Great places to visit for New Year's Day, 4 recommended tourist spots in Ziyang!!!
Rush to Ziyang for New Year's Day! Unlock the slow life of the Chengdu-Chongqing backyard with just over 1k per person
Who understands, babes! If you don't want to squeeze into the crowds of the main cities of Chengdu and Chongqing during New Year's Day, just head straight to Ziyang! This overlooked backyard of Chengdu-Chongqing offers warm winter sunshine, ancient temples, delicious food, and super healing pastoral scenery. The best part is the very low cost—just over 1k per person to have a great time. It's super convenient to take the high-speed train from Guangxi with easy transfers, visa-free (Chinese citizens can go directly), making it an easy and cozy winter trip for ordinary people!
🌟5 must-experience things in Ziyang for New Year's Day
1. Visit Anyue Stone Carvings to see the millennium charm of the "Oriental Venus"
The Anyue Stone Carvings are quieter during New Year's Day without the usual tourist noise. Sunshine falls on the cliff sculptures, and the mottled light and shadow hide a thousand years of history. You can check in at Zizhu Guanyin, Huayan Cave, and Pilu Cave. Especially Zizhu Guanyin, known as the "Oriental Venus," with an elegant and mysterious reclining pose, and exquisite detailed carvings. When tired, rest at a nearby farmhouse courtyard, drink a cup of Eagle Tea, and enjoy the slow time.
2. Check in to the red memories and pastoral scenery of Chen Yi's hometown
Winter in Chen Yi's hometown is quiet yet full of vitality. The old residence with green tiles and white walls is surrounded by green trees. The warm winter sun shines on the rice fields, and occasionally villagers can be seen strolling on the ridges. You can visit Chen Yi's former residence and Chen Yi Memorial Hall to learn about the revolutionary predecessors' stories. You can also take photos in the pastoral fields of the hometown, where rice fields, bamboo forests, and old houses form a stunning rural painting.
3. Explore the winter river view of the Tuojiang River in Ziyang
The Tuojiang River in winter is calmer without the flood season's turbulence. The river water is clear and smooth. Although the willow trees by the river have shed their leaves, their branches sway in the breeze, giving a unique charm. You can walk along the riverside Binjiang Road, check in at the popular Tuojiang Bridge, and at night enjoy the riverside night view with lights reflecting on the water, shimmering beautifully. If lucky, you might see elderly people fishing by the river, experiencing the slow pace of this city.
4. Experience the winter pastoral healing at Huaxi Valley
Winter in Huaxi Valley is like a fairy tale wrapped in warm sunshine. Under the rolling green mountains lie scattered villages. The vegetables in the fields are lush green, and occasionally cattle and sheep can be seen wandering on the grasslands. You can stay at a farmhouse B&B in Huaxi Valley, gather around the stove to brew tea at night, watch the starry sky outside the window, and wake up to pastoral scenery right outside the door, filling you with happiness.
5. Experience the New Year atmosphere and local specialties in Ziyang
During New Year's Day, Ziyang is full of festive New Year atmosphere. Red lanterns hang everywhere on the streets and alleys, and major malls and markets hold New Year events. You can visit local markets to buy some Ziyang specialty New Year goods and enjoy authentic Ziyang mutton soup, Jianyang Haidilao (the origin place), and Anyue lemon chicken, feeling the rich local vibe.
📝Detailed itinerary (5 days 4 nights)
Day 1: Arrive in Ziyang → Anyue Stone Carvings → Check in at Anyue farmhouse B&B
- Take the high-speed train from Guangxi to Chengdu, then transfer to a high-speed train to Ziyang. After arrival, pick up a car for self-driving (car rental cost about 100+ per person/day)
- Drive to Anyue Stone Carvings, check in at Zizhu Guanyin and Huayan Cave in the afternoon, stay at a farmhouse B&B in Anyue at night to experience local nightlife
Day 2: Anyue Stone Carvings → Chen Yi's hometown → Check in at Lezhi farmhouse B&B
- Continue to check in at Pilu Cave in the morning, then drive to Chen Yi's hometown
- Visit Chen Yi's former residence and Chen Yi Memorial Hall in the afternoon, stay at a farmhouse B&B in Lezhi at night and enjoy farmhouse dishes
Day 3: Chen Yi's hometown → Huaxi Valley → Check in at Huaxi Valley B&B
- Depart from Lezhi in the morning, drive to Huaxi Valley
- Walk and take photos in Huaxi Valley in the afternoon, experience pastoral life, stay at a B&B in Huaxi Valley at night, gather around the stove to brew tea
Day 4: Huaxi Valley → Tuojiang Binjiang Road → Check in at Ziyang main city hotel
- Watch the sunrise in Huaxi Valley in the morning, then drive back to Ziyang main city
- Check in at Tuojiang Binjiang Road and Tuojiang Bridge in the afternoon, visit Ziyang night market at night and enjoy local specialties
Day 5: Ziyang main city → Return trip
- Visit the local market in the morning to buy some specialty New Year goods, then return according to the high-speed train schedule, ending the trip
💰Per capita expense list (friendly for ordinary people)
- Transportation: High-speed train from Guangxi to Chengdu (book in advance for New Year's Day, about 400+ per person), high-speed train from Chengdu to Ziyang (about 50 per person), car rental (about 300+ per person for 4 days)
- Accommodation: Farmhouse B&B + hotel (4 nights about 200+ per person, about 50 per night per person)
- Tickets: Anyue Stone Carvings (general ticket about 80 yuan), Chen Yi's hometown (free), Huaxi Valley (free), total about 80 per person
- Food: Ziyang mutton soup, Jianyang Haidilao, Anyue lemon chicken, etc., about 300+ per person
- Total: about 1330 per person, flexible according to budget. Budget travelers can choose carpooling and hostels, and 1k per person is doable
📌Notes for going to Ziyang on New Year's Day
1. Dressing advice: The temperature in Ziyang during New Year's Day is between 5℃ and 15℃, with large temperature differences between morning and evening. It is recommended to wear down jackets, sweaters, jeans, and bring scarves and hats to keep warm.
2. Transportation advice: Ziyang's attractions are quite spread out. It is recommended to rent a car for self-driving or carpool. The road conditions are good, all paved roads, even beginners can drive, but pay attention to speed limits and curves on rural roads.
3. Ticket discounts: Winter is the off-season for tourism in Ziyang. Many attractions offer ticket discounts, and some have free admission policies for students, military personnel, etc. Check relevant information in advance.
4. Must-have items: Sunscreen, sunglasses (the winter sun can also be strong), power bank, camera (to capture beautiful scenery), cold medicine, and stomach medicine (for emergencies).
5. Food tips: Ziyang mutton soup is a must-eat, recommended for breakfast or lunch. Many old shops cook fresh on the spot, with amazing taste; the origin store of Jianyang Haidilao is worth visiting to experience a unique hotpot atmosphere.
🍜Must-eat foods in Ziyang
- Ziyang mutton soup: A local specialty, with tender mutton and fresh, delicious soup. Drinking a steaming bowl of mutton soup in winter warms both heart and stomach.
- Jianyang Haidilao: The origin of Haidilao, authentic taste and attentive service, a must-visit.
- Anyue lemon chicken: Made with Anyue's special lemons, tender chicken with a lemony fragrance, sweet and sour and delicious.
- Lezhi barbecue: A specialty of Lezhi, tender meat with spicy flavor, perfect as a side dish with drinks.
- Ziyang peanut crisp: A local snack, crispy and sweet, a great gift for friends and family.
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