Miyi Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Longtan Cave Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Zhuanxu Dragon Cave, known as the "Number One Cave in Western Panzhihua"!
Zhuanxu Dragon Cave
A must-visit internet-famous spot when you come to Miyi County in Panzhihua: Zhuanxu Dragon Cave Scenic Area. It is located in Baima Town of Miyi County, at the most beautiful intersection of the Longzhou Mountain Range and the Anning River Valley, and is known as the "Number One Cave in Western Panzhihua"! The scenic area covers an area of about 1.08 square kilometers, consisting of the Zhuanxu Cultural Square, Zhuanxu Dragon Cave, Longyin Canyon, Wild Plant Garden, Longzhou Mountain Scenery Area, and other scenic groups. The Zhuanxu Dragon Cave Scenic Area combines 'strange, secluded, elegant, and beautiful' into one, forming 'profound Zhuanxu culture, unique karst cave landscape, beautiful canyon waterfalls, stunning mountain flower seas, and high-quality resort climate' as its five major characteristics.
Step into the Dragon Cave and feel the coolness of Panzhihua's summer. Besides the coolness, the spring water in the cave flows all year round, moistening the air inside the cave and also producing a very high concentration of oxygen-rich ions. Walk and enjoy the view:
One cave with two views, the front like a Dragon Palace, the back like a Heavenly Palace. Stone pillars, stalactites, stone curtains, a variety of types, a myriad of scenes. Snowy mountain waterfalls, the Dreamy White Palace, the Yaochi Fairyland, are known as the three great wonders of the Zhuanxu Dragon Cave!
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.
Show More
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.
Show More
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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Xinshan Terraces Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Panzhihua Parent-Child Tour: A Complete Guide to Spending Winter in Miyi with Kids
👨👩👧👧 This winter, due to the kids' persistent coughing and our longing for the sunshine, we decided to stay with the grandparents in Miyi, Panzhihua to escape the smog. Less than a month of life in this county town has made us appreciate its comfort and its friendliness towards the elderly and children. Here's a parent-child guide for families who also wish to spend their winter here for your reference –
1️⃣ Riverside Park ➡️ Children's Sand Beach Playground ➡️ Long Bridge ➡️ Kayak Training Base
A leisurely stroll along the Anning River is quite pleasant, with river lanterns to see, sand to play with at the beach playground, cherry blossoms to admire by the river, and slides for the little ones on Long Bridge. Further ahead is the kayak training area with multiple waterways.
The river lanterns and the musical fountain near Long Bridge are especially festive at night.
2️⃣ Xinshan Terraces - Sun Valley (Play from the top of the mountain down)
Visit Ako Square and the Lisu Ethnic Museum at the mountain top, where local specialties sold by the locals are quite good.
Walk on the terraces, enjoy a cup of rice aroma coffee while admiring the rice field mountain scenery;
On the way down the mountain, pass by the Sun Valley real estate center, play in the sand by the small lake, have tea, and there's a Mediterranean-style hotel on the hillside for afternoon tea.
3️⃣ Yi Garden Park for feeding fish and admiring flowers
4️⃣ Play at the beach lakes within the Sun Lake real estate
🍅 Since we're staying with the grandparents in an elderly health care community at the foot of the mountain, there's a local fruit stand right outside, and just a few steps away are hills full of tomato fields and vegetable gardens. So, our daily walks with the kids mostly involve climbing the hills to recognize fruits and vegetables and picking them – a completely rural and leisurely lifestyle.
🍜 For those who love slurping noodles, we've only tried the Reunion Chicken Fire Silk Rice Noodles, Qin Xiaopang's Lamb Rice Noodles, and Yang Sister's Beef Rice Noodles at local eateries outside, all of which taste great, especially the ham rice noodles! On the day we left, we planned to try Xiao Yu's Copper Hot Pot; we'll see how it tastes then.
Overall, Miyi here:
✅ The weather is good with high negative oxygen ions, almost everyday is sunny with blue skies and white clouds, there's a big temperature difference between morning and evening requiring a down jacket, and it's slightly hot under the direct sun so just wear a single layer.
✅ There's an abundance of fruit, with local loquats, cherry tomatoes, Leibo navel oranges, and mangoes all being very fresh and delicious;
✅ High green coverage rate and the county town is clean,
✅ High cost-performance ratio for living –
Of course, Miyi, this small county town, is not a scenic area or tourist spot after all. It's suitable for health care for the elderly and children, but not highly recommended for pure tourism.
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.
Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Panzhihua·Miyi Lisu Terraces | A Dreamy Poetic Realm Above the Clouds
🌾 The Miyi Lisu terraces are spread across the slopes at altitudes ranging from 1000 to over 3000 meters, covering an area of nearly two thousand acres. They are the result of six hundred years of hard work by the Lisu ethnic group.
🎨 Under the sunlight, the Lisu terraces are like gems inlaid on the earth, shimmering with enchanting light. Not only are there spectacular natural landscapes, but also a wealth of ethnic culture and historical relics. If you're looking for a place away from the hustle and bustle, to return to nature, the Miyi Lisu terraces are definitely your best choice! If it weren't for the rush to continue our journey, I would have loved to spend more time in the coffee shop by the terraces, waiting for the sunset glow to cover the hillsides, overlooking these terraces above the clouds, with the evening glow reflecting the golden color all over the mountains, it must be extraordinarily splendid!
👣 If you can't visit the Hani terraces or the Longji terraces, although the Lisu terraces are smaller in scale and more niche, there is a view with every step, and each step is a surprise! From the foot to the top of the mountain, you will see the clear layers of green, like a natural scroll. Whether you are a photography enthusiast, a foodie, or someone who loves outdoor adventures, don't miss this place!
🔥 A little episode:
🐟 There really are fish in the rice-flower fragrance! Perhaps due to the low temperature, the fish just stay quietly in the water of the fields.
🐈 When we went down to the fields, a kitten flashed by, and then we heard it meowing in front of two ladies. Before I could react to what happened, I saw one of the ladies scoop something out of the water and throw it to the kitten. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the lady had actually scooped up a live fish! Her agile movements and casual demeanor made me think that this folk expert was just scooping up a stone - P16, the fish that the kitten was eating was the one the lady scooped up, and it was so plump that it took the kitten a while to pick it up!
🚗 Transportation:
Miyi County is located in a remote area, and it is more convenient to drive there, just navigate to "Miyi Lisu Terraces". As you approach, there will be nearly forty minutes of mountain roads.
🛍 Shopping:
Near the destination is a market where many locals set up stalls, selling some local agricultural and sideline products. We bought some fresh taro and large mangoes, which were much cheaper than outside and tasted very fresh. Perhaps we were lucky to meet honest villagers! Or maybe the Lisu ethnic group's customs are naturally simple and honest!
🏩 Accommodation:
Accommodation conditions in Miyi County are average. If time permits, it is about two hours to Panzhihua.
💖 Warm Tips:
Since the Miyi Lisu terraces are located in a high-altitude area with special climate conditions, please be sure to take precautions against the cold and sun protection. At the same time, respect the local culture and customs, protect the environment, and keep this beautiful land forever pure and mysterious.
Terraced fields in the Lahu Township of Mi Yi Xingshan
The sun is particularly fond of Mi Yi, with an average annual temperature of 19.7℃, 2700 hours of sunshine per year, an average relative humidity of 65%, and a frost-free period of more than 300 days. This is one of the best climatic conditions in Sichuan, with the 'temperature of the south, the sunlight of the north', known as the 'natural greenhouse', 'inland Sanya' and 'the place where the sun is infatuated'.
Located at the foot of Longzhu Mountain in Mi Yi County, Panzhihua City, Sichuan Province, the nearly two thousand acres of Lahu terraces are the result of hundreds of years of hard work by the Lahu people. The Lahu people who live here have inherited the colorful ethnic culture of the Lahu, and the primitive and simple folk customs have been passed down to this day, giving Mi Yi a unique cultural charm and tourist resources. At present, Xingshan Lahu Township has 5 provincial intangible cultural heritages, and has been named 'the holy land of the Lahu ancestors' and 'the hometown of folk culture and art in Sichuan'.
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Popular Restaurants in Miyi