Panzhihua Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Er'tan National Forest Park Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
The only city in China named after a flower, here's your travel guide to Panzhihua!
Even if you have never visited this city, you must have heard of its fame. It is the only city in China named after a flower, and it is also a well-known health and wellness city.
🗺️ Where is Panzhihua located?
Situated at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan in Southwest China, it borders the ASEAN Free Trade Area to the south and the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Zone to the north, lying in the southern part of Sichuan Province, and neighboring Yunnan on three sides: east, west, and south.
🚗 How to get to Panzhihua?
🚄 High-speed train
You can reach Panzhihua South Station by high-speed train, and also by regular train.
✈️ Airplane
Panzhihua Bao'anying Airport has direct buses to the city center, which is very convenient.
📷 What to see in Panzhihua?
1⃣️ Panxi Grand Canyon Gesala Ecotourism Area
A rare mineralization geological belt on Earth—the Panxi Grand Canyon, is like a genius earth artist, with hundreds of kilometers of Gesala gathering breathtaking masterpieces of earth art.
2⃣️ Ertan National Forest Park
With attractions like Tongzi Forest, Bodhisattva Rock, Gaoba Ping Lake, Malu Fort, Baipo Mountain, Laojun Temple, Lake Island Scenery, Natural Bridge, and Immortal Cave, there are nearly a hundred high-quality scenic spots that are well worth a visit.
3⃣️ Hongge Hot Springs
Known as the 'Famous Spring of Panxi', Hongge Hot Springs is one of the rare radon mineral springs in the country.
4⃣️ Zhuanxu Dragon Cave
It is one of the rare caves in China with water flow inside, and the content of negative oxygen ions in the cave ranks first in the country, making it the number one cave in Panxi and Shu.
5⃣️ Ashuda Flower Dance Human World Scenic Area
The Yi culture is still well preserved here, with Yi family murals inside the hall houses. The Yi Torch Festival on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month is a night of revelry, with dancing that has also been listed in the Sichuan Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
🍜 What to eat in Panzhihua?
1⃣️ Tuotuo Meat
You need to use both hands to hold the meat when eating. It is very delicious, and the cooking process requires careful attention to 'heat control'.
2⃣️ Chicken Zong
The most favored among the wild mushrooms in the Panxi area, it has a delicious taste, with the soup being fragrant and appetizing, and is very characteristic of the Panxi local flavor.
3⃣️ Hunjiang Bean Curd
Hunjiang bean curd is a famous specialty snack from Yanbian County in Panzhihua, Sichuan Province. It is made without gypsum or brine, so it has no brine taste or bitterness, and is mellow, fresh, tender, white in color with a slight after-sweetness, served with unique local spicy condiments, offering a distinctive flavor.
4⃣️ Oil Bottom Meat
This meat is fragrant and tender, plump but not greasy, soft but not mushy, and is very popular among locals!
5⃣️ Yanbian Lamb Rice Noodles
The most popular among locals are the lamb rice noodles from Yanbian, made with pure lamb broth, and seasoned with bean paste, Sichuan pepper, and small chili peppers, giving it a unique and representative taste.
Sunshine Health and Wellness Destination: Panzhihua
Panzhihua is located at the southernmost tip of Sichuan Province, adjacent to Yunnan, facing Chengdu to the north and about 300 kilometers from Kunming to the south. The ancient southern Silk Road passed through here, and it is also an important passage from inland China to Southeast Asian countries.
Panzhihua is the only city in China named after a flower, situated at the confluence of the Jinsha River and the Yalong River. Originally named Shangba and Xiaba villages, it was formed around the eighth year of the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (around 1869), named after an ancient and tall Panzhihua tree at the entrance of the village.
Panzhihua has Mi (Miyi County), Yan (Yanbian County), Dong (East District), Xi (West District), and Renhe (Renhe District). In one sentence, the administrative divisions and characteristics of Panzhihua are encapsulated.
A flower is a city, and the city is a flower. Panzhihua is also the city's flower, also known as the kapok, a tall tree that blooms with large red flowers every January and February, turning the city into a red ocean. Not just kapok, but also bougainvillea, erythrina, rose, firecracker flower... No matter the season, one can always see colorful flowers throughout Panzhihua.
Panzhihua is also the only subtropical fruit production base in Sichuan, included in the national modern agriculture demonstration area, China's first batch of characteristic agricultural product advantage areas, China's three-dimensional agriculture demonstration sites, and the 'South-to-North Vegetable Transfer' base, producing high-quality fruits such as mango, loquat, pomegranate, wax apple, strawberry, cherry, etc. Panzhihua block fungus, Miyi loquat, Guosheng tea, Juyi inkstone, Miyi He Shou Wu, Miyi brown sugar, Panzhihua dangdang chicken, and Yanbian oil-bottom meat are national geographical indication products of Panzhihua.
Panzhihua enjoys flowers blooming all year round and fruits fragrant, thanks to its geographical location and unique climate. Panzhihua is within the range of the Hengduan Mountains in China, with a South Asian tropical climate, but the great altitude difference of the high mountains and deep valleys gives it a three-dimensional climate feature. In winter, while most parts of the north are frozen, Panzhihua in the great southwest of Sichuan Province is warm and pleasant. Ample sunshine makes it like a greenhouse, with rich green plants bursting with vitality. Panzhihua, a city of sunshine, with an average altitude of 1100 meters, is most suitable for human habitation. With its low latitude, sufficient sunshine, over 2700 hours of sunshine a year, and an average annual temperature of 20 degrees, it has no winter all year round, which can be described as constant temperature in all seasons, warm in winter and cool in summer.
The pleasant climate is a unique gift from nature to Panzhihua, which also attracts the attention of tourists. In recent years, the trend of health and wellness tourism has risen, and more and more middle-aged and elderly people come to Panzhihua for vacation. Nowadays, Panzhihua is vigorously promoting the health and wellness tourism industry. Infrastructure such as civil aviation, railways, and highways are being rapidly built, and transportation with cities like Beijing, Chengdu, Kunming, and Xi'an is becoming increasingly fast, making it more and more convenient to come to Panzhihua from all over the country. In addition, the number of medical and elderly care institutions in Panzhihua is increasing, and health and wellness facilities are becoming more and more perfect. In a city with a population of one million, there are six tertiary A-grade hospitals, and the per capita medical resources are among the top in China.
Panzhihua has rich tourism resources, such as the picturesque Shuitan and Ertan, the cloud-steaming and misty Xingshan terraces, the colorful Zhuanxu Longdong Scenic Area, the Yisala Yi ethnic village, the Gesala Scenic Area, the Ashuda Flower Dance World, the Hongge Hot Spring Resort, the Puda International Health and Wellness Area, the Panzhihua Third Line Museum, the Juyi Inkstone Museum, the Dahei Mountain Forest Park, the Donghua Mountain Mountain Park, the Ashuda Starry Sky Camping Site, and more. Summer is cool, winter is warm, and it is suitable for travel in all seasons, a city with a thousand faces.
Panzhihua, once an immigrant city, has the characteristics of openness and inclusiveness. No matter where you come from in China, you can find 'fellow townspeople' here. The culinary flavors from all over the country are almost all available here, and openness and diversity are the characteristics of this immigrant city. Today's Panzhihua is suitable for living and business, and even more suitable for travel and health care. Heroic Panzhihua, a sunshine health and wellness destination, warmly welcomes your arrival.
Panzhihua off-the-beaten-path travel destination
Yanbian County Lisu Ethnic Group Intangible Cultural Heritage Training Center is located in Santan Village, Hongguo Yi Ethnic Township. In 2019, it was rated as the first batch of 'Ethnic Unity Education Base' in Panzhihua City; in August 2020, it was named by the Sichuan Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Association as the first batch of excellent inheritance and development bases for intangible cultural heritage in Sichuan Province; in November 2020, it was awarded as the second batch of branches of the Panzhihua City Museum system, and at the same time, it was named 'Youth Home' and 'Women's Micro Home'. Since 2019, the Yanbian County Lisu Ethnic Group Intangible Cultural Heritage Training Center has continuously carried out activities such as static cultural relics exhibitions and dynamic cultural inheritance experiences, forming a cultural attraction that integrates intangible heritage display, training, and experience, allowing more tourists to feel the charm of the Lisu ethnic group's intangible heritage up close, and continuously enhancing the popularity of the training center.
🌟Highlights: Intangible cultural heritage experience, ethnic songs, taste the Lisu ethnic group's hand-grabbed rice
🚉Travel strategy: Self-driving or chartered car
🗓Itinerary: Depart from the city to Er Tan National Forest Park, enjoy the natural scenery of 'Hundred Miles Gallery, Ink and Wash Er Tan' along the way, and finally arrive at the training center to participate in the intangible heritage experience, ethnic songs and dances, and taste the local special hand-grabbed rice!
Sichuan Panzhihua Sunshine Tour
Panzhihua City, also known as Dukou, Steel City, is located in the southwest of China at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan, at the southernmost point of Sichuan Province. It borders Hui, Dechang, and Yanyuan, 3 counties of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province to the east and north, and Ninglang, Huaping, and Yongren, 3 counties of Yunnan Province to the west and south. It is located in the middle and southern section of the Panxi Rift Valley, with a long summer, indistinct seasons, and distinct dry and rainy seasons.
Panzhihua City is the only city in the country named after a flower, enjoying the reputation of 'a city is a flower, and a flower is a city'; it is the first city in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, where the Jinsha River and Yalong River converge; it is the southern gateway of Sichuan, the nearest point from Sichuan to South Asia and Southeast Asia; it is the only subtropical fruit production base in Sichuan, producing mangoes, loquats, wax apples, pomegranates, strawberries, cherries and other characteristic fruits; there are tourist attractions such as Gesala Ecological Tourism Area and Ertan National Forest Park within the city.
Location: Panzhihua City, located at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan in southwest China, where the Jinsha River and Yalong River converge, is the nearest point from Sichuan Province to South China and Southeast Asia along the border and coastal ports.
Topography: Panzhihua City is located in the middle and southern section of the Panxi Rift Valley, with high mountains and deep valleys, and a basin distribution. The terrain slopes from northwest to southeast, and the mountain range is nearly north-south, which is the southern extension of the Daxue Mountain.
Climate: Panzhihua City has a variety of climate types from the South Asian tropics to the North Temperate Zone, known as the 'vertical climate based on the South Asian tropics', with long summers, indistinct seasons, distinct dry and rainy seasons, large diurnal temperature differences, dry climate, concentrated rainfall, long sunshine, strong solar radiation, large evaporation, and complex and diverse microclimates.
Origin of the name: Panzhihua is located on the bank of the Jinsha River, originally named Shang and Xia Ba Village, formed around the eighth year of Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1869), because there is an ancient and tall Panzhihua tree at the entrance of the village, hence the name 'Panzhihua Village'.
Scenic spots
Gesala Ecological Tourism Area: Located in the northwest of Panzhihua City, about 110 kilometers away from the city. The scenic area has 'four unique' features: tens of thousands of acres of pines, rhododendron seas, Yi ethnic customs, and sinkholes.
Ertan National Forest Park: Located next to Yanbian County, about 20 kilometers away from the city, located on the hot tourist line of Chengdu-Emei Mountain-Xichang-Panzhihua-Kunming. The scenic area is full of strange mountains, beautiful waters, and secluded forests, known as 'the mountains are like the Three Gorges, and the water is better than the Lijiang River'. The magnificent power station, the vast Bihu Lake, the green mountains around, and the vast primitive forests form an extraordinary and refined natural ink landscape painting, like a fairyland on earth, known as the 'Hundred Mile Gallery, Ink Ertan'.
Mi Yi Zhuanxu Long Cave: Located in Baima Town, Mi Yi County, about 5 kilometers east of the G5 Beijing-Kunming Expressway Gualang Exit, about 90 kilometers away from the city, facing the Anning River in front and leaning against the Longzhu Mountain in the back, it is named after the hometown of Zhuanxu.
Famous and special products: Panzhihua snacks are mainly Sichuan flavor, the most popular in this place is mutton rice noodles, the rice noodles boiled in pure mutton soup, plus bean paste, pepper, millet spicy and other seasonings, the taste is unique and very representative. Panzhihua also produces tropical rare fruits such as mango, wax apple, dragon fruit, pineapple shijia, etc. 'Panzhihua Mango', 'Panzhihua Loquat', 'Datian Pomegranate', 'Hongge Navel Orange' and other registered agricultural product geographical indications.
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Gesala Ecotourism Area Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
The only city in China named after a flower, here's your travel guide to Panzhihua!
Even if you have never visited this city, you must have heard of its fame. It is the only city in China named after a flower, and it is also a well-known health and wellness city.
🗺️ Where is Panzhihua located?
Situated at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan in Southwest China, it borders the ASEAN Free Trade Area to the south and the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Zone to the north, lying in the southern part of Sichuan Province, and neighboring Yunnan on three sides: east, west, and south.
🚗 How to get to Panzhihua?
🚄 High-speed train
You can reach Panzhihua South Station by high-speed train, and also by regular train.
✈️ Airplane
Panzhihua Bao'anying Airport has direct buses to the city center, which is very convenient.
📷 What to see in Panzhihua?
1⃣️ Panxi Grand Canyon Gesala Ecotourism Area
A rare mineralization geological belt on Earth—the Panxi Grand Canyon, is like a genius earth artist, with hundreds of kilometers of Gesala gathering breathtaking masterpieces of earth art.
2⃣️ Ertan National Forest Park
With attractions like Tongzi Forest, Bodhisattva Rock, Gaoba Ping Lake, Malu Fort, Baipo Mountain, Laojun Temple, Lake Island Scenery, Natural Bridge, and Immortal Cave, there are nearly a hundred high-quality scenic spots that are well worth a visit.
3⃣️ Hongge Hot Springs
Known as the 'Famous Spring of Panxi', Hongge Hot Springs is one of the rare radon mineral springs in the country.
4⃣️ Zhuanxu Dragon Cave
It is one of the rare caves in China with water flow inside, and the content of negative oxygen ions in the cave ranks first in the country, making it the number one cave in Panxi and Shu.
5⃣️ Ashuda Flower Dance Human World Scenic Area
The Yi culture is still well preserved here, with Yi family murals inside the hall houses. The Yi Torch Festival on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month is a night of revelry, with dancing that has also been listed in the Sichuan Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
🍜 What to eat in Panzhihua?
1⃣️ Tuotuo Meat
You need to use both hands to hold the meat when eating. It is very delicious, and the cooking process requires careful attention to 'heat control'.
2⃣️ Chicken Zong
The most favored among the wild mushrooms in the Panxi area, it has a delicious taste, with the soup being fragrant and appetizing, and is very characteristic of the Panxi local flavor.
3⃣️ Hunjiang Bean Curd
Hunjiang bean curd is a famous specialty snack from Yanbian County in Panzhihua, Sichuan Province. It is made without gypsum or brine, so it has no brine taste or bitterness, and is mellow, fresh, tender, white in color with a slight after-sweetness, served with unique local spicy condiments, offering a distinctive flavor.
4⃣️ Oil Bottom Meat
This meat is fragrant and tender, plump but not greasy, soft but not mushy, and is very popular among locals!
5⃣️ Yanbian Lamb Rice Noodles
The most popular among locals are the lamb rice noodles from Yanbian, made with pure lamb broth, and seasoned with bean paste, Sichuan pepper, and small chili peppers, giving it a unique and representative taste.
Sichuan Panzhihua Sunshine Tour
Panzhihua City, also known as Dukou, Steel City, is located in the southwest of China at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan, at the southernmost point of Sichuan Province. It borders Hui, Dechang, and Yanyuan, 3 counties of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province to the east and north, and Ninglang, Huaping, and Yongren, 3 counties of Yunnan Province to the west and south. It is located in the middle and southern section of the Panxi Rift Valley, with a long summer, indistinct seasons, and distinct dry and rainy seasons.
Panzhihua City is the only city in the country named after a flower, enjoying the reputation of 'a city is a flower, and a flower is a city'; it is the first city in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, where the Jinsha River and Yalong River converge; it is the southern gateway of Sichuan, the nearest point from Sichuan to South Asia and Southeast Asia; it is the only subtropical fruit production base in Sichuan, producing mangoes, loquats, wax apples, pomegranates, strawberries, cherries and other characteristic fruits; there are tourist attractions such as Gesala Ecological Tourism Area and Ertan National Forest Park within the city.
Location: Panzhihua City, located at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan in southwest China, where the Jinsha River and Yalong River converge, is the nearest point from Sichuan Province to South China and Southeast Asia along the border and coastal ports.
Topography: Panzhihua City is located in the middle and southern section of the Panxi Rift Valley, with high mountains and deep valleys, and a basin distribution. The terrain slopes from northwest to southeast, and the mountain range is nearly north-south, which is the southern extension of the Daxue Mountain.
Climate: Panzhihua City has a variety of climate types from the South Asian tropics to the North Temperate Zone, known as the 'vertical climate based on the South Asian tropics', with long summers, indistinct seasons, distinct dry and rainy seasons, large diurnal temperature differences, dry climate, concentrated rainfall, long sunshine, strong solar radiation, large evaporation, and complex and diverse microclimates.
Origin of the name: Panzhihua is located on the bank of the Jinsha River, originally named Shang and Xia Ba Village, formed around the eighth year of Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1869), because there is an ancient and tall Panzhihua tree at the entrance of the village, hence the name 'Panzhihua Village'.
Scenic spots
Gesala Ecological Tourism Area: Located in the northwest of Panzhihua City, about 110 kilometers away from the city. The scenic area has 'four unique' features: tens of thousands of acres of pines, rhododendron seas, Yi ethnic customs, and sinkholes.
Ertan National Forest Park: Located next to Yanbian County, about 20 kilometers away from the city, located on the hot tourist line of Chengdu-Emei Mountain-Xichang-Panzhihua-Kunming. The scenic area is full of strange mountains, beautiful waters, and secluded forests, known as 'the mountains are like the Three Gorges, and the water is better than the Lijiang River'. The magnificent power station, the vast Bihu Lake, the green mountains around, and the vast primitive forests form an extraordinary and refined natural ink landscape painting, like a fairyland on earth, known as the 'Hundred Mile Gallery, Ink Ertan'.
Mi Yi Zhuanxu Long Cave: Located in Baima Town, Mi Yi County, about 5 kilometers east of the G5 Beijing-Kunming Expressway Gualang Exit, about 90 kilometers away from the city, facing the Anning River in front and leaning against the Longzhu Mountain in the back, it is named after the hometown of Zhuanxu.
Famous and special products: Panzhihua snacks are mainly Sichuan flavor, the most popular in this place is mutton rice noodles, the rice noodles boiled in pure mutton soup, plus bean paste, pepper, millet spicy and other seasonings, the taste is unique and very representative. Panzhihua also produces tropical rare fruits such as mango, wax apple, dragon fruit, pineapple shijia, etc. 'Panzhihua Mango', 'Panzhihua Loquat', 'Datian Pomegranate', 'Hongge Navel Orange' and other registered agricultural product geographical indications.
Warm winter sun
Post time: December 18, 2023
Weather: Sunny and warm
Travel days: 3 days
Number of people: 4
Per capita consumption: 2000 yuan
On this winter day, I embarked on a journey to Sichuan, with the destination being Hongge Copper Hot Pot Street and the surrounding scenic spots: Ertan, Gesala and Hongge. I was full of anticipation for this trip. Hot pot, the passion and life on this land, always seems to ignite people's taste buds and emotions.
Hongge Copper Hot Pot Street
As soon as I entered Hongge Copper Hot Pot Street, I felt like I had stepped into an ancient world. On both sides of the street, smoke wafted from the copper hot pot shops, emitting an enticing aroma. The hot pot here is different from the common Sichuan spicy hot pot. Its soup base is rich, using special seasonings and broth, coupled with fresh ingredients, it is unforgettable.
I chose a hot pot shop that looked quite historical to sit down. The copper hot pot in the shop emitted a faint golden light, which was interesting with the wooden tables and chairs. With the dancing flames, the soup in the pot was rolling, and the aroma was overflowing. I picked up a piece of tender lamb and put it into the pot. In an instant, the aroma of the meat and the taste of the soup base perfectly blended.
While tasting the delicious food, I chatted with the shop owner about the history of Hongge copper hot pot. It turns out that the hot pot culture here has a long history and was popular as early as the Qing Dynasty. The shop owner proudly said that the hot pot here is not only unique in taste, but also rich in nutrition. Many people from other places even drive here to taste it.
Ertan Scenic Area
Leaving Hongge Copper Hot Pot Street, I went to Ertan Scenic Area. This is a national forest park located in Panzhihua City, Sichuan Province, known for its majestic mountains, clear lakes and dense forests.
Walking in Ertan Scenic Area, I felt like I was in a landscape painting. The lake was rippling with blue waves, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds and the surrounding mountains. Occasionally, a few water birds skimmed over the lake, leaving a string of ripples.
Walking along the lake, I came to the viewing platform of the scenic area. Standing here, the entire beauty of Ertan is in sight. The mountains in the distance are undulating, and the lake nearby is like a mirror, everything is so peaceful and harmonious.
Gesala Eco-tourism Area
Leaving Ertan Scenic Area, I came to Gesala Eco-tourism Area. Located in Yanbian County at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan, it is a tourist attraction that integrates natural landscapes, folk culture and outdoor sports.
Entering Gesala, what came into view was a continuous hilly grassland. The grassland was green and lush, with wild flowers competing for beauty, like the palette of the earth. In the distance, herds of cattle and sheep were leisurely walking, contrasting with the blue sky and white clouds.
In addition to the beautiful natural scenery, there are also rich outdoor activities. I chose to ride through the grassland to feel the freedom and joy. As the wheels of the bicycle rolled, the wind on the grassland gently brushed my cheeks, taking away the fatigue of the day.
Hongge Hot Spring Resort
On the last day of the trip, I came to Hongge Hot Spring Resort. Located in the southern part of Panzhihua City, it is a resort that integrates hot springs, leisure and sightseeing.
Coming to Hongge Hot Spring, I couldn't wait to change into a swimsuit and throw myself into the embrace of the hot spring. The hot spring water here is clear and contains a variety of minerals, which are said to be beneficial to the skin and health. I closed my eyes, felt the gentleness of the hot spring water sliding over my skin, and listened to the sounds of nature around me - the birdsong and the sound of water intertwined into a hymn of nature.
After soaking in the hot spring, I wandered around the resort. There are various entertainment facilities and food stalls, people are playing in the water or tasting local snacks, enjoying this rare leisure time. I tasted a bowl of local special cold noodles, the taste was smooth and delicious, which put a perfect end to this trip.
Gesar's self-recognition and humanistic journey
We drove deep into Gesar, first we went to the primeval forest, where towering trees blocked the sun, accompanied by damp air, the sunlight dappled on the ground, forming patches of light and shadow. The crisp and pleasant song of the birds in the forest intertwined with the babbling sound of the distant stream, forming a hymn of nature.
We stepped on the rotten leaves, taking deep breaths of the fresh air mixed with soil and trees, as if our bodies and minds were purified. As the altitude increased, the scenery became more and more magnificent.
The sky was clear, the clouds were fluffy, and the distant snow-capped mountains shone with silvery light under the sun. Standing on the top of the mountain, overlooking the mountains, I couldn't help but marvel at the wonders of nature.
Then we came to the sinkhole and ground leak scenic area of Gesar. Standing on the edge of the sinkhole, we saw the greenery in the pit, like a green lake hidden on the earth. The ground leak is like the eye of the earth, deep and mysterious. We stared quietly at this spectacle, feeling the infinite power and charm of nature.
Finally, we deeply experienced the local Yi family style. In the Yi village, we tasted the authentic Yi dishes, watched the passionate ethnic song and dance performances, and had intimate exchanges with the local Yi people.
The hospitality and unique customs of the Yi family made me deeply feel the rich ethnic culture on this land.
After a day of playing, we were physically and mentally exhausted, but when we arrived at the Yi family, we seemed to be relieved of our fatigue by their enthusiasm. This trip was so happy and tired, it left a deep impression on everyone, and everyone hopes for the next play.
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Yishala Village Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Known as Xiaoseda, this place hides a thousand-year-old Yi ethnic village - Yishala
🎄Exclusive, few people, beautiful scenery, warm!
This is Panzhihua, Sichuan
She is known for her spring-like seasons, a variety of delicious foods, mountainous terrain, and unique landscapes!
There are high-speed trains🚄, and an airport✈️, transportation is convenient
All attractions are free to enter, very friendly!
A cultural ancient village with a history of over a thousand years - Yisala
Located near Panzhihua, by the Jinsha River, lies the quaint, primitive, and beautiful ancient village - Yisala.
Yisala is the largest natural village of the Yi people, known as 'Little Shangri-La' due to its extensive and tiered red houses.
Recommended reasons:
1. A super photogenic place, where even overcast skies do not diminish its beauty;
2. Few tourists, limited developed areas in the village, still retains its original charm;
3. Just 2km away is the Jinsha River Grand Canyon, with extremely magnificent scenery;
Yisala Historical and Cultural Scenic Area
Located in Pingdi Town, Renhe District, Panzhihua
Time🕰: All day
Visiting time: 2-3h
Transportation🚘: 1.5h self-drive from Kunming, 1.5h self-drive from the center of Panzhihua
Sichuan | Panzhihua | You're too beautiful
🌷Panzhihua, a city worth visiting three times
Perhaps you only know it as a steel city, but what you don't know is that it's also a flower city, and it's like spring in winter.
Winter tourist destination
🚄Transportation: Chengdu-Panzhihua 🕐5h 🎫190 yuan Chengdu self-driving-Panzhihua: Estimated time: 8h or so (stop and go)
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❇Yishala
Yishala, known as the 'first village of the Yi people in the world', has a history of more than a thousand years. It was an important post on the ancient South Silk Road and a major junction between Sichuan and Yunnan. It is the largest ethnic minority village in Sichuan and a village where Han and Yi customs are highly integrated.
📍Location: Pingdi Town, Renhe District, Panzhihua
Tour time: 3-4h
🎫Ticket: None
Surrounding scenic spots: Jinsha River Grand Canyon
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❇Third Line Construction Museum
This is a modern museum that showcases China's important infrastructure construction from the 1950s to the 1970s. The museum has a large number of precious historical relics and photos, showing the courage and wisdom of the builders at that time.
📍Location: No. 1 Rongjiang Road, New District, East District, Panzhihua City
⏰Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (stop admission at 16:30, closed on Mondays)
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🎫Ticket: None (you can collect stamps, remember to bring your travel stamp book)
It is recommended to visit the Lotus Pond Bridge + Ferry Bridge together, the city bus is convenient.
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❇Donghua Mountain,
Overlooking Panzhihua City from the top,
📍Location: Direct navigation to the Forestry Bureau of the Eastern District, estimated time 1h🉑
🎫Ticket: None
❇Er Tan National Forest Park, located in Panzhihua City, the Er Tan Hydropower Station has the world's third, China's first high double-curvature arch dam, Asia's largest underground plant cave group, installed 3.3 million kilowatts, is the largest hydropower station fully completed in the 20th century - Er Tan Hydropower Station is here.
❇Ju Que Inkstone Museum
The only museum in the country with Ju Que inkstone as the main collection, Panzhihua cultural and creative products are recommended to start - inkstone.
【Food Recommendation】
✨Mutton Rice Noodles: Yiman Lang '+ mint, millet spicy, dry chili powder'
✨Small Pot Rice Noodles: Luo's True Taste Small Pot Xiao Guo Rice Noodles and Stinky Tofu Rice Noodles are both good You can also try bait pieces with a Yunnan flavor
✨Hui Li Chicken Shredded Bait
✨Net Roast: Golden Triangle, Yanbian Wang's Eyes Remember to order 'small intestine potato 🥔, leek wrapped in fat intestine'
✨Fire Drift Beef (never eaten, but friends say it's delicious)
✨Dumb Rabbit
✨Copper Hot Pot
Tips:
1⃣️The temperature difference between day and night is large, prepare a coat, it's hot at noon and you can wear a T-shirt.
2⃣️On Sundays, the Renhe Farmers Market is bustling!
3⃣️Fruit wholesale market to buy fruit is cheaper (can bargain haha)
4⃣️The ultraviolet rays are strong, pay attention to sun protection and hydration💦......
【Panzhihua City 2-Day Tour Guide】
Destination: Panzhihua City, a beautiful city in Sichuan Province. It has a rich history and culture, unique Yi ethnic style, and magnificent natural scenery.
Transportation: Depart from Chengdu, take the high-speed rail or drive to Panzhihua City. The high-speed rail journey takes about 5 hours, and driving takes about 8 hours.
Main attractions:
1️⃣Yi Sha La: A Yi ethnic village with a thousand-year history, it is an ancient ferry station on the Southern Silk Road. Here you can experience the simple Yi culture and unique local customs. The visit takes about 3-4 hours, and admission is free.
2️⃣Third Line Construction Museum: It displays China's important infrastructure construction from the 1950s to the 1970s, with precious historical relics and photos in the museum. Open from 9:00-17:00, closed on Mondays, and admission is free.
3️⃣Donghua Mountain: Climbing Donghua Mountain, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire Panzhihua City and feel the magnificence and grandeur of nature. The estimated time is 1 hour, and admission is free.
4️⃣Er Tan National Forest Park: It has the world's third and China's highest double-curvature arch dam and Asia's largest underground plant cave group. It is a perfect combination of nature and human wisdom.
5️⃣Ju Que Yan Museum: A museum with Ju Que Yan as the main exhibit, where you can learn about the history of Ju Que Yan, the manufacturing process, and appreciate various precious inkstones. It is recommended to buy cultural and creative products inkstones.
🌦Precautions: Panzhihua City is warm all year round, it is a winter resort and a good place for leisure. It is recommended to visit the Lotus Pond Bridge and the Ferry Bridge together, and the city's public transportation is convenient. If you only have 2 days and 1 night, it is recommended to go directly to Yi Sha La Village.
Summary: Panzhihua City is a city worth visiting, with both rich historical and cultural heritage and unique natural scenery. Whether you are a history and culture enthusiast or a natural scenery fan, it can meet your needs.
Panzhihua·Sichuan
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Longtan Cave Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
The only city in China named after a flower, here's your travel guide to Panzhihua!
Even if you have never visited this city, you must have heard of its fame. It is the only city in China named after a flower, and it is also a well-known health and wellness city.
🗺️ Where is Panzhihua located?
Situated at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan in Southwest China, it borders the ASEAN Free Trade Area to the south and the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Zone to the north, lying in the southern part of Sichuan Province, and neighboring Yunnan on three sides: east, west, and south.
🚗 How to get to Panzhihua?
🚄 High-speed train
You can reach Panzhihua South Station by high-speed train, and also by regular train.
✈️ Airplane
Panzhihua Bao'anying Airport has direct buses to the city center, which is very convenient.
📷 What to see in Panzhihua?
1⃣️ Panxi Grand Canyon Gesala Ecotourism Area
A rare mineralization geological belt on Earth—the Panxi Grand Canyon, is like a genius earth artist, with hundreds of kilometers of Gesala gathering breathtaking masterpieces of earth art.
2⃣️ Ertan National Forest Park
With attractions like Tongzi Forest, Bodhisattva Rock, Gaoba Ping Lake, Malu Fort, Baipo Mountain, Laojun Temple, Lake Island Scenery, Natural Bridge, and Immortal Cave, there are nearly a hundred high-quality scenic spots that are well worth a visit.
3⃣️ Hongge Hot Springs
Known as the 'Famous Spring of Panxi', Hongge Hot Springs is one of the rare radon mineral springs in the country.
4⃣️ Zhuanxu Dragon Cave
It is one of the rare caves in China with water flow inside, and the content of negative oxygen ions in the cave ranks first in the country, making it the number one cave in Panxi and Shu.
5⃣️ Ashuda Flower Dance Human World Scenic Area
The Yi culture is still well preserved here, with Yi family murals inside the hall houses. The Yi Torch Festival on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month is a night of revelry, with dancing that has also been listed in the Sichuan Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
🍜 What to eat in Panzhihua?
1⃣️ Tuotuo Meat
You need to use both hands to hold the meat when eating. It is very delicious, and the cooking process requires careful attention to 'heat control'.
2⃣️ Chicken Zong
The most favored among the wild mushrooms in the Panxi area, it has a delicious taste, with the soup being fragrant and appetizing, and is very characteristic of the Panxi local flavor.
3⃣️ Hunjiang Bean Curd
Hunjiang bean curd is a famous specialty snack from Yanbian County in Panzhihua, Sichuan Province. It is made without gypsum or brine, so it has no brine taste or bitterness, and is mellow, fresh, tender, white in color with a slight after-sweetness, served with unique local spicy condiments, offering a distinctive flavor.
4⃣️ Oil Bottom Meat
This meat is fragrant and tender, plump but not greasy, soft but not mushy, and is very popular among locals!
5⃣️ Yanbian Lamb Rice Noodles
The most popular among locals are the lamb rice noodles from Yanbian, made with pure lamb broth, and seasoned with bean paste, Sichuan pepper, and small chili peppers, giving it a unique and representative taste.
Sunshine Health and Wellness Destination: Panzhihua
Panzhihua is located at the southernmost tip of Sichuan Province, adjacent to Yunnan, facing Chengdu to the north and about 300 kilometers from Kunming to the south. The ancient southern Silk Road passed through here, and it is also an important passage from inland China to Southeast Asian countries.
Panzhihua is the only city in China named after a flower, situated at the confluence of the Jinsha River and the Yalong River. Originally named Shangba and Xiaba villages, it was formed around the eighth year of the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (around 1869), named after an ancient and tall Panzhihua tree at the entrance of the village.
Panzhihua has Mi (Miyi County), Yan (Yanbian County), Dong (East District), Xi (West District), and Renhe (Renhe District). In one sentence, the administrative divisions and characteristics of Panzhihua are encapsulated.
A flower is a city, and the city is a flower. Panzhihua is also the city's flower, also known as the kapok, a tall tree that blooms with large red flowers every January and February, turning the city into a red ocean. Not just kapok, but also bougainvillea, erythrina, rose, firecracker flower... No matter the season, one can always see colorful flowers throughout Panzhihua.
Panzhihua is also the only subtropical fruit production base in Sichuan, included in the national modern agriculture demonstration area, China's first batch of characteristic agricultural product advantage areas, China's three-dimensional agriculture demonstration sites, and the 'South-to-North Vegetable Transfer' base, producing high-quality fruits such as mango, loquat, pomegranate, wax apple, strawberry, cherry, etc. Panzhihua block fungus, Miyi loquat, Guosheng tea, Juyi inkstone, Miyi He Shou Wu, Miyi brown sugar, Panzhihua dangdang chicken, and Yanbian oil-bottom meat are national geographical indication products of Panzhihua.
Panzhihua enjoys flowers blooming all year round and fruits fragrant, thanks to its geographical location and unique climate. Panzhihua is within the range of the Hengduan Mountains in China, with a South Asian tropical climate, but the great altitude difference of the high mountains and deep valleys gives it a three-dimensional climate feature. In winter, while most parts of the north are frozen, Panzhihua in the great southwest of Sichuan Province is warm and pleasant. Ample sunshine makes it like a greenhouse, with rich green plants bursting with vitality. Panzhihua, a city of sunshine, with an average altitude of 1100 meters, is most suitable for human habitation. With its low latitude, sufficient sunshine, over 2700 hours of sunshine a year, and an average annual temperature of 20 degrees, it has no winter all year round, which can be described as constant temperature in all seasons, warm in winter and cool in summer.
The pleasant climate is a unique gift from nature to Panzhihua, which also attracts the attention of tourists. In recent years, the trend of health and wellness tourism has risen, and more and more middle-aged and elderly people come to Panzhihua for vacation. Nowadays, Panzhihua is vigorously promoting the health and wellness tourism industry. Infrastructure such as civil aviation, railways, and highways are being rapidly built, and transportation with cities like Beijing, Chengdu, Kunming, and Xi'an is becoming increasingly fast, making it more and more convenient to come to Panzhihua from all over the country. In addition, the number of medical and elderly care institutions in Panzhihua is increasing, and health and wellness facilities are becoming more and more perfect. In a city with a population of one million, there are six tertiary A-grade hospitals, and the per capita medical resources are among the top in China.
Panzhihua has rich tourism resources, such as the picturesque Shuitan and Ertan, the cloud-steaming and misty Xingshan terraces, the colorful Zhuanxu Longdong Scenic Area, the Yisala Yi ethnic village, the Gesala Scenic Area, the Ashuda Flower Dance World, the Hongge Hot Spring Resort, the Puda International Health and Wellness Area, the Panzhihua Third Line Museum, the Juyi Inkstone Museum, the Dahei Mountain Forest Park, the Donghua Mountain Mountain Park, the Ashuda Starry Sky Camping Site, and more. Summer is cool, winter is warm, and it is suitable for travel in all seasons, a city with a thousand faces.
Panzhihua, once an immigrant city, has the characteristics of openness and inclusiveness. No matter where you come from in China, you can find 'fellow townspeople' here. The culinary flavors from all over the country are almost all available here, and openness and diversity are the characteristics of this immigrant city. Today's Panzhihua is suitable for living and business, and even more suitable for travel and health care. Heroic Panzhihua, a sunshine health and wellness destination, warmly welcomes your arrival.
Sichuan Panzhihua Sunshine Tour
Panzhihua City, also known as Dukou, Steel City, is located in the southwest of China at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan, at the southernmost point of Sichuan Province. It borders Hui, Dechang, and Yanyuan, 3 counties of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province to the east and north, and Ninglang, Huaping, and Yongren, 3 counties of Yunnan Province to the west and south. It is located in the middle and southern section of the Panxi Rift Valley, with a long summer, indistinct seasons, and distinct dry and rainy seasons.
Panzhihua City is the only city in the country named after a flower, enjoying the reputation of 'a city is a flower, and a flower is a city'; it is the first city in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, where the Jinsha River and Yalong River converge; it is the southern gateway of Sichuan, the nearest point from Sichuan to South Asia and Southeast Asia; it is the only subtropical fruit production base in Sichuan, producing mangoes, loquats, wax apples, pomegranates, strawberries, cherries and other characteristic fruits; there are tourist attractions such as Gesala Ecological Tourism Area and Ertan National Forest Park within the city.
Location: Panzhihua City, located at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan in southwest China, where the Jinsha River and Yalong River converge, is the nearest point from Sichuan Province to South China and Southeast Asia along the border and coastal ports.
Topography: Panzhihua City is located in the middle and southern section of the Panxi Rift Valley, with high mountains and deep valleys, and a basin distribution. The terrain slopes from northwest to southeast, and the mountain range is nearly north-south, which is the southern extension of the Daxue Mountain.
Climate: Panzhihua City has a variety of climate types from the South Asian tropics to the North Temperate Zone, known as the 'vertical climate based on the South Asian tropics', with long summers, indistinct seasons, distinct dry and rainy seasons, large diurnal temperature differences, dry climate, concentrated rainfall, long sunshine, strong solar radiation, large evaporation, and complex and diverse microclimates.
Origin of the name: Panzhihua is located on the bank of the Jinsha River, originally named Shang and Xia Ba Village, formed around the eighth year of Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1869), because there is an ancient and tall Panzhihua tree at the entrance of the village, hence the name 'Panzhihua Village'.
Scenic spots
Gesala Ecological Tourism Area: Located in the northwest of Panzhihua City, about 110 kilometers away from the city. The scenic area has 'four unique' features: tens of thousands of acres of pines, rhododendron seas, Yi ethnic customs, and sinkholes.
Ertan National Forest Park: Located next to Yanbian County, about 20 kilometers away from the city, located on the hot tourist line of Chengdu-Emei Mountain-Xichang-Panzhihua-Kunming. The scenic area is full of strange mountains, beautiful waters, and secluded forests, known as 'the mountains are like the Three Gorges, and the water is better than the Lijiang River'. The magnificent power station, the vast Bihu Lake, the green mountains around, and the vast primitive forests form an extraordinary and refined natural ink landscape painting, like a fairyland on earth, known as the 'Hundred Mile Gallery, Ink Ertan'.
Mi Yi Zhuanxu Long Cave: Located in Baima Town, Mi Yi County, about 5 kilometers east of the G5 Beijing-Kunming Expressway Gualang Exit, about 90 kilometers away from the city, facing the Anning River in front and leaning against the Longzhu Mountain in the back, it is named after the hometown of Zhuanxu.
Famous and special products: Panzhihua snacks are mainly Sichuan flavor, the most popular in this place is mutton rice noodles, the rice noodles boiled in pure mutton soup, plus bean paste, pepper, millet spicy and other seasonings, the taste is unique and very representative. Panzhihua also produces tropical rare fruits such as mango, wax apple, dragon fruit, pineapple shijia, etc. 'Panzhihua Mango', 'Panzhihua Loquat', 'Datian Pomegranate', 'Hongge Navel Orange' and other registered agricultural product geographical indications.
In the deep section of Longbian Mountain in Miyi County, Panzhihua City, Sichuan Province, there is a water moon cave, the Dragon Cave.
Legend The two emperors of the Three Emperors and Five Emperors were born here. The caves are strangely rocky, the streams are flying down the waterfall, and the years have passed. The stone pillars, stalagmites and stone waterfalls form a strange underground world. It is extremely high in content and has the reputation of the first hole in Panxi. Cross the Dragon Palace and the Heavenly Palace, trace the ancient legends and explore the secrets of water and stone.
Ertan Hydropower Station Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Panzhihua Ertan Hydropower Station
From Panzhihua to Miyi, check in at Ertan Hydropower Station on the way. The feeling of high gorge and flat lake is not amazing. It is said that the scene of flood discharge is very spectacular, but unfortunately, I didn't have the luck to see it. Ertan Hydropower Station.
Yanbian Second Beach: Natural Oxygen Bar
Yanbian Second Beach: Natural Oxygen Bar
Travel Date: December 26, 2023
Weather: Sunny and warm
Travel Days: 1 day
Number of Travelers: 4
Per Capita Consumption: 100 yuan
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Second Beach scenic spot in Yanbian County, Sichuan Province, China. This place, known as the 'Natural Oxygen Bar', has attracted the attention of countless tourists with its magnificent natural scenery and unique geological landscape.
Second Beach: It's a water conservancy project and also a landscape painting
The Second Beach scenic area is located on the southeastern edge of the Sichuan Basin and is an important water conservancy project in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. The mountains and rivers here depend on each other, forming a beautiful picture. As soon as I entered the scenic area, I was shocked by the magnificent scenery in front of me. Under the blue sky and white clouds, the Yangtze River is rushing past, with a strong momentum. Standing on the viewing platform, looking at the mountains on the opposite bank, it feels like being in a landscape painting. The most distinctive feature of the Second Beach scenic area is its unique geological landscape. There are abundant rock resources here, forming many peculiar landforms. I followed the tour route, admiring the various rock landscapes, such as stone forests, stone pillars, and stone canyons. The most eye-catching is a huge rock that looks like a giant eagle ready to fly. This attraction, known as the 'Flying Eagle Stone', has attracted many tourists to stop and take photos.
Rich Cultural Connotations
In addition to the magnificent natural scenery, the Second Beach scenic area also has rich cultural connotations. There are many historical relics and folk customs preserved here, allowing tourists to better understand the local history and culture. Here, I felt a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
Harmonious Coexistence with Nature
In the Second Beach scenic area, tourists can also participate in various outdoor activities, such as boating. I chose to take a boat, rowing the small boat in the turbulent river, feeling the excitement and joy. During the boating process, I also saw some wildlife, such as birds and fish. They live freely in this natural environment, giving people a sense of harmonious coexistence with nature.
In general, the Second Beach scenic area in Yanbian is a place worth visiting. The natural scenery here is magnificent, the geological landscape is unique, and the cultural connotations are rich, leaving a deep impression on people. I believe that every tourist who comes here will be shocked by the beauty here and leave beautiful memories.
The most impressive place in Panzhihua is Yanbian County. Around the Ertan Hydropower Station, the mountains are wide and the mountains and rivers are flowing. The scenery is pleasant and the scenery along the way is too numerous: Gaoxia is out of Pinghu, and the torrential flood falls for nine days. The European camp is beautiful, the Yalong River is fresh, the boat is on the blue waves, and the old salt is roaming. From here, go to Gesala by boat and pass through Yumen Town, which is half the way to land.
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