Lesser-Known Ancient Towns Around Chengdu | See Yuan Dynasty National Treasures, Eat Until You're Stuffed!

This place is the birthplace of the ancient 'Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars' story of 'Jiang Shi's Filial Piety, the Leaping Carp in the Gushing Spring,' with a history of over 2000 years. The ancient town has a strong market atmosphere, and there are plenty of delicious foods. It's a day trip from Chengdu, where you can eat and drink, see ancient buildings, and experience the culture of virtue and filial piety. 🚶One-Day Tour Route: Yanzuo Zen Temple → Wusheng Palace → Banbian Street → Mosque → Linggu Spring → Jiang Xiao Shrine ❶ Yanzuo Zen Temple: Founded during the Eastern Han Dynasty, it has a history of nearly two thousand years. May to June is the most beautiful time of the year for the temple (visit in the morning to see flowers, they wilt by afternoon), as the Endless Summer blooms in succession. Inside the temple is the Dragon Protection Relic Pagoda, the only existing Yuan Dynasty brick pagoda in Sichuan Province, and a national key cultural relic protection unit. ❷ Jiang Xiao Shrine: The Jiang Xiao Shrine was originally built during the Han Dynasty, later destroyed in wars, rebuilt during the Song Dynasty's Zhiping years, and expanded again in the Qing Dynasty. To the left of the shrine is Jiang Gong's tomb, in front of which is the Lianxin Pool built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, containing a few fish and turtles. Here you can also drink tea; having tea next to the tomb is the relaxed Sichuanese way. ❸ Linggu Spring: This is Deyang's 'Baotu Spring.' According to the story of 'The Leaping Carp in the Gushing Spring,' Jiang Shi's neighbor aunt helped Jiang Shi's family through tough times. In her honor, the spring near her home was named Linggu Spring. The highest point of Linggu Spring has a wind and rain corridor where many locals sing and dance, creating a lively atmosphere. ❹ Wusheng Palace: This was a guild hall built by Hunan merchants during the 'Huguang Fill Sichuan' period. Its ancient stage was even used as a recording venue for this year's CCTV Opera Spring Festival Gala. Currently, there is a Cockscomb Coral Tree in bloom in the temple (see picture 4), which is very beautiful. ❺ Mosque: Built during the Qing Dynasty's Daoguang era, the Hui Muslims purchased a Han Chinese shrine on Banbian Street through fundraising. Therefore, the mosque has the typical architectural style of Western Sichuan residences. ❻ Banbian Street: Half of the street has the style of Western Sichuan Han ethnicity, and the other half has the Hui ethnicity's Islamic style. This street is particularly known for its snacks and Halal meals, making it a foodie's paradise. 😋Food Recommendations: 🥯 Snacks: You must try the juice beef. Yang San's mixed sugar Guokui is baked on charcoal fire, and there's always a queue. Red's Spicy Hot Pot, an old-style spicy hot pot that has been open for over 30 years, has a traditional taste, mainly vegetarian, and is inexpensive. 🐂 Halal Restaurant: For Chinese meals, you can go to La Yangzi (only available at noon), and there is also Yu's Halal. Beef Steak Hot Pot: The yellow beef is quite famous; I tried Qingfangyuan, the steak was chunky and the texture was great, and the taro served with it was delicious. ☕️ Coffee & Tea House: There's a coffee shop called Banran Coffee on Banbian Street, and I visited the one under the old house tree, which has a nice environment transformed from an old house. You can drink tea inside Wusheng Palace, Jiang Xiao Shrine, and Yanzuo Zen Temple. 📍Xiaoquan Town, Deyang City, navigate to 'Yanzuo Zen Temple,' you can park on the roadside at the mountain gate, 1.5h drive from Chengdu city center