A Comprehensive Guide to Xiangyang in 2025

The following is a comprehensive travel guide to Xiangyang, covering natural scenery, cultural landscapes, food experiences, and itinerary planning, suitable for tourists with different travel needs: I. Recommended Core Attractions 1. Xiangyang Mountain (Liaoyuan, Jilin) • Features: Apricot, peach, and pear blossoms bloom in succession in spring. Purple lilac and dandelion meadows on the mountainside form a natural filter, ideal for hiking and photography. • Route Planning: • Picnic Lovers: Back Gate Parking Lot → Rainbow Steps → Viewing Pavilion (dandelion meadow picnic). • Photo Enthusiasts: Main Gate Cherry Blossom Path → Listening to Pine Terrace → Moon Embracing Bridge (low-hanging peach blossoms and water reflections). • Family Travelers: Amusement Park Tulip Garden → Forest Classroom (tree planting experience). • Tips: The effect of dew condensation on petals is better when photographed in the morning mist after rain. It is recommended to wear light-colored or new Chinese-style clothing. 2. Xiangyang Temple (Shenyang, Liaoning) • Features: A quiet ancient temple in the Qipanshan Scenic Area, which can be combined with the surrounding natural landscapes for a tour. • Itinerary Suggestions: • Driving Route: Shenyang Long-Distance Passenger Transport Station → Pangjiang Street → Zhulin Road → Xiuhunan Road → Xiuhu Ring Road → Xiangyang Temple Parking Lot. • Surrounding Attractions: Climb the main peak of Qipanshan first, and then visit Xiangyang Temple on the way down the mountain. The whole journey is about 1 km on foot. • Notes: The temple is open from 08:30–16:30. Please keep quiet and respect religious etiquette. 3. Xiangyang Vegetable Market (Baise, Guangxi) • Features: A concentration of urban life and local cuisine, ideal for in-depth experience of local flavors. • Must-Eat List: • Liang Ji Cold Shredded Chicken: Tender chicken, served with duck kidney, pig ears, and other side dishes. • Glutinous Rice Stall: Traditional snacks such as red bean zongzi and Ciba, sold until sold out during the morning market hours. • Xiangjie Noodle Shop: The casserole Yi noodle soup base is rich, and the hot noodle flavor is light and optional. • Location: Find it by going deep into the vegetable market near the intersection of Xiangyang Road. II. Featured Experiences 1. Nature Exploration • Xiangyang Mountain, Liaoyuan: Hiking and flower viewing in spring, and colorful forests in autumn, suitable for repeated visits in different seasons. • Qipanshan, Shenyang: Mountain climbing, camping, stargazing, and the Xiangyang Temple itinerary form a "nature + culture" combination. 2. Cultural Experience • Xiangyang Temple Zen Meditation: Participate in tea parties, sutra copying, and other activities in the temple (please consult in advance for opening hours). • Baise Folk Customs: Experience Zhuang ethnic handicrafts or local opera performances around Xiangyang Vegetable Market (depending on local festival arrangements). 3. Parent-Child Interaction • Xiangyang Mountain Forest Classroom: Participate in popular science activities such as tree maintenance and nature observation. • Xiangyang Vegetable Market Study Tour: Take your children to learn about local ingredients and experience the making of traditional snacks. III. Food and Accommodation Suggestions 1. Food Map • Xiangyang Mountain, Liaoyuan: Sticky bean buns, Korean cold noodles, and shepherd's purse pork dumplings at the foot of the mountain. • Around Xiangyang Temple, Shenyang: Banye Xiaoche Che Shop (vegetarian noodles, shortbread, drinks), Qipanshan farmhouse dishes. • Xiangyang Vegetable Market, Baise: Cold shredded chicken, glutinous rice, casserole noodles. 2. Accommodation Recommendations • Liaoyuan: Hotels in the city or B&Bs in Longshan District, convenient for returning the next day. • Shenyang: Resorts in the Qipanshan Scenic Area, or hotels in the city (suitable for multi-day trips). • Baise: Hotels in the city center (close to the vegetable market and night market), or characteristic inns in Youjiang District. IV. Sample Itinerary Plans 1. One-Day Tour (Xiangyang Mountain, Liaoyuan) • Morning: After arriving at the back mountain parking lot, hike to enjoy the apricot blossom forest → Rainbow Steps → Viewing Pavilion for a picnic. • Afternoon: Main Gate Cherry Blossom Path → Listening to Pine Terrace → Moon Embracing Bridge for photos, purchase shepherd's purse pork dumplings before returning. 2. Two-Day Tour (Qipanshan + Xiangyang Temple, Shenyang) • Day 1: Climb the main peak of Qipanshan → camp or stay at a hotel in the scenic area. • Day 2: Visit Xiangyang Temple in the morning, experience vegetarian food at Banye Xiaoche Che Shop in the afternoon, and return. 3. Three-Day Tour (Xiangyang Vegetable Market + Surrounding Area, Baise) • Day 1: Xiangyang Vegetable Market morning market → Cold shredded chicken, glutinous rice exploration → Experience folk activities in the afternoon. • Day 2: Visit the Baise Uprising Memorial Hall and other cultural attractions. • Day 3: Visit the surrounding terraced fields or karst cave natural landscapes. V. Practical Tips 1. Transportation: • Xiangyang Mountain, Liaoyuan: Take bus No. 25 to Lianyang Road Station and walk for 12 minutes; drive to the back gate parking lot with navigation. • Xiangyang Temple, Shenyang: Driving is preferred, with ample parking in the scenic area. • Xiangyang Vegetable Market, Baise: Taxis or cycling are available in the city. 2. Season and Equipment: • Spring: Lightweight jacket, non-slip shoes (mountain roads are slippery after rain). • Summer: Sun hat, mosquito repellent, plenty of drinking water. • Autumn: Warm clothing, hiking poles (fallen leaves cover the road and are easy to slip). • Winter: Cold protection equipment, ice claws (if there is snow). 3. Budget Reference: • Xiangyang Mountain, Liaoyuan: Free admission, average cost of dining is CNY 30–50 per person. • Xiangyang Temple, Shenyang: Parking fee is CNY 20, average cost of tea and snacks is CNY 50–80 per person. • Xiangyang Vegetable Market, Baise: Average cost of snacks is CNY 10–30 per person, average cost of meals is CNY 40–60 per person.