Neijiang 4 Days 3 Nights｜Sweet City Food and Scenic Water Tour

Unlock the hidden Sweet City code of southern Sichuan🔑 Within the 1-hour high-speed rail circle of Chengdu-Chongqing, Neijiang is known as the "Sweet City" due to its thousand-year sugar-making history and is the hometown of the master of Chinese painting Zhang Daqian. This 4-day 3-night itinerary will take you to experience the literary and artistic charm of the Tuojiang River, the historic Longchang Stone Archways, the ancient Yuhu Lake wetland, and the refreshing secret of Weiyuan Shiban River. Must-visit spots: In-depth guide to 5 major hidden gems🗺️ Daqian Park: A remote dialogue with the art master🎨 Daqian Park is the core cultural landmark of Neijiang, open to the public for free (Zhang Daqian Memorial Hall requires reservation). You can enjoy the lotus pond scenery and a replica of "Lushan Landscape". A 2-hour visit is recommended. Longchang Stone Archway Group: Touch the three-dimensional history book of Ming and Qing dynasties🏯 From Neijiang city center, take a 20-minute high-speed train to Longchang Stone Archway Group, where 17 stone carving buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties remain. The Beiguan original ecological archways are perfect for cultural photography, and the Nanguan ancient town offers intangible cultural heritage pottery shopping. Yuhu Lake: The migratory bird poem of southern Sichuan’s pearl🦢 Yuhu Lake is the largest wetland park in southern Sichuan, hosting 100,000 migratory birds in winter. You can take a boat tour around 24 lake islands. The Confucius Culture Park viewing platform is an excellent spot for sunset photography, and cycling around the lake is also an option. Luoquan Ancient Town: The time capsule of the thousand-year salt capital🏮 Drive 1.5 hours to Luoquan Ancient Town, which preserves the "dragon-shaped" bluestone streets and China’s only Salt God Temple. It is recommended to try the local specialty "Tofu Feast," including pregnant tofu and tofu buns. Weiyuan Shiban River: Natural air conditioning of dome landforms💦 The Shiban River scenic area features a 7-kilometer natural stone slab riverbed with water temperature at 18°C in summer. You can trek 4 kilometers upstream, experience the popular water swing, and if physically fit, challenge the "One Line Sky" rock climbing section overlooking the U-shaped valley. Food Guide: Sweet and spicy feast from morning to night🍜 Breakfast Jianghu: Neijiang people start their day with beef noodles🌞 Widow Noodle Shop (Minzu Road, Shizhong District) offers local specialty beef noodles, recommended to eat "dry style"; Li’s Beef Noodles (Taibai Road, Dongxing District) also has authentic takeout. Main Course Highlights: Unlock Neijiang’s hardcore flavors🥘 Recommended to try Zizhong blood sausage (Old Zizhong Restaurant), Longchang mutton soup (Beiguan "Wang’s Old Brand"), and Luoquan tofu feast (Ancient Town "Hu’s Tofu Workshop"). Snack Map: Sweet hits on every street corner🍡 Banbanqiao fried rice cakes (Old shop in Paimu Town) and Huanglaowu peanut brittle (Heping Square store) are Sweet City specialties; for summer refreshment, try Qiu’s ice jelly (Dongxing Old Street). Transportation Guide: 3 ways to explore Neijiang🚗 Long-distance transport: 1 hour to integrate into Chengdu-Chongqing life circle🚄 Take high-speed train from Chengdu East Station to Neijiang North Station (e.g., G317 takes 40 minutes), or from Chongqing North Station (e.g., G8791 takes 1 hour 15 minutes). Renting a car at the high-speed rail station is recommended for convenient access to nearby attractions. City transport: A happy city with taxis starting at 5 yuan🚕 Taxi starting fare in Neijiang city is 5 yuan. Bus line 105 connects major attractions, and shared bikes are also available for leisurely rides. Surrounding transport: 3 ways to explore districts and counties🚌 Longchang direction: 20 minutes by high-speed train or 35 minutes by bus; Weiyuan direction: shuttle bus from North City Bus Station; Zizhong direction: 15 minutes by high-speed train or green train No. 5619. Accommodation Recommendations: 3 styles to meet different needs🏨 City riverside view: Fall asleep by the Tuojiang River🌙 Neijiang Riverside Holiday Inn (Binjiang East Road, Shizhong District) offers river view rooms, a 5-minute walk to Jiandao Street Night Market, convenient for experiencing local nightlife. Weiyuan secret realm: Dual healing of hot springs and starry sky✨ Howard Johnson Hot Spring Hotel at Chuanshi Lake (Lianjie Town, Weiyuan) has 15 hot spring pools, VIP access to Shiban River scenic area, and family-themed rooms with starry skylights. Ancient town slow life: Stay in Ming and Qing dynasty old houses🏮 Luoquan Ancient Town Salt God Temple Inn (Luoquan Town, Zizhong County) is renovated from a century-old salt merchant’s courtyard, preserving traditional wooden structures and courtyard, offering specialty breakfast. Travel Tips: Local’s private practical checklist💡 Itinerary Planning: 4 days 3 nights golden route🗓️ Day 1: Art and culture tour🎨 08:30 Arrive at Neijiang North Station → 09:30 Daqian Park → 12:00 Eat beef noodles → 14:30 Longchang Stone Archway Group → 18:00 Eat mutton soup → 20:00 Night tour of Sweet City Lake Day 2: Nature and ecology tour🌿 07:30 Birdwatching at Yuhu Lake → 10:00 Confucius Culture Park → 12:30 Fisherman’s lunch → 14:00 Explore Yunding Village → 17:30 Return to city → 19:00 Jiandao Street Night Market Day 3: Ancient town slow life tour🏘️ 08:00 Drive to Luoquan Ancient Town → 10:00 Salt God Temple + Ancient Salt Well → 12:30 Tofu feast lunch → 14:30 Stroll old street → 16:00 Return to city → 18:30 Dinner at Daqian Restaurant Day 4: Cool water play tour💦 08:00 Head to Weiyuan Shiban River → 10:00 Stream trekking + water swing → 12:30 Farmhouse lunch in scenic area → 14:30 Dome geological park viewing → 16:30 Return to city → 18:00 Buy souvenirs → 20:00 High-speed train return trip