Langzhong Ancient City: A Journey Through a Thousand Years

Langzhong Ancient City, located in Nanchong, Sichuan Province, is one of China's four ancient cities and one of the best-preserved Ming and Qing ancient building complexes. It has both the profound heritage of the Three Kingdoms culture and the unique charm of the Bashu style. Strolling along the bluestone road is like traveling through a thousand years. The following is a detailed travel guide to help you explore Langzhong. ________________________________________ I. Transportation Guide 1. How to get to Langzhong? • Airplane: The nearest airport is Nanchong Gaoping Airport, about 100 km from Langzhong. After arrival, you can choose: o Airport Bus (transfer in Nanchong city) → Langzhong Passenger Transport Center (1.5-hour drive). o Taxi/ride-hailing directly (about 2 hours, the cost is about CNY 300). • High-speed rail/train: o Langzhong Station: Lanzhou-Chongqing Railway direct access, about 2–3 hours from Chengdu/Chongqing. Take a taxi for 10 minutes to the ancient city after leaving the station. o Nanchong Station/Nanchong East Station: Transfer to a bus to Langzhong Passenger Transport Center (about 1 hour). • Self-driving: Navigate to "Langzhong Ancient City Tourist Center", about 3 hours from Chengdu, and directly to the highway from Xi'an/Chongqing. 2. Internal Transportation of the Ancient City • You can walk to visit the core area of the ancient city. The stone road is flat, and it is better to wear comfortable shoes. • Battery cars (CNY 5–10/person) can be taken to visit the surrounding scenic spots of the ancient city, such as Tengwang Pavilion and Jinping Mountain. ________________________________________ II. Accommodation Recommendation Langzhong Tianfu Minyu Shangya Hotel • Location: Adjacent to the South Gate of the ancient city, a 5-minute walk to the core area of the ancient city, adjacent to the Han Huanhou Temple (Zhang Fei Temple). • Features: o Created by Singaporean designers, it integrates modern luxury and Han cultural elements. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the ancient city in the room. o The rooftop viewing restaurant offers customized Sichuan cuisine, and the terrace is perfect for a night tour of the ancient city's light show. o The hotel has a Hanfu experience hall, where you can rent clothes for free to take ancient-style blockbusters. • Price: About CNY 300–800/night (reservations are required in advance during peak season). • Highlights: Free afternoon tea in the executive lounge, Han culture-themed afternoon tea experience. ________________________________________ III. Food Guide: Langzhong on the Tip of the Tongue Must-try snacks: 1. Zhang Fei Beef: The meat is firm, and the five-spice flavor is the most classic (recommended "Li Ji Zhang Fei Beef"). 2. Baoning Vinegar Fish: Cooked with Baoning vinegar, a specialty of the ancient city, it is sweet and sour and appetizing ("Liangchu" restaurant's signature dish). 3. White Sugar Steamed Bun: Soft and slightly sweet, it is more authentic with oil tea ("Zhao Ji Steamed Bun" in North Street). 4. Hot Cold Noodles: Unique to Langzhong, red oil chili + sour cowpeas, a must-eat in summer ("Wu Ji Hot Cold Noodles"). Featured Restaurants: • Li's Kitchen: Local people often go to Sichuan North home cooking, and recommend "Langzhong Three Wonders Soup" (beef + Baoning vinegar + steamed bun). • Du's Inn Restaurant: Dine in the ancient house courtyard, the environment is quiet, suitable for banquets. • Vinegar Culture Museum Snack Street: Concentrated time-honored brands, you can check in snacks in one stop. ________________________________________ IV. Attractions Recommendation and Play Guide Core area of the ancient city (free, joint ticket for some attractions is CNY 110): • Han Huanhou Temple (Zhang Fei Temple): A must-go for fans of the Three Kingdoms culture to learn about Zhang Fei's history of guarding Langzhong. • Gongyuan: A place to experience the imperial examination culture, you can take the exam in Zhuangyuan costumes (ticket price: CNY 50). • Zhongtian Tower: Climb the tower to overlook the chessboard pattern of the ancient city's "Tianxin Ten Roads". • Huaguang Tower: The highest point of the ancient city, a 360° viewing platform, the best for sunrise or night view. Surrounding Attractions: • Jinping Mountain: A treasure land of Fengshui, overlooking the panoramic view of the ancient city, Du Fu once praised "Langzhong's victory can be heartbreaking". • Tengwang Pavilion: As famous as Tengwang Pavilion in Nanchang, Tang Dynasty style, suitable for taking pictures. • Zhujia Mountain Ping Shang Renjia: Pastoral scenery, experience the Bashu rural life. Cultural Experience: • Wear Hanfu to visit the ancient city (rented from hotels or South Street, about CNY 80/day). • Night tour of the Jialing River: Take a painted boat to enjoy the lights on both sides (night flight time: 19:30–21:00). • Pray for blessings by setting river lanterns: Aoshan Shengjing Scenic Area, the price of wishing lanterns varies from CNY 10–30. ________________________________________ V. Itinerary Suggestions One-day tour: Morning: Han Huanhou Temple → Gongyuan → Zhongtian Tower → Huaguang Tower Afternoon: Jinping Mountain → Tengwang Pavilion Evening: Night view of the ancient city + setting river lanterns Two-day tour: Day 1: Ancient city walk + Hanfu experience + Zhang Fei beef food tour Day 2: Zhujia Mountain Pastoral → Tengwang Pavilion → Night tour of the Jialing River ________________________________________ VI. Precautions 1. The stone road in the ancient city has many slopes, so wear comfortable flat shoes. 2. Pay attention to sun protection in summer, bring a thin coat in spring and autumn, and keep warm in winter when it is humid and cold. 3. Baoning vinegar is a local specialty, you can buy a small bottle as a souvenir (recommended "Tianyuan" brand). 4. Book hotels in advance, and rooms are tight during holidays. ________________________________________ Langzhong Ancient City is a "living ancient city", which has both the precipitation of history and the temperature of life. Living in Langzhong Tianfu Minyu Shangya Hotel , you can see the millennium city tower when you open the window, taste a cup of Baoning vinegar tea in the morning, and enjoy the sparkling river fire at night. This journey through time and space will definitely make you linger. Take this guide and start your Langzhong trip! Langzhong Tianfu Minyu Shangya Hotel