Neijiang 3-Day Travel Guide: Hometown of Zhang Daqian, Sweet City
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Neijiang 3-Day Travel Guide: Hometown of Zhang Daqian, Sweet City of Southern Sichuan
Neijiang, hometown of the legendary painter Zhang Daqian, is known as the "Sweet City" for its thousand-year sugar industry heritage. The Tuojiang River flows through the city, Longchang's stone memorial archways are hailed as a "Three-Dimensional History Book," Luoguan Ancient Town carries a millennium of salt heritage, and Weiyuan Stone Slab River is a summer water paradise. Three days to discover this southern Sichuan gem.
🚶 Day 1: Daqian Culture and Tuojiang River Scenery
Morning: Daqian Garden Tourist Area (Free, reservation required)
The core attraction dedicated to master painter Zhang Daqian, housing his authentic works and Dunhuang mural copies. The memorial hall displays a replica of "Ten Thousand Miles of the Yangtze River" and the master's painting tools — witnessing the artistic journey of the "Picasso of the East."
Afternoon: Shengshui Temple (Free) to Sanyuan Pagoda (Free)
Shengshui Temple, built in the Tang Dynasty, features exquisite cliff-side stone carvings. Sanyuan Pagoda, dating to the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, offers panoramic views of the winding Tuojiang River — Neijiang's iconic ancient structure.
Evening: Tuojiang River Night Tour
The 2025新增 night cruise project features lights reflecting off the river and ancient pagoda. Stroll along the river to experience the city's vibrant night atmosphere.
Food recommendations:
- 🍜 Neijiang Beef Noodles: Bright red chili oil, tender beef. The "Widow's Noodles" shop in Dongxing District is the most authentic. ¥12-18
- 🐟 Daqian Dry-Braised Fish: Spicy and aromatic, inheriting the Daqian family banquet style. ¥50-80
- 🍖 Wang's Beef Jerky: A Sweet City specialty in five-spice or spicy flavors. ¥15-30/bag
🚶 Day 2: Longchang Stone Memorial Archways and Guyu Lake Birdwatching
Morning: Longchang Stone Memorial Archways (Free)
A national key cultural relic protection unit with 13 surviving Qing Dynasty stone archways. Exquisite carvings of figures, flowers, and birds are so lifelike it's called a "Three-Dimensional History Book." Each archway corresponds to a real historical story — the "Suqing Dezheng Arch" honors honest officials, while the "Guo Yuluan Gongde Arch" celebrates charitable deeds.
Afternoon: Guyu Lake Tourist Area (Free, boat ¥50/person)
The largest artificial lake in southern Sichuan at 5.4 square kilometers. In winter, it becomes a habitat for over 10,000 migratory birds including white cranes and gray cranes. The lakeside walking trail is perfect for cycling and hiking, with a cherry blossom avenue blooming in spring.
Food recommendations:
- 🍲 Longchang Mutton Soup: Milky-white broth, tender meat — the top choice for warming up in autumn and winter. ¥25-40/person
- 🍘 Longchang Sweet Potato Candy: Sweet and crispy, available fresh outside the archway scenic area. ¥5-10/bag
🚶 Day 3: Luoguan Ancient Town or Weiyuan Stone Slab River (Choose One)
Option A: Luoguan Ancient Town (Free, Zizhong County)
A 1,700-year-old salt town featuring China's only temple dedicated to Guan Zhong, the patron saint of the salt industry. The old street preserves Ming-Qing architectural style with winding cobblestone paths. During the autumn "Luoguan Tofu Festival," sample various tofu delicacies and join tofu-making workshops.
Food: Luoguan Tofu Feast (tofu brains, tofu skin, fried tofu, etc.), ¥20-40/person
Option B: Weiyuan Stone Slab River (¥50, includes sightseeing bus)
A 7-kilometer riverbed carved from solid rock, with crystal-clear cool water in summer — a natural water playground. Formed over a billion years ago through tectonic movement, the natural patterns on the riverbed rocks bear witness to geological transformation.
Evening: Return to Neijiang
Neijiang is budget-friendly. Enjoy one last bowl of beef noodles to sweetly conclude your trip.
🍜 Food Summary
| Dish | Recommendation | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Beef Noodles | Widow's Noodles Shop | ¥12-18 |
| Dry-Braised Fish | Near Daqian Garden | ¥50-80 |
| Mutton Soup | Longchang downtown | ¥25-40/person |
| Rabbit Noodles | Liu's Rabbit Shop | ¥12-18 |
| Luoguan Tofu | Luoguan Ancient Town | ¥20-40/person |
| Sweet Potato Candy | Stone Archway area | ¥5-10/bag |
| Preserved Fruits | Specialty shops | ¥10-25/box |
| Beef Jerky | Supermarkets | ¥15-30/bag |
🚄 Transportation Tips
- High-Speed Rail: Neijiang North Station — Chengdu to Neijiang about 40 min, Chongqing about 30 min
- Longchang: Neijiang to Longchang by high-speed rail about 15 min, or bus ¥15/person
- Weiyuan: Neijiang to Weiyuan about 1 hour by car, scenic area shuttle available
- Luoguan: About 50 min drive from Zizhong county
- Tip: City attractions are concentrated — taxis ¥10-20
💡 Practical Tips
- Best Season: Mar-May (spring flowers) or Sep-Nov (autumn, Luoguan Tofu Festival)
- Daqian Garden is free but requires advance reservation via "Tianfu Culture & Tourism" WeChat
- Best birdwatching at Guyu Lake is November to February
- Stone Slab River is best in summer (Jun-Aug) — bring change of clothes and non-slip shoes
- Longchang Archway Light Show runs Friday and Saturday nights at 8 PM
- Neijiang is very affordable — ¥200-400/day is plenty
- Stay in Dongxing District along the Tuojiang River for convenience and night views