushan Mountain Hiking Pine trees rustle on both sides of the mountain path, and you'll encounter groups of monkeys. I recommend bringing a hiking stick as the first half of the trail has steep steps. The viewing platform offers a truly panoramic view of Lake Qionghai. Dashiban Village You'll need to queue for photos at the red walls of Lingying Temple, which look best when dappled with light and shadow. Many shops in the village rent Yi ethnic costumes, but bringing your own white dress will make for stunning photos. Jinlin Beach Best to arrive two hours before sunset. The beach isn't very large, but sitting on the boardwalk watching the sunset turn the lake red is incredibly therapeutic. Remember to bring a jacket as the lake breeze gets chilly in the evening. Fishing Platform Sunrise People start setting up tripods as early as 6 AM. The wooden boardwalk extends into the heart of the lake, and silhouettes in the morning mist look beautiful from any angle. Torch Square The 56 red pillars are even more magnificent than I imagined. During the day, they create interesting patterns of light and shadow, while at night they offer a completely different experience when illuminated. 🥘Local Flavors I Tried: • Li Xiaochang BBQ: The small pork cuts sizzle with oil • Huili Chicken Fire Rice Noodles: The soup with ham strips is especially flavorful • Roadside potato burgers: Crispy potatoes with pickled vegetables taste amazing • Liangshan Snow Yogurt: Sweet and sour, perfect for cutting through the richness of BBQ • Drunken Shrimp: Live shrimp marinated in alcohol, a famous local specialty 📌Reminders: Sunscreen and sunglasses are essential - Xichang's sunshine is really intense If you want to feed the seagulls some bread, visit Bird Watching Island in the morning when there are the most seagulls The monkeys on Lushan Mountain will grab food, so ladies with backpacks, make sure to keep your zippers closed Temperature differences between morning and evening in Xichang are significant, so I recommend bringing a down jacket if you're visiting during the May Day holiday