Zizhong Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Chonglong Mountain Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Chonglong Mountain—The cliff carvings right at our doorstep
Chonglong Mountain, located in Zizhong County, Sichuan Province, has been a famous place I knew since childhood. In recent years, I have traveled thousands of miles to visit many of the great landscapes of our motherland, but I have never visited the famous mountain and stone carvings right at my doorstep. Perhaps this is what the saying means: 'What we have, we do not treasure, and we become blind to it.' For this reason, I must climb this mountain, which is not very high in altitude, but rich in cultural charm. As soon as I entered Chonglong Mountain, not far along the way, what caught my eye were the cliff carvings from the Sui and Tang dynasties, with more than a hundred niches and over a thousand statues. Although damaged, they are still stunning. Next to the carvings, there are many inscriptions by famous people.
The Yongqing Temple on Chonglong Mountain is very famous and spectacular, located on the south side of the mountain top, rebuilt during the Ming dynasty. The temple complex is grand and the houses are neatly arranged. This is also a great place to climb high and look into the distance. Standing in front of the temple and looking out, the scenery of Zizhong city is all in view, especially the old buildings of the old city, which show historical traces and let people understand the past and present of this city.
In front of Yongshou Temple stands a statue of Guanyin, which is very shocking, facing the direction of the city, with a sense of the Buddha watching over and blessing all beings. There is a stone archway in front of the temple, with 'Chonglong Ancient Site' written on it, and couplets on both sides. On the back of the archway is written 'Famous Shu Temple'.
Behind the archway is the 'Wenming Danfu' archway, followed by the Heavenly King Hall of Yongqing Temple, and behind the hall is a double-eaved octagonal pavilion. Behind the hall is the 'Heavenly Pond', which never dries up even in severe drought. Behind the Heavenly Pond is the Mahavira Hall, with the Moon Pond on the right. The Thousand-Handed Guanyin inside the temple is truly breathtaking; the Guanyin Bodhisattva in the hall with a thousand hands and eyes watches every direction, each hand holding different ritual instruments or treasures. Looking around the entire Guanyin Bodhisattva, one can't help but marvel at the profoundness of Buddhist culture and the exquisite craftsmanship. This kind of standing in the hall, being able to look around the entire Guanyin, and being more closely touched than the one-sided Thousand-Handed Guanyin on the Dazu Rock Carvings wall, is more moving.
Tips: The entrance fee for Chonglong Mountain is 2 yuan, which is cheap, but I don't know if there is an annual pass.
Chonglong Mountain is surrounded by ancient trees and greenery, a natural oxygen bar, suitable for climbing high and looking into the distance, praying to Buddha and enjoying the scenery. A treasure mountain.
On the Hundred-Step Cloud Ladder of Chonglong Mountain, there is the Chonglong Pavilion, which is also the highest point of the mountain. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to climb the pavilion, probably due to the protection of cultural relics, but looking up at the Chonglong Pavilion, it still feels very imposing.
According to the introduction, Yongqing Temple has more than 1700 collections, including calligraphy steles by famous people such as Su Dongpo and Huang Tingjian, as well as paintings and calligraphy by Yuan Mu, Zeng Guofan, and Zhang Daqian. Huang Tingjian's 'Youlan Fu' stele is the most precious, a rare treasure, but I toured in a cursory manner and did not take a close look to see if there was Huang Tingjian's stele, which is really a pity, but I will make up for it next time.
To go to Chonglong Mountain, you can drive directly to the mountain gate, and taking a taxi is also very convenient and not expensive.
High-speed rail direct, recommending a lesser-known yet culturally rich small city
Compared to popular destinations, Wenlv Jun prefers distinctive niche destinations. Sichuan has an obscure small city called Neijiang Zizhong
with a history of over two thousand years. This place is culturally advanced, with a flourishing literary atmosphere, and its unique natural environment and profound historical heritage have left a variety of natural and cultural landscapes, including the Chonglong Mountain carvings, Confucian Temple, Martial Temple, Yongqing Temple, Catholic Church, Ningguo Temple, Yangliu Beach, etc. There are also many special local foods and lower prices, making it especially suitable for congestion-free travel during various holidays!
Having visited enough internet-famous check-in spots, such a slow-paced place, full of cultural heritage and the atmosphere of daily life, is worth visiting
Chonglong Mountain, experience the ancient relics, and self-portraits by famous artists
I haven't returned to my hometown Zizhong County for many years. Visiting Chonglong Mountain, a place I used to frequent as a child, with my alma mater at the foot of the mountain, my feelings upon seeing these ancient relics are completely different now. There are ancient temples and halls built during the Ming Dynasty, such as Yongqing Temple, and a total of 160 niches and 1,648 statues carved into the cliff during the Sui and Tang dynasties, most of which are well-preserved.
Beside the statues, there are also many inscriptions and poems by famous people since the Tang Dynasty. Yongqing Temple currently houses over 1,700 collections, including calligraphy steles and paintings by famous people such as Su Dongpo, Huang Tingjian, Yuan Mu, Zeng Guofan, and Zhang Daqian. Among them, Huang Tingjian's 'Rhapsody on the Orchid' stele is the most precious, a rare treasure.
Zizhong also has a lot of delicious food. When in Sichuan, one can visit this small town for a unique taste.
Cultural Sanctuary - Chonglong Mountain
Chonglong Mountain is located in the center of Zizhong city, where the literary atmosphere has been prosperous since ancient times, leaving behind many cultural relics. In addition to the Junzi Spring cliff inscriptions that were previously introduced, there are various historical remains scattered throughout the mountain, exuding a strong cultural essence and an imposing aura.
The first site to mention is Yongqing Temple and its wooden archway, now a Sichuan provincial-level cultural heritage site. Yongqing Temple was initially built during the Tang Dynasty, rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, and renovated in the Qing Dynasty. The 'Chonglong Ancient Relics' stone archway in front of the temple was reconstructed last century, but the ten stone slabs embedded within are original artifacts excavated from nearby towns, exquisitely set into the archway. The wooden archway inside the temple is even more precious; originally part of the Yuzhou City Yuwang Palace gate, it was constructed during the Ming Dynasty's Jiajing era. The entire wooden arch is assembled without a single nail and has remained sturdy for over 500 years, with its elaborate brackets and flying eaves. In modern times, this archway also witnessed the Xinhai Revolution; Duan Fang, who came to Sichuan to suppress the Railway Protection Movement, was executed here, and in the 1970s, it was moved into Yongqing Temple.
Additionally, there are several stone archways from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, such as the Xichang Mountain Dou Archway and the Yuxu Palace Archway, both county-protected. There is also the provincial-protected Qing Dynasty Shouyin Pavilion, originally from Wanshou Palace, but unfortunately, that area has been closed due to the risk of landslides, and the trees have grown very lush. Of course, there is also another part of the nationally protected Chonglong Mountain stone carvings - the Ancient North Rock, which has also been mostly closed due to landslide hazards, featuring the exquisite Longdong Grotto and the Ancient North Rock and Huanyu Pool inscriptions.
Furthermore, at the foot of Chonglong Mountain is the Zizhong Wenwu Temple complex that was introduced in a previous article. There is also the Dongyue Temple, which now serves as a teacher training school and is rarely open to the public. The entire Chonglong Mountain is rich in historical sites, which have always attracted many literati and scholars to linger, truly making it a cultural paradise.
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Luoquan Ancient Town Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Sichuan's thousand-year-old ancient town that 'straddles three counties with one step' offers beautiful scenery and zero admission fee
In Sichuan, there is such a place, it is the thousand-year-old ancient town in Sichuan that 'straddles three counties with one step', with understated beauty and no admission fee. Have you ever been there? Curious friends might ask, where exactly is this Sichuan ancient town that 'straddles three counties with one step'? What different sceneries does it offer? With these questions and curiosities, let's talk today about the stories of Luoquan Ancient Town. Luoquan Town is located at the junction of Zizhong, Renshou, and Weiyuan counties. Luoquan, also known as 'Luoquan Well', was approved as a historical and cultural town of Sichuan Province as early as 1992. In 2008, it was listed by the State Council as a national historical and cultural town. Luoquan Ancient Town is also one of the 100 millennium ancient towns in China, founded during the Qin Dynasty. According to the 'Zizhong County Annals', Luoquan Ancient Town has a history of over 1700 years. The gurgling springs are exactly where the town, known for its tender tofu, is located -- Luoquan Ancient Town. This sentence has already summarized the two characteristics of Luoquan Ancient Town: cool springs and water in summer, and a small reputation for fragrant tofu. As an ancient town located at the junction of Zizhong and Renshou, two large agricultural counties, Luoquan has been a place of prosperous trade since ancient times. It is said that Zhuge Liang once dug wells for water here during his southern campaign against Meng Huo.
Wow! The ancient town of Sichuan is on par with Wuzhen, and the admission is free! Known as the 'Little Wuzhen', why not go there quickly?
Luoquan Ancient Town, this long-standing city has a history of thousands of years, witnessing the crystallization of the brilliant civilization of the ancient Shu Kingdom. Despite the wars and changes of the times, the ancient town still stands tall, radiating new vitality. The narrow winding bluestone road, the old courtyard houses, the unfathomable Luoquan, and the rich and colorful folk culture all make tourists linger.
Every stone slab and every section of the city wall in the ancient town are telling the imprint of history. Mr. Lin leads tourists to taste the historical imprint of the ancient town, displays the relics left by the ancestors, and is full of pride and joy. Luoquan, this clear and icy ancient spring, is the 'Mother River' of the townspeople, nurturing the unique temperament of the ancient town.
The folk culture of Luoquan Ancient Town is rich and colorful, and traditional festivals such as the Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Spring Festival temple fair are all eye-catching. Tourists can participate in these ancient and full of life atmosphere, feel the unique charm of Bashu culture.
On the edge of the ancient town, the mountain basin, the green mountains and rivers and the architectural style of the ancient town complement each other, forming a delicate paradise. This trip to the ancient town allows tourists to have a deeper understanding of Luoquan Ancient Town, and also get to know the hospitable Mr. Lin. Luoquan Ancient Town, this historical and cultural treasure, is worth more excavation and exploration.
Temple of Literature in Zizhong Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
High-speed rail direct, recommending a lesser-known yet culturally rich small city
Compared to popular destinations, Wenlv Jun prefers distinctive niche destinations. Sichuan has an obscure small city called Neijiang Zizhong
with a history of over two thousand years. This place is culturally advanced, with a flourishing literary atmosphere, and its unique natural environment and profound historical heritage have left a variety of natural and cultural landscapes, including the Chonglong Mountain carvings, Confucian Temple, Martial Temple, Yongqing Temple, Catholic Church, Ningguo Temple, Yangliu Beach, etc. There are also many special local foods and lower prices, making it especially suitable for congestion-free travel during various holidays!
Having visited enough internet-famous check-in spots, such a slow-paced place, full of cultural heritage and the atmosphere of daily life, is worth visiting
Zizhong welcomes you to come and check in for a visit
Zizhong is a county town 150 kilometers away from Chengdu, with the Tuojiang River flowing through the city.
It is only upon entering Zizhong that one discovers it is actually a city with a long history and a famous cultural name. Zizhong, formerly known as 'Zizhou', is named for its location in the middle part of the Tuojiang River, and it is the birthplace of Confucius's teacher, Zhang Hong.
The Zizhong Confucian Temple was first built during the Yongxi period of the Northern Song Dynasty. The Dacheng Hall houses the only standing statue of Confucius in China, because Zizhong is the hometown of Confucius's teacher Zhang Hong. Therefore, even the most sage Confucius can only stand here, reflecting the Confucian respect for teachers and emphasis on the Way. Inside the hall, there are plaques from eight emperors: Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang, Xianfeng, Tongzhi, and Guangxu, as well as plaques from Lin Sen and Chiang Kai-shek.
Yongqing Temple on Chonglong Mountain in Zizhong County was first built in the early years of the Tang Dynasty's Jianzhong period, donated by relatives of Tang Dynasty Prime Minister Pei Du. Behind the mountain, there is a stele pavilion of the Ming Dynasty Taoist Yuxu Palace and the inner and outer city walls built by the state government. Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism coexist harmoniously on the same mountain.
The Buddhist monk statues carved into the North Cliff at the entrance to the mountain gate, which began in the Tang Dynasty, are exquisitely crafted and lifelike.
The Huanyu Pond on Chonglong Mountain was inscribed by Su Dongpo himself. It is said to have been expanded from Qingshen and carved here.
Shengling Mountain Geological Park Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Here is the Holy Mountain: The Great Cavern + Light and Shadow Art||Fantastically varied
Here is the Holy Mountain: The Great Cavern + Light and Shadow Art||Fantastically varied. The unfathomable Great Cavern, entering it is like entering a maze, beautiful and mysterious, with various art lights carefully arranged inside, where you can happily play for most of the day. The scenic area also has various thrilling amusements, such as a high-altitude glass bridge, cliff swing, glass water slide, and rainbow slide, all of which can give you a feeling of flying, or the magic of walking in the air~
Walking on the glass bridge, are you afraid?
Swinging on the cliff swing, are you afraid?
There is also the children's favorite dinosaur museum. There is no admission fee for the scenic area's main gate, and it is open for free visits, with many fun projects, making it a great place to take the kids!
Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
High-speed rail direct, recommending a lesser-known yet culturally rich small city
Compared to popular destinations, Wenlv Jun prefers distinctive niche destinations. Sichuan has an obscure small city called Neijiang Zizhong
with a history of over two thousand years. This place is culturally advanced, with a flourishing literary atmosphere, and its unique natural environment and profound historical heritage have left a variety of natural and cultural landscapes, including the Chonglong Mountain carvings, Confucian Temple, Martial Temple, Yongqing Temple, Catholic Church, Ningguo Temple, Yangliu Beach, etc. There are also many special local foods and lower prices, making it especially suitable for congestion-free travel during various holidays!
Having visited enough internet-famous check-in spots, such a slow-paced place, full of cultural heritage and the atmosphere of daily life, is worth visiting
Recommended Attractions at Popular Destinations
Popular Restaurants in Zizhong