Bazhong 3-Day Citywalk Guide: Guangwu Mountain Red Leaves of the Sichuan-Shaanxi Soviet

Bazhong — center of the Sichuan-Shaanxi Revolutionary Base, the Fourth Front Red Army's spirit of "courage and determination, overcoming difficulties with innovation" is etched into this land. Nankan Grottoes are treasures of High Tang Dynasty stone carving art, 1,300+ niches of exquisite sculptures. Guangwu Mountain is Bazhong's and all of northeastern Sichuan's brightest jewel — every October-November, 680 km² of red leaves blanket the mountains, hailed as "China's #1 Red Leaf Mountain," Shiba Yue Tan's streams reflecting crimson foliage is a photographer's paradise. Nuoshui River karst cave group is mysterious and magnificent, Zhongfeng Cave called "World's #1 Cave." Eyang Ancient Town is remarkably preserved with Red Army slogans everywhere and minimal commercial development. Tongjiang silver ear fungus "China's Silver Ear Capital," Nanjiang yellow goat tender without gaminess — three days of red leaves and revolutionary memory in magnificent Bazhong.

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

Autumn (Oct-Nov): Guangwu Mountain red leaf season! 680 km² of colorful forests — Strongly recommended!
Spring (Mar-May): Guangwu Mountain azaleas + greenery, 12-25°C
Summer (Jun-Aug): Nuoshui River cave escape, 20-30°C

🚄 Getting There

HSR: Chengdu→Bazhong ~3h (¥210), Chongqing→~2.5h (¥160)
Tip: Guangwu Mountain is in Nanjiang County (~2h from Bazhong), Nuoshui River in Tongjiang County (~2.5h)

🍜 Must-Eat Food

Bazhong Skewers (Chuanchuan) (¥20-40/person) — Bazhong's most popular food! Bamboo skewers of ingredients cooked in numbing-spicy hotpot, busiest late at night. Beef + tripe + potato + lotus root are the must-order four
Tongjiang Silver Ear Fungus (¥30-60/box) — Bazhong's calling card! "China's Silver Ear Capital," rich in collagen. Rock sugar silver ear soup or silver ear stewed chicken, beauty and nourishment. Top souvenir choice
Eyang Ten Bowls (¥30-50/person) — Eyang Ancient Town's traditional banquet, ten dishes symbolizing "perfect completeness." Includes crispy meat + chunk meat + serving bowl + braised pork — taste all of northern Sichuan's traditional dishes in one meal
Bazhong Oil Tea (¥5-8) — Traditional breakfast: rice paste + fried dough sticks + peanuts + soybeans + Sichuan pepper powder, fragrant and warming, one bowl fills you with energy
Nanjiang Yellow Goat Soup (¥30-50/person) — Nanjiang County's specialty yellow goat, tender meat without gaminess, incredibly flavorful soup. National geographical indication product
Bazhong Sugar Twist (Tang Mahua) (¥5-10/bag) — Traditional snack, flour + maltose deep-fried, crispy outside, soft and sweet inside

Food Areas

Bazhong Old City: Skewer street + oil tea shops
Eyang Ancient Town: Ten Bowls farmhouses
Nanjiang/Tongjiang County: Yellow goat soup + silver ear dishes

📅 3-Day Itinerary

🚶 Day 1: Nankan Grottoes + Bazhong Red Culture

8:30-11:30 | Nankan Grottoes (Ticket ¥30) High Tang stone carving treasures, national key cultural relic:

1,300+ niches begun in Sui, peaked in Tang, full-faced serene sculptures with flowing drapery
Yan Wu Stele: Calligraphy treasure by Tang minister Yan Wu
Grottoes carved into the hillside, viewed along walkways, shaded by green trees

13:00-16:00 | Sichuan-Shaanxi Revolutionary Base Museum (Free) Understanding the Fourth Front Red Army's campaigns in Bazhong:

Red Army artifacts + historical photos + battle scene reconstructions
General Zhang Aiping's life exhibition

16:30-18:00 | Bazhong Riverside Walk along Ba River, watch sunset on the water. Dinner: Bazhong skewers.

🚶 Day 2: Guangwu Mountain Red Leaves (Full Day Highlight)

7:30-17:30 | Guangwu Mountain (Ticket ¥80 + shuttle ¥40, Nanjiang County, ~2h from Bazhong) "China's #1 Red Leaf Mountain" — 680 km² of crimson and gold:

Morning (Micang Mountain + Xianglu Mountain):

Micang Mountain National Forest Park: Red leaf core area, colorful as an oil painting
Xianglu Mountain: Summit views of red-blanketed mountains, layers of gold and crimson

Noon: Scenic area farmhouse: cured meat + wild greens + local chicken soup, ¥25-40/person

Afternoon (Shiba Yue Tan + Black Bear Valley):

Eighteen Moon Pools: 18 emerald pools linked by streams, red leaves reflected in water — photographer's paradise. Each pool has unique shape and colors
Black Bear Valley: Red leaves lining both sides of the gorge, babbling streams, primeval forest atmosphere

💡 Best red leaves mid-Oct to mid-Nov. Scenic area is huge, shuttle bus essential. Dress warm (8-10°C cooler than city at altitude). Bring camera!

🚶 Day 3: Eyang Ancient Town + Nuoshui River + Departure

8:30-11:00 | Eyang Ancient Town (Free) Well-preserved northern Sichuan ancient town, once an important Fourth Front Red Army base:

Red Army Slogan Walls: Revolutionary slogans visible on ancient buildings, vivid historical traces
Ming-Qing Architecture: Ancient dock + old streets + courtyard houses, original residents still living here
Minimal commercial development, authentic ancient town atmosphere

12:00-15:30 | Nuoshui River Caves (Ticket ¥80, Tongjiang County) Mysterious and magnificent karst cave group:

Zhongfeng Cave: Called "World's #1 Cave," enormous interior, boat ride through underground river
Lion Cave: Stalactites in bizarre and wonderful shapes, illuminated like a fairy realm
Caves stay 16-18°C year-round, excellent summer escape

16:00+ | Departure Shopping: Tongjiang silver ear fungus (must-buy!), Nanjiang yellow goat meat (vacuum-packed), sugar twists, Bazhong tea. Bazhong Station.

💰 Budget Reference (3 days/person)

Item	Budget	Comfort
Accommodation	¥200-350	¥400-700
Food	¥150-250	¥300-500
Tickets	¥130-190	¥130-190
Transport	¥200-400	¥400-700
Total	¥680-1,190	¥1,230-2,090

💡 Guangwu Mountain red leaf season lodging is tight, book 1-2 weeks ahead.

💡 Practical Tips

Guangwu Red Leaves: Not identical every year — mid-October to early November safest bet. Follow "Guangwu Mountain" WeChat for real-time red leaf index
Shiba Yue Tan Photography: Best afternoon light, red leaves reflected in pools look like oil paintings
Tongjiang Silver Ear: Look for "Tongjiang" origin, quality far exceeds other regions. Rock sugar stewed silver ear is the best preparation
Eyang Ancient Town: Almost no commercial development, a "living" ancient town, not like many "fake old streets"
Nuoshui River: Slippery inside caves, wear non-slip shoes, bring light jacket (16°C inside)
Bazhong Skewers: Most lively late at night, recommend going after 10pm — that's when Bazhong people's "dinner time" really starts

Sources: Ctrip, Mafengwo, Dianping